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Savella great for fibro! Just need help with DDDof neck

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Posted 11/8/2009 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all I gotta tell ya for the first time in 10 years I do NOT hurt all over. And my IBS-D is gone for first time in FORVEVER yeah Savella is really helping all EXCEPT my DDD of the neck.I cant seem to get any of the Drs. to address this problem. I researched and didnt find too much on my own. Anyone have any suggestions. I feel so much better except my neck and my eyes. I am tyring allergy drops for my eyes after 3 Drs. and a eye Dr. They come and go but are really bad now. I think it is the leaves smilewinkgrin   I had to throw that in there after the discussion on leaves. Sorry I have to pick mine up too. Cannot tolerate wet slimmy leaves. I wish I could STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF.  The Dr. said the pain in my neck is DDD go to a therapist. But that is so expensive I was going to try to figure out the therapy on my own. Worked with PT for a while but I cannot find any info. Would appreciate any help. I am really looking forward to pain free for a little while.
Posted 11/9/2009 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi  Normal,

  The only thing that I have found to relieve the neck problems is chiropractic visits. Of course this can also become expensive. I am going to try Physical therapy and see if there are some things that I can do on my own at home. We'll see how it goes. My chiropractor is now offering cervical decompression (for neck) but it is just too expensive right now for me to do it but is supposed to work to get your neck aright again. You may look into it in your area.  I hope you find some relief. I know how terrible this pain can be!

Shar

Posted 11/9/2009 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Normal, I am glad to hear the Savella is working for you. It has helped me too. I'm not
pain free but I have noticed an improvement.

I also have degenerative disc disease. Has an MRI been done to check the extent of
damage you have. That seems like it should be a first step and then see what course of
action should be taken. You need to be very careful of nerve impingement and careful
that you don't make matters worse. PT helps with strengthening muscles that help
support the neck and spine, but until you know the extent of degeneration you have I
would be leary. My PCP referred me to a neurosurgeon for consultation and he is the
one who scheduled the MRI. I ended up getting surgery on my lumbar area.

Every case of DDD is differant.

Good Luck. Hope you can get pain relief soon.

Robin
Posted 11/9/2009 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi crazykitty, Yes I had a MRI. That is when they diagnosed DDD a labreal tear and bursitus in my shoulder. I need surgery on my shoulder but had missed work with IBS so am putting it off. I got a cortizone shots in shoulder so that feels better. I finally walked into the Dr. office last November and said IHURT and cannot take it anymore. They sent me to orhto Dr. for my shoulder and said they would scheduale therapy for my DDD of neck. I wanted to wait and talk to ortho Dr. but he would not treat my neck and said I should go to therapy. So now I have been to Rhumy and he diagnosed and is treating my fibro. I was hoping he would treat my DDD. I have several things to treat right now and if I am not careful they have me to 4 or 5 specialist and more medicine then anyone should take. But at least I have an idea of what I need to look into now. Thanks for the info.

Posted 11/9/2009 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
Normal, I definately know what you mean when it comes to seeing specialists and the meds. Lot of us sure have some things in common. I got cortizone shots in my shoulder
a few years back, I had adhesive capsulitis. My ortho recommended PT, I couldn't lift
my arm over my head. It took 3 months of painful therapy to break up the shoulder
capsulation but I didn't need surgery.

Take Care

Robin
Posted 11/10/2009 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
crazykitty, I take Savella and donnatal for my Ibs, both make you tired. I have flexeril but I cannot function the next day if even if I take it early. Im not really sure what Dr. should treat my DDD. Sometimes it seems like they diagnose and if meds dont help they are done. I worked almost 11 hours at desk now doing dishes etc. and I really do hurt tonight. I tried to cut the Savella down to 50 mg. a day per Dr. to see if it helped headaches. It didnt but my IBS really came back fast.  Im just really tired tonight. Thanks so much for being here cause I know everyone around me gets tired if my aches and pains. If my late husband was here he would understand. It really helps to know that someone understands. Just wish I didnt feel so alone. Thanks again.
Posted 11/10/2009 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Normal, sorry to hear you sre hurting. Eleven hours sitting doing desk work could really
give anybody a headache, plus make you stiff and achy, hope you are taking frequent
breaks and doing some gentle stretching. Working at a desk that long can aggravate your
neck as well, and could possibly be triggering the headaches.

As far as who should treat your DDD, I would go back to the doctor who referred you
to have the MRI ,he should have the report and recomendations. If they are recommending
the PT you should follow through with it. You can get a copy of your report and have your
doctor explain in laymens terms what is happening.

Over the years I have taken a proactive role in my healthcare. I figure I'm paying for
my doctor's services and if I ask questions, they need to be answered. I always bring a
list of questions and symptoms and hand them to my doctor.

We are family here and it is good to know there is a place where we all can come to
share and support eachother.

Hope you can get some answers soon!

Robin
Posted 11/10/2009 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Are you guys saying that Savella actually helped with ibs?  Mine is really severe but it is the constipation type.
Posted 11/10/2009 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Michelek and welcome to the forum. Savella helps with fibromyalgia. Normal mentioned
that she take Donnatal to help her IBS. I am lucky that I am bothered with IBS symptoms
only once in awhile. Some of our members deal with it on a daily basis

I urge you to start a newbie post and tell us something about yourself. Ask some questions,
comment or vent. That way you can meet some of our members. I am so glad you have
found us. This forum has some great people who are always willing to help and support you.

Hugs

Robin
Posted 11/15/2009 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Michelek

Sorry it took me so long to reply. Yes I was so surprised and happy with the Savella. I have IBS-D and have not been able to control the D for the last 4 years at all.Tried Lotronex and a million others. I was on Donnatal and taking 4 to 8 Immodium a day to jsut go 5 times a day, and be able to make it. One of the side effects of Savella is C so it has really helped my D. I am now taking only half of the dose of Donnatal and only going to bathroom once a day!!!!!! Feel great about that. I didnt even take any Donnatal this weekend. I would be careful with the C cause I had D really bad. Take care.

Posted 11/15/2009 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MichelleK-

I was only on Savella for two weeks, but did have improvement with C. I'm Celiac as well - gluten free helped with C some, but the Savella made me very regular each morning with no straining blush

I did have a bit of improvement in my pain and fatigue, unfortunately I became extremely irritable and angry so stopped taking Savella.

-Lisa
Posted 11/16/2009 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
so glad to hear that Savella is working for someone! I tried it and it was the most horrible experience ever, not to mention it did nothing for pain.


woo hoo for you!!

Just curious how long it took to relieve your pain?

hope it continues.

melissa
Posted 11/21/2009 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
It took about 3 weeks to relieve pain. However when it started getting wet and cold here I am having more pain. sad It helps my IBS-D so much I have to continue with it.And I am always irritable these days with all the pain, just ask my co-workers and roomate shakehead It seems like I fix one problem with my body and get 2 more. But after so many years of being ignored by Drs. I just feel lucky to be getting some help. Lucky and poor rolleyes Hope you find some relief soon. The arthritus stength Tylenol is the best over the counter stuff I found. Just be careful you dont take too much like I did. My liver enzymes were not good for a while.Take care. Normal
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