Dear Kay

yes i've noticed you've been around more.

good idea to check about the med.

and do keep trying with the smoking. i've been able to quit cold turkey at times. other times i had to cut down and use all sorts of "tricks" to progressively cut down more and more... other times i've quit and restarted w/in 24 hours... quit and restarted, quit and restarted, etc. just keep at it. you will get better at it. (practice makes perfect! )

~ waves ~

I don't have to stop the Ampyra! I guess just itchy is okay.

I had my Tysabri (once a month IV med for MS) yesterday. Because of all the pain I've had, my neuro may stop the treatments for a month or 2, or add another med before the treatment. I'm supposed to call them in a week to update them on my pain level.

My PCP wants me to hold the arthritis med at the current dose for 2 more weeks. I'm not happy about this.... I feel like I'm being hung out to dry waiting for all the docs to get their **** together. I have a rheumy, and may end up back there pretty soon.

My anxiety is high right now, and I'm not doing so well with getting off the butts. But I'll keep trying.

-Kay

Kay, I haven't been around much, and 'though I've read your posts, have been too blah ... to focus and write.

I also have an autoimmune condition - lupus. And true to type, as I approach my fiftieth year, I have to stop working full time. I no longer can make definite plans or keep appointments, as very often the pain or the fatigue make it hard to get out of bed.

As I have bipolar 2 as well, and there are possibilities of overlapping drugs. Many mood stabilisers also are used to treat pain so one has to always be watchful. Trying to check on drugs prescribed by either specialists so they don't cancel each other out or result in an overkill, takes a lot of energy and exchange of e-mail with the doctors.

I don't really know about the drugs prescribed for MS, but do check them up to make sure you are not being over prescribed.

You do know that Effexor is also used to treat MS, don't you?

What are you being given for the arthritis?

We meet under circumstances that nobody should have to be in.
But it does help to be able to reach out to people who are going through similar situations and can empathise.

Dear Kay

glad you can stay on the Amypra.

good luck with getting all your docs in a row.. it is hard coordinating so many specialists and the PCP.

yes do keep trying with the cigs. if you are mostly able to stay off them, don't get down on yourself about the 'slips'. if you mostly can't stay off them, even just trying to reduce can be helpful.

one of the "tricks" i used to use was to make myself put off having one when i wanted it. sometimes for just five minutes. other times i bargained with myself for an hour. when i was managing better, i bargained for progessively longer quits... a day... 2... then a week.

i hope your pain levels come down. take care.

~ waves ~

Isis, thank you for your reply.

I'm on a slew of drugs, including Effexor. I also take lamictal, xanax, and low-dose trazadone (for sleep).

For pain, I take lyrica, and an arthritis drug called arthrotec. I also have to take meds for urinary and bowel problems.

My MS Specialist monitors all my medications, and I check in with the MSRNs whenever I'm given a new med or change a dose. They meet with the psychiatry dept. at the hospital regularly. I signed releases so they can talk to all my docs. And they have questioned some psych drugs in the past.

It's good to have a support system like that in place. You're right: it's hard to manage our meds with more than one condition. I'm sorry you're having to deal with Lupus and BPII, but you seem to know you're limitations and have a good knowledge of meds.

I also have difficulties making appointments d/t fatigue and pain. My docs, friends, and family all know this, and are very understanding. Most of the time, I end up inviting people over here, but they know it's pretty likely that I'll have to take a nap at some point.

-Kay

Whoa...

A friend returned from across the country. I planned a very low key dinner at my place, but we ended up going out with my husband to a couple of bars. I got hammered. I don't usually drink that much unless I'm manic.

The shocking thing (to me, anyway) was I was having a grand old time, but was very irritable and confrontational.

I've read a couple of posts on my regular MS board about mood changes (for the better) for people who take Ampyra...

I don't quite feel manic, but I could be. There has been some ridiculousness, and I've been pushing my physical limits and my pain, balance, and gait is worse because of it.

Maybe manic, still manic, or another drug side effect.

-Kay

Hi,

I am not schooled in the other issues so I am only responding to the bipolar:
The Effexor might be a problem.
You say that you are taking Trazadone very low dose. Has that changed?
Has the Lamictal changed?

Have you drastically changed your smoking? Cutting back could have effected mood.

-->>My suggestion is to call the pdoc on Monday. This is important.

M.

Dear Kay

i agree with Mari it would be a good idea to consult your pdoc/MH person about this.

do you have someone at this point? i remember you were to see someone new that your therapist recommended... did that happen? if not, is your old NP still reachable?

~ waves ~

Thanks guys!

I was able to get an appt. with the MHRN my psychologist recommended, but my appt. isn't until September (the 7th or something). Maybe I'll try to contact my old prescriber at her private practice, but she only works one day a week. I could also try to get in to see someone else at my MH office sooner.

I agree that the effexor isn't helping me come down. I'm on 150mg in the am, and 75mg in the pm. I've thought of weening myself down slowly.

I'm also having trouble focusing and trolling the internet A LOT looking to buy **** I don't really need. I am sleeping a little better, though.

UGH.

-Kay

it can't hurt to try to contact your old prescriber. you said she "covers herself" by cellphone... does that mean you have her cell #? or if you call the private practice you may be able to leave a message that you are revving up and wondering about reducing the effexor and/or if other tweaks are warranted. she might contact you sooner. never know.

not knowing you or your history with depression, and since you are sort of between practitioners, i can't suggest to you to make changes on your own. that said, there is good rationale for reducing the effexor.

if you decide to go that route, you need to taper it slowly - many people experience withdrawal sx. i do have a concern that the pills/dosages you have might not allow you to reduce by small enough amounts at a time. in that sense, it might really be better to get hold of a doctor. they may also want to make other changes that can be done faster and will help you faster.

good that you are sleeping better!

~ waves ~