Quilting with disabilities

[Eileen K.]

Eileen I had that same experience w/ another meds (can't remember which!) -- fixed the "don't feel bad" problem by not feeling ANYTHING... not good! So Wellbutrin is also my "drug of choice"-- plus, it's supposed to have the least weight-gain effect... :roll: too bad, I'd like to blame that on something besides my own lack of willpower :wink:

Glad to hear the Super Seminar was good for you too! It IS therapeutic!!
Florence

[Eileen K.]

Eileen, I have been on wellbutrin for post partum depression and for seasonal depression along with Lexapro. Both have been wonderful for me. I have seen people on Zoloft in my porfession with ZERO affect. It was like "oh look my house is burning down I wonder if I should get out" . Then I have seen people where it work has done wonders. Unfortunately since the accident I have been on everything Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Cymbalt, you name it. Now I am on three. Yep Welbutrin, Lexapro, and Noratpyptoline(I know that is not spelled right sorry). This combination seems to be working so we aren't messing with it. I don't have the missing parts of the day where I can't tell people where I've been. Also I have not hurt my self doing something foolish (like putting the potholder on one hand and taking the pan out of the oven with the othe) in a long while. I told you I had issues. I am glad to hear that you had such a good time at your seminar and had your batteries recharged. I know what it means to just get away from everything and relax. Hope that the nerve pain continues to get better Rachel

[Eileen K.]

After working in psych/mental health nursing since 1982, I can attest to the fact that there is no one medication that will work for every person. We all have slightly different biochemistry, and frustrating though it is, sometimes we have to try many different medications for depression (or psychosis) before we find the one that works best for any individual. I've seen lucky folks that do well with the first one tried, and others that took a couple of years of trial and error to hit on the right medication or combination. I wish there was a nice test that would let us know which one will work, but there isn't. I would encourage anybody out there who's having problems with depression to continue to work with your doctor. And if you don't have a good working relationship with your doctor, remember that there are many pages of them in the Yellow Pages--find one you like. No sense in staying with one you don't like or trust.

Pat in Rockport, TX who just got back from a trip to Seattle and was up all night on the plane. I need sleep! The lady sitting next to me went right to sleep. I just wanted to pinch her.

[Eileen K.]

I've been taking Wellbutrin for about a year now. My gyno prescribed it. It keeps me from wanting to kill as many people. I still just wanna shoot some of them tho. Just kidding. Kinda. :?
Sherry

[Eileen K.]

Pat you are too right. I have seen the benefits and the disasters of psych meds all to often. I will whole heartedly agree with you especially about having a Dr. that is willing to listen and work with you. When I was on Cymbalta, IT WAS A NIGHTMARE! Thank god I have a really good friend that is a nurse and I was a hospice nurse so we had my Dr. home phone number. She was able to call him when I was at my lowest and tell him what was going on. Unfortunately that is not the case for so many others out there. This gave me tremendous insight as to why certain crimes are committed senselessly. I have come to realize that mental deffect is a real disorder unfortunately if it is ignored the consequenses can be astromnimical. I can also sympathize with those of you who are actively resisting the urge to shoot somebody. That is not just a psych thing that is also a stress :twisted: thing. So remember to keep resisting the urge because if you shoot someone your color scheme is very limited in prison. :? and I don't think they :cry: encourage quilt making. Too many needles and sharp objects. So you would have to find a different hobby. :wink:

[Eileen K.]

I am on effexor xr and they are try to get me off it so we went to hafe for a week and then went 2 days with not takeing it man I was so dizzy on Fri I could not get up so I ask Kevin my dd boy friend to take the percription to the drug store me ask them to fill it and he would wait for it because I really need they was to be closing in 10 mins that young man is so sweet Happy and he is a good cook and loves to bake

[Eileen K.]

Oh Happy I am so sorry you had to go through that. Did you call your Dr. and let him know what was going on? I know it is horrrible trying to get off those meds, especially if you've been on them for a long time. Please let your Dr. know what happened if you haven't already. I will keep you in my prayers. Rachel

[Eileen K.]

I've been reading the posts about meds - especially anti-depressants. I have fibromyalgia and I started out several years ago on Wellbutrin, but I got horrible headaches, so I was switched to a low dosage of Zoloft, which has worked well. I found that without an anti-depressant, when I would have a flare-up of symptoms, I didn't have any reserves to deal with it and I would really get in an emotional "pit." This keeps me on an even keel. My son (26 yrs old) is clinically depressed. We finally convinced him to take something to even out his emotional roller-coaster. He's taking Cymbalta, but he says he's still adjusting and feels a little groggy. I take Darvocet as needed for the pain and can usually manage the rest by pacing myself (not always easy). I'm considering Lyrica, but I don't know if I really need that just yet. I work full-time but have had to adjust the rest of my life to accomodate how I feel. I work at being positive and give myself permission to say no and to lie down when needed. I try to exercise but it always seems that I can do a really good week, then I get overly busy with work or at home for a week and then I'll have a flare-up of pain and then I'm back to square one with exercise - no consistency.

[Eileen K.]

McCQuilter, try Googling the guaifenesin protocol and read up on it. I started it in January, and it's made a huge difference in my fibro symptoms. I'm sure it won't work for everyone, and you do have to be careful to stay away from all salicylates, but I'm awfully glad someone mentioned it here--can't remember who it was.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Eileen K.]

McCQuilter, try Googling the guaifenesin protocol and read up on it. I started it in January, and it's made a huge difference in my fibro symptoms. I'm sure it won't work for everyone, and you do have to be careful to stay away from all salicylates, but I'm awfully glad someone mentioned it here--can't remember who it was.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Pat- my mom also uses the guaifenesin protocol and has had a huge improvement in her symptoms. The hardest and most important part is what you mentioned about the salicylates.

Lisa

[Eileen K.]

Nancy,
I've been on Lyrica since last fall and have finally found a dosage that allows me to function. I take 25mg twice a day-morning and lunchtime and 150mg at night. It helps me sleep as well as lessening the pain.

Rachel,
I went to the orthopedist yesterday and he doesn't think I have RSD. Thank goodness for that! He thinks it is related to my injury, which is what triggered the FMS as well. He wants to see me in a month and if it's gotten worse, he'll give me a cortisone shot in the affected elbow. I still have the burning sensation in my forearm but Advil seems to keep that from making me crazy.
One of my customers is a PT and she watched me yesterday when she dropped off a quilt. I'm left handed so I support myself with my right arm. She noticed how I hold my arm and gave me some tips to reduce the pain.

eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Eileen, THANK THE LORD!!! I am soooo happy to hear that not only did you get the good news from that other Dr. but that PT. was there to give you some advice. I do agree it does seem strange that your symptoms are solely one sided. Perhaps that area is very enflamed. Did your Dr. offer an anti-inflamitory. If not no big deal keep up with the advil. Use whatever works. I am also happy to hear that he is willing to give you a cortisone injection. Bit of advice though afterward DON'T OVER DO IT. Remember that area is still wounded you just can't feel it as much. I truely am happpy for you see prayers are answered Rachel

[Annette R.]

Eileen, that is great news from your dr. and glad that physical therapist showed up in your life at the right time. Life is funny that way - somtimes help comes in the most unusual ways. but that is okay, lets take it wherever we can get it. Good luck with your meds and keep us posted, Ann

[Annette R.]

My Dr. put me on Celebrex the last time I was there what a difference that made. Holy cow :!: Talk about being able to move again. I still have some pain but it is nothing compared to what it was. Let's hope that your pain Eileen was just an inflamed nerve and you get some relief soon. How have you been by the way? Ann please tell me you are not travelling through where all the tornadoes are right now? Praying for all those out there in tornado and fire land Rachel

[Judith T.]

Rachel, how long were you taking Celebrex before you noticed any difference? I have been on it for about a month now and haven't noticed any improvement. Maybe it doesn't work for me or am I too impatient. Judy in AZ (still in York, PA ) and Happy Mothers Day to everyone out there