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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sigismund on April 5, 2011, at 18:13:07
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco » floatingbridge, posted by sigismund on April 5, 2011, at 17:37:20
The other thing I have found helpful is to see the pain as something you welcome. Since you don't welcome it, this presents problems. So you do some voodoo number on yourself where you say you do. I can do it with this pain I have now, but then it's not really bad either. I can say it is from God or like being touched by someone I love. I can say anything. It sort of helps to pass the time while it happens.
Posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2011, at 23:34:13
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco, posted by sigismund on April 5, 2011, at 18:13:07
Sigi there is a vaccine for shingles. Can't have it when active but if you had the chicken pox as you know shingles comes out after a certain unmentionable age. It could strike again and it's very painful. Hope it's starting to heal. PJ
Posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 11:06:55
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco, posted by sigismund on April 5, 2011, at 18:13:07
Well, Sigi, sorry that you have had to learn secret methods for pain reduction whatever the reasons. Shingles can be awful from what I understand. The gabapenitin helped my MIL through a bout and isn't there evidence to suggest it helped post-hepatic nueralgia from more deeply engraving a pathway as well as give pain relief?
Thanks for the encouragement. After what happened on Lyrica (I started thinking I had stroke! Very odd thought for me), I am 2x shy about anything new. But I won't say never :|
Posted by sigismund on April 6, 2011, at 14:17:11
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco » sigismund, posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2011, at 23:34:13
>Sigi there is a vaccine for shingles
Really? I must get it when this is over. I can see it could be awful.
Posted by sigismund on April 6, 2011, at 14:21:52
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco » sigismund, posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 11:06:55
>isn't there evidence to suggest it helped post-hepatic nueralgia from more deeply engraving a pathway as well as give pain relief?
I have heard that. A chemist was good enough to give me some Tagamet, an old heartburn antihistamine drug which helps in some way. And I actually have gabapetin.
If it is like herpes simplex, outbreaks may lead to more outbreaks too.
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 6, 2011, at 17:46:44
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco » Phillipa, posted by sigismund on April 6, 2011, at 14:17:11
I'm pretty sure there is no point in getting the vaccine if you've already had shingles.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vacc-need-know.htm
Posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 19:20:19
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco, posted by mtdewcmu on April 6, 2011, at 17:46:44
Yes, I agree with mtdew. Though my MIL was told that when an outbreak occurs, minimize it with some high-powered antiviral (forget the stateside name); darn little b*gger virus travels along its favorite neural pathways in layman's terms.
So for my MIL, her outbreak was along the scalp down towards the left eye. Doc was glad it stopped at the brow and did
not affect the left ear. Her blisters were minimal. Most commonly affects the trunk. Inhabits the spinal column, yes?Sorry sigi. Is this recent?
Weighing risks and benefits of vaccine for the kid, we went for the chicken pox shot just to minimize our bub's chances of shingles later. About 85% effective, the pox shot is, I've heard.
My hubby needs to get a shingles shot....
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 19:37:10
In reply to sensible help needed with norco, posted by floatingbridge on April 4, 2011, at 13:42:51
Trying for 15mg today, will accept 20mg.
Physician Assistant explained 'their plan' for me. (Nice to be included.) Stay at 20mg for two weeks, drop it again to maybe ten....
Then LDN. (I felt an great and obnoxious impulse to tell the PA that LDN was something I informed the good doc about as the PA began to explain the protocol. Sigh. I like to get some credit now and again, but I also need to let others do their jobs.)
Meanwhile, I'm trying to stay upright and re-explain why I'm not on an AD.
And then the perfunctory talk about stress, emotions, pain, and counseling. Reminded me of having to endure a service in order to eat at a mission.
(Do I sound cranky?)
She asked if I'd like a referral to a pain specialist. Absolutely. So now the big health care complex wheels are churning
away creating a referral....First star to the right, and straight on till morning....
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 6, 2011, at 19:47:21
In reply to shingles » mtdewcmu, posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 19:20:19
> Yes, I agree with mtdew. Though my MIL was told that when an outbreak occurs, minimize it with some high-powered antiviral (forget the stateside name); darn little b*gger virus travels along its favorite neural pathways in layman's terms.
Usually the antiviral is acyclovir (Zovirax) or valacyclovir (Valtrex).
Posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 19:52:04
In reply to Re: shingles, posted by mtdewcmu on April 6, 2011, at 19:47:21
Valtrex sounds right.... Maybe....
Posted by sigismund on April 6, 2011, at 20:50:14
In reply to shingles » mtdewcmu, posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 19:20:19
>Sorry sigi. Is this recent?
Yeah, it started a week ago and already I am starting to feel better. The pain is almost gone. I wonder if the Tagamet / cimetadine shortened the duration? Sometimes it lasts a month. I only had 3 little sores and it was quite painful. It would be terrible if it flared up.
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2011, at 20:55:23
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco, posted by mtdewcmu on April 6, 2011, at 17:46:44
The article you posted says it helps after shingles. My neighbor got it after having it on her face. Dangerous place to get it. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2011, at 21:32:15
In reply to Re: shingles, posted by sigismund on April 6, 2011, at 20:50:14
Shingles follows nerve pathways. A Good amount of people shingles effects the nerves around the side of the trunk of body. FB didn't know it was that common in face eye area sounds like same nerve my neighbors was. I'm not getting the vaccine why? I don't want it. Phillipa I cared for so many when working with shingles and they then thought if had had the chicken pox couldn't get so no mask gloves and the patients were in isolation. So I'm not. No more vaccines don't get flu either. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 21:53:10
In reply to Re: shingles, posted by sigismund on April 6, 2011, at 20:50:14
The tagamet is not familiar. Glad it is receding; guess it's done. The neurontin, how long for some relief? I wouldn't worry too much about flare-ups, unless you notice a shortening length between occurances. My MIL really only had the one big presentation on a sensitive neural pathway. Every so often, in certain weather, like a cold wind, she can feel the shadow of the pathway, but nothing a touch of voodoo can't handle. And you know preventive measures....
Good news that Phillipa says the vaccine can help.
I wonder what my MIL did waiting for neurontin to kick in. I'll ask. Hydrocodine doesn't quite cut it for that type of pain.
Glad you've got your voodoo working. Or your mojo.
> Yeah, it started a week ago and already I am starting to feel better. The pain is almost gone. I wonder if the Tagamet / cimetadine shortened the duration? Sometimes it lasts a month. I only had 3 little sores and it was quite painful. It would be terrible if it flared up.
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2011, at 22:25:48
In reply to Re: shingles, posted by floatingbridge on April 6, 2011, at 21:53:10
The posted link says it can work after having shingles as can recur. Very painful. Sigi glad just a few. Phillipa
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 6, 2011, at 23:04:20
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco » mtdewcmu, posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2011, at 20:55:23
> The article you posted says it helps after shingles. My neighbor got it after having it on her face. Dangerous place to get it. Phillipa
You are right.
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2011, at 23:44:57
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco, posted by mtdewcmu on April 6, 2011, at 23:04:20
Thanks usually I'm wrong to be right means a lot emotionally to me my problem but thanks Phillipa
Posted by violette on April 8, 2011, at 19:22:35
In reply to sensible help needed with norco, posted by floatingbridge on April 4, 2011, at 13:42:51
I think the feelings that lead to your search for relief would best be addressed by psychotherapy, with a relationship with another human being skilled enough to help you attain what you need. From all your posts, it seems like you are the patient of a biological-based psychiatrist, which is a lose-lose situation for so many of us.
Posted by floatingbridge on April 8, 2011, at 21:02:57
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco, posted by violette on April 8, 2011, at 19:22:35
Hi Violette,
Nice to see you :)
I feel and think my issues are multifaceted. Mental illness, such as first and second degree relatives with serious physically based illness only further complicated by maladaptive behaviors, etc.
For me having a pdoc who is also a therapist has lead me only so far, and in fact, is now in conflict with what I think my best interests are. So, I'm looking for a new pdoc most likely, and a therapist who can meet what I'm looking for in a therapist.
Wish me luck, and thanks for your insight. Hope you are well enough.
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on April 13, 2011, at 5:50:49
In reply to Re: shingles, posted by sigismund on April 6, 2011, at 20:50:14
sigi, how's the neurontin treating you?
Posted by floatingbridge on April 13, 2011, at 6:02:19
In reply to sensible help needed with norco, posted by floatingbridge on April 4, 2011, at 13:42:51
My gp made the step from 20mgs to 15mgs on Saturday.
Now it's rough. I'm not panicked anymore. WTF & whatever are my attitudes. However, now there is inadequate pain control. Not crazy, rebound, ER pain. Just the f*ck my day all day aches.
What bothers me, is that, besides the holy Grail of LDN, I don't see any easy answers except live with it. (Which means living less freely. I'm not a frickin meditation master. My teacher is a seven year old--quite capricious and free with the ole Zen stick :-/ )
I can see my body desensitizing to norco. That's cool. 20mgs was tolerable. Gawd, how long, if ever to feel alright on 15mg? Arrgh. Grr.
Oh, just griping.
fb
(Ouchy!)
Posted by sigismund on April 14, 2011, at 17:22:03
In reply to Re: shingles » sigismund, posted by floatingbridge on April 13, 2011, at 5:50:49
>sigi, how's the neurontin treating you?
The shingles has gone away. The Tagamet shortened the whole thing.
I take 300mg gabapentin at night to help with sleep. It is OK. I don't want to take much because it's not that good for me, but it is OK.
It really would help with opiate withdrawal. A lot of the withdrawal is extreme restlessness mixed with agitation and pain.
Neurontin will get rid of the physical restlessness.
Posted by floatingbridge on April 14, 2011, at 18:18:01
In reply to Re: shingles » floatingbridge, posted by sigismund on April 14, 2011, at 17:22:03
Thanks sigi,
I'm glad Auntie Shingles' visit was brief.
Can one stop neurontin fairly easily? I found Lyrica easy--not at all like an ad.
However, besides other affects, I was a cognitive zombie on Lyrica. People said I slurred my words :(
So neurontin sounds milder.
Posted by violette on April 14, 2011, at 19:15:47
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco » violette, posted by floatingbridge on April 8, 2011, at 21:02:57
Hi FB, Just checking back in with you.
I know your health issues are multi-faceted, and much of family are totally insane so i can relate to that as well.
Thought it could be worth mentioning that when i first started seeing a psychiatrist who was also a therapist, I got worse before I started getting better. Much worse. Panic attacks, physical pain, hallucinations, nightmares, hypochondria, and so forth. My primary coping strategy was reading obsessively about psychology. Now that i allowed attachment and dependency with my therapist/doctor, and accepting emotions, the storm has settled, I have had no need for medications and most of those symptoms have disappeared. My pschosomatic symptoms even changed in accordance with what was going on in therapy. Not bad after just one year of this therapy, especially considering I spent over a decade on medications and other waste of money therapies.
If your current therapist/doctor works with emotional defenses, it could be why you are feeling worse. It might sound cliche, but even though we are all different, it's very common to feel all torn apart when this is occurring. For some of us, it's necessary because it leads to integratation of all the disavowed emotions and split off parts, which leads to a chance to redevelop your sense of self, real healing. Anxiety and depression, among other things, are often symptoms of a condition. And you know this to be true intellectually-meds only do so much. They are often like a band-aid. But even band-aids need removed after so long.
It's not for everyone, and i hope you don't give up. For some reason, when i read your posts, I always think you don't have to suffer as much as you do and that chasing meds might be a way of running from your emotions. I'm not implying that you should not take them, but think about how many years you've been here searching for medication after medication, and how many different medications you've tried, how many different combinations you've tried. Has it gotten you anywhere? Maybe finding a new therapist will get you somewhere. I hope so. I recall you telling me you have attachment issues (C-PTSD), so please remember that therapy for C-PTSD should be about your relationship with your therapist, and all the feelings that emerge in the transference.
Whatever you do, I hope you find your inner peace. Best of luck to you. :)
p.s. if i have it all wrong, please ignore my post. I am just trying to help, not sure if i am or can.
Posted by floatingbridge on April 14, 2011, at 19:40:28
In reply to Re: sensible help needed with norco, posted by violette on April 14, 2011, at 19:15:47
Hi Violette,
Glad you caught me online.
I'm pretty much ad free right now. I do have mechanical damage to lower spine, hence the norco taper and hot pursuit of pain relief (!).
We'll see what shakes out with the pdoc/therapist. I'm suspecting he walked me to the door to greater awareness, but may not go through it with me. I've been grieving the loss. Thanks to his help, I
can withstand grieving.I'm glad to hear that so many of your symptoms have resolved--that's good news--and it seems to me you have worked quite diligently towards this goal. So, congratulations :) !!
Yes, there is still therapy in my present, and in my future. C-ptsd only complicates a medical condition like spinal damage. Stress creates flares. Triggers create stress.
Thanks for wishing me luck. Take care of yourself, and don't be a stranger.
fb
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