And yes, Rrae, you did mention the dental problems. It's probably too early for those chickens to come home to roost, but the other stuff is enough for me! I've never taken anything that's as wicked for weight gain as this stuff! But the brain impairment is even more disturbing.

Shortness of breath--I have been noticing that lately--didn't know that was a side effect. I was thinking I had yet another thing wrong with me.

Oh, I forgot (but see, I have brain impairment ), we did also talk about the interferential stimulator idea, and he was supposed to have his staff look into getting one of those for me to try, but I never heard anything back, so I guess I'll have to bug them. Allways something.

Yup, I have one of them Interferential Stimulator critters. But, then, I reckon if'n I sent it to ya, I could be sorta held accountable to practicin medsin without no license. Darn, they git ya comin and goin.

Oh, and how.... I remember the total dullard I was under the influence of meds, the entire host of them over the past six plus years. I truly follow you Joan on the med muddling properties of meds. It is why I tried very hard to withdraw from every single pill a year ago when the stim had shown its true worth. Haven't used any since. Not one. Nope. It is my stim and my trusty cushion and that is it.

Here is hoping you will get to try the Interferential Stimulator if your doc's office arranges it for you.

High hopes,
Mark56

I tried the Lyrica a few years ago (my 1st Pain Specialist) did not like the effects and asked to be taken off. I can understand your dilemma.
I did eventually go( thru referral of a spine surgeon )to my current Pain Specialist. Their office center had a psychologist there. When my doctor recommended the trial SCS, I needed to see him for approval. I was approved without any problem. The insurance company must by the villian in your case.

Hi Ger-

I think you have hit the target squarely center!! Sometimes takes a while [try 6 months] to get insurance to move forward with some things....... ARGHHHHHH..........

Mark56

I'm not sure if you meant the insurance company was being the villan over the interferential gizmo or over the SCS...as it turns out, they won't pay for the former. I haven't even begun the SCS process.

The rep for the company called today to set up an appointment and said it was for a TENS unit, to which I said "What?!" and after she explained about the ins. co. not paying for the interferntial stim. unit, she told me she could also offer me some other zapper thingamajiggie that was supposed to have some sort of affect on muscles...sounds like it's probably snake oil, but as I'm also having a rapidly degenerating problem with my legs that nobody can explain to me, much less offer any treatment, I decided to do what people who feel they have no other options do--I decided to give it a try anyway. I'll keep you posted on that episode of tilting at windmills.

I'm not very invested in the above gadgets, so I guess I'm just going through this a pro forma exercise since I was the one who brought the whole idea up to the doc in the first place.

My Work Compensation Insurance paid 100% on the Interferential Stimulator, and as it turns out in my case, it was the thingamabob which further spurred my pain doc to suggest going with SCS because I religiously used the thing to help manage pain as I did not want MORE Morphine or Fentanyl or anything of the like. He was impressed that I wanted fewer meds not more and that I was successfully managing some of the pain with the IF unit.

Sorry your insurance is troublesome,
Truly,
Mark56

Acutally, this is the first time that the insurance company has balked at anything, and it's not like I've been a low-cost person the last few years. The rep I talked to intimated that it was a recent decision not to cover it for this application, and I'm wondiring if it's because of poor rates of efficacy for treating PN pain. In general, this insurance has been better than most with paying for most costs. Well, we'll see what the rep's got to offer next week

I told the doc's office today that I want to start stepping down on the Lyrica immediately and they said that's OK. I can't keep doing my job competently with this stuff working on my brain...but I could keep doing childish scribbles on people's avatars here...that would be fun, and I can keep doing it while under the influence. Too bad I don't take any of the "fun" ones--just antidepressants and anticonvulsants...the ones that make you fat and uninteresting.

I hear ya, Joan. Being 'uninteresting' is my middle name in my 'real' world. It's a wonderful escape to come here and get silly once in awhile
The "Pirateized Poptarts" is the funnies thing I've seen in a long time
I am SOOOooo happy to see that you are gonna get off of the Lyrica [or 'Leery-ca'] as I like to refer to it. This way you won't have to lose 40 pounds like I did! One of my biggest regrets.

Well, NOW I know courtesy of Joan why I have been Blah with Weight!!!! Hmmmmmm......... must take YEARS to undo the effects of 1800mg daily of Lyrica followed by 3000mg daily of Neurontin over a period of years. ARGHHHHH!!! So much more the reason to be a Pirate and shiver me timbers, wave a cutlass [that used to be the model of one of my cars], pass the rum, and wear an eye patch. I just HAD to drop that artwork so nicely done into my avatar..... FUNNEH!!!!!!!!

Mark56

Leery-ca (hehe) & weight - jeepers, it's made a believer outta me, but funny, now that I've made up my mind, my appetite went to zero even though I'm still on it. Well, we'll see how long that lasts, especially with the last gasp cookout weekend coming up!

Rum - yet another reason not to take Lyrica. PN - yet another reason not to drink rum.

Glad you liked my "artwork", Mark. I'm not sure I'd put it in that category, but thanks! Don't feel obligated to wear it for long--it didn't take me long to do it. But you could never be blah!