Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 As I recover from my breast reduction, the reminders of my Lupus continue to remain very clear. The finger, wrists and arm pain--the fatigue. It's almost like I had a 2 week reprieve from the Lupus while I was laid out from the surgery. Next week I go back to the rheumy after 6 weeks to then discuss further treatment. As I mentioned before, I had stopped the Plaquenil after 1 week because of sever intestinal cramps, etc. I could never have made through the surgery and these follow ups with those side effects occurring. So, we'll. But, these emotional highs and lows are making me crazy. I would like to see a professional therapist or psychiatrist....someone that understands the disease and that I can process all this with. I'm going to call my rheumy to see if their is someone he can recommend. Any input from you guys is welcomed. Thanks for listening. Luv, Robyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Robyn, Are you currently taking an antidepressant? If not, why not? One of the integral parts of any disease with chronic pain, impaired movement, vital organ involvement (skin is counted as a major organ, the largest in the body), etc. is clinical depression. Along with chronic disease comes sleep deprivation, pain, fatigue, and in quick succession depression, which in turn feeds the pain, lack of sleep, pain, fatigue, pain, etc. and on and on and on. Antidepressants are not a remedy for mental illness, but a chemical balancer for the brain. The brain chemicals become unbalanced when we lack sleep, energy, and a pain free existence. Antidepressants correct this problem and allow us to cope with our disease in a more calm and intelligent manner. It doesn't cure much, but it does put our brains back in working order so we can make coherent decisions regarding our own care. You take care, and keep us posted on how you are doing. Loving hugs, MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Robyn, Are you currently taking an antidepressant? If not, why not? One of the integral parts of any disease with chronic pain, impaired movement, vital organ involvement (skin is counted as a major organ, the largest in the body), etc. is clinical depression. Along with chronic disease comes sleep deprivation, pain, fatigue, and in quick succession depression, which in turn feeds the pain, lack of sleep, pain, fatigue, pain, etc. and on and on and on. Antidepressants are not a remedy for mental illness, but a chemical balancer for the brain. The brain chemicals become unbalanced when we lack sleep, energy, and a pain free existence. Antidepressants correct this problem and allow us to cope with our disease in a more calm and intelligent manner. It doesn't cure much, but it does put our brains back in working order so we can make coherent decisions regarding our own care. You take care, and keep us posted on how you are doing. Loving hugs, MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2004 Report Share Posted June 4, 2004 Robyn, I have taken Prozac for over 15 years. It was the best one for me, after trying many types. I found that tricyclic antidepressants made me sleep for days...not good when you are raising special needs kids by yourself...and Zoloft made me aggressively angry. Prozac works just right, I take two in the morning with breakfast meds, and that works best for me. Doesn't make me drowsy at all. I did find if I took one in a.m. and one with lunch, that I tended to clench my jaw all evening. By taking them both in the a.m. I avoid that little side effect. Good luck, and keep us posted, 'k? Hugs, MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2004 Report Share Posted June 4, 2004 I'm taking Xanax, which does help and , as my DR said,I must " take it " . I find myself waiting until I'm getting overwhelmed, and then I take it. I had tried starting Zoloft and it put me to sleep, plus gave me diarrhea (which a nurse told me can happen at first). I have no " hang-up " about taking anti-depressants. I'm just finding out what works best for me. Maybe I'll try Prozac (which I understand now comes in a more affordable generic). I will go over all this with my DR next week. Thanks MM, having reply with me really helps and I feel better today. I plan to take it easy. Luv, Robyn > Robyn, Are you currently taking an antidepressant? If not, why not? One > of the integral parts of > any disease with chronic pain, impaired movement, vital organ involvement > (skin is counted as a > major organ, the largest in the body), etc. is clinical depression. Along > with chronic disease comes > sleep deprivation, pain, fatigue, and in quick succession depression, which > in turn feeds the pain, > lack of sleep, pain, fatigue, pain, etc. and on and on and on. > Antidepressants are not a remedy for > mental illness, but a chemical balancer for the brain. The brain chemicals > become unbalanced when > we lack sleep, energy, and a pain free existence. Antidepressants correct > this problem and allow > us to cope with our disease in a more calm and intelligent manner. It > doesn't cure much, but it does > put our brains back in working order so we can make coherent decisions > regarding our own care. > > You take care, and keep us posted on how you are doing. Loving hugs, MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2004 Report Share Posted June 4, 2004 I'm taking Xanax, which does help and , as my DR said,I must " take it " . I find myself waiting until I'm getting overwhelmed, and then I take it. I had tried starting Zoloft and it put me to sleep, plus gave me diarrhea (which a nurse told me can happen at first). I have no " hang-up " about taking anti-depressants. I'm just finding out what works best for me. Maybe I'll try Prozac (which I understand now comes in a more affordable generic). I will go over all this with my DR next week. Thanks MM, having reply with me really helps and I feel better today. I plan to take it easy. Luv, Robyn > Robyn, Are you currently taking an antidepressant? If not, why not? One > of the integral parts of > any disease with chronic pain, impaired movement, vital organ involvement > (skin is counted as a > major organ, the largest in the body), etc. is clinical depression. Along > with chronic disease comes > sleep deprivation, pain, fatigue, and in quick succession depression, which > in turn feeds the pain, > lack of sleep, pain, fatigue, pain, etc. and on and on and on. > Antidepressants are not a remedy for > mental illness, but a chemical balancer for the brain. The brain chemicals > become unbalanced when > we lack sleep, energy, and a pain free existence. Antidepressants correct > this problem and allow > us to cope with our disease in a more calm and intelligent manner. It > doesn't cure much, but it does > put our brains back in working order so we can make coherent decisions > regarding our own care. > > You take care, and keep us posted on how you are doing. Loving hugs, MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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