Really afraid of appt. tomorrow

Lendi · 03-10-2003, 10:15 PM

I'm taking so many medications right now, that I just want to quit all of them. And, I'm afraid to do that, too. One of them, especially is really scarey. It is highly habit forming both psychologically and physically. My Dr. says I'll need it forever anyway, so not to worry. But, I am worrying anyway. Tomorrow, I go to a follow up appt. with a rheumatologist who said he would probably be changing my medications at this appt. That's scarey, too. What if he tells me to go off of that same med. I really do feel better when I take it, but it may be interfering with some of the others and causing other problems. And, I still do not function at a very high level. And, which Dr. do I believe? One I've known forever, or a specialist involving one of my diseases? I don't feel well now, but I'm afraid of feeling even worse if my treatment is changed. Guess it all boils down to the fact that I'm just scared. And, I'm sad that the life I have known is not longer there. It may or may not get better, but will never be the same. And, I am angry about that too.

santa'sbaby · 03-10-2003, 10:45 PM

Wow Lendi!

I don't blame you for feeling angry. You have alot of decisions to make and if you are not satisfied with the advice of one doctor I would seek the opinion of as many as you can.

No matter what happens you will always be our Lendi that makes a difference on this board. You make others feel good and that will never change in my eyes.

So I give you another supportive ((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))) and know that I will be thinking about you tomorrow. Let me know how you make out and remember that we all care about you!

Love ya lots,
April

Sari · 03-11-2003, 12:54 PM

Lendi, I agree with santa's baby that you should get as many opinions as you need to make a decision you can be comfortable with. Maybe one option the doctor will say is to decrease the amount of the one med that might be interfering with the others? Keep your chin up today, and let us know how it goes.

Pattyannruss · 03-11-2003, 01:02 PM

Big hug to you!

I know how scared you are.
Tell yourself this is just a step.
Tell the Dr how worried you are about the changes.
Ask him how he feels about it.

Are you willing to stay on the meds as they are?
If you are going through issues at home, it may be a good idea not to change at this time. Unless he has options that would help matters.

Tell him(DR) you are sensitive right now and need extra support.
You need to let him know what your dealing with.
That will help him understand your needs.

((((Positive vibes))))) for you!!

Lendi · 03-11-2003, 11:37 PM

Thanks, I sure need the support. The appt. was a bust. He didn't listen to anything I said. Just said I definitely have fibrymyalgia along with the rest of my bodies stupid diseases, and that there is no cure, which I already knew. He changed my sleeping med to a different class. He wanted me to raise my anti-depressant. I told him I didn't need more anti-depressant that I was feeling well in that area, but he said it would help with the pain. He was willing to give me a pain med, which I refused. My major problem is the overwhelming fatigue, the pain I can deal with. He didn't address that statement except to say that I had to get quality sleep and exercise. I said exercising puts me out for 3 or 4 days and his answer was to start slowly and build the exercise time up and to come back and see him in 6 weeks. So, I guess I'm back to square one. I know, in my head, that there isnt' anything that can be done, but I at least hoped he listen and give advice about day to day living. I was in tears all the way home. Maybe I do need to raise my anti-depressant after all to just deal with Drs. I so grateful for you guys here. I don't know how I'd deal with it without you. Thanks, Lendi

Sari · 03-12-2003, 12:31 AM

Lendi, have you looked into alternative medicine to help with the fatigue - such as accupuncture? I'm always hearing how great it is, maybe it could help you?

DebiLMT · 03-12-2003, 12:53 PM

Lendi,

I am so sorry you are having such a rough time of it. It is very disheartening to have to live with diseases and syndromes and all of the changes that brings to our lives.

Just know that we are here to support you.

Hugs
Debi

MaraJ · 03-12-2003, 02:32 PM

Lendi,

I'm rather new around here, but I just wanted to offer a few suggestions that helped me tremendously - hopefully these won't be repeats for you. I've also included a few links, again, I hope they're not repetitive!

About 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and was in the midst of a full blown major depressive episode. This, of course, was on top of the PCOS. The first thing my MD did was prescribe B-12 injections, 1 mL every week to 2 weeks as needed. That did seem to help with my energy levels a bit, and worked better than supplementing B-12 since it's not easily absorbed by your digestive system.

http://www.wholehealthmd.com/news/vi...3,1045,00.html

Next, I started 400 mgs/day of SAM-e, to help with the depression. This also helped with my energy levels as well. At the peak, I was taking 800 mgs/day, but I have now tapered off it completely. I thought about an antidepressant, but I'm in the Neuropsychology field, and have serious doubts/problems with SSRIs and the current medical model of depression & anxiety. I know they make a tremendous difference for many, many people - I just didn't want to go that route personally. One note about the SAM-e is that it must be used with care if you are currently using any type of prescription antidepressent, be it MAOIs, SSRIs, tricyclic or even the new generation AD's such as Lexapro, Wellbutrin, etc. When taken together, it can cause manic symptoms, so if you want to go this route, you'll need to taper down your AD dosage, which should be done with your doc's supervision.

http://www.prohealthnetwork.com/libr...id/913/T/Both/
http://www.bettersam-e.com/fibromyalgia.html

Finally, for the fibro, the thing that made the most difference for me was starting 400 mgs of magnesium malate every night. It took a couple of months for me to start seeing results, but my pain went from a constant, unbearable ache in my jaw, neck and shoulders to occasional twinges. For some reason, fibro sufferers see the most results with the malate form of chelated magnesium, not as much with any of the other forms. I use the Source Naturals brand, taking 3 pills per night, and am now down to 2 pills. A side benefit to the magnesium is that it did help me get a better night's sleep, and especially at first, made me pretty much immediately drowsy after I'd taken it.

http://web.mit.edu/london/www/magnesium.html
http://www.barttersite.com/mgfm.htm

Well, I know this is long, and I'm not sure if any of it will help or not, but I just wanted to let you know that I understand because I've been there. Good luck, and best wishes to you!

Mara

Lendi · 03-12-2003, 10:30 PM

Thanks again.

Patty, I can always count on you! You are such a good friend. I know that you know a lot of what I'm feeling becasue of what your are dealing with. My thoughts and prayers are still with you for you to be pain free soon. Time is getting close.

Sarabelle, I had thought about acupuncture, but I am incredible phobic of needles. You should have seen me at the neurologist office during the EMG. LOL Not a pretty picture. Someone said they thought there was laser acupuncture now. Hmmmm

Debi thanks for the support. I love your unicorn avitar. I have a collection of them. Maybe an omen of happier days. Maybe I'll focus on them

Mara thanks so much for the advice and the links. I will check into them. I feel better just talking to someone who is/has gone through this. I had give some thought to going with a more natural route. I have bought some digestive enzymes, probotics and alpha lipoic acid having heard they were excellent. I have some magnesium in the cabinet. I'll check and see if it's the right kind and buy some if not. I would love to get off the celexa and I hate the doxepin (new med). I know that restoril is addictive, but at least I didn't feel "funny" and I did sleep for about 5 hrs. Doxepin isn't doing much but making me hungry!! Maybe getting off all this chemical junk and trying a more natural way would be good.

Thanks so much, Lendi

taah · 03-18-2003, 04:45 PM

(((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

Lendi you are such a sweetheart and I hate to see you suffering like this. I really hope you can find something that will give you some relief. I will be praying for you. I wish I could do more.

TERRA