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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Steph on April 19, 2001, at 13:49:48
I have been on Effexor for 4 days for chronic fatigue and pain. Over the past year I have been tested for autoimmune diseases, Lymes disease, etc. With nothing showing up, my neurologist decided to put me on Effexor. He did this to help me get rid of the fatigue and muscle/joint pain. I have had the usual side effects of fatigue, dry mouth, and decreased appetite. I am not sure if this is the drug for me. I don't feel like I am a depressed person. I'm generally very happy with my life and occassionally get stressed out, but I don't feel it is anything unusual. I have little knowledge about depression or anxiety. Is it possible to be depressed or anxious without really realizing it? Is this the right medication for me? The more I read about it, the more I question its usefullness for me. Any thoughts about this or similar experiences would be helpful.
Steph
Posted by willow on April 20, 2001, at 21:43:01
In reply to Effexor for chronic fatigue pain, posted by Steph on April 19, 2001, at 13:49:48
Steph
I was diagnosed with CFS four years ago after a sudden onset a year previous. I've been through the same diagnosis chase as yourself. Meanwhile reading a book authored by a Canadian doctor I came across what I refer to the psychological aspect of this illness. I had then requested to be referred to a psychologist which my then doctor said wouldn't help. I started seeing one anyway. The stange thing is within two years I ended up changing family doctors resulting in better care for myself and thus substantial improvement in my symptoms. I had been seeing the psychologist for about three years before I was prescribed effexor and find that it has done wonders for me. I know for myself it wouldn't have worked without the counselling.
Like yourself when I initially had psychological testing I scored below average on anxiety, though now I realize that I probably have had "generalized anxiety disorder." If you look up the symptoms of it they match the CFS. I'm not saying that the whole basis of the disorder is psychological but it does affect our well-being. It is very hard to draw a line to say where the psychological and physical separate especially with these syndromes.
BEST WISHES
Willow
Posted by sandhi on April 24, 2001, at 17:43:09
In reply to Re: Effexor for chronic fatigue pain, posted by willow on April 20, 2001, at 21:43:01
> Steph
>
> I was diagnosed with CFS four years ago after a sudden onset a year previous. I've been through the same diagnosis chase as yourself. Meanwhile reading a book authored by a Canadian doctor I came across what I refer to the psychological aspect of this illness. I had then requested to be referred to a psychologist which my then doctor said wouldn't help. I started seeing one anyway. The stange thing is within two years I ended up changing family doctors resulting in better care for myself and thus substantial improvement in my symptoms. I had been seeing the psychologist for about three years before I was prescribed effexor and find that it has done wonders for me. I know for myself it wouldn't have worked without the counselling.
>
> Like yourself when I initially had psychological testing I scored below average on anxiety, though now I realize that I probably have had "generalized anxiety disorder." If you look up the symptoms of it they match the CFS. I'm not saying that the whole basis of the disorder is psychological but it does affect our well-being. It is very hard to draw a line to say where the psychological and physical separate especially with these syndromes.
>
> BEST WISHES
> WillowYour symptons are exactly what I have been going through and after years of searching found out I have Hepatitis C. Have you been checked for that?
Posted by willow on April 24, 2001, at 20:04:15
In reply to Re: Effexor for chronic fatigue pain, posted by sandhi on April 24, 2001, at 17:43:09
"Your symptons are exactly what I have been going through and after years of searching found out I have Hepatitis C. Have you been checked for that?"
I was working in a butcher shop, handling a lot of raw meat when I became ill. (Physical aspect of the job became too hard for me.) About a year after I stopped working the doctor tested me for it and I was fine.
Does hepatitis affect the liver? The reason I ask is because my grandmother had a problem where I think it was her "liver" produced too much iron. She was very similar to myself with cracking bones etc but then she was in her late seventies. But awhile back I had wondered if somehow my liver was affected because of my low tolerance for alcohol. If I have two drinks I'm comatose. And the liver has something to do with how we absorb alcohol?
But now it has been five years and I figure it can't be serious, except for the fact that it can severly affect my ability to function. So all I'm focusing on is trying to maintain stability! : )
Thanks for asking though!
Willow
Posted by Bama on May 1, 2001, at 21:23:24
In reply to Sandhi - hep c, posted by willow on April 24, 2001, at 20:04:15
> "Your symptons are exactly what I have been going through and after years of searching found out I have Hepatitis C. Have you been checked for that?"
>
> I was working in a butcher shop, handling a lot of raw meat when I became ill. (Physical aspect of the job became too hard for me.) About a year after I stopped working the doctor tested me for it and I was fine.
>
> Does hepatitis affect the liver? The reason I ask is because my grandmother had a problem where I think it was her "liver" produced too much iron. She was very similar to myself with cracking bones etc but then she was in her late seventies. But awhile back I had wondered if somehow my liver was affected because of my low tolerance for alcohol. If I have two drinks I'm comatose. And the liver has something to do with how we absorb alcohol?
>
Hi Willow--Just noticed this post because a family member also has hep c and there is a distinct link between FMS/MPS and Hep C. Hep C is a chronic viral liver disease that is only contracted from blood of an infected person. It is different from Hepatitis A and B which are self limiting. Some people have contracted it through tainted blood transfusions and others through IV drug use and even perhaps through tatoos using unsterile needles. Some folks (some researchers say up to 40%) are not sure how they contracted the disease.
It can show no symptoms for a very long time--10-20 years even. There is no cure at this time and the body will always have the virus, but there is treatment that can be effective at reducing the amount of virus in the body. Hope this IS NOT what you have, but getting tested is as simple as a blood test. You might need to specifically ask for a Hep C test just to rule it out.
Blessings--Bama
Posted by willow on May 1, 2001, at 21:38:33
In reply to hep c, posted by Bama on May 1, 2001, at 21:23:24
I was tested about three years ago and I'm okay. I have in the past wondered about other liver disorders, though now I'm exploring the "mental" aspect of this illness. I am improving, but can't get my stamina up. I guess baby-steps is the way to go. The doctor sent me for a sleep test, probably take another month to get the results, I'll post if there is anything helpful.
BEST WISHES
Willowps how is hep C related to these syndromes?
Posted by Bama on May 2, 2001, at 21:17:13
In reply to Re: hep c, posted by willow on May 1, 2001, at 21:38:33
> I was tested about three years ago and I'm okay. I have in the past wondered about other liver disorders, though now I'm exploring the "mental" aspect of this illness. > BEST WISHES
> Willow
>
> ps how is hep C related to these syndromes?Hi Willow--glad to here that Hep C isn't the cause of your problems. As to your question about the relation of Hep C to the other syndromes, one of the most prominent symptoms of Hep C is fatigue as well as FMS type pain symptoms. Research indicates that the FMS pain caused by Hep C tends to be a little different than the regular FMS in that it effect the bursae (sp?) surrounding the joints--not the joints themselves and may cause inflammation of the blood and lymph vessels.
Blessings--Bama
This is the end of the thread.
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