Re: I hate this disease!!! (just venting)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/10/02 6:45:47 PM Central Daylight Time,

carol@... writes:

>

> Hi Friends,

>

> I just got back from a trip to Salt Lake City to see my in-laws and

> stepsons. The trip was really nice and I was able to do our activities

> with

> little restriction, although I did need to medicate for pain a few times.

> My husband took me to a very romantic bed and breakfast last night, and we

> had a wonderful evening.

>

> Anyway, I woke up this morning and knew I was starting to flare. I had

> trouble getting dressed to get to the airport. Before the flight I took a

> pain pill, and thought that would make the flight bearable (a four and a

> half hour flight). By the end of the first hour I wanted to scream. The

> pain was so bad and there was nothing I could do to change positions or put

> ice on my hips or knees. And still three and a half hours. We were in

> coach and I was in the center seat. I finally broke down and took 15 mg of

> prednisone (my rheumy said I can use it in this manner). I hate to do it

> when I'm on a plane with recirculated air, but I didn't know what else to

> do. By the time I got off the plane, I was in tears as I was waiting for

> my

> husband to get the car. Half the way home I was crying, too. It doesn't

> help that the prednisone depresses me so much. I am SO sensitive to it.

> Well, by the time we get home I'm fighting with my husband. Geez, what an

> awful afternoon. I still feel so depressed. Matter of fact, I think I'm

> depressed a lot lately. Between coping with the pain, and coping with the

> changes it has brought to my life, it has been rough. I've thought about

> an

> antidepressant, and mentioned it to my MD as an alternative way to control

> pain. He said he'd rather wait and just use the analgesic medication when

> I

> have to for now. I'm beginning to think the antidepressant is the better

> idea. I thought about Trazodone because it's not stimulating like the

> SSRI's. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I'm going to just

> mull this idea over for a week or two, because I hate adding another

> medication to the mix. Also, I don't like the thought of a medication that

> can change my personality.

>

> Thanks to everyone in this group that is there in the good as well as the

> bad times. I'm feeling so discouraged right now. It was such a lousy day

> to start to flare. Although at least it was at the end of the trip, not

> the

> beginning.

>

> Hope everyone is having a pain free day.

>

> Hugs,

> Carol in FL

Carol, I started taking Trazadone in November of 1997 after our house was

burned down. I had taken Paxil before this for depression (I wasn't

diagnosed with Lupus at the time, but knew something wasn't right), but it

made me a zombie. With no medication, I couldn't sleep at all for days and

was in pain. The Trazadone was my " miracle " as far as sleeping and the

depression went. It's not addictive and not a narcotic. I have no side

effects from it at all. Over several years, for one reason or another (no

insurance to see the doc or get prescriptions), I have been off of it several

times and don't have any withdrawal symptoms (other than no sleep). I have

also taken Zoloft and didn't seem to have any problems with taking the two of

them. My doc is careful about what he prescribes, but agrees that I need a

non-addictive sleeping aid. He doesn't care for the PM products that are on

the market over the counter for long term sleep problems. If I get enough

sleep, then the depression part of my problems aren't quite as bad. I hope

you get to feeling better soon,

Alice in Texas

[Guest guest]

Dearest Carol...I'm sorry you're in a flare. Those crazy things can

come at the worse possible times. I am glad you & hubby had a lovely

time at the B & B.

I've had chronic depression ever since I was very young. Of course

diseases & flare-ups can cause exacerbations. I do use 50mg of Elavil

to help sleep at night, and did use Trazadone for quite awhile, until it

didn't seem to help anymore. (Elavil & Trazadone are frequently used for

the sleep problems associated wth fibromyalgia.)

For me, I had to come to terms wih taking a stronger anidepressant on a

regular basis. I fought it like crazy. But I have found, with the

right dose & right medication, which someimes takes a frustrating trial

& error period, my personality doesn't change...the medication just

allows me to see " color " and hope and possibilty, rather than seeing

everyhing " gray " and sad and hopeless. I have grown to realize this

depression is another illness, not at all a character flaw.

I pray this flare is short-lived. You're in my heart & in my prayers.

Much Love & Many Hugs of Hope....

Tess

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol: Sorry to hear you are having a bad time

right now..why doesnt your doc want to prescribe an

antideppressant? I really dont get these docs

sometimes...my understanding is chronic pain causes

depression and depression makes the pain

worse...anyway you asked for input.....I have been on

quite a few

antidepressants...elavil,pamelor,nortripiline...they

made me crazy...either I was up scrubbing the ceiling

or I was a zombie...the trazadone gave me crazy

dreams...actually wierd nightmares....then they tried

prozac and zoloft...finally my doc said paxil because

it helps with energy and also with pain as well as

being an antidepressant it seems to work well and I

havent had any adverse side effects except for I lost

10 pounds since I started taking it because they also

say it decreases your apetite..at first i was

resistent to taking an antideppresant because I

thought it meant I was crazy....but after my doc said

you are one of the sanest people I know you just are

in chronic pain which would depress anyone ..I said OK

lets try it...I still get depressed, but it is like

Tess said it is not that bottom of the pit

depression...hope you get to feeling a little

better...Kathi in OK

--- Carol <carol@...> wrote:

> Hi Friends,

>

> I just got back from a trip

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Carol,

So sorry your wonderful trip ended the way it did. Long flights and these

diseases aren¹t very compatible. Did you try walking up and down the aisle?

Sometimes it helps to keep moving, although walking up and down the aisle

isn¹t to much fun.

I was on trazadone for 2 years and loved it. I was on it for sleep, not

depression but I¹m sure it helped in the depression department. I had a

terrible sleep disorder and the trazadone made me sleep like a baby for 2

years, but then as many drugs do, it stopped working. I¹m now trying

different meds unsuccessfully. At this point I am on nothing, so my sleep

is suffering. I rest as much as I can, but I miss those great sleeping

days.

I feel the same way you do about the antidepressants. I thought about

taking one to try to level out my mood swings, but I don¹t feel they are bad

enough to take another med. The ups and downs of this disease is what

causes my mood swings. If your depression is bad, please talk to your

doctor again and let him know. Depression is very common in rheumatic

diseases. Just like all the meds we take, they have good and bad points.

Hope you feel better.

a

On 6/10/02 7:44 PM, " Carol " <carol@...> wrote:

> Hi Friends,

>

> I just got back from a trip to Salt Lake City to see my in-laws and

> stepsons. The trip was really nice and I was able to do our activities with

> little restriction, although I did need to medicate for pain a few times.

> My husband took me to a very romantic bed and breakfast last night, and we

> had a wonderful evening.

>

> Anyway, I woke up this morning and knew I was starting to flare. I had

> trouble getting dressed to get to the airport. Before the flight I took a

> pain pill, and thought that would make the flight bearable (a four and a

> half hour flight). By the end of the first hour I wanted to scream. The

> pain was so bad and there was nothing I could do to change positions or put

> ice on my hips or knees. And still three and a half hours. We were in

> coach and I was in the center seat. I finally broke down and took 15 mg of

> prednisone (my rheumy said I can use it in this manner). I hate to do it

> when I'm on a plane with recirculated air, but I didn't know what else to

> do. By the time I got off the plane, I was in tears as I was waiting for my

> husband to get the car. Half the way home I was crying, too. It doesn't

> help that the prednisone depresses me so much. I am SO sensitive to it.

> Well, by the time we get home I'm fighting with my husband. Geez, what an

> awful afternoon. I still feel so depressed. Matter of fact, I think I'm

> depressed a lot lately. Between coping with the pain, and coping with the

> changes it has brought to my life, it has been rough. I've thought about an

> antidepressant, and mentioned it to my MD as an alternative way to control

> pain. He said he'd rather wait and just use the analgesic medication when I

> have to for now. I'm beginning to think the antidepressant is the better

> idea. I thought about Trazodone because it's not stimulating like the

> SSRI's. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I'm going to just

> mull this idea over for a week or two, because I hate adding another

> medication to the mix. Also, I don't like the thought of a medication that

> can change my personality.

>

> Thanks to everyone in this group that is there in the good as well as the

> bad times. I'm feeling so discouraged right now. It was such a lousy day

> to start to flare. Although at least it was at the end of the trip, not the

> beginning.

>

> Hope everyone is having a pain free day.

>

> Hugs,

> Carol in FL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to everyone who offered their support! I love this group, and all of

you.

I spoke with my husband last night about an antidepressant, and he is

totally against it. I’m not going to argue with him on this one, and I

think my depression is manageable enough. I am going to try either St.

’s Wort or SAMe. I’ve tried both before, and gotten some relief. They both

make me feel slightly hyper, and that’s why I discontinued them. He made a

valid point about how many medications I’m on, then he said he was getting

tired of me being sick all the time, and that he could only offer me so much

sympathy. Needless to say that hurt my feelings a lot, but in a way I don’t

blame him. I did fine most of the trip; it was just the flight back that

was bad. I didn’t even tell him about it, he was asleep. He only knew

after the fact. Oh well. He seemed pretty sorry about the things he said

last night when we talked this morning, although he didn’t come out and

apologize per se. It’s bad enough the toll this has taken on my body. I

really resent the toll it is starting to take on my relationship, but that’s

something I can try to control. I’m glad I have all of you to lend an ear,

since I need to minimize my discussions with my husband on the subject for a

while.:-)

Hope you are all having a pain free day!

Hugs,

Carol

Re: [ ] I hate this disease!!! (just venting)

Carol,

So sorry your wonderful trip ended the way it did. Long flights and these

diseases aren¹t very compatible. Did you try walking up and down the aisle?

Sometimes it helps to keep moving, although walking up and down the aisle

isn¹t to much fun.

I was on trazadone for 2 years and loved it. I was on it for sleep, not

depression but I¹m sure it helped in the depression department. I had a

terrible sleep disorder and the trazadone made me sleep like a baby for 2

years, but then as many drugs do, it stopped working. I¹m now trying

different meds unsuccessfully. At this point I am on nothing, so my sleep

is suffering. I rest as much as I can, but I miss those great sleeping

days.

I feel the same way you do about the antidepressants. I thought about

taking one to try to level out my mood swings, but I don¹t feel they are bad

enough to take another med. The ups and downs of this disease is what

causes my mood swings. If your depression is bad, please talk to your

doctor again and let him know. Depression is very common in rheumatic

diseases. Just like all the meds we take, they have good and bad points.

Hope you feel better.

a

On 6/10/02 7:44 PM, " Carol " <carol@...> wrote:

> Hi Friends,

>

> I just got back from a trip to Salt Lake City to see my in-laws and

> stepsons. The trip was really nice and I was able to do our activities

with

> little restriction, although I did need to medicate for pain a few times.

> My husband took me to a very romantic bed and breakfast last night, and we

> had a wonderful evening.

>

> Anyway, I woke up this morning and knew I was starting to flare. I had

> trouble getting dressed to get to the airport. Before the flight I took a

> pain pill, and thought that would make the flight bearable (a four and a

> half hour flight). By the end of the first hour I wanted to scream. The

> pain was so bad and there was nothing I could do to change positions or

put

> ice on my hips or knees. And still three and a half hours. We were in

> coach and I was in the center seat. I finally broke down and took 15 mg

of

> prednisone (my rheumy said I can use it in this manner). I hate to do it

> when I'm on a plane with recirculated air, but I didn't know what else to

> do. By the time I got off the plane, I was in tears as I was waiting for

my

> husband to get the car. Half the way home I was crying, too. It doesn't

> help that the prednisone depresses me so much. I am SO sensitive to it.

> Well, by the time we get home I'm fighting with my husband. Geez, what an

> awful afternoon. I still feel so depressed. Matter of fact, I think I'm

> depressed a lot lately. Between coping with the pain, and coping with the

> changes it has brought to my life, it has been rough. I've thought about

an

> antidepressant, and mentioned it to my MD as an alternative way to control

> pain. He said he'd rather wait and just use the analgesic medication when

I

> have to for now. I'm beginning to think the antidepressant is the better

> idea. I thought about Trazodone because it's not stimulating like the

> SSRI's. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I'm going to just

> mull this idea over for a week or two, because I hate adding another

> medication to the mix. Also, I don't like the thought of a medication

that

> can change my personality.

>

> Thanks to everyone in this group that is there in the good as well as the

> bad times. I'm feeling so discouraged right now. It was such a lousy day

> to start to flare. Although at least it was at the end of the trip, not

the

> beginning.

>

> Hope everyone is having a pain free day.

>

> Hugs,

> Carol in FL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Carol -

I understand why you wanted to include your husband in the decision-making

process about anti-depressants, but I still thinnk they are worth looking

into. It is better to be on a regulated medication that your doctor knows

about than to start taking St. johns Wart on your own. Also, the

anti-depressant may make it easier to relax, which will decrease your pain.

Even if it doesn't decrease your pain level, it should improve your ability

to deal with it - making you a MORE pleasant person to live with.

It sounds like your husband is having some problems dealing with all of this

too. My immediate reaction when you told us that he said he is tired of

your being sick was anger - that jerk! - as if its a walk in the park for

you. But, then I know how hard it is to see someone you love in pain. I

also realize that it is very difficult for a healthy person to understand

chronic pain and illness.

I know that you are concerned about your relationship, but this is one of

those times that you have to be a little selfish. You have to to think

about yourself and what is best for YOU. I hope you'll at least discuss all

of this with your rheumatologist. Hope you're feeling better soon. By the

way, I take Celexa, an SSRI. I don't find that it effects my personality at

all. I was reluctant to take it, (I've never taken an anti-depressant

before) but it seems to help me cope (with no noticable side effects).

Take care -

>From: " Carol " <carol@...>

>Reply-

>< >

>Subject: RE: [ ] I hate this disease!!! (just venting)

>Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 12:36:53 -0400

>

>Thanks to everyone who offered their support! I love this group, and all

>of

>you.

>

>I spoke with my husband last night about an antidepressant, and he is

>totally against it. I’m not going to argue with him on this one, and I

>think my depression is manageable enough. I am going to try either St.

>

>’s Wort or SAMe. I’ve tried both before, and gotten some relief. They

>both

>make me feel slightly hyper, and that’s why I discontinued them. He made a

>valid point about how many medications I’m on, then he said he was getting

>tired of me being sick all the time, and that he could only offer me so

>much

>sympathy. Needless to say that hurt my feelings a lot, but in a way I

>don’t

>blame him. I did fine most of the trip; it was just the flight back that

>was bad. I didn’t even tell him about it, he was asleep. He only knew

>after the fact. Oh well. He seemed pretty sorry about the things he said

>last night when we talked this morning, although he didn’t come out and

>apologize per se. It’s bad enough the toll this has taken on my body. I

>really resent the toll it is starting to take on my relationship, but

>that’s

>something I can try to control. I’m glad I have all of you to lend an ear,

>since I need to minimize my discussions with my husband on the subject for

>a

>while.:-)

>Hope you are all having a pain free day!

>

>Hugs,

>Carol

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Re: [ ] I hate this disease!!! (just venting)

>

>Carol,

>So sorry your wonderful trip ended the way it did. Long flights and these

>diseases aren¹t very compatible. Did you try walking up and down the

>aisle?

>Sometimes it helps to keep moving, although walking up and down the aisle

>isn¹t to much fun.

>

>I was on trazadone for 2 years and loved it. I was on it for sleep, not

>depression but I¹m sure it helped in the depression department. I had a

>terrible sleep disorder and the trazadone made me sleep like a baby for 2

>years, but then as many drugs do, it stopped working. I¹m now trying

>different meds unsuccessfully. At this point I am on nothing, so my sleep

>is suffering. I rest as much as I can, but I miss those great sleeping

>days.

>I feel the same way you do about the antidepressants. I thought about

>taking one to try to level out my mood swings, but I don¹t feel they are

>bad

>enough to take another med. The ups and downs of this disease is what

>causes my mood swings. If your depression is bad, please talk to your

>doctor again and let him know. Depression is very common in rheumatic

>diseases. Just like all the meds we take, they have good and bad points.

>Hope you feel better.

>a

>

>

>

>

>On 6/10/02 7:44 PM, " Carol " <carol@...> wrote:

>

> > Hi Friends,

> >

> > I just got back from a trip to Salt Lake City to see my in-laws and

> > stepsons. The trip was really nice and I was able to do our activities

>with

> > little restriction, although I did need to medicate for pain a few

>times.

> > My husband took me to a very romantic bed and breakfast last night, and

>we

> > had a wonderful evening.

> >

> > Anyway, I woke up this morning and knew I was starting to flare. I had

> > trouble getting dressed to get to the airport. Before the flight I took

>a

> > pain pill, and thought that would make the flight bearable (a four and a

> > half hour flight). By the end of the first hour I wanted to scream.

>The

> > pain was so bad and there was nothing I could do to change positions or

>put

> > ice on my hips or knees. And still three and a half hours. We were in

> > coach and I was in the center seat. I finally broke down and took 15 mg

>of

> > prednisone (my rheumy said I can use it in this manner). I hate to do

>it

> > when I'm on a plane with recirculated air, but I didn't know what else

>to

> > do. By the time I got off the plane, I was in tears as I was waiting

>for

>my

> > husband to get the car. Half the way home I was crying, too. It

>doesn't

> > help that the prednisone depresses me so much. I am SO sensitive to it.

> > Well, by the time we get home I'm fighting with my husband. Geez, what

>an

> > awful afternoon. I still feel so depressed. Matter of fact, I think

>I'm

> > depressed a lot lately. Between coping with the pain, and coping with

>the

> > changes it has brought to my life, it has been rough. I've thought

>about

>an

> > antidepressant, and mentioned it to my MD as an alternative way to

>control

> > pain. He said he'd rather wait and just use the analgesic medication

>when

>I

> > have to for now. I'm beginning to think the antidepressant is the

>better

> > idea. I thought about Trazodone because it's not stimulating like the

> > SSRI's. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I'm going to

>just

> > mull this idea over for a week or two, because I hate adding another

> > medication to the mix. Also, I don't like the thought of a medication

>that

> > can change my personality.

> >

> > Thanks to everyone in this group that is there in the good as well as

>the

> > bad times. I'm feeling so discouraged right now. It was such a lousy

>day

> > to start to flare. Although at least it was at the end of the trip, not

>the

> > beginning.

> >

> > Hope everyone is having a pain free day.

> >

> > Hugs,

> > Carol in FL

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/11/02 7:27:42 PM Central Daylight Time,

dat2352@... writes:

> Carol,

> Be careful-the St 's Wort and SAMe are unregulated by the FDA and vary

> in potency. There is nothing wrong with antidepressants, I've been on

> Zoloft for years and needed it even before the arthritis. Husband travels

> all the time, 5 kids etc.

> Sorry about your husband's reaction-maybe some counseling or reading would

> help. Hang in there.

>

> Temple

>

Carol, I agree with totally. Along with variations in potency, you

have to be careful of mixing these meds with your regular prescriptions.

Also, if you take anything over the counter you should let your doc know

about it. A relative of mine that also has Lupus swears by SAMe, but I

haven't ever used it. I guess in my case, I just trust my doc's judgement

and stick with what he says. Alice in Texas

[Guest guest]

Carol,

Be careful-the St 's Wort and SAMe are unregulated by the FDA and vary

in potency. There is nothing wrong with antidepressants, I've been on

Zoloft for years and needed it even before the arthritis. Husband travels

all the time, 5 kids etc.

Sorry about your husband's reaction-maybe some counseling or reading would

help. Hang in there.

Temple

3 Fox Haven Way

Chelmsford, MA 01824

dat2352@...

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersfarm/index.html FAMILY

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekrittersdairygoats/index.html FARM

http://www.homestead.com/kuddlekraft/index.html CRAFTS

Re: [ ] I hate this disease!!! (just venting)

Carol,

So sorry your wonderful trip ended the way it did. Long flights and these

diseases aren¹t very compatible. Did you try walking up and down the aisle?

Sometimes it helps to keep moving, although walking up and down the aisle

isn¹t to much fun.

I was on trazadone for 2 years and loved it. I was on it for sleep, not

depression but I¹m sure it helped in the depression department. I had a

terrible sleep disorder and the trazadone made me sleep like a baby for 2

years, but then as many drugs do, it stopped working. I¹m now trying

different meds unsuccessfully. At this point I am on nothing, so my sleep

is suffering. I rest as much as I can, but I miss those great sleeping

days.

I feel the same way you do about the antidepressants. I thought about

taking one to try to level out my mood swings, but I don¹t feel they are bad

enough to take another med. The ups and downs of this disease is what

causes my mood swings. If your depression is bad, please talk to your

doctor again and let him know. Depression is very common in rheumatic

diseases. Just like all the meds we take, they have good and bad points.

Hope you feel better.

a

On 6/10/02 7:44 PM, " Carol " <carol@...> wrote:

> Hi Friends,

>

> I just got back from a trip to Salt Lake City to see my in-laws and

> stepsons. The trip was really nice and I was able to do our activities

with

> little restriction, although I did need to medicate for pain a few times.

> My husband took me to a very romantic bed and breakfast last night, and we

> had a wonderful evening.

>

> Anyway, I woke up this morning and knew I was starting to flare. I had

> trouble getting dressed to get to the airport. Before the flight I took a

> pain pill, and thought that would make the flight bearable (a four and a

> half hour flight). By the end of the first hour I wanted to scream. The

> pain was so bad and there was nothing I could do to change positions or

put

> ice on my hips or knees. And still three and a half hours. We were in

> coach and I was in the center seat. I finally broke down and took 15 mg

of

> prednisone (my rheumy said I can use it in this manner). I hate to do it

> when I'm on a plane with recirculated air, but I didn't know what else to

> do. By the time I got off the plane, I was in tears as I was waiting for

my

> husband to get the car. Half the way home I was crying, too. It doesn't

> help that the prednisone depresses me so much. I am SO sensitive to it.

> Well, by the time we get home I'm fighting with my husband. Geez, what an

> awful afternoon. I still feel so depressed. Matter of fact, I think I'm

> depressed a lot lately. Between coping with the pain, and coping with the

> changes it has brought to my life, it has been rough. I've thought about

an

> antidepressant, and mentioned it to my MD as an alternative way to control

> pain. He said he'd rather wait and just use the analgesic medication when

I

> have to for now. I'm beginning to think the antidepressant is the better

> idea. I thought about Trazodone because it's not stimulating like the

> SSRI's. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I'm going to just

> mull this idea over for a week or two, because I hate adding another

> medication to the mix. Also, I don't like the thought of a medication

that

> can change my personality.

>

> Thanks to everyone in this group that is there in the good as well as the

> bad times. I'm feeling so discouraged right now. It was such a lousy day

> to start to flare. Although at least it was at the end of the trip, not

the

> beginning.

>

> Hope everyone is having a pain free day.

>

> Hugs,

> Carol in FL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

I am so sorry that you had such a rough time on what should have been an

enjoyable trip. The only time I travel is from here to Chicago to see my

sister and with my current state of disrepair, I dare not make the trip right

now. Plus, we have kind of had a communication breakdown caused by her

second husband! So I think I will just keep my behind here in Florida!

Last year, we had to travel to Chicago to attend my husband's nephew's

wedding. My husband was out of work for almost a year, so the nephews paid

for our trip to come in for the wedding. Well, they had us traveling at 4:00

am going into Atlanta and changing planes and then leaving late in the

afternoon into Atlanta again, changing planes and arriving in Ft Lauderdale

in the wee morning hours. This was done on a Friday morning and returning

Sunday evening/Monday morning. Yikes, it could have duplicated your trip. I

didn't want to complain because they were so generous to pay for our trip,

but boy, did I PAY for the trip! My husband, like yours, slept thru the

whole thing. On the last leg of our trip coming into Ft Lauderdale, they

would not let me board with a carry on that contained all my meds and it got

to a point where the gate attendant would not let me board if I did not check

the bag. So fatigue and pain can really change a person's personality!

I am also sorry to hear about your husband's lack of support during these

difficult days, but I must have married his twin brother! We haven't spoken

since we left the ortho's office.

I told him that one of these days, I will be knocked over with a feather if

he ever sides with me during one of these doctor's visits! He was supposed

to get the raised potty seat from the attic for me....NOTHING; I am on

complete bed rest, supposed to get a bell (doctor's orders) to get me

things....NOTHING (in fact, they close the bedroom door that I am in so that

they can turn the volume up on the TV!); I cannot drive as this is my right

knee that is affected and was supposed to go for the Remicade infusion, IV

iron and hematology report today....no one to take me, so I canceled; got a

prescription for stronger pain meds (can't drive, remember) and no one can go

to Walgreen's to fill the script.

My husband is a permanent resident on the River Denial. He is still waiting

for me to be cured! So, unfortunately, I know all too well what you are going

thru and also equally, unfortunate, I have no answers to the problem. Not

much help am I!!!!!

As for the anti depressant thing, I was originally given Zoloft and was on it

for quite a while and when I changed rheumys, I told him that I didn't really

feel that it was doing a whole lot for me so he switched me to Paxil. I

don't know if it helps or not, but it doesn't seem to be doing any harm. It

can be a double edged sword with our mates, though. I get it thrown in my

face that if I am not " on " 24/7, maybe I should increase my " happy pills " !

Many times, I have often thought that the wrong person was taking the " happy

pills " ! LOL.

I hope that you are having a reasonably pain free evening. We have had that

non-tropical wave on the east coast and tomorrow we have more of the same.

We didn't get too much rain here, but hey, tomorrow is another day!

Gentle, tender, angel hugs

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

Gosh Carol,

What ever happened to " in sickness and in health...? "

It really gripes me to hear of spouses and significant others who don't want

to hear about their loved one's infirmities. Give any one of these

" pillars " 1/10 of what we are going through and see how they deal with it!!

I would suggest not very well, and would expect lots of nurturing,

understanding and sympathy to boot.

I've been married to a man for 30 years who runs at the first sign I'm

experiencing a serious health problem. It's kinda become a joke at this

point. If he runs fast and far enough, it'll just go away. I guess that's

how he thinks. Not someone to lean on in an emergency. On the other hand, I

would be stunned if he ever said he just didn't want to hear about it or be

dismissive. I think it just rocks his boat, threatens his security,

consequently he ignores it. That's what friends and sisters are for, I

guess.

This discussion of antidepressants is interesting. The last time I saw my

PCP she gave me a prescription for Zoloft. I haven't filled it. I don't

expect to. I've been wrestling with whether I would gain any benefit. I

have thought long and hard about the pros and cons of adding another

chemical to my system. Just doesn't seem worth it. At least not at this

point. I can remember how depressed I was becoming before I started

receiving treatment for my condition due to the unremitting pain I was

experiencing and long term lack of sleep. It's insidious. I'm basically a

very upbeat, optimistic person, one who sees a glass half full, not half

empty. Anyone can get beaten down by circumstances. I think for now I'll

hold off. I'm slowly coming to terms with having a progressive incurable

disease. Not a pleasant prospect, but I seem to be holding my own for the

moment.

Suzanne

Re: [ ] I hate this disease!!! (just venting)

Carol,

So sorry your wonderful trip ended the way it did. Long flights and these

diseases aren¹t very compatible. Did you try walking up and down the aisle?

Sometimes it helps to keep moving, although walking up and down the aisle

isn¹t to much fun.

I was on trazadone for 2 years and loved it. I was on it for sleep, not

depression but I¹m sure it helped in the depression department. I had a

terrible sleep disorder and the trazadone made me sleep like a baby for 2

years, but then as many drugs do, it stopped working. I¹m now trying

different meds unsuccessfully. At this point I am on nothing, so my sleep

is suffering. I rest as much as I can, but I miss those great sleeping

days.

I feel the same way you do about the antidepressants. I thought about

taking one to try to level out my mood swings, but I don¹t feel they are bad

enough to take another med. The ups and downs of this disease is what

causes my mood swings. If your depression is bad, please talk to your

doctor again and let him know. Depression is very common in rheumatic

diseases. Just like all the meds we take, they have good and bad points.

Hope you feel better.

a

On 6/10/02 7:44 PM, " Carol " <carol@...> wrote:

> Hi Friends,

>

> I just got back from a trip to Salt Lake City to see my in-laws and

> stepsons. The trip was really nice and I was able to do our activities

with

> little restriction, although I did need to medicate for pain a few times.

> My husband took me to a very romantic bed and breakfast last night, and we

> had a wonderful evening.

>

> Anyway, I woke up this morning and knew I was starting to flare. I had

> trouble getting dressed to get to the airport. Before the flight I took a

> pain pill, and thought that would make the flight bearable (a four and a

> half hour flight). By the end of the first hour I wanted to scream. The

> pain was so bad and there was nothing I could do to change positions or

put

> ice on my hips or knees. And still three and a half hours. We were in

> coach and I was in the center seat. I finally broke down and took 15 mg

of

> prednisone (my rheumy said I can use it in this manner). I hate to do it

> when I'm on a plane with recirculated air, but I didn't know what else to

> do. By the time I got off the plane, I was in tears as I was waiting for

my

> husband to get the car. Half the way home I was crying, too. It doesn't

> help that the prednisone depresses me so much. I am SO sensitive to it.

> Well, by the time we get home I'm fighting with my husband. Geez, what an

> awful afternoon. I still feel so depressed. Matter of fact, I think I'm

> depressed a lot lately. Between coping with the pain, and coping with the

> changes it has brought to my life, it has been rough. I've thought about

an

> antidepressant, and mentioned it to my MD as an alternative way to control

> pain. He said he'd rather wait and just use the analgesic medication when

I

> have to for now. I'm beginning to think the antidepressant is the better

> idea. I thought about Trazodone because it's not stimulating like the

> SSRI's. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I'm going to just

> mull this idea over for a week or two, because I hate adding another

> medication to the mix. Also, I don't like the thought of a medication

that

> can change my personality.

>

> Thanks to everyone in this group that is there in the good as well as the

> bad times. I'm feeling so discouraged right now. It was such a lousy day

> to start to flare. Although at least it was at the end of the trip, not

the

> beginning.

>

> Hope everyone is having a pain free day.

>

> Hugs,

> Carol in FL

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I have such mixed feelings about St ¹s Wort. In Germany it is the first

line of treatment for depression. In fact you need a prescription to get

it. But I suspect is is more potent that what we get. I¹ve read enough

studies to make me believe in it¹s effectiveness, but am leery about the

quality and potency of what is available to us. This is a great article by

the Herb Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that researches

herbs.

St. 's Wort Equivalent to World's Best-selling Antidepressant

http://www.herbs.org/current/sjwvsbestsellers.htm

As many members have wisely pointed out, mixing herbs with meds can be

dangerous, so if you decide to take it, please ask your doctor. Our doctors

are learning about herb-drug interactions because so many people are taking

them. Consumerlab.com does testing on herbs and vitamins and reports on

which brands pass their analysis. Here is the report on SJW.

http://ConsumerLab.com/results/sjw.asp

I posted several links on antidepressants tonight so you can read both

sides. I¹m surprised that your husband is so against you taking something

that could make you feel better. I hope he will read these articles and

find out how they relieve pain.

a

On 6/11/02 12:36 PM, " Carol " <carol@...> wrote:

> Thanks to everyone who offered their support! I love this group, and all of

> you.

>

> I spoke with my husband last night about an antidepressant, and he is

> totally against it. I’m not going to argue with him on this one, and I

> think my depression is manageable enough. I am going to try either St.

> ’s Wort or SAMe. I’ve tried both before, and gotten some relief. They both

> make me feel slightly hyper, and that’s why I discontinued them. He made a

> valid point about how many medications I’m on, then he said he was getting

> tired of me being sick all the time, and that he could only offer me so much

> sympathy. Needless to say that hurt my feelings a lot, but in a way I don’t

> blame him. I did fine most of the trip; it was just the flight back that

> was bad. I didn’t even tell him about it, he was asleep. He only knew

> after the fact. Oh well. He seemed pretty sorry about the things he said

> last night when we talked this morning, although he didn’t come out and

> apologize per se. It’s bad enough the toll this has taken on my body. I

> really resent the toll it is starting to take on my relationship, but that’s

> something I can try to control. I’m glad I have all of you to lend an ear,

> since I need to minimize my discussions with my husband on the subject for a

> while.:-)

> Hope you are all having a pain free day!

>

> Hugs,

> Carol

>

[Guest guest]

i am taking buspar. they told me this is for muscle spasms. they have tried

to get me to take anti-depressants too. but i also don't want to add more and

feel i have been through much worse and can handle my own. most of the time.

i did try taking effexor. it kept me awake all night and decided that was not

good either. i am very leary of side effects. kathy in il