debah

Open Chronic Pain

I have had chronic pain from fibromyalgia for virtually all of my adult life, and am looking to offer and receive support from others in similar sityuations.

Treatments

Cymbalta Not Working

did not help with pain at all, not as effective for depression as other antidepressants. When I first started antidepressants, I was prescribed Prozac. For about the first four months of taking it, I felt wonderful, with very effective relief of both pain and depression. Then it quit working for pain, although it continued to be effective for depression.

Flexeril Somewhat Helpful

does not reduce my "regular" pain, but is somewhat helpful with occasional muscle spasms. Makes mouth very dry, contributing to dental problems

Heat Somewhat Helpful

not sure if the heat itself helps or if it is the idea of at least doing SOMETHING that helps...pain doctor cautioned me about using heat, but I don't remember the reason why, just that it might ultimately make a transient symptom permanent

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Very effective pain relief, lasting 4 hours on "bad" days and 6 hours on "good" days. No side effects. Does not improve sleep pattern in the way longer-acting opioids like methadone and OxyContin do, but at least makes sleep POSSIBLE. Difficult to get medication increased to level that would allow for all-day relief since I lost private insurance and ability to pay private fees. Greatest concern is constant daily intake of acetaminophen.

Lidoderm Somewhat Helpful

these have not helped at all for fibromyalgia pain, but did reduce pain from muscle cramps and spasms a couple of months ago (cause of that pain as yet undetermined...doctor thinks it was part of fibromyalgia, but information I researched kept leading to diagnosis of carpal tunnel.

Lyrica Not Working

Seemed to help initially and I was very excited about it, but this may have just been the placebo effect of a new drug. Since then has not helped. If I don't take it for several weeks and then take it, it may help for that day, but by the next day has no effect on pain. Made me dizzy, nauseous, and impaired vision.

Marijuana Considering

this is my son's suggestion, but I've never smoked anything in my life! I know a few people who say this helps them with their fibromyalgia

Methadone Working / Worked

effectively relieves pain, but not for 24 hours, and it seems that when doctors think of methadone they think only of the methadone treatment clinics. Not sure if that's for me, but considering.

Morphine Working / Worked

effectively relieves pain, permits normal sleep pattern, etc. No problem with side effects.

Naproxen Somewhat Helpful

This does not help with my primary pain (fibromyalgia) but does help with menstrual cramps, headaches, and other intermittent types of pain, and having those pains relieved helps me cope better with fibromyalgia pain.

Neurontin Not Working

I've tried Neurontin, Zonegran, and Gabitril, and hated each one more than the last. Side effects became worse the longer I took them, and I noticed no positive effects with any of them. Side effects included daytime drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite/weight loss, and worst of all, a sense of "disconnection" with the world, that I was outside my body watching things happen or losing track of what I was thinking and doing.

Oxycodone Working / Worked

effectively relieves pain, but never lasted 12 hours for me. I took it 3 times a day (every 8 hours). I worked full-time, exercised, participated in church and community activities, etc. But even with insurance coverage, cost was $100 per month. All the negative press about OxyContin made me feel ashamed to be taking it--too "politically incorrect." Difficult to find pharmacy with enough on hand to fill prescription. The one that always did have enough was in dangerous neighborhood.

Physical Therapy Not Working

I've been to several different physical therapists at different times, with no real benefit. One tried to do "trigger point release" but I was unable to relax enough for her to do it properly, and I just ended up bruised. The last one wanted me to work on wrist strength, and this resulted in more problems in that area than I had before.

Ultram Not Working

fairly good pain relief on 2 trials about 6 years apart. Both times on the third day of taking Ultram I ended up in the ER after having a seizure. The first time I was also taking Prozac the second time I was also taking Zoloft.

Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a Parent

My father died about 18 months ago. Since then, two of my uncles have died, and a childhood friend. One of my aunts was just told yesterday that there is nothing more that can be done for her ovarian cancer, and she was told she has only about two months to live. Her husband, another of my uncles, has Alzheimer's.

Treatments

Crying Somewhat Helpful

I try not to cry very much, because I'm afraid if I really let myself feel how much it hurts, I won't be able to stop.

Getting Angry Not Working

this was my initial reaction. I know that my father had a full life, but I am so angry with myself for not being the kind of daughter he deserved (even though he loved me anyway)

Grief Counseling Considering

Keeping Busy Somewhat Helpful

I try to remind myself that my father would not want me to stop living and enjoying life.

Music Somewhat Helpful

Pets Working / Worked

my dog's unconditional love is priceless

Poetry Somewhat Helpful

Prayer Working / Worked

praying helps me feel connected to my loved ones who are no longer here

Reading Working / Worked

Remembering Somewhat Helpful

I wish I lived a lot closer to my father's gravesite, so that I could visit regularly, keep fresh flowers there...it helps to look at old pictures and remember the special times we shared

Support Groups Too Soon to Tell

Time Somewhat Helpful

Open Adoption

I was adopted when I was three months old.

Open Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety

I have always been shy and anxious in social situations, and this has limited my participation in life.

Open Loneliness

I feel very isolated, and wish I had friends. I have isolated myself because of depression, chronic pain, unemployment, divorce, and I'm not sure how to get back to a full life like the one I used to have.

Open Arrhythmias

atrial flutter

Treatments

Rythmol Working / Worked

worked, but not taking now due to lack of insurance

Metoprolol Working / Worked

no problems

Digoxin Working / Worked

level became toxic and caused nausea vomiting weakness impaired judgment fatigue emotional lability

Open Shyness

have been shy/quiet/timid/etc since preschool

Treatments

DailyStrength Somewhat Helpful

I can communicate with others pretty well in writing, but can't do it in person unless I force myself. Depression complicates attempts to overcome shyness. Loss of job has taken away the competence I used to have at work, where I was learning to be less shy. DS is very helpful in helping me feel more connected to the world in general, but so far hasn't helped me IRL

Pets Somewhat Helpful

my dog helps me feel better, but doesn't help me be any less shy and isolated. Because of medical problems and lack of dog training ability, I can't take her outside alone (she is far too strong and fast for me)

Psychotherapy Not Working

too shy to open up to therapist and discuss issues

Self-esteem Not Working

history of emotional abuse, being told I was worthless, should never have been born, etc.

Socializing Not Working

divorced 10 years ago. I would like to date, but instead I just isolate myself in my bedroom, so I have no chance to meet a potential partner or spend time with friends.

Open Breakups & Divorce

I've been divorced for 10 years, and haven't really been able to move on,and I feel stuck, like I'm wasting my life.

Treatments

Forgiveness Not Working

I think I have forgiven my ex, but not sure I can forgive myself for failing at marriage and at providing a stable two-parent home for my children

Leave Considering

maybe it would be easier to build a new life if I didn't still live in the home we shared

Love Somewhat Helpful

I remind myself that even though the marriage failed/ended, I have two wonderful children from it, and a wealth of experiences that I would not have had otherwise.

Music Somewhat Helpful

nice while listening, but not a lasting effect

Pets Working / Worked

my dog always understands and brightens my mood

Psychotherapy Considering

unable to establish rapport with past therapists, but willing to try again if I can find a way to cover the cost.

Reading Somewhat Helpful

I love to read, but have trouble concentrating because unhappy thoughts intrude

Support from Friends & Family Not Working

family too far away and I don't want to cause worry. my depression and feelings of failure have cut me off from friends and the world

Support Groups Considering

a group is available, but I have anxiety in groups

Talking Considering

I wish I had people to talk to. That's a big part of why I'm joining this group.

Time Somewhat Helpful

it still hurts, because forever is still forever, and I intended my marriage to be for life