Posted by Launie on February 13, 2002, at 9:48:01
In reply to Re: RE: Went cold turkey on 2-02-02, posted by Maria Warren on February 13, 2002, at 6:06:39
Marie and everyone,
I would not suggest going cold turkey either. I only went cold turkey because I had nothing
to step down to. No insurance means you do with what you have. I also had only been on it for two weeks. I would
suggest stepping down if you can and you have the means to do that.Ok, I am in my early 40's and just a mom. I can't remember if I told you that I have been dx with
FM (Fibromyalgia) and osteoarthritis, among many other things. I have been suffering from these things for many years
and it took going to several specialists to finally get a dx (diagnosis) of FM. Many times over the years, I suffered with
what I would classify as clinical depression (i.e., not wanting to get out of bed, crying alot, feeling overwhelmed and somewhat hopeless....etc.)
Psychiatrists and counsellors only saw the depression and failed to see the chronic pain my body was feeling. I was in so much pain at times
I could not walk straight up and down, I was bent over. Or worse yet, limping because my hip hurt so bad.It wasn't until my rehabilitation dr. for my degenerative disc disease sent me to a rheumatologist that I got some closure to this. He did
some testing, he pressed on 19 'tender points' which made me almost go through the ceiling literally. When he was finished, he ordered MORE bloodwork (I feel like I could
save lots of lives with the amount of blood I've given lately). I assume he was checking for other disorders to rule them out, such as thyroid problems, Lupus, Lyme disease, etc.
He told me to try to get off of my Vioxx which I take mainly for my back (didn't realize how much it helped my hips and knees too). He put me on Glucosomine/Chondroitin (YUK!, hurt my belly or maybe it was something else I was
taking). He also told me to take extra strength acetaminophen (NOT Tylenol, he specified the generic) 2 pills 4 times a day. Also the Effexor. My body went into total revolt! I was feeling 'great' when I saw him and I was only taking
my own regimen, but this one he gave me killed me. It made my belly hurt, I was too tired to move.....oh and my bladder started to work overtime during the night. Needless to say, I didn't get the much needed sleep FM patients need.
So, I went back to my original regimen of: 2 Citrical Plus (Calcium/Magnesium), 1 Black Cohosh (totally herbal and for perimenopausal symptoms), and my 1 Vioxx a day. I feel much better and can't say the same for if I had stayed on the Effexor.My point......do what makes your BODY and MIND feel better. Don't put your 100% trust in what doctors prescribe because no one knows better than YOU! If your body tells you it DOESN'T FEEL BETTER, get off it and tell your doctor it didn't work.
Too many times, I thought I was 'supposed' to take antidepressants because that's what the medical field told me I needed. MALARCHY! I admit there were times when I probably could have used it, but I realized and learned through research that the DEPRESSION DIDN'T CAUSE
THE FIBROMYALGIA.....the Fibromyalgia caused the depression! I would say that's a big difference. Ok...I'm done boring all of you. Take care and good luck whatever you do. Just remember, YOU are the only one that can take control of you own life. Doctors are only there to help....if they help....
and YOU are the one who can do what's best for you. Pep talk over now.Launie :)
PS....These support groups are great, aren't they??? Thanks everyone for your posts.
poster:Launie
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020208/msgs/93973.html