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Archive through April 22, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: July 2008 - Sept 2008: Community Corner: Health Center: Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain : Archive through April 22, 2008 users admin

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Sharinia
Member

09-07-2002

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 10:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sharinia a private message Print Post    
< waves to dahli :-) >

Mames, I've taken prednisone. For me, it's been very effective but the knock-on effects have been bad (I don't wanna scare you tho or be neg). It can also make you feel a little insane when you are on it. Rob had this experience too once, the 'wanna jump out a window feeling' -- so be careful! Hope it helps you.

Luv how you bolded the key terms, hee. I am such a health geek, I had to research 'frozen shoulder' ....here is something kinda interesting looking I found, fyi

frozenshoulder.com---link

Please do keep us updated!! xoxo fff


Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 10:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Ack Shar!!! What the heck is a Knock-ON effect?? Is that the opposite of knock-out and just confirms what Dahli said about it making her antsy and keeping her up at night? Or is it something else?

BTW, the doc said that about 1 in a 100 people have the side-effect you mentioned, basically psychodelically tripping out. So if the windows start looking tempting, I'll at least be aware it's not me, it's the danged meds and try to ignore it. But I'm hoping I'm one of the other 99 and I'll be fine.

Sharinia
Member

09-07-2002

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 10:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sharinia a private message Print Post    
ut oh, I don't wanna tell you I mean I will if you really, really want me too, I will, but........

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 10:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Shar, oh yes I do! Just know that you are helping me, by informing me. Besides, whatever it is might bypass me and not affect me, right? (crossing fingers for luck)

Also I posted something on topic here but in the Right Now thread as I don't want to post ANOTHER longwinded post in this thread again tonight...

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 11:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Crud - here's another looong post. Please forgive me FFF's. I'm kinda an impatient, instant gratification kinda gal, so I looked it up to spare Shar as I know she was hesitant to creep me out. I have to say that it was hard to find anything of Knock On side effects if oral prednisone but I found this. This is NOT from the Mayo Clinic but it's similar to what I found there on Prednisone:

The most common side effects reported with the short-term (days to weeks) use of oral corticosteroids include a bigger appetite, weight gain, upset stomach, headache, mood changes, and trouble sleeping. Some people may also have upswings in blood sugar and blood pressure. In general, all of these side effects go away after you stop taking corticosteroids. These side effects occur less often if you take smaller doses of the drug. Take corticosteroids with food to reduce stomach upset.

Side effects associated with long-term (months to years) oral corticosteroid therapy include weakening of the immune system, elevations in cholesterol levels, and weight gain. These side effects usually improve when you stop taking corticosteroids. Long-term use of corticosteroids may also cause brittle bones, fat deposits on the face and back, thinning of the skin, and cataracts in the eyes. These side effects may improve but usually don't go away completely after stopping the drug. In children, long-term use of oral corticosteroids may cause stunted growth.


Thankfully my perscription is short-term, only for 21 days. Decreasing every 4th day. But I know myself, if I have ANY really scary side-effects, I may just toss the pills down the toilet. Or not. I am starting to sound like a hypochondriac. I'm going to think positively. But I gotta say... MAYBE I shoulda gone with the danged cortisone shot, and been done with it. All of this stuff is starting to creep me out.

Denecee
Member

09-05-2002

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 8:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Denecee a private message Print Post    
((Mameblanche))

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 8:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Thx Denecee! Well I have the headache from hell, and I am very achey from stem to stern. No idea if it's a side-effect or not. But my shoulder isn't too bad at this moment... so that's a good thing, right?
Just called the pharmacy, they said I could take extra strength tylenol or tylenol 3 (w/codein - so I guess I'll be irritable again, sigh.) for the headache. And that yes, the headache is probably from the prednisone. :-( But the body ache is just plain old fibromyalgia.

ETA... I think I've had enough excitement for one month. I'm officially depressed and back to bed to have a good old fashioned cry. Sorry to be such a frigging baby, but I've JUST reached my emotional limit. For me, this has been April Fools MONTH!

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 9:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dahli a private message Print Post    
Mame!!! Please consider finding an EFT practitioner in your area! Mine even does phone consults if you are unable to find one and I will send you her info, but please please dear think about it... Much of what pains us is emotional in cause and dealing with only the symptoms will just lead to increased difficulties, and I know there are issues that have been bumping you around especially brought to the fore with your mom and her recent issues which pain you deeply. Your pain and suffering need to be dealt with at the core...This is my opinion but I believe it in my heart and I share this with you from my own experience.

Ok - jumping down from the mike.



Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 10:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Thx Dahlidolly! I tried to youtube EFT but I am not able to access youtube today very well, the site keeps freezing up on me.
I guess venting my frustrations here helped me get a lot of crap out of my system, I'm feeling a bit better now, and never did have my pity-part sob-session. I'm making good use of my time and phoning around pricing physiotherapy places for my shoulder. The prices range I've found so far depending on the place: Initial assessments from 60 - 100 bucks, and for regular apts, 35 - 55 bucks each visit. I'm going to need minimum 2 -3 times a week. Sigh.

Sharinia
Member

09-07-2002

Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 11:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sharinia a private message Print Post    
((Mames)) The depression/emotions you are experience could be the prednisone talking. It made me feel just awful emotionally (and jump out the window crazy )

I am struggling now with sharing my prednisone probs with you, cuz I certainly don't want to make you feel any worse. Here goes, I guess (read at your own peril )

Prednisone and other hormonal steroids (like bc pills) can cause candida (yeast) overgrowth, which is thought to often be a causative factor in fibromyalgia

The pred was a temporary fix for me, but afterwards, my health problems really started to snowball. I think I had multiple contributors, but the pred gave my immune system a pretty good whack (as said in one of your posts, immune system weakness can be a side effect)

I was put on it again a few years later, and the same thing happened. More probs (allergies, fatigue, polycystic ovaries, pms, sinus problems, carpal tunnel, arthritis, asthma, etc) -- not all from pred, but I believe it contributed to a worsening of these things.

I also developed a heart condition. In the months following my first time on prednisone, three different docs who listened to my heart (thru a stethoscope) in a routine manner (no heart complaints) diagnosed me with mitral valve prolapse, a minor heart valve deformity. (This was also confirmed, btw, by a cardiologist with more intensive testing.) I later learned that this can be caused by candida overgrowth (which I was also diagnosed with). Never had this at all before the pred.

Hope this doesn't make you feel any worse. Like you said, doesn't mean the same will happen to you....and there are ways of addressing a candida or potential candida problem (if interested.. don't know if you are aware)

That's my story, anyway. Hope you are feeling a bit better today, Mames


Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Friday, April 18, 2008 - 7:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Re: Finding a physiotherapist: I got VERY lucky! When I called around I explained that since the referral says 'aggressive' therapy, 3x per week, and that was simply not affordable for me, one place offered to charge me only 1/2 price! (Good thing I did my homework and spent most of yesterday on the phone calling around.) They are relatively new, and need the business, so like I said, I got VERY lucky! Plus they are about a 20 minute walk from my door, so I'll be getting some much needed excercise. And I won't be affected by the next week's looming bus strike.

Plus my old physiotherapist just retired last month, she's a personal friend, and so Iris offered to advise the new physiotherapist, IF they are unfamiliar with treating folks with Fibromyalgia. (Her specialty was fibro patients.)

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Friday, April 18, 2008 - 8:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Shar thanks so much for sharing your situation! I'm so sorry that you experienced all these awful side-effects. I knew yesterday that I was tripping the rift / manic, last night for sure. But I am ONLY on this for 21 days... and the dosage lowers every 3 days til it's nil. I've been on 6 pills for 3 days, today I start 5 pills for 3 days. etc etc. Also I have noticed that the pain is a bit more tolerable overall. I'm scared to death of being put through my paces at physio, I am such a big chicken when it comes to pain, but I don't want to lose the use/mobility of my arm, so I have to bite the bullet.
I also sometimes feel my heart palpitating on this stuff. I've been mainlining cranberry juice, so I hope I'm circumventing any yeast infections, etc.
After being on it this time, even with minimal side-effects so far, I doubt I'd willingly go on this stuff again... in the future.
I have pretty good instincts about meds. I was put on Fosimax or whatever the hell that stuff is for preventing osteoporosis, and after hearing about it and reading up on it, I was terrified when I took my first one, and said, nope, I'm not taking any more of this stuff, it's not worth it (main side-effect I read about was a Glass Jaw!) Well, I am so proud of myself, for going off that stuff, cuz on tv I saw that there is now a Class Action legal suit against Fosomax, for stuff like Glass Jaw, etc!
So my point is that I will continue to take the Prednisone for the entire 21 days, but after that, once I've been weaned off it on day 22, I doubt I'll ever take it again, unless it's not a matter of choice. In other words, I'll try the stupid cortisone shot next time, if needed, and save myself this roller-coaster ride! It's just that when I had the shot in my knee last year it was useless and did not help at all, at all. And the shot was more painful than my poor arthritic knee! But hey, a quick shot is better than a month of weird shit going on, eh? IF the shot works!!!

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Friday, April 18, 2008 - 2:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Just got back from physio and the gal is lovely and I have confidence in her. I felt a bit better by the time I left, although she warned me, the shoulder will probably act up again by tonight. But I am enjoying the temporary improvement.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Friday, April 18, 2008 - 6:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
YAH!!! glad ya found a good one! hope you can have some relief and enjoy the weekend :-) xoxoxo

Dolphinschild
Member

06-22-2006

Friday, April 18, 2008 - 11:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dolphinschild a private message Print Post    
Hello my FFF's and CPF's. I have been mostly lurking lately a few mins a day since I am still running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Ms. Mame I am glad you found a good Physio. I hope she works out for you and you start to feel better. I also hope the scan finds what is really wrong with your shoulder. Hugs....

Lately I have had a fibro attack in my back again. It has pulled two of my ribs out of place and my Chiro keeps fixing me up, but they keep getting pulled back out. So it is painful and I feel like I have a knife in my back lately. Other then that pain going on, I have been doing really well physically and mentally. I am still taking the Cymbalta and it has made such a huge difference in my world. I see the Endocrenoligist on June 10 at the VA hospital 2 hours away. My thyroid tests still keep coming back all wacky, so my two doctors are giving it to the specialists to handle. Both my doctors also officially said I am in full blown Peri-menopause, which they said could be the contributor to my fibro attack in my back.

My Mom sees the nerve specialist on May 5th to test the extent of damage in her hand. The PT said Mom has 75% movability back in her wrist and hand, but she only has 10% of usability in her hand. She might even be lucky to get 25% use out of her hand back and a miracle if she gets 50%. She has already gone through 2 months of PT and she has another month to go.

I have been really busy with my family still, and with my kids. I do take time out for myself tho. I take a walk in evenings with my best friend and I started doing Yoga at home. I am finally able to reach my toes! lol. Downward Facing Dog pose was a humungous challenge for me, but my body seems to be excepting the yoga better now, so I am able to look more graceful while doing the downward facing dog then I did before.

The other day I took my big ball out and I was laying on my back over it. I rolled backwards a bit and ran over my tiny ponytail and I got stuck! I couldn't move and I lost my balance and I fell off the ball. I started laughing so hard I could hardly catch my breath. My best friend watched the whole thing and I thought she was going to pee herself she was laughing so hard while watching me lol. We still can't figure out how it got a hold of my small pony tail lol. I now try to put my hair up in a clip.

Anyways, I am looking forward to summer this year. Homeschooling will be done with for awhile and that means less stuff to worry about and deal with. My youngest daughter has been in it, but now I have my nephew in homeschool, and I have to deal with all his work and meetings too. Is school out yet? *sigh*

My troupe was asked to belly dance for the students at my old high school for diversity day. We danced for them and it felt so surreal being there at 45 dancing for them. I felt like I came full circle. I was worried the students wouldn't like it, or they would make fun of us, because I know how some of them can be so cruel. our ages 39, 45 and 59. Our troupe leader just turned 60 today, but she doesn't look her age, she looks like she is in her 40's. Anyways, we danced for them and they didn't want us to stop. They loved it and asked us if we would dance for them again. It felt so good. We had a lot of fun with them.

Well my muscle relaxer has kicked in so I better go. Even though I haven't been able to post much, or comment, I do try to get on and read and catch up on everyone. I do think of you all. I hope everyone is doing well and you all have a good weekend. Hugs.... xoxoxoxox



Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Monday, April 21, 2008 - 6:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Update on my rollercoaster life: The pills are making me nuts. Okay, nutsier. LOL. Been having intermittent weepies for at least a couple of days. Plus I keep reading maudlin books like P.S. I Love You. (Fantastic story, btw!) Plus I had a huge nightmare last night: Couldn't find mom and nobody would tell me where she was, including my aunt. My aunt passed away about 20 years ago. I don't like what my dream was trying to tell me. Sigh. It doesn't help that Mom's main nurse keeps telling me how mom's 'failing', like she's trying to prepare me for something... that I know is inevitable. Shite.

Sharinia
Member

09-07-2002

Monday, April 21, 2008 - 9:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sharinia a private message Print Post    
awwe ((Mames)) the intermittent weepies (sounds so cute tho) :-)

Pred sucks!! Actually, 3 wks seems like a long time to me. I was only on it for a week (twice). The first time I was on it, I got heart palps for the very first time. Was actually rushed in an ambulence from work. I have had to deal with heart palps ever since (thankfully fairly rarely now, with my health improvements)

I agree that sometimes dealing with the shitty side effects of meds is better than the alternative, but agree that we need to be careful.

I've done the cort shots, for tarsal tunnel 20 yrs ago, and they didn't help (ended up having surgery). A friend of mine has had them in her back. Seems like they work about half of the time.

I've never heard of glass jaw. Sounds kinda spooky


Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 8:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
(Shar a glass jaw means a weak and brittle one that deteriorates/disintigrates easily. I feel sorry for anyone who has to endure that!)

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 8:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
update on me and mom

Sharinia
Member

09-07-2002

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 8:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sharinia a private message Print Post    
(((Mames))))

Niagra Falls seems a dangerous place for someone weepy on pred Please be careful.... I am worried about you.

Do you think the pred that is making you sick? Perhaps you ought to talk to your doc about possibly going off of it early? (I know that it should be done gradually)

I am sorry that you are going thru such a rough emotional time now with your mom.

Best wishes for improved health for both of you


Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 9:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Shar, not to worry about the Pred (yet). I did have heart palps, but just a few, and ONLY on the first day.

As for the Falls, I've been there so often, its like my 2nd home. I've been there on my own at least once before, if I remember rightly. But not to worry, I'm not going today as I'm dehydrated myself, and in achey-fibro-flare. I still have to do my at-home physio excercises at some point today, too.

My 2nd choice for getting away was to get my hair coloured (the grey roots are bad) and maybe a manicure. But at the moment, I don't have the urge to even get dressed. The most abitious I'm feeling is to crawl back into bed with another book soon. (I've been reading A LOT this week.)

Sharinia
Member

09-07-2002

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 9:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sharinia a private message Print Post    
:-)

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 9:16 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
(Shar I just added more stuff to my little post above... not sure if you saw it all.)

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 9:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Mame, perhaps a hot bath with epsom? That always seems to help on my really achy days.

Sharinia
Member

09-07-2002

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 9:50 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sharinia a private message Print Post    
thnx mames. i just wanna make sure you stay safe on that crazy pred :-)