Hi Jcrewrockstar,
I hope this link helps you http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003423.htm it is all about venipuncture.
I am so sorry about the pain you are experiencing. Sometimes I feel really sick that I wont eat anything or do anything.
You seem to have a very loving gf
Take care

Sometimes I feel that I don't want to eat...I'm not sure if it's the pain or the medication or maybe a combination of the two.

I'm also on Adderall (I thought it was Concerta, I was wrong) which does decrease my appetite quite a bit. Also Neurontin 1200/day

When I'm not feeding myself appropriately I do notice, at times, I feel ill and my pain levels seem to increase. Maybe it's because my body is under stress...not sure. I'm still learning though...like every day and trying new things thanx to Sandra (Sandel) and Allison!

When I get a flare and the pain levels are alot higher than usual I have tried eaten something, taken a hot shower or bath which takes the edge off. I really have to force myself to eat though.

Hopefully that makes some sense to you?

It makes perfect sense, as that is exactly what it is like for me. I have actually told my gf, "I have to force myself to eat."

Interesting, though, as you take Adderall, as I do I (I take a relatively high dose of Adderall Xr 30 twice a day). Yours, as you said helps with concentration and stimulates your appetite. I have taken Adderall, at that dosage for 4 years prior to the Neurontin, which actually decreases my appetite, and, I feel like, in knowing my body chemistry quite well, that the Neurontin has actually interfered with or decreased the Adderall's ability to "do its job." Hmmm, I guess everyone's body works different. And, as you say, and, as I practice, you have to keep toying around with combinations that work the best for you as an individual.

I stand corrected, i see where you wrote it does DECREASE your appetite. Sorry about that.

Venipuncture is an insertion by a needle for Blood Draw or an IV...I started getting symptoms after I had attempted to donate blood at a Blood Drive at work!

CRAZY!

But I would never try to stop anyone from donating blood, it's so important. I however, probably will not as I feel I have "paid my dues". However, I do instruct people who are bothered by the concept of donating blood after hearing about my ordeal that it's important the Phlebotomist is not rushed and has some experience. That's all I really would tell others...please donate but with caution.

I'm up to 25mg 2x a day. That's been increased since I started with the Nuerontin though...so I think the Nuerontin took some of the effects of the Adderall away as well.

Strange, huh?

well, the way my therapist, who prescribes my Adderall (and, I take a low dose of Diazapam as well, dating 4 years ago, and well before my injury as well) is this...

If RSD is, as the theory goes, the our "lymbic system" is going "haywire" and overracting, those two very same medications, Adderall, and Diazapam, are processed by and necessary, even in someone without RSD taking them for certain conditions, to maintain a sort of chemical equilibrium. Because I have ADD, I take the Adderall. So, it works with the frontal lobe of my brain and my lymbic system to produce enough norephinepherine (sp) and serotin, to make up for the deficits, to maintain focus, and concentration, and Adderall actually works to stabilize mood as well (again, ALL processed by the lymbic system where memory and concentration aspects of the brain's duties reside). And, the same holds true for the Diazapem. It, too, works almost strictly with the lymbic system, to calm my already-overactive anxiety thanks to the flight vs. fight messages being relayed over and over to my different parts of my brain and body (causing panic, fear, anxiety). Again, prior to RSD, the Adderall and the lose dose of Diazapam worked brilliantly in maintaining a chemical balance that made up for inherited deficiencies, and added, tremendously, to the quality of my life.

Since RSD, and Neurontin (which, ironically, my therapist out me on back in October thinking what I was going through was a chronic nerve condition, though I just got the tenative diagnosis of RSD last week), things have changed chemically. Having taken Adderall and Diazapam for the better part of 4 years prior to RSD and the introduction of Neurontin, I know how I usually feel mentally, with my moods, thoughts, concentration, anxiety, etc.
Now, sure, I still, occasionally, usually when the Adderall was wearing off, I would forget where I put something, but, other than that, no real signs of forgetfulness t/o the day. Actually, I am so organized around the house it makes people laugh (all my clothes are color coordinated in my closet, so what!). And, prior to Neurontin and RSD as well, I too, wasn't completely spared from anxiety, as there is no magic curing pill. But, I can tell you this, prior to RSD and Neurontin, my anxiety, when it surfaced, was ALWAYS in relation to a person, place, or thing that would cause any normal human being anxiety (ie. job interview, doctor's visit, doctor on the other end of phone with results of this test or that test). Point being, prior to, there was always a reasonable trigger or cause to the anxiety.

When I last saw my therapist, who is a very smart man (ie putting me on the Neurontin back in October verses any doctors or specialists suggesting that I do so along the way), I discussed that my Adderall seemed "not right" during the day...how scattered I was, how frustrating it was that I seemed to be forgetting more and more. I also told him that not only had my level of overall anxiety increased, but that it was more "neurotic anxiety".....the type of anxiety not related to any event, any known trigger, any reason at all..but, a noticeable increase in anxiety. And, I questioned if the Neurontin and RSD, all relating back to the CNS and the lymbic system were somehow impacting one or more of those things I mentioned. We discussed several options for treatment. He told me that raising my Adderall dose any higher would make the RSD symptoms worse (not sure why, as we didn't get into this), but, he doubled my anxiety medication (which he said was already at a low dose), and, agreed with me, that based on my observations, and these being changes only since RSD has been a member of my family, that it was likely due to the lymbic system going haywire and disassembling the normal chemical balance achieved through my typical doses of medication. That was when, he too, said, in order to achieve the most pain relief, it wasn't the hydrocodone or opiates that would do the trick (he doesn';t believe, and I dunno if it's common theory or not, that opiates help much in treating chronic pain), but, rather, increasing the dosage of Neurontin instead. That's when I went from 900mg of Neurontin a day, to 1800 mg a day. It's too soon to say whether or not the Neurontin, and raising the dose, will be the most beneficial. Interesting it is, indeed, how the lymbic system control so much...."who'd have thunk it"?

Well, I read on the Adderall a few months ago...it does affect your nervous system....so I tried going off it for a few weeks and that's during the time I had a major flare for 4 days.

Strange, huh?

But at the same time, I slid on the ice and bumped my swollen arm (elbow).
A few days later or maybe even a day is when I started getting worse then the flare of the entire body happened.

I started getting really strange symptoms last winter...even Tonsillitis! (Never had that before)

Last winter I had cold hands, but they didn't burn...I would actually sleep with a heating pad in my pillow to warm up my fingers. In addition to those two things, I had also began to see a Psychiatrist because I was having difficultly thinking...following through with things (staying on task), sever Insomnia...etc. Pretty much the same as this winter (without the Tonsillitis)!

These reasons are why I am now on Adderall and why I was also instructed to take the Trazadone! I am also on a higher dose, 25mg 2x a day!

Sometimes Adderall makes me feel anxious, like a full on panic and I have to rush to get everything done. Sometims it puts me in a trance and I can't break away from the computer or something else that doesnt NEED to get done, but for some reason I focus (like cleaning out my purse at work instead of working)

Anyways, I can't fight the Trazadone anymore tonight. Thanx again for sharing this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I am having more pain I get very cold and shiver. I can't get my body temp equaled out. I go to bed and pull up covers..making a tent over my leg or taking and doing the one wrap and try not to move to avoid pain with the touch. To get moving in the morning, I take a hot shower and I don't dry off. I go straight for the blankets and put a towel over my head. I lay down again for about 10 minutes and it gives me like moist heat. It works pretty well.

Today i had to come home at lunch from work to take a shower to help in moving and pain. This is the first it is really effecting me at work since the original accident.