[Sophie_]

Strange things the meds do to our bodies - the side effects the Dr's don't tell you about.

Hi guys,

I've started this thread because I'm curious about the strange things our meds do to our bodies and I'd like to know and if you're willing to share what your experiences are.

I'm taking some pretty serious meds like Oxynorm and OxyContin along with the Fentynal patch and a host of other bits and pieces, they still don't work but take the edge off my pain.*

My appetite isn't great, I don't feel like food anymore and I eat because the meds would probably cause ulcers and God knows what else.

I get terrible nightmares and my hubby wakes me up screaming, they are usually where I'm fighting or looking for something. Personally I think it's my bodies way of ridding itself of toxins and my search for a surgeon to help me and of course dealing with pain when you just have enough.

I suffer from awful over heating and the sweating is very annoying. Like a hot flush only it couldn't be.

FAO Ladies; my monthlys have stopped and I'm definitely not pregnant! Has anyone had this one?*

I've also gained about 4stone in weight which I truly hate because I'm uncomfortable in my own skin and the person staring back at me in the mirror is not me! I've hardly anything to fit me. Mind you I'm not getting out much because I can't walk far so I tend to live in sweat pants. Makes me feel very attractive indeed in this strange body of mine. I used to be very outgoing, gym, swimming and walking was my thing, stress therapy I called it!

I appreciate any feedback from anyone who feels like an alien in their own bodies and those that have gone through it and come out the other side and are now back to normal. Please PM me if you'd rather not post, I need a bit of support and my family and even my hubby who is great doesn't fully understand and he tries. I'm going through a very hard time right now and I'm so afraid that the next surgeon I meet will also turn me down, some have already done so by return letter and for no good reason.

Love to all and I know we all suffer or have suffered the most dreadful pain and I hope the SCS's out there are working, I hope to get mine back after I get any surgery sorted.

Sinéad xxxx *

[Mark56]

Oh dear Sinéad, you are beloved among us, for you bring the reality to home so openly and freely. It is that openness which endears you to all of us. [and no, I could not just write this in an email, because I am sensitive to your husband and his feelings] You hurt. You are in agony. You try doctor after doctor, and are refused, reminding me of my original unsuccessful quest through pain doc's recommendations to find a surgeon. Cast out because I AM A LAWYER. Bah!!

Then there was a young neurosurgeon, who, too late in my case took on the treatment of my lower spine. He did wondrous work, then later another surgery was performed by him to remove vertebral spur from the fusion outgrowth [I produce bone like some other produce scar tissue] then carefully, ever so carefully removed scarring from my spinal cord and nerve roots at S1. [oh yes, I generate scars like a veritable factory] Then his job was done. Pain doc's quest to manage pain via meds came next.

You know that story all too well, so lets delve into what you introduce. Irritability, increased weight [75 lbs to be exact] oh the word attractive, interesting how it is an issue for both sexes and yet each denies the issue as to the other. But, clothing, now that is a reality.... none of the clothes tailored for me at 225 lbs. my optimal weight when I was athletic, strong, big by genome..... none fit now, so gotta lose weight ultimately. Yup. I remember being prisoner to our bedroom in pain because meds took off the edge NOT the pain, while making me dopey [a character in some children's film].

So being drugged produced a mind reduced in capability [I did not even drive], a body swelled beyond its common bounds, drowsiness overwhelming, AND the coup de gras - suicidal ideation When weaning away from the med dependence was all but complete. Oh yes, how I despise meds. Necessary, I suppose. Tasteful, not in the least, and I CANNOT IMAGINE ANYONE who is reduced to the black market to obtain mind altering mood altering substances which are controlled for a reason.

Thus, here am I, off the meds, still overweight, and oh yes, since meds also produce some effect of stifling testosterone especially when used over a long period of time, that once muscular chest is now an item of concern for my pain doc, and embarrassment to me. Cloaked am I. Buying athletic underwear at Sports Stores for its compression factor. HAH!! And when I was a kid, people used to poke fun at older guys like me wondering whether they needed a %@$ , yeah, I would say attractiveness has gone to H e L L in a handbasket, all courtesy of the pharmeceutical world. Hallelujah. I am so blessed my dear wife loves me for the person who is living behind the overweight and misshapen mask of moi.

There you go,
An answer from a friend,
Mark56

[Sophie_]

As always thank you for such kind and straight talking words.

You are a true friend and although you make no secret that you were turned down because you are a lawyer makes very little sense when all you want is to rid the pain. One neuro surgeon told us it was because I was second hand work. In 1995 when I had my first surgery he wasn't a neuro surgeon but probably
an unknown Dr still learning his craft in the US so how this is logical is beyond me.

Chat soon, has Samson arrived yet or is DIL still confine herslf to bed unnecessarily?

Love Sinéad xxx

[Rrae]

Hey, this is a great thread idea. I like it when we can discuss these other issues aside from SCS all the time.
Yep, this is what has become of us do to our struggles with chronic pain. But you know, things can always make a turn for the better and we might be able to be more happy with the skin we're in. At least, that's my internalized hope that I carry with me.
The weight gain for instance. Sinead I know exactly what you mean. When I was taking Lyrica, I put on over 40lbs as rapid weight gain. I hated EVERY minute of it....every breath I took, I hated. I was very very uncomfortable in my skin and like you said, couldn't recognize the person staring back at me in the mirror.
Since then, tho, I've been off Lyrica for a couple of yrs and the weight has finally melted off. One thing that really helped me was being put on a thyroid medication due to my slow thyroid (hypothyroid). I think I've asked you this before, but have you had your thyroid checked? If it's underactive, one feels very tired all the time and weight gain is an issue, amongst other things.

I too am on heavy pain meds. Fentanyl and hydrocodone. The patches literally SAVE me from being disabled. If it weren't for them, I would not be able to get too far from my bed.
Between these meds and my back spasm med (Baclofen), I am having a problem with shorterm memory. It gets terribly embarrassing at times and I'm always making stupid mistakes due to forgetfulness.
Case in point: I bought a nice CD player today and it was in the back of my truck. I decided to stop and get gas and I was heading for the carwash and ALMOST went thru it with my new CD player in the back! Thank God my husband realized what I was doing!

So, yes, meds definitely cause side effects.
Maybe it's your meds that are causing your monthly's to be out of whack? I think you're still in your 30's right? So, one would think the 'change of life' wouldn't be starting yet. When I was in my late 30's, I was having alot of female problems and my dr told me that it is possible to start getting some signs of midlife change in some women.

And when I hit 40, EVERYTHING started going to #@&%!

This is all VERY frustrating......and we're all in this together. I think it really helps to bring it up like this and talk about it. Hearing other people share their issues somehow helps us to realize that we aren't alone in this.

Try not to let it consume you. I allowed that to happen to me and I fell into some pretty bad episodes of depression. A good friend said to me "You should try to see yourself the way God sees you"..... a beautiful creature. Let your good qualities and gifts come to the surface and realize that you are much more than what the weight scale is telling you. And like I said, there's a chance that something could be right around the corner that will help us turn ourselves around, such as losing weight and getting better pain management. We must not quit believing!

See yourself the way God sees you, dear Sinead

Rae

[yellow]

The main side effect I get from the pain medications is that they knock me out. I get so drowsy that after I take it I have to stop in the middle of what I'm doing and sleep for awhile because I just cannot keep my eyes open. Not exactly an option when you are in classes or trying to get school work done, which is why I usually only take them at night. Unfortunately, while it is hard to concentrate through bad pain, at least I am awake so it is the better option. Another big one I get is lightheadedness. And I also didn't have any appetite for a long while, Sinead, and now I'm wondering if that was from the medication I was on.

There are other medications I could only be on briefly, like Lyrica which caused one my legs to swell up and have a strong sensation of pressure, or Cymbalta, which gave me terrible headaches.

It is sad that these medications that are supposed to help us can do so many negative things to our bodies

[Mark56]

Originally Posted by Sophie_

As always thank you for such kind and straight talking words.

You are a true friend and although you make no secret that you were turned down because you are a lawyer makes very little sense when all you want is to rid the pain. One neuro surgeon told us it was because I was second hand work. In 1995 when I had my first surgery he wasn't a neuro surgeon but probably
an unknown Dr still learning his craft in the US so how this is logical is beyond me.

Chat soon, has Samson arrived yet or is DIL still confine herslf to bed unnecessarily?

Love Sinéad xxx

We love you back here in the old US of A!!! Your prior "doc" who called you second hand work was well and truly a Fraidy Cat as we say across the pond. I mean, come on, you presented a case to demonstrate skill, and you are turned down for fear you might not present yet another "notch on the gunslinger's gun?" that is pure and simple insanity, timidity, insecurity of the highest level. So there!!!!!

Samson will arrive between now and Sunday, as on Sunday labor will be induced. I fly home on Saturday, leaving my beloved wife here to help in this home of ignorant refusal to accept advice. Believe it or not, when I rented a car for independence, DIL was proclaiming she would not take any more of this, meaning I was not subservient under her control. This wacko behaviour is not of my liking, so I will leave on Saturday as planned. Let her blow her top again when the stretch limo arrives Saturday morning to deliver me to the airport..... as she thinks Cleo and I are spending our son's inheritance. This is a real "go figure" situation.

God be with you, our Dear Friend Sinéad,
best regards to your hubby,
Prayers for the both of ye,
Our love,
Mark and Cleo zz

[ger715]

Yes, I see someone in the mirror I hardly recognize. Had a few lbs. more than I would like; but at least firm. Now after the last few years, the tummy droops, as well as the rest of the body. YIKES !!

I do have to say, for the most part, my meds do not make me too dopey (my husband might say otherwise). I do take 60mg's every 6 hrs. of Oxycontin = 240 Mg's per day and Oxycondone (percodet) 7.5/325 up to 4 times a day for breakthru pain. The constipation due to these meds is awful and because of so much straining (do take daily laxatives as well) have had the bladder drop and needed Cystocele surgery. Then because bladder being moved; lower bowel came down requiring Rectocele surgery.

I do take some vallium for muscle pain/anxiety which can make me a bit sleepy at times. Also take Ambien CR every night to sleep without pain. It is unbelievable how that removes the pain so one could just drift off to la la land without pain. (just have to be careful not to stay in la la land).

Of course, there are the meds for other problems than pain, like daily meds for edema, blood pressure, cholesterol, and the need for daily Priolsec (heartburn, etc. due to meds).

The short term memory.... now I am starting to wonder how much has to do with getting older, or is it my meds. Like Rrae mentioned, it's some of the small things, or maybe not so small, but would just mention someone's name and a minute later, couldn't recall the name again. Just things like that which after too often in a day, get a bit upsetting.

But....without the meds; especially the ones to treat pain and sleep, I don't know what I would do to get thru the day. Do they take all the pain away...no; but at least enough that I can still do much more than I could do if I did not have them.

We all need each other here on NT for support. Never know what ideas some might have to contemplate. So nice to have neighbors from "across the pond"here as well.

We are blessed to have one another.
With hope and prayers, we'll get thru..one day at a time.

(Gerry)

[ger715]

Mark, I am sorry to hear your experience to be there for Samson's birth turned out to be stressful. Maybe too many ideas were just not appreciated with a mother-to-be in distress. Hope the inheritance is really not an issue. That would be quite sad.

But....I guess Samson will make his showing by Sunday. Years from now, he will hear how everyone was anxiously awaiting his appearance. Happy days will soon be here.

Prayers for all of you.

(Gerry)

[Mark56]

Originally Posted by ger715

Mark, I am sorry to hear your experience to be there for Samson's birth turned out to be stressful. Maybe too many ideas were just not appreciated with a mother-to-be in distress. Hope the inheritance is really not an issue. That would be quite sad.

But....I guess Samson will make his showing by Sunday. Years from now, he will hear how everyone was anxiously awaiting his appearance. Happy days will soon be here.

Prayers for all of you.

(Gerry)

It is all so sad from the perspective of the controlling attitude. This is not a product of pregnancy but was part of the fully equipped DIL our son married and whom we had never met until after the Justice of the Peace had pronounced them H and W.

I arrived last Friday late in the limo. First bad thing. I received a lecture on the benefits of frugality from a son who fails to recognize God had blessed us with enough to make it for seven years of drought with no income. Interesting, that, because in the years of plenty we had built an orphanage for children in Bangladesh to house and educate SOME of the children who are led like Hansel and Gretel into the city and abandoned by parents who cannot afford their upkeep. He riled at that expenditure as well, back then, because he thought it a waste. We saw it as God's good work.

So Saturday morn, I awaited a cab as family returned from shopping [I had overslept]. Son started in on me about renting a car, and DIL was standing behind him ranting, "I've just had enough, I've just had enough!" Enough what, oh, and by the way I was asked that evening whether we had managed to save "their" 12 place setting of sterling we had assembled out of family inheritance. Ahhhhh, I smell greed.

Instead, my wife and I pray our youngsters here in NC will find Jesus by opening their hearts to Him. He is scorned in this household, so Cleo and I hold hands and pray in silence at tableside before partaking. God will out here in this house of scorn. Interesting as well, when their first was stillborn last year this time we were told to leave our religion home, but God came with us anyway, and then as little mama was about to give up her babe, she cried out "isn't there a chaplain who can baptize our baby?" Toward what end? She had been the initiator of no faith welcome. So, being an elder, I took our son to the hallway, said I had annointing oil with me and would bless Lily if they desired. That was all it took,and I held Lily to bless her In nomine Patri, et Fili, et Spiritu sancti. Then I prayed and sang a lullaby I composed over her still and very small body.

Now very clear of mind without meds, I pray fervently for our children, as they are about to bring a little young man into this world.
May God and the Mother watch over him in all things,
Prayin for these and for all of you,
Mark and Cleo

Mark its so sad reading your post...........I cannot understand how someone could be so 'cold' toward caring inlaws who are there to help and are only getting, what I would call nothing short of 'abuse'!!! It must be heartbreaking for both you and Cleo. Especially after the stillbirth of baby Lily last year was so heartwrenching for you all. I remember it so well it was a very dark time. So wouldnt you think this being such a joyous occasion that your DIL would look forward to what is going to make a huge change in their lives and STOP all this controlling behaviour and making everyone feel uncomfortable.

I feel you feel you HAVE to go home, whether you can get extra leave or not, because of her dreadful behaviour.......its awful to read and sad too.

I just hope that little Samson will make appearance before Saturday so that you can meet him and then bid your farewell in your LIMO and you GO AND GET your limo too. Dont mind what they think of you 'wasting their inheritance' you are alive and kicking and Cleo too so their inheritance is a LONG way off yet!!!!

I pray for you and Cleo and your family and hope this little baba makes an appearance very very soon.....

Take care

Jackie

Originally Posted by Mark56

It is all so sad from the perspective of the controlling attitude. This is not a product of pregnancy but was part of the fully equipped DIL our son married and whom we had never met until after the Justice of the Peace had pronounced them H and W.

I arrived last Friday late in the limo. First bad thing. I received a lecture on the benefits of frugality from a son who fails to recognize God had blessed us with enough to make it for seven years of drought with no income. Interesting, that, because in the years of plenty we had built an orphanage for children in Bangladesh to house and educate SOME of the children who are led like Hansel and Gretel into the city and abandoned by parents who cannot afford their upkeep. He riled at that expenditure as well, back then, because he thought it a waste. We saw it as God's good work.

So Saturday morn, I awaited a cab as family returned from shopping [I had overslept]. Son started in on me about renting a car, and DIL was standing behind him ranting, "I've just had enough, I've just had enough!" Enough what, oh, and by the way I was asked that evening whether we had managed to save "their" 12 place setting of sterling we had assembled out of family inheritance. Ahhhhh, I smell greed.

Instead, my wife and I pray our youngsters here in NC will find Jesus by opening their hearts to Him. He is scorned in this household, so Cleo and I hold hands and pray in silence at tableside before partaking. God will out here in this house of scorn. Interesting as well, when their first was stillborn last year this time we were told to leave our religion home, but God came with us anyway, and then as little mama was about to give up her babe, she cried out "isn't there a chaplain who can baptize our baby?" Toward what end? She had been the initiator of no faith welcome. So, being an elder, I took our son to the hallway, said I had annointing oil with me and would bless Lily if they desired. That was all it took,and I held Lily to bless her In nomine Patri, et Fili, et Spiritu sancti. Then I prayed and sang a lullaby I composed over her still and very small body.

Now very clear of mind without meds, I pray fervently for our children, as they are about to bring a little young man into this world.
May God and the Mother watch over him in all things,
Prayin for these and for all of you,
Mark and Cleo