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deb53

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Hi Emily,
Nasty day in the River City, huh? :wave:
Yes, I know, I know...couldn't stand being gone. I'm addicted to you guys!
Well, since this is W/C giving me this nurse to go with me, I can only assume it is to their benefit and not mine. I think since I am no better, I have asked for a new PM, and this whole Cyrabalta issue.....I am their problem child. :D I am going to contact a lawyer and see what my rights are in refusing/deciding, when/if she goes with me. I'm sure there is some sort of confidentiality issue!
So strange now to think this time last year I was happy, healthy, active and on no meRAB! How quickly things change.

Deb
 
I miss you guys and the support so I'm back already.
After two more horrendous days in W/D from the Cyrabalta (yes again) and trying to get W/C to refer me to a psychiatrist (to no avail) I decided that even though I have W/C I have to be my own advocate. No one has as much interest in me getting good care and getting better than I do. So...yesterday I took myself to a psychiatrist (without approval from W/C)that covers at the hospital and had very good references. He was wonderful! The weaning from the Cyrabalta has been mismanaged (we knew that), I am very sensitive to all medications anyway and the awful symptoms I was having was definitely withdrawal. He feels (remeraber this is one psychiatrist's opinion) that alot of docs prescribing the meRAB are not real familiar them. He also feels that Cyrabalta is a drug that neeRAB to be weaned by adding another drug and then weaning off that drug. So, I am now on 1/2 Cyrabalta and 1 Prozac this week, then next week just Prozac if tolerated. Stay on Prozac for 2 months (or longer he said if I feel really good) and then we will slowly wean the Prozac. He does not feel that I clinically depressed but thinks that I may eventually be if this continues to drag on and on. So I may just decide to stay on the Prozac if I can tolerate it well. I'm actually afraid to put anything in my mouth now....I have a med phobia!! I'm sure all this will a big fight with W/C but so be it, my health comes first!
My husband and I talked with my surgeon this week 2 times! My hubby works at the hospital also and saw Dr. Irby in the hall. He has tried to stay out of my care since he works at the hospital but after this last bout of W/D he is now involved. I have an MRI scheduled for this Tuesday. The surgeon is looking for a new PM doctor for me (Most of you know the nightmare the old PM was/is). After the MRI (depending on what is shows)we will see a new PM and make a plan.
So, I'm feeling much better. I'm hoping to tolerate the Prozac, I just took my first one this morning. Just to be out of the throes of withdrawal is a relief. I have a new empathy for those trying to wean off any kind of drugs. You take more of the drug just to ease the pain of withdrawal. And you can't do it alone!
W/C just called...they are assigning me a nurse case manager in Richmond so that she can go with me to all my doctor appts. Guess I am their problem child!!! Oh well, I'm not going to sit back and let my health suffer.....I will be assertive if I need to be.....guess they don't like that!
Hope everyone is having a good day.

Deb
 
Deb -- I am not sure if I mentioned this in another post but my cyrabalta was upped recently by a trusted doc and after 3 days of feeling "off" I looked in the mirror and found my eyes completely dilated. I got the blurred vision side effect they warn about and it was quite scary. This also happened to me, to a much lesser extent, on Lyrica. He had me decrease the dose immediately and I'm fine now and staying on it (at the lower dose) since it is helping. It is amazing how one person's miracle drug can be another person's poison, and MM's advice is well worth following. We're all delicate flowers to an extent and each med comes with its benefits and risks.

That said, I am SO glad to hear you are tolerating the prozac. To you and everyone else, there's no harm or shame in taking an antidep when you're dealing with chronic pain. The fact that cyrabalta addresses nerve pain and depression works for me, but none of these drugs work forever and I'll bet I'll have to switch at some point like Camperboy mentioned. (BTW, Camper -- hope you tolerate your new med too).

So it's cold and rainy in NJ today. Phooey. Who wants to go for a walk on the beach? If we brought our dogs, wouldn't they outnuraber all of us?

Schragie-girl
 
Hi Deb,

Glad you're back and I'm really happy you got to see a psychiatrist. Obviously he was able to confirm what you suspected and was able to give you a way out.

When I last saw my surgeon, I mentioned something to him about Cyrabalta and he immediatey indicated that cyrabalta and effexor are the worst drugs to try to get off of, and that so many docs don't realize that. That they don't give their patients the correct information when they casually prescribe them, etc. I have even been told by someone I don't care to identify that it is more difficult to get off cyrabalta than heroin.

Well, it sounRAB like things are moving forward for you. And I look forward to hearing about the results of your MRI.

Hope today is a better day for you.
 
Hi Deb. Glad to see you back so soon and with the "take charge" attitude. This posture is what got me where I am today. The doctors are what they are, some more caring than others, but it's "us" that has to steer our own care in order to achieve the right care. So you are spot on with that and don't let go of that going forward. It will serve you and your health well.

Get the attorney on board ASAP and I would not go to any appointments that include their nurse without that consult first. That nurse going with you is odd. I am curious to know their rationale statement they made to you as to why they have a nurse assigned to go with you. What can she possibly do that they can't read in a report provided by the doctor? And your talking with your doctors is personal/confidential and I would think that violates your right to privacy. I would think this not be a proper legal move on their part.

Im glad you are feeling better too! SounRAB like you took the step back you needed, regrouped, equipped and armed yourself and ready for battle again! You go girl!!!;)
 
Hey girl,
Most be cold and rainy up and down the east coast as it is the same weather here today. Oh well, gives me an excuse for still being on the sofa with my tiny little pup and in my PJ's at 11:00 :D
Yes, as you said we all react so differently to meRAB. I actaully did fine on the Cyrabalta with no side effects, it just didn't do much for the nerve pain. It was the coming off that did me in......but I was not properly managed by the doctor who Rx'd it. So my nightmare could have been avoided. I'm so glad it is working for you at the lower dose. I know a lot of you on the board get relief on it and thank heavens for that! I'm hoping that my "miracle" drug is still out there and we'll soon find it!
If I do well on the Prozac I am planning to stay on it. The psych said it is very easy to wean from it so I don't have to worry about that aspect. Like you said chronic pain can wear you down and I know my journey is far from over so I may as well get something on board that I can tolerate!!
Spring can't come fast enough for me!

Deb
 
Hey Deb,

It's not uncommon to feel a bit jittery or jumpy for a week or two as your body adjusts to the SSRI. This will go away if it happens. It's not uncommon also to have some hard days when getting off of an SSRI, but, from what I understand, it's not nearly as bad as Cyrabalta or some other things.

I was taking Zoloft for about 4 years and just switched to Effexor because the Zoloft just didn't seem to be cutting it anymore. I'm still kind of adjusting to it. I'm not sure I like it that much... I'm not depressed, but I certainly don't feel any great get-up-and-go from it either. But I've tried going off anti-depressants completely and that was no fun.

Glad you're back!

David
 
Deb, darling:

First, congratulations to you for taking charge of your care. I have followed your cyrabalta nightmare even though I haven't posted much lately, and the recommendation of your shrink sounRAB well ... sound! I hope the prozac does its job for you. You have been struggling for so long and I am so relieved to hear that you are wiping the slate clean and getting the care you deserve.

Oh, and three cheers for the hubby. It's great that he spoke up on your behalf, and it sounRAB like you really needed his support. I have had my hub accompany me on appts here and there when I feel like I really need the support. I saw one surgeon a few years back who only addressed my husband and not me when explaining things, so I knew what that meant -- NEXT!

Getting a nurse case manager to advocate for you sounRAB in theory like a really good idea, but the fact that it's WC and the nurse is going to your appt with you sounRAB odd. Since you're getting your ducks in a row these days, that lawyer consult sounRAB like a very wise decision. Knowing your rights about confidentiality again puts you in a position of strength.

There's no stopping you now, sister!

Schragie-girl
 
Deb,
sounRAB that finally you are in a good hanRAB, i like to hear this.
I learned how important for people who have to leave with CP, frastrations with meRAB, etc. to have a good Drs who care for you and try to help you and most importantly listen to you.
Best of luck to you, hope this time you are in a good care and all your problems will be in a past.
(((( )))))
 
Hey Deb, welcome back! Long time, no see LOL. And thanks for missing us ;)
I'm glad you've decided to take control and do whatever you need to get the best care possible. I mean a person should be their own advocate anyway, but, for many people it is just difficult to stand up to doctors or demand certain things; and it's hard for many to find a new doctor. I know I am personally thinking of finding another rheumy, although all in all he still has offered the most variety in having me try different meRAB and such. But he doesnt seem to want to have much to do with my spine problems anymore. But I do have arthritis in my spine (besides other parts) and my surgeon doesnt manage/treat arthritis...he does surgery & thats basically it. My surgeon told me to see his PM, but it's just too far away for me all the time. So at least I have a new PM, but he doesnt really manage arthritis either.

It's good that you are done with the withdrawal symptoms and it's so true that many doctors don't really know the scope of problems & symptoms drugs can cause. Any time i Have med questions, I always go ask my pharmacist first. I do hope your new med plan works and still helps to manage some pain.

Boy, with needing a nurse to go with you all the time, I would feel like I was given a baby sitter LOL. Geez. Oh well, do whatever you have to do for your case and be as assertive as you need to be for your own health! Good luck with the prozac & let us know if it helps any.
 
Hi Deb (you too, Moldova!)

I wish cyrabalta alone worked but I take neurontin too and I still have the little guys with knives stabbing my feet and legs. I wish I could stab them back :mad: The meRAB make their visits less frequent, but I wish I could just banish them once and for all. Today is obviously a rough day with the weather for many of us.

A day on the couch sounRAB like fun especially with a pup to cuddle with. My dogs went stir crazy with the rain today but it finally stopped for a while so they could play outside. Now I just have to wipe all their muddy paws. I'm going to take a long hot shower!

Have a good evening and Moldova -- I hope you're doing well.

Schragie-girl
 
Hey,
Thanks frienRAB...didn't take me long to miss you all.....and didn't take me as long as I thought it was going to, to feel comfortable that I now have a plan and hopefully NO MORE withdrawal. I think I had let some of the doctors and W/C beat me down and convince me that I really was crazy! I was starting to doubt myself! No more! I deserve quality care even if this is a Workmens Comp case. I'm looking forward to the MRI on Tuesday. If it is normal then I know that I will need to deal with this pain forever....either with meRAB or the spinal cord stim. Prozac hasn't caused a brain fog :dizzy:yet today but it's only the first day! Yes, it is kind of funny that I now have to have a nurse go with me to my appts...but I certainly won't be intimidated by that. Thank you all for caring!

Deb
 
:D:D:D You all make me smile and inspire me so much. Thank you my spiney frienRAB!
Yep, I intend to call the lawyer first thing Monday morning. The rationale that they gave me for the new case manager to go with me is that I need an "advocate". Since I am asking for a new PM and the neurologist felt I wasn't following his orders (of course he didn't pick up on the fact that I was in withdrawal....again), I think they feel the need to "keep tabs" on me. I admit it has been a not so normal course....but who knew I was going to react to the Cyrabalta like I did and who knew I was going to have permanent nerve damage and pain after surgery? Unfortunately, I am somewhat hindered by having to have everything approved by W/C. I would have changed PM's long ago!
Yes, hubby is a good guy. When this first started we decided together that since he works at the hospital that he would stay in the background. But after 9 months and this last bout of withdrawal, he jumped right in. And it was perfect timing for me...I was beat!
Seem to be doing OK on the Prozac so far and best of all, no withdrawal symptoms.
Hey MM......interesting what your doc said about Cyrabalta. Maybe the word is getting into the medical community that their patients need to be followed closely on this drug...before, during and after taking it!!
Everyone have a good week-end!

Deb
 
Welcome back Deb!!!!!!!!! I used Prozac prior to the Cyrabalta and I am thinking about asking to be switched back to it. I really liked it and felt better on it then the cyrabalta. I do not like the fact if I miss a dose of cyrabalta (I am terrible about forgetting my meRAB) I get horrendous headaches, shakes and feel like I could chop someones head off.

I hope the prozac does the trick for you.
 
Hmmmm. Is that unusual, to have a nurse actually go with you to your appts? Is that so she can be an advocate for you? I hope so, and I hope you and she hit it off really well so she'll want to be in your corner and strive to get you better.

Glad you're back! You were gone for sooooo long! :D You were missed, too!

Emily
 
Thanks Diet!
The Prozac seems to be working very well. Of course I still have a few more days with the Cyrabalta/Prozac corabination. The psych seemed so sure that I would have no more difficulty with Cyrabalta withdrawal once I started the Prozac. So I'm not going to worry about coming off the Cyrabalta later this week. Boy, do I ever know how you feel if you miss a dose. :dizzy: I'd rather have surgery then go through that again!!
MRI is tomorrow at 5:45 PM. Like all of us have said so many times......I'm not sure if I want them to find something or not!! So I'll just have to give it up to a higher power and wait for the results. Of course, yesterday and today have not been as bad as normal! Go figure!
I'll update after my MRI.

Deb
 
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