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Posted 4/15/2008 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am new to this forum but thought I would give it a try.  I have been diagnosed as Bipolar for about 10yrs.  I am currently taking Cymbalta, Lamictal, Resperidone, Klonipin, and now Trazidone.  This combination, with alot of trial & error, seems to work for me.  I used to be a severe cutter leading to numerous ER visits, hospitization, and emergency surgery.  Although the euphoria was great, the consiquences were pretty scary at times.  After being properly diagnosed and much therapy the urge to cut is no longer longer a cure to my mental anguish.  I have not cut myself since 2001!!!

 

 

My main problem now is Chronic Pain which is almost unbearable and is screwing with my mind.  I don't know if my meds should be altered or what.  But my depression is at an all time low.  I am on a couple other forums and I know depression comes along with pain.  Should I just "bite the bullet" or ask for a realuation. confused

Posted 4/15/2008 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
I wish i could help you lassieluv,good to know your depression is low .You should switch meds or talk to the doc about this.

Good luck!!

yana
Posted 4/16/2008 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks yana -

I guess I should have said my depression is at an all time high. I am having a hard time dealing with it but I am scheduled for a spinal cord implant on April 24th. This should help with the pain and thus my depression. I will talk with my dr is this doesn't work. I just want to feel normal again.
Posted 4/16/2008 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lassieluv,

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling. But congrats on conquering the self-harm. I used to cut too. It takes a lot of effort to break the habit, so I can relate. Yay us.

I'm a believer that we should never "bite the bullet" without talking to our doctors. Definitely let him/her know what's going on. A spinal cord implant sounds major? Is it? Are you nervous? The anxiety could be making the pain worse too.

serafena
Posted 4/16/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, it did take alot of effort and counseling to deprogram myself from cutting. I'm glad you can relate; there not many who can understand. I'm happy for your quitting too.

I am forced to "bite the bullet" because my dr won't give me anything stronger. I am on 75mcg Fentanyl patches and 5mg Percocet every 12hrs for breakthrough pain. This just isn't working for me but he is "sticking to his guns" about any increase. I don't think he has ever had so much as a toothache! I wish pain had a color so the drs could SEE the pain and don't think it is all in my head.

As for the spinal cord stimulator, I am scared to death. My anxiety level is through the roof but I am hoping to get as good results as my neighbor did. It is serious - a small transmitor is implanted into the spinal fluid where it will float around. The basis behide it is to block the pain stimuli from getting to the brain. My trial implant is scheduled for April 24th, only 9 days away.

Wish me luck!
Posted 4/16/2008 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Lassie,

I think there is a new medication out for chronic pain called Lyrica..
You might try it, surgery sounds scrary..
or MAYBE Flexoral, that'a waht my wife takes for her bulging disk
Posted 4/16/2008 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Joxster1970 -

Lyrica is mainly used to treat Fibromyalgia. which I don't have. My pain is coming from my back & rt hip, thigh.

I am taking Flexoril but it doesn't seem to be helping much. My Dr. just put me on Trazadone to help me sleep. Even on a low dose it helps me sleep but it is so hard to wake up & clear my head.

Thanks for the input!
Posted 4/16/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
 I am also about to try Lyrica in a week.  It is good for nerve pain of all types.  It was origanily developed for last stage diabetics who couldn't respond to pain meds.  It is based on a chemical strand of neurontin;  neuronin is not effective for much but eye pain after shingeles and neurontin is the safest drug avaiable as a nerological activating medications.  Lyrica is also used to relieve anxiety, long term, in poeple with chronic delibitating axiety disorders.  I am trying it becasue even if it does nothing it will do no harm.

quietpain

Posted 4/17/2008 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info. I would still check the side effects before trying it though.
Posted 4/21/2008 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes when things get really bad for my they put me on opiates- is that an option. It helps with pain, axietty, and mood regulation. It can only be used briefly. SInc eyou have alot of pain - thnk you should consider seeing a pain doctor. Then are a lot meds out there that abeeter control thrypmtoms of you states of mind. Each drug targets the brain diffirentsly and and antipsychotic will also help (anit-depresant or not). WHat is your aniety after these meds , it may much bettert.


queipain
Posted 4/21/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey quietpain, hope your day is going well. You know you might have something there with the opiates. I have been in alot of pain for so long and with minamal pain meds. My cp Dr just renewed my oxycodone mg (5mg) which I have only been prescribed to take 1 every 12hrs, for breakthrough pain. My pain isn't managed very well all. I am having surgery (SCS) Thursday and asked if I could take more of my meds until then. He said I could take the 5mg: 1-2 every 6-8hrs. I can tell a difference in my pain level which affects my moods, anxiety, etc.

I hadn't really put the two together; just thought I was feeling depressed & grumpy because of being Bipolar. Thanks for the insight.
Posted 4/22/2008 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi quitpain and lassiluv, I just called my nurse because I am having severe anxiety and fear. I just got out of the hospital 2 weeks ago having had my small bowel obstructed and having had 3 hernia repairs and them ripping all out and strangulating my intestines. I am off of the meds and am on Advil which today and yesterday is not doing much.  I take klonopin and hope that I can get it increased temporarily because I was up crying at 1:30 am being so scared of this happening again and for the future. I am very grateful I do not have a colostomy bag though, it could be much worse. I am on the ostomy site which is giving me some support. I hope both of you do better and I will continue to keep up with your situations. Take care, enpointe

Posted 4/22/2008 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Oh lassiluv, I also am on lamictal, klonopin, trazadone, and whatever else you are on! It is working well for me also. I am also on seroquel. I have schizoaffective disorder/bipolar. Glad to have you on this site and you will get alot of support. enpointe.

Posted 4/22/2008 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi enpointe. I am also taking Cymbalta as my main mood stablizer. What is Seroquel for - might sound dumb and I have heard of it before but just can't remember? I think the crying is something we all have to deal with, I know I do! Somedays I will cry if someone looks at me wrong, or a pet's or family member's death might happen to cross my mind for now known reason. I also get very paranoid. The klonipin seems to help with the crying, or at least get under control.

It seems like we have more in common - I had a swall bowel obstruction in Oct 2006. I live alone and cried & cried, holding onto my belly until the little knife-like pangs got the better of me. I didn't know if there was anything really wrong or just in my head. Anyway, I wound up having to have emergency surgery. When they stapled me back together one side is in farther than the other, making a very unusal abdominal site. Oh, well, my bikini days are over anyway.lol

I hope you have a good day & thanks to people like you for giving me support - it really helps!
Posted 4/23/2008 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lassieluv, I am also on Cymbalta and forgot to add it. The seroquel is for  psychosis . I called my therapist today and left a message about how scared I have been and anxious and wondered if I could increase the klonopin and did not get a call back. I have to let it go for today. I tried to watch tv to calm down and went for a walk twice. My surgeons office called and I told her about the pain today and she said to walk,walk,walk. It is hard when your in pain. My stomach is so odd. The bottom is spliced in half now and my belly button is sideways and not in the middle of my stomach. Oh well, it is funny. We do have alot in common. I'd like to keep in touch. Hope you have a good night and will contact you tomorrow. Thanks, enpointe
Posted 4/23/2008 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning enpointe! I hope you have a better day today.

I take Resperdal for psychosis & paranoia. I take it only at night as it does tend to make you sleepy. My combination of meds works well for the most part but then there ore those days, moments, when I feel like my whole world is falling apart. How much klonipin are you taking? Maybe an increase for "as needed" would help with the anxiety. I know what you mean when they say walk, read, listen to good music, change your surroundings, etc. to get your mind off the depression, anxiety. Sounds good on paper but it doesn't always work.

I am in a wheelchair as a result of CP so I just have to sit here and tough it out. I wish I had taken stock in the kleenex market.lol Anyway, I do have some good news. I don't know if you read any of the other forums. If you read the CP one then I will just be repeating myself. But if you don't, I am having back surgery tomorrow to hopefully let me walk again. I am so exicited, anxious that I can't get any sleep. It's kind of risky but what do I have to loose? I can't get much more depressed than I am what I am right now.

That is funny about your belly button (not really though). I had exploratory surgery which the scar devides my "gut" in half. They went around my belly button and didn't get the muscles sown back together correctly. And then when they took out a feeding tube I was left with a "bullet hole" scar. I can always tell people I was wounded in the war.lol

Anyway, I enjoy talking with you and I do hope you have a tolerable day. My thoughts & prayers will be with you.
Posted 4/23/2008 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Lassieluv,

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you. Make sure to tell us how you're doing once you feel up to it again.

(((hugs)))

serafena
Posted 4/23/2008 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
serafena - thanks for your good luck wishes. Guess I was a little to hopeful in thinking all would go well tomorrow. Now my surgery has been cancelled due to some type of infection. If it's not bronchitis I don't know what to think and my pc dr isn't that resourceful when it comes to anything but the minor stuff.

I know I can't let this get me too far down that I can't pick myself back up. I think calling my therapist is a good idea to help me deal with great disappointment.

I will sure keep everyone posted on what comes next. Now I don't feel like anyone will believe me anymore.
Posted 4/23/2008 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Of course we'll believe you. I'm sorry you're disappointed -- and not feeling well. I'm sure it will get rescheduled. Calling your therapist sounds like a great idea. (((hugs)))

serafena
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