Been a few days
Its been a few days since I've really been on here. I guess its time for an update.
I say the psych on Friday and it went really well. He seemed sincerely concerned for me as an individual, not just another number. I emphasized how I did not want to be placed on a medication regime, and was looking for counseling and support. He recommended a few resources and said that he had a lot of "homework" to do for me. That sounded good to me as it shows that he really is concerned.
I was advised that the current dose of Lyrica that I'm on is not anywhere near the maximum. My previous MDs had me taking a total of 225mg/day, and I can actually go up to 600 maximum. He is going to work with my insurance to see if I can get an increased dosage. He also said that he was going to see if I could get authorization so that he may prescribe me lidocaine patches.
As far a medication, we are only going to try one thing at a time. Right now, we are going to work hard with Lyrica. If that doesn't work, then we'll move on to something else.
Also as of note (and as of today), I got a puppy! The people I got him from say he's about 6 months old. I was told that he was house trained, but found out today that isn't the case. As I've never house trained a dog before, I've been scouring the internet for instructions. It seems to be a lot of work and I hope that the pup is a fast learner. If not, we'll have to find another home for him, as I doubt myself and my wife will be able to stand for far too long a dog that uses our house as his bathroom.
He's a handsome dog, however. He's a pitbull and lab mix. His coloring is mostly black with some brown mixed in. He's very friendly and very loving. My can't isn't sure what to think of him yet, lol, but I hope they adjust and learn to get along. If it comes to it, I will have to give up the puppy as my cat was here first and both my wife and I have a very strong bond with him.
It is my hope, however, that things will work out. I need a dog to encourage me to get moving, regardless of how much pain I'm in. Also, I hope that having another creature around, whose well being is my responsibility, will help motivate me to do more stuff around the house. This is something I really can't do with a cat. They are pretty much self sufficient. Dog require a lot more hands on attention.
I apologize for not keeping up here very much. I've just been very emotionally tired and have been somewhat in seclusion. I'll try to keep in touch more.
The pain is still very intense, but I'm doing my best to deal with it. I'm going to pop 150mg of lyrica now (at the psyc's suggestion) to see if that helps with the pain and if I'll be able to sleep.
I say the psych on Friday and it went really well. He seemed sincerely concerned for me as an individual, not just another number. I emphasized how I did not want to be placed on a medication regime, and was looking for counseling and support. He recommended a few resources and said that he had a lot of "homework" to do for me. That sounded good to me as it shows that he really is concerned.
I was advised that the current dose of Lyrica that I'm on is not anywhere near the maximum. My previous MDs had me taking a total of 225mg/day, and I can actually go up to 600 maximum. He is going to work with my insurance to see if I can get an increased dosage. He also said that he was going to see if I could get authorization so that he may prescribe me lidocaine patches.
As far a medication, we are only going to try one thing at a time. Right now, we are going to work hard with Lyrica. If that doesn't work, then we'll move on to something else.
Also as of note (and as of today), I got a puppy! The people I got him from say he's about 6 months old. I was told that he was house trained, but found out today that isn't the case. As I've never house trained a dog before, I've been scouring the internet for instructions. It seems to be a lot of work and I hope that the pup is a fast learner. If not, we'll have to find another home for him, as I doubt myself and my wife will be able to stand for far too long a dog that uses our house as his bathroom.
He's a handsome dog, however. He's a pitbull and lab mix. His coloring is mostly black with some brown mixed in. He's very friendly and very loving. My can't isn't sure what to think of him yet, lol, but I hope they adjust and learn to get along. If it comes to it, I will have to give up the puppy as my cat was here first and both my wife and I have a very strong bond with him.
It is my hope, however, that things will work out. I need a dog to encourage me to get moving, regardless of how much pain I'm in. Also, I hope that having another creature around, whose well being is my responsibility, will help motivate me to do more stuff around the house. This is something I really can't do with a cat. They are pretty much self sufficient. Dog require a lot more hands on attention.
I apologize for not keeping up here very much. I've just been very emotionally tired and have been somewhat in seclusion. I'll try to keep in touch more.
The pain is still very intense, but I'm doing my best to deal with it. I'm going to pop 150mg of lyrica now (at the psyc's suggestion) to see if that helps with the pain and if I'll be able to sleep.
Replies
Hey sweetie.
Sorry I\'m just now replying to this. I\'m so glad the apt with the psych doc went well and that he\'s going to try to get approval to up the Lyrica and see if you can get the lidocaine patches! Please approve it insurance... please.
That\'s a big increase in the Lyrica and it would be so great if you can increase it and get the patches! I\'m also glad that the doc is willing to go to something else if the Lyrica isn\'t improved. Sounds like a good and compassionate doctor.
I think it\'s great you got a new dog. I want to see a picture cause I bet he\'s the cutest thing ever! Maybe he\'s house trained but having a little trouble now because he\'s in a new home ? If that\'s the case, I think that he\'ll be easy to \'re-train\'.. I hope the cat adjusts to his new housemate. :)
I really hope things work out with both the meds and the new doggie. What\'s his name?
Big big hugs xoxo
Gaye
I took my puppy, who was 6 months old when we got him out every couple of hours and when he did go, I praised him and gave him a treat. I was unable to work anymore, and waiting to win disability, so I was able to be home with him at all times. He was used to being outside, but he quickly learned to go outside on a leash. And they say Shih Tzus are so hard to train. He\'s only had 2 accidents. Once when he had somewhat loose stools, which the poor guy couldn\'t help, and once when he got too excited.
Now, if we fall asleep on the couch, he will lick our hands or face or if we are sleeping in bed, he wakes us up.
He saved me when I was at my lowest. If you are unable to fully exercise him, is your wife or someone else able to? You could get creative and find ways to drain his energy.. maybe a tennis ball and your yard where you can sit? Or a cheap kids laser at Walmart or a flashlight? You could Google hacks for inexpensive ways to get him tired. Maybe a lake/pool close by?
Good luck!!