I don't know if I'm feeling the way I am because I lowered my Cymbalta dosage or if it's just one of those "fibro-lows". Last night I sat on the floor in my scalding hot shower and cried, my body hurt so much. I'm really feeling terrible. Everything is worse from joint pain and all-over body pain to headaches, fatigue and weird symptoms like eye pain. In my misery last night, I decided that I would start the "Alpha Diet" today because I had to find some relief and I didn't have any time to loose.
According to the Alpha Nutrition book by D. Gisalason (although it does encourage flexibility), those who are suffering with severe disease should follow the "slow track" and begin with ten days of fasting while only taking liquid nutrients. I didn't want to begin fasting until I was completely off my medications, so I've started eating only "Phase One" foods and liquid nutrients and plan to start fasting when my body is drug-free.
The list of Phase One foods is VERY limited. I think there are thirty-three items on the list and that includes olive oil and at least four derivatives of rice (rice, rice cakes, rice (only) cereal, rice crackers, etc.). Basically the Phase One diet includes certain vegetables, peaches, pears and rice. I'm doing ok with it today but can see this getting really old really fast. So far I'm still feeling like shit symptom-wize but I realize it may take at least ten days to feel any relief. I'll be keeping my food and symptom journal here on my blog. The journal entries will be titled "Day One", Day Two", etc.
If this doesn't work I don't know what I'll do.
This is the story of my very frustrating journey through the debilitating and mind-boggling world of Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, Autoimmune Disease, Depression and more.
Showing posts with label migraine headaches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label migraine headaches. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Am I Missing Something?
Either I've missed something major in my research or my cognitive abilities have been more compromised than I thought. If anyone reading this post could offer some insight I may have missed I would really appreciate it.
For the past year and a half I've learned more than I care to about antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, Trycyclic, etc.) and other forms of medication from pain killers to anti-convulsants and sedatives. I've been prescribed about ten different medications (so far) by several doctors as I've tried desperately to get some relief from my illness. Right now I'm taking 200mg Welbutrin, 60mg Cymbalta, 100mg Neurontin and 2mg Lorazepam once daily.
Actually, antidepressants are far from new to me. I've been taking them for about fifteen years. I've suffered with depression for as long as I can remember with my earliest memory of being depressed taking place in my second grade classroom. But it wasn't until 1995, while I was attending college, that I was finally diagnosed with Major Depression and medicated. Since then I've probably taken most of the antidepressants on the market.
About eight years ago I developed severe Panic Disorder and started taking Lorazepam for acute attacks. After my panic became partially controlled I used Lorazepam on occasion to help me sleep. A year and a half ago when I became ill with Fybromyalgia my sleep was severely disrupted as it is with many sufferers. I couldn't stay asleep and I was plagued with disturbing dreams and horrible nightmares. I started taking the Lorazepam again and it magically helped me sleep without any noticeable side effects.
OK so, here's where the confusion starts. The last two doctors I've seen have insisted that I stop taking Lorazepam due to it's "addictive" nature. I've been prescribed other medications that are meant to replace it, the latest and greatest of which is Neurontin. I took the prescribed dosage for about six weeks and never experienced any reduction in the side effects which were SEVERE and included nausea, dizziness, migraine headaches, confusion and excessive tiredness.
I'm not understanding the logic here. Although Lorazepam is supposedly addictive, I've been taking it on and off for eight years. When I do take it, I'm able to get a good night's sleep, wake up feeling rested and without side-effects. I've gone days and even weeks in the past without taking it and never experienced any type of withdrawal (which I have from other medications). The fact that Lorazepam is addictive seems beside the point in this case. It has worked well for me consistently and I haven't had any ill effects that I'm aware of. The same cannot be said about the drugs that have been prescribed to replace it. What am I missing? Is there some type of stigma attached to the prescribing of Lorazepam (Ativan) in the medical community? Is it some kind of taboo? I 'm thoroughly baffled and can think of no other reason that my doctors would be so adamant that I not take it. Any insight on this?
For the past year and a half I've learned more than I care to about antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, Trycyclic, etc.) and other forms of medication from pain killers to anti-convulsants and sedatives. I've been prescribed about ten different medications (so far) by several doctors as I've tried desperately to get some relief from my illness. Right now I'm taking 200mg Welbutrin, 60mg Cymbalta, 100mg Neurontin and 2mg Lorazepam once daily.
Actually, antidepressants are far from new to me. I've been taking them for about fifteen years. I've suffered with depression for as long as I can remember with my earliest memory of being depressed taking place in my second grade classroom. But it wasn't until 1995, while I was attending college, that I was finally diagnosed with Major Depression and medicated. Since then I've probably taken most of the antidepressants on the market.
About eight years ago I developed severe Panic Disorder and started taking Lorazepam for acute attacks. After my panic became partially controlled I used Lorazepam on occasion to help me sleep. A year and a half ago when I became ill with Fybromyalgia my sleep was severely disrupted as it is with many sufferers. I couldn't stay asleep and I was plagued with disturbing dreams and horrible nightmares. I started taking the Lorazepam again and it magically helped me sleep without any noticeable side effects.
OK so, here's where the confusion starts. The last two doctors I've seen have insisted that I stop taking Lorazepam due to it's "addictive" nature. I've been prescribed other medications that are meant to replace it, the latest and greatest of which is Neurontin. I took the prescribed dosage for about six weeks and never experienced any reduction in the side effects which were SEVERE and included nausea, dizziness, migraine headaches, confusion and excessive tiredness.
I'm not understanding the logic here. Although Lorazepam is supposedly addictive, I've been taking it on and off for eight years. When I do take it, I'm able to get a good night's sleep, wake up feeling rested and without side-effects. I've gone days and even weeks in the past without taking it and never experienced any type of withdrawal (which I have from other medications). The fact that Lorazepam is addictive seems beside the point in this case. It has worked well for me consistently and I haven't had any ill effects that I'm aware of. The same cannot be said about the drugs that have been prescribed to replace it. What am I missing? Is there some type of stigma attached to the prescribing of Lorazepam (Ativan) in the medical community? Is it some kind of taboo? I 'm thoroughly baffled and can think of no other reason that my doctors would be so adamant that I not take it. Any insight on this?
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