I've been very remiss in not visiting and apologize to all of the members. I've had too much going on in my life and I shall not bore you with the details.

My physiatrist would now like to add Lyrica to the mixture of Tegretol, Tramadol, Neurontin, Baclofen, and Hydrocodone. Oh! And yes we must watch for weight gain and possible liver disorders including platelet problems.

I already am up to 290lbs. as of this last Thursday. Shocking both me and my PCP. My feeling is I would rather "live" with pain rather than be in a stupor or die of all the causes from weight gain, but be in less pain. What do you think?

This is where I am drawing the line on the benefits of medication vs. the side effects and potential additional problems involved with these meds. Oh! In addition, he wants me to see another specialist who does brain electrode implants that may help in reducing my involuntary movements. Much like Michael J. Fox has had done for his Parkinson's disease, a surprise to me. This does not excite me either.

As it is, the decision has been made to move my wife's life dream of going to Hawaii, scheduled for next April, up to this November as the doctor has no way of knowing how far I could progress in that period of time.

So, thoughts, comments, experiences, what do you say to my logic? I still wish to live life on "my" terms and not be dictated by medications.