pain, fatigue, job loss, IVF

[Guest guest]

Canaan,

Ask your doc if you could take Elavil (amitriptyline). It is an

older, but effective medication for pain and I am hoping studies have

been done on it in pregnant women (it is an older medication, like I

said) It does help with pain; or there's another one in the same

class, Pamelor (I think it's Nortriptyline). And doesn't matter what

kind of CMT you have. Some with CMT 1 have tons of pain; some don't.

Some with 2 and X have tons of pain, some don't. You might also ask

about Kava or other botanicals, but I doubt that would fly with an

MDA doc. Certainly you are not the first woman trying to get

pregnant, so there must be alternatives.

If your ankles are giving way in your AFOs, perhaps an adjustment

needs to be made to give you more support. You might also want to get

a pair of Spenco insoles for your shoes - these are great to absorb

the shock and help to cushion the feet. And I know this is hard, but

pacing oneself, what I mean is, break up in parts the stuff you do.

Don't do it all at once or all on one day. Nothing is so important

that it has to be done all at once.

No, Cannaan, you're not nuts! But feeling so much pain takes such

center stage sometimes that our focus is only there. Had another

thought - there is a medication called Ativan (Lorazepam) it is first

for anxiety, but in pain it has an affect of lessening the pain - I

mean taking the focus off pain so you can enjoy life. What I don't

know is about it and IVF, etc., but maybe your first solution would

be to get the pain under control so you can think and be happy again.

I really feel for you. I know how pain can get overwhelming. Ask your

doc if a very small dose of Ativan would help.

You'll make a great Mom, first take care of yourself for now. The

rest will fall into place.

There are some very handy tools for opening jars and as for

housework, well, I hate it personally, so I am more like to do one

room at a time and then do something I LIKE to do like garden.

After back surgery I used the electric scooters markets provide - and

what a way to go! Had fun using them, shopped in record time, and it

allowed me to pursue " normal stuff " . Whether an electric wheelchair

or scooter, use 'em to make things easier and not stress the body.

Remember, CMT muscles have to work twice as hard to do half the work.

That's where the fatigue part comes from. Get extra rest, sleep

longer in the morning, or go to sleep earlier at night, and consider

a nap of 1 hour or so. For now, perhaps give up mowing the lawn;

there must be someone around who can do this. Make life easier on

yourself.

Once you learn how to manage the CMT in you, you will find you can

still be busy. But there is also a time we all need NOT to be busy

and enjoy simple moments, like watching the sunset or admiring

flowers, watching baby birds take that first flight from the nest etc.

As for the career. Well, once you get the pain in control and IVF on

the way, think about a home business. Lots of women I know have home

businesses (this is not computer work or stuffing envelopes) One of

my friends here (no CMT) has started a sewing business. No one here

sews, so she is making the most gorgeous curtains, bedspreads,

drapes, tablecloths, etc., for her clients. I'm sure there's some

unique gift you have that you could put to work for you and give you

the freedom of days plus doing what you love is a real upper as

well.

Let us know how your MDA appointment goes.

Gretchen