Help please

[Guest guest]

I have had bad headaches my whole life and I had all kinds of tests, but no

one could figure out what the headaches were from. I finally found out I

have herniated discs in my neck, and severe arthritis from a bad TMJ problem

that had been going on for years. I am sure that this was caused by EDS

related complications. Anyway, I have tried every drug on the market for my

headaches,and the only thing that works is Fioricet. It is made specifically

for muscle contraction headaches. However, it will make you sleepy at first,

and docs don't like to give it because it is addictive. However, it is not a

major narcotic. I 've tried all of the migraine drugs,pain killers like

Percocet, Vicodan-you name it. I even injected myself with DHE for

headaches. I tried tricyclic anti-depressants, Neurontin, and a bunch of

other stuff, much stronger drugs than Fioricet, but for some reason, that

works best for me. Tell your doc you have EDS and severe muscle contraction

headaches, and ask if he will write for Fioricet. I would try to limit the

amount, but when you really need it, it works great. I take it every day now

(my tolerance is high), and I am an attorney for the federal gov't, so it

does not impair my ability to function. Despite potential addiction

problems, you can also develop gi problems, liver problems, etc. which is why

you want to limit it. But it is great to have around when you need it. They

also make a version with codeine in it, which is stronger, but it is even

more addictive, and the codeine hurts my stomach. I Hope this helps since I

can sympathize with head pain. It is twice as bad when someone treats you

like a hypochondriac, and you can't even get your head off the pillow. Good

luck!!!

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

Please excuse this general letter to " everyone " but I'm just too worn out to

write each individually.

For those of you who don't know, my mom had a heart attack a couple weeks

ago. It was really strange. Dad called me at work around 2:30 saying Mom

was really sick and could I come? I left immediately and called Dad on my

cell phone to see if we needed a squad. He said to wait and see when I got

there. When I got there, I had our dr.'s office on the phone - I was on hold

- Mom was trying to vomit, but couldn't get anything up. She was VERY weak

and could hardly hold her head up, and was cool and clammy. She said she had

a hard time getting her breath the night before and hadn't slept well. To

make a long story short, I called the squad, deciding I could send them away

if I didn't need them. After being examined by a dr. at the emergency room

he told us he thought we were dealing with a heart attack! Well, Dad and I

also about had one hearing this. After the cardiologist saw her, he

confirmed the EKG and blood tests showed heart attack (with moderate damage),

but that it had occurred about 12 hours earlier. The night before, when she

had a hard time getting her breath, she told him she also had jaw pain and

that her teeth hurt. Those were her only symptoms, but this was when the

heart attack occurred. The next day they did angioplasty, one artery was 99%

blocked and one 90% blocked and the other 56-60% blocked. They ballooned

them all and put stints in the two real bad ones. The attack occurred on

Wed. pm and she went home Saturday. She is doing fine except for her back -

she has some spinal stenosis and a couple vertebrae that are out of whack.

All in all, she's doing good now. She will be going to the hospital for

rehab app. 3 times a week.

As for me, I'm kind of a mess too. I had been looking for a job, as I'm just

not making enough money where I'm at. Plus, to add to my frustration, I'm

going through menopause, and haven't been able to sleep, and have felt foggy

in the brain if that makes any sense. My manager has been very nice, but has

talked to me several times about making mistakes. I'm so very upset about

this - that just isn't me to be making stupid mistakes all the time, and I'm

doing it at home, too! Anyway, I talked to my doctor and he thought if I

could get some sleep, that maybe things would improve. He didn't think I was

depressed. I didn't either at the time. Also, Mom, Dad and I have all quit

smoking. I tend to cry at the drop of a hat when I quit - always have. The

sleeping pills worked, but made me sick to my stomach. Then my manager

called me in and talked to me AGAIN, and then I was depressed! I phoned my

dr. and told him the sleeping pills make me sick and that I'm still making

stupid mistakes. He said to go off the sleeping pills and now has me on an

antidepressant. I sure hope this works, as I'm about to give up. I did have

a job interview last Tues. but don't know yet how it went. It sure is tough

to go for interviews with my confidence level at an all-time low! I have

tried everything, from ordering books on menopause, to writing notes, to

praying, and so far, nothing has seemed to help yet. Please say a prayer

that I can get over this fog thing and get my life back in order, as I need

to be here and in good shape for my Mom and Dad, and for my husband and kids

too. Now they're all worried about me, and I don't like that at all.

The rest of my body is doing ok. My knee is holding it's own, and my thumbs

are better. Mike is taking his medicine for restless legs syndrome and it

seems to be helping him. Thank goodness that we finally discovered what was

up with him - it only took about 5 years!

Well, I've rambled on long enough, but just wanted to fill everyone in and

request a few prayers. I don't like requesting them for myself, but I don't

seem to be doing so great a job, so perhaps all of you can help.

I hope everyone is well and happy, and I'll keep you informed. Thanks for

being there for me and letting me vent some of my frustration. I appreciate

it so much.

Love Lana

[Guest guest]

Lana,

Sounds like you have a whole lot on your plate right now and need to

take care of your needs too. Easy to say, I know. I don't know your age

or your situation, but you might want to ask your Doc about hormone

treatment. If you are going thru menopause, those symptoms are tough

enough to deal with and the decrease in estrogen actually makes you more

prone to depression - especially but not only if you have had a

post-partum depression. Estrogen does help to keep the brain's chemicals

in balance. The stress in your life is difficult enough on it's own, but

if you are even slightly out of balance, it is that much harder.

Just a thought! Keep your chin up! Hope things turn around real soon

for you!

Mel

llchriste@... wrote:

>

> Hello All,

>

> Please excuse this general letter to " everyone " but I'm just too worn

> out to

> write each individually.

>

> For those of you who don't know, my mom had a heart attack a couple

> weeks

> ago. It was really strange. Dad called me at work around 2:30 saying

> Mom

> was really sick and could I come? I left immediately and called Dad

> on my

> cell phone to see if we needed a squad. He said to wait and see when

> I got

> there. When I got there, I had our dr.'s office on the phone - I was

> on hold

> - Mom was trying to vomit, but couldn't get anything up. She was VERY

> weak

> and could hardly hold her head up, and was cool and clammy. She said

> she had

> a hard time getting her breath the night before and hadn't slept

> well. To

> make a long story short, I called the squad, deciding I could send

> them away

> if I didn't need them. After being examined by a dr. at the emergency

> room

> he told us he thought we were dealing with a heart attack! Well, Dad

> and I

> also about had one hearing this. After the cardiologist saw her, he

> confirmed the EKG and blood tests showed heart attack (with moderate

> damage),

> but that it had occurred about 12 hours earlier. The night before,

> when she

> had a hard time getting her breath, she told him she also had jaw pain

> and

> that her teeth hurt. Those were her only symptoms, but this was when

> the

> heart attack occurred. The next day they did angioplasty, one artery

> was 99%

> blocked and one 90% blocked and the other 56-60% blocked. They

> ballooned

> them all and put stints in the two real bad ones. The attack occurred

> on

> Wed. pm and she went home Saturday. She is doing fine except for her

> back -

> she has some spinal stenosis and a couple vertebrae that are out of

> whack.

> All in all, she's doing good now. She will be going to the hospital

> for

> rehab app. 3 times a week.

>

> As for me, I'm kind of a mess too. I had been looking for a job, as

> I'm just

> not making enough money where I'm at. Plus, to add to my frustration,

> I'm

> going through menopause, and haven't been able to sleep, and have felt

> foggy

> in the brain if that makes any sense. My manager has been very nice,

> but has

> talked to me several times about making mistakes. I'm so very upset

> about

> this - that just isn't me to be making stupid mistakes all the time,

> and I'm

> doing it at home, too! Anyway, I talked to my doctor and he thought

> if I

> could get some sleep, that maybe things would improve. He didn't

> think I was

> depressed. I didn't either at the time. Also, Mom, Dad and I have

> all quit

> smoking. I tend to cry at the drop of a hat when I quit - always

> have. The

> sleeping pills worked, but made me sick to my stomach. Then my

> manager

> called me in and talked to me AGAIN, and then I was depressed! I

> phoned my

> dr. and told him the sleeping pills make me sick and that I'm still

> making

> stupid mistakes. He said to go off the sleeping pills and now has me

> on an

> antidepressant. I sure hope this works, as I'm about to give up. I

> did have

> a job interview last Tues. but don't know yet how it went. It sure is

> tough

> to go for interviews with my confidence level at an all-time low! I

> have

> tried everything, from ordering books on menopause, to writing notes,

> to

> praying, and so far, nothing has seemed to help yet. Please say a

> prayer

> that I can get over this fog thing and get my life back in order, as I

> need

> to be here and in good shape for my Mom and Dad, and for my husband

> and kids

> too. Now they're all worried about me, and I don't like that at all.

>

> The rest of my body is doing ok. My knee is holding it's own, and my

> thumbs

> are better. Mike is taking his medicine for restless legs syndrome

> and it

> seems to be helping him. Thank goodness that we finally discovered

> what was

> up with him - it only took about 5 years!

>

> Well, I've rambled on long enough, but just wanted to fill everyone in

> and

> request a few prayers. I don't like requesting them for myself, but I

> don't

> seem to be doing so great a job, so perhaps all of you can help.

>

> I hope everyone is well and happy, and I'll keep you informed. Thanks

> for

> being there for me and letting me vent some of my frustration. I

> appreciate

> it so much.

>

> Love Lana

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Jill, you're not the first person to say this, so I think I'll follow

your advice and just try to relax and let things flow for a while to see

where they go. I appreciate all your help and advice!

Love Lana

[Guest guest]

Is there any way you can get away for a weekend somewhere? To visit a

friend you've not seen in awhile, or somewhere that you and your husband can

just escape and leave some pressure behind? It sound simple, but maybe

it's just something that can help you recharge your batteries.....

Jill

Thanks, Jill, you're not the first person to say this, so I think I'll

follow

your advice and just try to relax and let things flow for a while to see

where they go. I appreciate all your help and advice!

[Guest guest]

Dear Lana,

Please know that I am praying for you and your family in this difficult time.

I am also sorry you are having such a hard time at work. Glad you have a

job interview, as maybe the job you have now is just not the right one for

you. Please take care, and hope you are feeling better soon. Love, Sue

Ginley

[Guest guest]

Lana, it is good news that your mom is doing better, and prayers are already

said for you. My goodness you have been through so much lately it is not

surprising that you have been feeling depressed, and don't feel bad about

asking for prayers for yourself, we always want to give each other support

and we all need a helping hand every now and then

Hugs

Donna G

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the prayers and encouragement, Donna! They are much appreciated!

Love Lana

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for the prayers, Sue! I appreciate your concern and the fact

that I may not be out of my mind. Yes, I hope I find a job that better suits

where I am at this point in my life. I just appreciate you all being there

for me, it really helps!

Say hi to your mom...by the way, how is she doing?

Love Lana

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Jill, I will try to do this Sunday!

Love Lana

[Guest guest]

Lana,

If nothing else, please consider just spending a day at home doing whatever

it is that makes you happy - and enjoy a day free of phone calls, things

that annoy you, and all things that create pressure. Just sit back, enjoy

just have a 'you day'!

Please feel better soon.

Jill