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Posted 11/6/2011 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

For those of you who have sleep issues I would suggest to you that you try not having sugar or caffiene for a day to see if you sleep better. I know when I have either of these even at lunch I have more trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.

I would also suggest that some of you think about not counting on your doctors so much to help you. I see my fibro as a challenge. Something to be tested to see what works for me. And the meds doctors prescribe, do you find some of the meds can cause side effects that make you feel even worse?

Here's an example: I had a neighbor with fibro and back and arthritis issues. She told me she was taking 21 meds. I asked her if she minded being on so many. She said no her hubbie's insurance covered them all.

It makes a person wonder if she was taking some of her meds to counter act the side effects from others?

I would be interested to know what you think.

Thanks. 

Posted 11/6/2011 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
You know, that is a good question...I review my meds once a year or when something in health changes. 1 and 1/2 yrs ago they had me up to 21 pills, maybe 16 scripts and that was unacceptable to me. Some weren't working or duplicated other meds. I lost 20 lbs and was able to bring blood pressure to a more manageable level and dropped 2 meds..I am down to 6 pills a day of daily meds, with a few meds I take prn

I think we all wish we could be med free but many of us have multiple health issues, some even life-threatening, so altho I know I can cut back on a few with lifestyle changes, at 58, I don't think I am going drug free any time soon

I think all of us should review our meds and not take them blindly cause Doc says so

Maggie
Posted 11/6/2011 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
All medications come with a risk of side effects. We never know which med will affect us...it is trial and error.

Personally, I would love to be med free...I know how beneficial eating right is and I know how much my daily walking has helped me. Doing relaxation therapy has been a benefit to me too...but I know it is not enough.

Having more than one health issue does complicate things...looking at my signature, you can see I'm one of those people.

My present PCP is a D.O. A D.O. is a doctor of Osteopathic medicine...they focus on the total person. They recieve more training than a M.D. and have a good understanding how an illness affects the whole body. It was this doctor who suspected my autoimmune diseases and fibro and referred me to my rheumy. Because of the nature of my illnesses, I require many specialists.
Some medical issues are very complicated and take years to diagnose

If it were my choice, I would definately be med free. Over the years, I have been on many meds and too have wondered about the side effects. I know too that some of my meds keep me living and that's a good thing!

All of us are so differant, yet I believe we all want the same thing...good health. All we can do is try the best we can to do our part.

Great topic!!!

hugs, Robin
Posted 11/6/2011 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Robin and Maggie!

Robin, is a doctor of osteopathic medicine a specialist? Perhaps I should stop seeing my GP who I haven't seen for a couple years and I wasn't very satisfied with and see an osteopathic doctor?

Thanks!

P.S. I hope I'm not coming across as saying that people shouldn't take meds. All I want to suggest is that people should be open to trying alternatives and to be careful with prescribed meds. There were many meds that I was tried on years ago and I took myself off of them when they didn't help and the side effects made my situation worse.
Posted 11/6/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that we should try alternative things before resorting to prescription meds.  I am 99% sure I developed osteoporosis from taking Prilosec.  Before Prilosec, I had absolutely no bone loss.  Three years later, after starting Prilosec, I had a moderate case of osteoporosis.  So, of course I was put on medication for the osteoporosis.  Four years later, I had an even greater bone loss because I steadily continued to lose bone.  So, I stopped the Prilosec and the osteoporosis meds and am now eating properly for bone health, doing weight-bearing exercises, and am anxious to see what my next bone scan has to say.

 

I've just gotten rid of my statin med, too, because I'm taking a lot of omega 3 now.  I'll be finding out if that works in two more months.  Statins can cause muscle pain and I've been having a terrible time for several months because I can't take ibuprofen anymore because that caused a bleeding ulcer.  Today I'm feeling better and am wondering if my body is now happy to be without the statin med.  We'll see.

 

I just got done ordering another alternative thing that is supposed to help with pain.  I am becoming the forum guinea pig!  tongue    I'll let you guys know if it helps me or not. 

 

But, right now, since I need help with pain, I'm taking Vicodin.  I really want to get off it so I've been doing a lot of research.  I still need prescription medications for my diabetes and my glaucoma. 

 

I think there should be a balance.  I truly believe in conventional medicine but I also think there is a place for some alternative things mixed in there, too.  (That's why I champion walking, stretching, moist heat, malic acid/magnesium, vitamin D3 and massage.)  I'm trying to convince my doctor of that.  He's all for prescription meds and scoffs at alternative things I do.  I just smile and ignore him.  smilewinkgrin    After all, it's my body.  BUT I really research everything thoroughly first before I try it and also research the "messenger" too. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/6/2011 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Almost medfree, I did understand what you are saying and I agree with you :) My point was that there are people who are put between a rock and a hard place with the med situation, knowing that if you don't take it, it can be life threatening and if you do you may suffer the consequences of horrible side effects....it is not a win, win situation.

We are not doctors but we can research our conditions, and medications, this gives us the knowledge to ask questions and make informed decisions with the help of our doctors...and hopefully trust that they are doing their best. I believe I'm lucky...I think my docs have my best interest at heart.

DO's recieve extra training in the musculoskeletal system...my health insurance lets me select a MD or a DO as a PCP...don't know if they are considered a "specialist" like my other specialists.. i.e. rheumy, ect, ect. She is very hands on...and is special because she referred me to the rheumy that diagnosed me.

I hope you find a doc you love :)

hugs, Robin
Posted 11/6/2011 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Robin. I do have a rheumatologist that I love but I guess it's good to have a primary doctor. A DO sounds perfect for me.

Sherrine, I believe I came down with osteopenia from taking Protonix for years for my supposed Barrett's Esophogus which another gastronologist determined I didn't have years later. During the Protonix years I was taking Actinol for my osteopenia and I heard that can cause gastro issues. I'm glad I'm off of both of those kinds of meds.

My best to you my friends.
Posted 11/6/2011 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I know you wern't saying no meds almost...not to worry...but you are right, we need to be vigilant cause the docs hear us complain, they think we want an instant solution, but that's not true either. I DON"T want another prescription, but I will decide what combo is right..it is our bodies after all!!

Good subject almost

Maggie
Posted 11/7/2011 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all,

Thought I'd get my two cents in too turn I've been formally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and IBS, as well as possible CFS. I've also got the beginning, possibly further developed, stages of Osteoarthritis in my right hip. I'm on 3 meds; Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Cesamet *legalized cannabinoid substitute*. I also get weekly to biweekly shots of marcaine, with the recent addition of an injectable steroid into my pressure points. I'm only 29 years old.

No, walking does not help me; Yoga does. No, taking herbs alone will not heal me; I've tried that route already and am stuck with meds. No, Ibuprofen does not help; I was taking them for months and nothing helped. No, the cold does not help me; heat's the only friend I've got these days.

As you can see, I'm different from the next person, to the next person. What's good for the goose isn't necessarily as good for the gander in the Fibro-world, please remember this. Do I want to be drug free? Uh YEAH! Can I be? NOPE! I am stuck until they find a cure. However, the resources I have at the touch of a finger have helped a great deal. Please DO NOT ever get talked out of/bullied off your meds, especially if they are working for you. The side-effects lasted a couple of months for me, slowly tapering and resolving itself, as I expected. I did my research and assumed the risks. And if I die sooner, it least I got to 'LIVE' longer smilewinkgrin
Posted 11/7/2011 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing, BunBun1982. You express yourself very well and you're absolutely right. What you have just shared will be very beneficial to others. You're right. We are all different.

I wish you all the best.
Posted 11/7/2011 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the pain docs will definitely get you off pain meds, not for yr benefit but so they have one less statistic on their controlled substance logs for the DEA and FDA...the more on that list, the more scrutiny they get. My doctors don't wnat me in pain but they do underplay it like I don't know what my own body is feeling...

They are 2 quick to prescribe another pill as lonas it is not controlled

maggie
Posted 11/7/2011 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I've been having tons of trouble sleeping lately but I never drink caffeine and my sugar intake is pretty low. My doc put me on a trial of Ambien. The first kind - I don't think so. Every night I would go about normal routines, have conversations with my boyfriends, etc. - in the morning I didn't remember ANYTHING. Nothing. After I took that pill the night was lost to me. That is messed up. So I told the doc: no way. So she lowered to dose and put me on the controlled release version - I was hesitant but I'll try it. Its been a week now and I remember the night and I fall asleep after a couple of hours. Before I went to the doc if I don't take something, I don't sleep - at all. Not one bit. I don't know what else to do but take medicine. From what I read you shouldn't be on something like Ambien long term but that seems to be the plan. If I knew of something else to do I'd do it but I don't. I'm 24 - I don't want to already be on a sleeping pill forever. I'm open to alternative suggestions.

As to the semi-debate that's going on: when I was 21 I was on 17 pills a day. I stopped and took stock of what was going and thought "at this rate when I'm 50 I'll be on like 40 pills/day" So I got myself down to 5 or 6 I think. Right now I think I'm at 7 and I just lost one thanks to my doc. But she added the Ambien so more of a trade off. No I just counted, its 9. I'd love to be free of meds but I remember how I felt before some of this medicine like lyrica or topamax and its allowed me to actually live my life. I'm not a very "alternative" kind of person so I've never really tried but I can't really imagine anything else giving me the relief that those did. But - its worth a shot, right?
Posted 11/7/2011 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Leeriesan,

It's nice to hear you recognized the side effects of the first trial of Ambien. I hope the controlled version works for you. Why not give Melatonin and L-Theanine a try. Sleeping pills didn't work for me. Do you have a reputable health food store in your area that might have some knowledgeable employees?

Good luck to you.
Posted 11/7/2011 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
In the US, a DO and an MD have nearly the same training, not more or less. They take the same residencies, right along side one another, and they're considered equally licensed, qualified by hospitals, insurance companies, etc. It's the extra residency training that qualifies the doctor as a specialist. A rheumatologist takes two residencies, but ends up getting paid poorly for all that extra work. That's why there are so few of them.

European osteopaths are a little different.
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