Re: Being defined by who you are rather than by your illness/Fatigue ?

[Guest guest]

Hello

Does Valtrex really help with the fatigue. Pain and fatigue are my 2 worst

problems and if I could get rid of the fatigue I would hopefully need less pain

meds. I have been trying to find something to help with fatigue for years and

the only thing that works is pain meds. Some how they give me back enough energy

to have a minimal quality of life.

I have had 2 doctors tell me this is common with extreme pain patients.

I am on very strong ones now and needing even stronger, I am very tired of being

on this merry-go-round and sick of taking them. If anyone knows a way to treat

fatigue without narcotics PLEASE let me know.

Thank you Lori for writing such a helpful letter.

Take care all

Butch

> Lori wrote:

> I think the Valtrex is helping me with lessening fatigue, pain and brain fog.

I'm starting ivig infusion and have hope I will feel better.

[Guest guest]

Butch,

I'm sorry you are in such extreme pain. I, too,struggle with fatigue and have

been seeing a holistic doctor to try to find natural supplements that help.

While I take several, (and it's hard to know the real impact of each), according

to my doctor, 3 that are absolutely crucial are fish oil, DHEA, and d-Ribose, or

Riboctane. All I can say is that when I'm out of the d-Ribose, I definitely

notice the difference. When I get back on it, the impact is almost immediate.

These are just my experiences. Hope this helps!

Sue Meismer

" I am only one, but still I AM one. I cannot DO everything, but I will not let

what I cannot do interfere with what I CAN do. " - Hale

Developing Capability, Enhancing Value

> Butch

> If anyone knows a way to treat fatigue without narcotics PLEASE let me know.

[Guest guest]

> Butch wrote:

> If anyone knows a way to treat fatigue without narcotics PLEASE let me know.

Butch,

I take Provigel which is for sleep disorder and shift workers. Now it is hard

getting it approved unless you are treated for sleep disorder and you may be

required to have a sleep study. Once you are approved, you won't have a

problem. The point being as most pain patients do have a sleep disorder not

getting sleep.

If you will, please read " Survival Handbook for Intractable Pain Patients " by

Dr. Forest Tenant which can be downloaded in the internet or at paintopics.com.

Dr Tenent, a forerunner in pain management treatment (of high opioid therapy

also) discusses the treatment processes and other issues that need to be

addressed that most physicians don't address and conditions that happen in long

term treatment of opioids and how to treat them.

For example, I have a SEVERE vitamin D deficiency and pain patients are known to

get along with B12, Calcium and Intrinsic Factor (which shows your absorption

rate) I was placed in ICU because my level was so low and I woke up unable to

speak, walk and did not know where I was, of course I was labeled pain patient

and they assumed I had overdosed or stroke, They would not give me my thyroid

and I had been moved to the ward and I woke up and when there was not a Doctor

for me to see (she was not coming in yet) and I could not get my thyroid and

they offered me " ATIVAN " a barbituter, GEEZ, I want thyroid which I have to

maintain a level and take at the same time daily and they offer me a barbiturate

withdrawal drug, I demanded to go AMA (Against Medical Advice) and when the

nurse came in for me to sign the paper, she looked at my husband and said the

doctor wanted him to initial it. Boy that pissed me off and I tore his initial

off the corner of the paper and told her, He does not have Power of Attorney and

I am competent to speak for myself.

Also in the space that states I do not hold the hospital responsible for

anything I put, Yes I hold them responsible and I did not have a physician who

was present to examine me and I was refused my thyroid medication that is

prescribed daily and I had not had it for two days then. Boy, she did not LIKE

that. Oh well, I loved difficult patients when I was a Nurse as they showed

spunk

Valtrex is an anti-viral medication and is sometimes used off label and primary

use is for Shingles and Herpes Virus (everyone has dormant herpes and herpes

simplex is cold sores so don't think it is STD only) I would seek first

something specifically for " wakefullness " and insurance companies usually

approve Ritalin first as it is cheap and used for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Butch, with high levels (which I take also) we have to address tolerance and

rotate pain meds and a condition called " hyperalgia " which means the medication

is not working and actually causes more pain to the patient and needs to me

addressed.

Valtrex carries some side effects of concern. I have been to the endocrinologist

and getting my vitamin and metabolic rates taken care of and I encourage

everyone to ask for this testing.

Vitamin D helps pain and research has proved this. Hormones help pain, and if

you have decreased levels, you can have increased pain. Increasing your immune

system will help.

I would check out these options first as they are approved for wakefullness and

Valtrex is an anti viral medication Bennie

[Guest guest]

Hey Sue

Thanks a bunch, I will get these as soon as money lets me, If I can only afford

one I will go for the D-ribose. Do you know of a place to get these that's cheap

but still good quality or as cheap as you can get and still keep the quality. I

know you get what you pay for so would rather wait and save up if I need to.

Anyway Thank you so much, I should have asked this question a long time ago.

Take care and hope your health gets better

IT'S NOT A LIFE - IT'S AN ADVENTURE

Butch

> Sue wrote:

> 3 that are absolutely crucial are fish oil, DHEA, and d-Ribose, or Riboctane. 

All I can say is that when I'm out of the d-Ribose, I definitely notice the

difference.