Posted by Chloe on May 28, 2002, at 20:20:18
In reply to Re: Fibromyalgia, opiates, li, etc. » Chloe, posted by BarbaraCat on May 28, 2002, at 17:51:19
> >I'm going to ask my primary care doc this Friday about adding Neurontin. I've heard from a number of people that it helps fibro pain. As far as the pain, no it's not usually in the joints, but feels like the achiness you get with a bad case of flu. Aching all over is a good description. Pain and stiffness are there all the time, manageable with exercise, but during a flareup it's impossible to do anything because of the extreme fatigue. I'm in bed for 2-3 weeks feeling pretty awful. If your Mom has it, it might be worth exploring further. On the other hand, there's not much you can do about it so you probably don't need the aggravation of sleuthing it out.
Hi Barbara,
Yes, I don't really want to know if I have FM! I do know I have pain. But I am the sort that pushes myself to move, even when depressed or miserable. I remember during a BAD slump last winter, I would go on these walks in the dark, and just cry and cry with every step. I have trouble resting when I need to...But I am getting better at listening to my body. I have shut it out for so many years because of emotional pain, that understanding my own needs can be hard at times.One way of controlling cycling, for me is to just cut off all communication with my body, it's needs and drives. Before I got treated for BP2, I would tune all imput out, often have distorted perceptions of what people were saying to me, or what I percieved they were thinking of me. It was really crumby. But this was effective for shutting down the pain, the elation followed by a nasty crashes, over and over...But Li does seem to have antipsychotic properties. AP's definitely work better, but I have mild TD from years of using a typical AP. So those are out.
>> Distored thinking, huh? I'd like to find out more about this. My depressions can be like something out of a Steven King novel.That sounds very frightning. I can relate. Some of my downswings can really take on a life of their own. And when I "wake up" or the pendulum goes the other way, I wonder what the hell was I thinking? Wow, was that me who was thinking those things? Sort of a dissociative experience, I guess.
>>Yes, just recently in fact thanks to what I've learned from this board. I wasn't responding to ADs and every pdoc I went to said 'Oh, just double the dose', which made me worse - panic attacks, frenzied thinking. When I read here that this kind of response is typical of BP2, I started digging back in my memory banks about any hypomanic episodes and sure enough, there were plenty and some full blown mania as well. Fun, but so disruptive.
I can relate to AD just making things WORSE. Irritability, extreme anxiety, pressured feeling and speech, inability to stay still or sleep. Just so uncomfortable inside. I like to feel calm. :)
>>As I've gotten older, however, I don't get the standard hypomania symptoms (although I have definitely had a few not so long ago). It's more like my depressions are extremely agitated. I get severe insomnia and the moods are black wailing despair. I hear about others despression symptoms, lack of feeling, dull, and I think that mine are so different. They're so nightmarish that I have to think there's some psychotic overtones. So, my pdoc started me on lithium since even if I wasn't BP2, lithium at least was an AD augmentor. That was back in February and immediately I felt an inner peace and smoothness.
I am so glad Li is giving you some "inner peace." What a gift!
>>I recently ran out of lithium for almost 2 weeks and plunged into a full bore hypomanic state. Started it up again and I'm fine. So all in all, I pronounce myself at the very least BP2. I'm also taking Remeron and it's the first AD that doesn't make me feel more crazy.
Sounds like you have found a good cocktail. I am glad Li+Remeron are making you feel better.
I hope your mail order pharmacy is more on the ball next time. Or perhaps your pdoc can write it, so you have a few extra, if such a thing happens again.Yours,
Chloe
poster:Chloe
thread:107313
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020525/msgs/107892.html