Re: Changing from Topamax to Lyrica/Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

--- Cheryl in AZ wrote:

>I'm really upset that it isn't helping, because he

>took me off Topamax to start this, and the Topamax

>WAS working!

Hi Cheryl

Why on earth did your physician take you off Topamax,

if it was working for you? I can't help but be

curious. My motto has always been " if it ain't broke,

don't fix it. "

Kaylene

Moderator

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--- Kaylene Goyette wrote:

> Why on earth did your physician take you off Topamax,

> if it was working for you? I can't help but be

> curious.

Because he thought this drug would work better. I wasn't getting

complete relief with the Topamax, and was having lots of problems

with cramping in my legs and feet due to damaged nerves. He has

another adhesive arach patient who had tremendous results with

Lyrica, including eliminating her cramping.

And I agreed because I have to appear " cooperative. " Since he also

prescribes my opiates, I feel that if I refuse to try an alternate

treatment that may reduce my need for opiates, he could invoke my

narcotics contract and refuse to treat me.

That's just another one of the problems of being a chronic pain

patient - every other kind of patient has the choice to say " no " to

treatment, but not us, because we're at their mercy if we get a

reputation as a " bad " patient and we'll lose our pain control.

Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

--- Kaylene Goyette wrote:

> Why on earth did your physician take you off Topamax,

> if it was working for you? I can't help but be

> curious.

Because he thought this drug would work better. I wasn't getting

complete relief with the Topamax, and was having lots of problems

with cramping in my legs and feet due to damaged nerves. He has

another adhesive arach patient who had tremendous results with

Lyrica, including eliminating her cramping.

And I agreed because I have to appear " cooperative. " Since he also

prescribes my opiates, I feel that if I refuse to try an alternate

treatment that may reduce my need for opiates, he could invoke my

narcotics contract and refuse to treat me.

That's just another one of the problems of being a chronic pain

patient - every other kind of patient has the choice to say " no " to

treatment, but not us, because we're at their mercy if we get a

reputation as a " bad " patient and we'll lose our pain control.

Cheryl in AZ