First of all its going to be all ok just breath, I take vicoden also for cronic back pain and nerve pain, MG tents to make the depression alot worse. The Doctor put me on Lexapro and it seems to be helping me just took a month or so. We are all here for you

Thank you soooo much for your reply!!! If I may ask, did your neuro prescribe the vicodin? And what dosage do you take on a daily basis? I am starting to feel like the vicodin is what helps me to make it through the day, and I have NEVER had to take a narcotic before so it does worry me!
Maybe I should go back to Lexapro, I took it years ago and then they put me on the Cymbalta to which I feel no help from!!
I would love to talk with you more sometime!!!
Thanks a million!!!! :)

Well yes the Neauo did and hes gave me its called Noraco I think its the highest dose they can give its 10-325 and I take it 4 times a day to help with pain. the only thing I dont like about that is that is is a narcotic and I hate it but it takes the pain away and at this point thats all I want is to be in no pain since Im a baby when it comes to pain lol.I wish there was some thing eles that they coulod give me that would not be so habit forming, plus instead of makeing me all tired it wakes me up, dont like that either

I am so sorry for all that you are going thru, this must be a really tough time for you and your family. Are you seeing a psychiatrist? I cannot stand for another MD to try to treat depression, they simply are not trained to deal with antidepressants. When I went thru my worst depression it took 6 weeks to find the right antidepressant and when we did, I was my old self again. I had no clue that I was even depressed until the meds started working and my mind was my own again. Depression will amplify your back pain also. I was on a ton of neruontin until we found the right med, then the pain dissipated to a level that I could stand. I do have a lot of back issues also BTW. It should only take 2 weeks for an antidepressant to work, no reason to suffer longer than that. I wish you the very best and am sending positive thoughts for you and your loved ones.

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I really hope your husband's situation improves.

Given all the stress that your family is going through, it's no surprise that your MG is doing worse right now. I'm a little worried, though, that your response seems to be covering up the problem with drugs. It very well may be true that you need anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds, but are you also seeking counseling? No drug can teach you how to cope with your husband's illness. You have to learn how to de-stress your body. You can't fix your husband's cancer, but you can try to learn how to cope. Meditate, do yoga, play games with the kids... whatever works for you.

I went through a really tough time with anxiety not too long ago. The doctor put me on Ativan. The problem with Ativan is that it's a bit addictive and it made the MG worse. But the stress also made MG worse. Honestly, it was counseling that helped the most. It is amazing how much we abuse our own bodies by not learning how to cope when bad things happen to us.

I don't like the way Vicodin makes me feel, so I don't take it. But I wonder if that makes the MG worse as well. It's also addictive, so your body might think you need it more than you actually do. Not to sound like a hippie, but have you considered seeing a chiropractor or doing yoga to improve your back? I have done both of those things and my back problems went away.

I am concerned that you are treating your other problems with drugs that are going to keep making your MG worse. The last thing you or your family need right now is for you to be in crisis as well. As for your MG symptoms, have you tried IVIG? It has worked really well for me and perhaps it could help you get through this tough time.

Good luck.

Kimmer26,
i went from 150mlg to 300 mlg and i called my doctor because i could tell i was going down hill in the emotional and level headedness. i find that Welbutrin XL works awesome for me. you realy have to try diffrent ones to find the right one for you. i sware by welbutrin XL i have been on it for 6 years never on 300 mlg though with MG i had no choice but nothing for side affects on it. don't forget to give yourself queit time even if you have to go in the closet just take time for YOU and breathe a little. Kinda like an escape...have a massage or a pedicure something for you....the more you feel good about yourself the better off you are going to be...You can trust me on that one!! Good luck in everything going on but take time to regroup...Breatheeeeeeeee
Hang in there
Dawn

Hi Kim. I'm glad you found us on this site. You've gotten some wonderful replies so far. The only other advice I can give you is to talk to God. Giving your children the opportunity to know that He will always be with them through all the difficult times ahead will build a foundation of faith that they will have for the rest of their lives. Knowing that their daddy is in God's hands may ease the pain and anxiety they too are facing. Trust in Him. Take care of yourself. Life is full of challenges. Whenever they get to be too much for me I hand them over to Him. He's always gotten me through. He'll do the same for you.
Blessings to you,
Magda

You have too much to handle. So sorry! I think you have said before that you have tried PT for your back. My daughter has neck and back pain (and scoliosis in her spine from the MG). PT helps temporary lessen the pain. With regard to your kids, the schools often have some free counseling available. My youngest sister, who can't get along with her ex, has her oldest son see the counselor at school and has felt this has really helped (and it's free!). One day at a time. Thanks. Sarah

I completely agree with Mara811.
You are dealing with a lot. Don't mask it all with meds. Of course, finding the right antidepressant is helpful to get through the difficult times but a lifestyle change is just as important. (I myself wasn't diagnosed until 15months after my symptoms for MG started - and Effexor and Risperidone (at night) really did the trick for that difficult time. It's important to see a specialist/ psychologist who will prescribe the right treatment for you - a family doctor may not know how to truly help you.

Medical treatment is important but you need to try and add healing remedies to your schedule. Yoga, breathing exercises (look up pranayama), light exercise, going for a walk, music therapy, massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, etc. Choose what works for you and makes you feel good - this will help you deal with not only physical/ back pain but it will balance you emotionally too. Some treatments are free, some more expensive but you may end up spending less on medications in the long run.

Visiting a therapist for just a few sessions will bring a new perspective to your life and you will be better able to cope with daily pressures and stress.

Learn to calm yourself down and know that your family will get through this. Some things are not in our control and you need to accept and embrace your life and family in a positive way.
Good luck.

All of you have the most wonderful reply's and I thank you for that!! things around here are not getting any better, and I know that I need to learn from all of you what I need to do and what I need to let go of to make things work out for the best!!!!
I will be going to see a doctor about getting help for this major state of depression that I am in right now, my only question is.....I have been on certain meds before and they have not worked for me, due to side effects! The one I have not tried is Effexor, but when reading about it it states that it causes asthenia? Any of you on this that have MG that noticed your MG getting worse due to it??

Thank you all again, and I will wait for your reply to this one!!

You are all GREAT!!!
Kim

I was on Effexor for about a year while I was sick with MG. However, I wasn't taking Mestinon at the time as this was prior to my diagnosis. I had moments of weakness but can't say if it was the Effexor or MG that I didn't know I had yet. Basically, it worked! It's what pulled me through at my worst.
I had issues with depression and anxiety combined. I felt shaky and unable to even lay down and calm down. My depression symptoms were also making me dread each day.
I had a psychologist look after me as my family doctor didn't know what to do with me. She combined the Effexor 225MG/ day (this is pretty high) with Risperidone 1x 0.5MG tab. (the risperidone worked great, taken before bedtime, and it helped me sleep as I had a lot of anxiety and couldn't sleep.
Keep in mind that if you're on medication or not and you get weak, it's your body's way of telling you to slow down and rest. Make time for 'rest' in your schedule. I didn't mention meditation in my last email - but that works amazingly well too. (you can look up a buddhist center near your area - you don't have to be religious (I'm not) and you could join their meditation group. Or look for local classes or try at home - but it requires lots of discipline - but you'll be thankful later. best of luck to you...

One more thing I wanted to add...
Before you try new meds consider using an alternative approach with natural medicines. I continue to use Valerian Root (found in tea and oral drops) and it really helps to calm me down. I use one by St. Francis and I dilute a few drops with water. It's great for anxiety - there's other herbal supplements eg. borage, passion flower, try BachFlower remedy - great stuff and it's all natural. Make sure you take proper vitamins and minerals because when you're body's stressed you need a good support from nutrition more than ever. Take a good quality multivitamin and watch your diet for a good balance of all vitamins. Take good care of yourself. Take small steps and know that things will work themselves out. Try to breath slower too - just tune in to your breath when you're under pressure - this will calm your mind and spirit. hugs.

Hi! I have seen so many good suggestions for your situation...I work in the Mental Health field with folks with Depression, Mental Illnesses of every kind, and in most cases in conjunction to addictions. I agree with some that you DO need to seek assistance from a mental health professional regarding the prescriptions with your psych meds. GP's do the best they can and are fine with general depression; but, when you add in all of the things you are coping with, Chronic Pain, emotional stress, grief, etc., you still have the booger of MG lurking in the background. ALL of the above WILL affect your MG. Personally, I have Chronic Pain issues and have taken Vicoden; be careful. Someone mentioned Narcon, or Narco, but the 10./325 is a Percocet. Be very careful with that also. It really is a suped up Vicoden. Same ingredients.

My sweet Agnes, my new sister! Has some great advice and with her medications, and others for depression they are great suggestions also...but, again, my experience with those particular ones mentioned are the side affects with the MG. ALL of those I have seen mentioned SLAM my strength! Zap me really bad, and that is clearly different from person to person...just listen closely to your body and pay attention to the time you take a dose, and the affect it might have on your MG...someone with MG is the only person who can tell if it affects 'them'.

For me, something along the lines of SSRI's which may or may not be something you need, is Zoloft. No bad side effects and do not affect my MG. No weight gain or residual, or left over stuff, like being groggy the next day. Effexor isn't too bad either. Risperidone CAN cause muscle weakness; so Agnes, this might cause the double vision; but don't stop taking any medications cold turkey; these need to be titrated off...or weaned.
Oh, and the Valerian is GREAT! Also, walmart carries a pill form that has two other natural remidies that help with sleep. Wish you well, and big hugs!

Please feel free to email me personally if I can help! Cindy cbeasley@pamentalhealth.com

Sorry if it wasn't clear. I took the Effexor and Prednisone for a year when I had symptoms of MG but prior to my diagnosis. Once I started the Mestinon, I weaned off the two meds right away. I only take Mestinon now.
It's a hard decision and it shouldn't be up to you but your doctor should know what's best for you. I tried 3 other drugs prior to the effexor and was feeling worse... it's hard to find a perfect match.
You need a lot of patience at first too as you don't see results right away. Sending my best.

Hi again, I just wanted to let you know that I talked to my neuro today and he has set me up to come in and see him tomorrow, and also setting up an appt with a Therapist for my depression.

Also, I just got a call from Chris ( my ex ) and his was just taken back to the Mayo Hospital, Not doing good at all, and I have to tell my kids tonight!!! I know this is NOT going to go over well, but I will look for the "right" kind of strength that we need right now!!!
I know that Chris' time is more than likely limited and the problem is, is that Chris and I are VERY close, except that his family HATES me and that's why we had to get divorced in the first place. SO this makes it truly hard, because he wants to be with me, but can't because of them and he needs them also, they are his family!! Now...if anyone can tell me how to make this go smoothly with my EX- Inlaws that would be GREAT!!!!
See....Chris wanted to be with me secretly so his family wouldn't find out and I refused to play that game....were NOT children we are Adults!!! I hate what his family has done to us....AND mostly our children!!!!

Thanks everyone!!!
Kim