littlematchstick
Figuring us out
Beauty comes in many forms, she is one of those forms.
~Blessed Be~
Posts: 38
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Post by littlematchstick on Feb 26, 2011 14:10:49 GMT -8
this is a half rant, half advice seeking thread.
When I was diagnosed almost 2 weeks ago, my doc put me on 2 meds. Prozac and prescription Aleve. Neither of which are working for me. In fact I think the Prozac is having the opposite effect.
I should probly clarify that I was on Prozac in high school and it made me all weepy and depressed then too. I didn't know that's what he had prescribed me cause he used the real medical name for it not Prozac, if I had known when he wrote it, I would have told him then that I didn't want to try it.
But I know that antidepressants can effect teens differently then adults so I was willing to give it another try. BAD idea. Definatley not working out for me at all.
The prescription Aleve was pretty much a joke. I seen hardly any improvement on my pain level, despite taking it twice a day everyday for almost 2 weeks now.
Now before I continue, I KNOW you're not supposed to take other peoples meds, and it's illegal and all that..and I absolutley don't condone it, but I was desperate.
I was talkign to my mom and told her the meds weren't working. So my mom suggested I try a few of my uncles meds that he had left from before his accident. I researched a bit before I took them to see what they are, and what kind of pain they treat. In my research I found out they DO in fact use it to treat fibromyalgia, so I decide to give it a try. The prescription was written for 50mg tablets taken 3 times a day. I have been taking 2. And here's the deal , they work ACCEPTIONALLY well. It doesn't get rid of the pain, but it works amazingly well and I only feel a very dull ache most days (I've been taken them about 4 days now).
So I rescheduled my appointment with my doc (was supposed to be in a month from now) to next Thursday. I'm not sure how to approach him with the information that this medicine actually works without telling him I m taking someone elses pills. (for the record, my uncle and I see the same doctor and HE wrote that prescription for him). But it feels so great to be in a lot less pain. So what the heck do I do? Again, I know I shouldn't be taking other peoples pills..ahah, but I at least read up on them and made sure they wouldnt interact what I've been taking (and I stopped taking the prescription aleve). But I also don't want to continue taking pills that ARENT working. So how should I approach him about wanting to take this specific drug without telling him Ive taken it already?
I thought about telling him that I had a leftover prescription from before and decided to try them..not sure if that's a good idea or not either though...hmm.
Sorry if I rambled, I've been super busy today and my brain is pretty much on autopilot right now..ahha..
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Nico
Three Digits!
burger emergency
Posts: 143
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Post by Nico on Feb 26, 2011 14:52:07 GMT -8
What is your uncle's medication? I mean, is it a narcotic? If it is, you probably want to avoid telling your doctor you took his unused medication. Just explain that the medication he prescribed you isn't giving you any relief.
As far as the Prozac goes, those kinds of medications take far longer than a few days to really start working. Sometimes, it takes several weeks for you to get used to them, so you don't really know if they're working until you've given them that long to work.
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littlematchstick
Figuring us out
Beauty comes in many forms, she is one of those forms.
~Blessed Be~
Posts: 38
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Post by littlematchstick on Feb 26, 2011 16:20:41 GMT -8
oh yeah, I forgot to mention the name of my uncles med. It's ultram which I do believe IS a narcotic because it has some kind of morphine darivative in it. Which is why I don't wanna waltz in there and say I've been taking his meds.
I thought about telling him that my sister took it and it worked for her (she has fibro which he knows about--but she never actually took the medicine--but he doesnt know that) thinking that since it worked for her I'd like to "give it a try". I hate being dishonest like that, but I also want to not be in pain since those other meds aren't doing much, if anything for me.
As for the Prozac, I suppose I could give it more time..however when I took it in high school...I was on it for 4 or 5 months, and it never got any better..I always felt more depressed and anxious while on it. When I was in college I took something called Celexa for over 2 years and it was amazing, so I'm not sure if I should continue giving the Prozac more time, or ask him to switch me back to the Celexa since I know it worked well for me.
boo, I'm new to all this crap and I want to find something that works for me..and I know it can't really be rushed, but its kinda frustrating to know what the problem is but have to wait to find a good treatment plan that works for me. Does that make sense?
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Nico
Three Digits!
burger emergency
Posts: 143
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Post by Nico on Feb 26, 2011 18:06:23 GMT -8
Well, if the Celexa worked in the past and the Prozac didn't, there's no reason you shouldn't bring that with your doctor. Might save you some time and money.
Ultram isn't exactly the same as say, Percocet - for example, I don't think it's controlled and classified the same way. BUT, it stimulates the same part of the brain as Morphine. Which means that if you take it long-term, even if you're only taking a few pills a day, you're going to have to deal with your body getting used to them. They won't work as well. Then you'll need more to give you the same amount of relief. Then you're in a situation where you're dealing with a medication that's going to put you through some BRUTAL withdrawal symptoms, if you've been relying on it for long enough and have to stop taking it for whatever reason.
I just don't want you to walk into taking something that's not necessarily classified as a "narcotic" without understanding that you can't just take it for six months straight and then stop cold turkey. It's not like Aleve or Ibuprofen.
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littlematchstick
Figuring us out
Beauty comes in many forms, she is one of those forms.
~Blessed Be~
Posts: 38
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Post by littlematchstick on Feb 26, 2011 18:23:41 GMT -8
Well, if the Celexa worked in the past and the Prozac didn't, there's no reason you shouldn't bring that with your doctor. Might save you some time and money. Ultram isn't exactly the same as say, Percocet - for example, I don't think it's controlled and classified the same way. BUT, it stimulates the same part of the brain as Morphine. Which means that if you take it long-term, even if you're only taking a few pills a day, you're going to have to deal with your body getting used to them. They won't work as well. Then you'll need more to give you the same amount of relief. Then you're in a situation where you're dealing with a medication that's going to put you through some BRUTAL withdrawal symptoms, if you've been relying on it for long enough and have to stop taking it for whatever reason. I just don't want you to walk into taking something that's not necessarily classified as a "narcotic" without understanding that you can't just take it for six months straight and then stop cold turkey. It's not like Aleve or Ibuprofen. oh yeah, I understand what you're saying. I'm not sure how it's classified, but I don't think it's quite as controlled as other meds. For example my mom was on methadone in the past, which is HIGHLY controlled. Espeically in my state, here in ohio you have to go to a special clinic to get it..and the closest is 3 hours away. My mom started the medication in florida where it's not quite as controlled. When we moved here she didnt want to make the 3 hour trip every month to get it, so she quit taking it cold turkey. She went through horrible withdrawals similiar to heroine, like shakes mad sweating, not being able to sleep...she ended up taking like 12 tylenol pm to try and relax and they ended up making her really sick. Once she finally got through the withdrawals her current doctor put her on vicodin which is also heavily controlled (but not as much as methadone). So I DO know the effects and what can happen with withdrawals and all that, I haven't experienced it myself but I've seen it firsthand. I hate the idea of taking something addictive, but at the same time..I'm willing to take the risk if it helps me get through the day..ya know. I've been taking it for a few days and I've actually been able to do a little more and not feel like I've been hit by a bus in my sleep or something. As happy as I was with finally having a diagnosis, I'm really frustrated that it's going to possibily be difficult and take time to find a good treatment plan, trial and error and all that. I just feel like...I've felt like crap for SO long, I don't want to waste any more time feeling like crap now that I know what I'm dealing with. Sorry I'm kinda whiney and cranky today...didn't sleep very well last night..I should go to bed early tonight...lol
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Nico
Three Digits!
burger emergency
Posts: 143
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Post by Nico on Feb 26, 2011 19:30:06 GMT -8
I'm not trying to tell you whether or not to take Ultram, just that you need to view the same as any other painkiller, such as Vicodin, or Percocet - because if you take it long-term, you will have to deal with consequences that come along with that type of medication.
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Post by kmcm on Feb 26, 2011 21:55:44 GMT -8
www.londonpainconsultants.com/articles/uploads/opiate_conversion_tables.jpgUltram is also known as Tramadol. It has the same strength as codiene. It IS a controlled substance but if it works for you, then as for it. If you look a the chart above you will see a conversion chart for most of the known opiates. It takes 100mg of Tramadol (Ultram) to have the same effect as 10 mg of Morphine. But it is a 1mg=1mg for codiene. I would talk to your doctor, tell him you have heard good things about it from others, and since the naproxen isn't working, you would like to try Ultram. If Celexa worked and the Prozac doesn't, and you've already tried both, and you know how you respond to them, then talk to the doc. If your doctor is worth his salt then he will listen to you and at least discuss your options. Keep us updated, and remember, you will never be considered a whiner, complainer or bitch too much here...i made this place so you can vent vent vent!!!
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littlematchstick
Figuring us out
Beauty comes in many forms, she is one of those forms.
~Blessed Be~
Posts: 38
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Post by littlematchstick on Mar 4, 2011 16:14:01 GMT -8
Hey guys, just wanted to update ya'll. I went to the doctor yesterday and he switched me to the ultram with no problem (I always get worried over nothing). I'm now taking 2 a day, but he gave me 10 extra a month incase I need an extra one on my bad days. He also switched me OFF the prozac (Thank god) back to my old anti depressant that I was on in college, which worked amazingly well. So now with these 2 things, I'm hoping everything will get under control quickly and I can make small adjustments as I need them. Things are starting to look up a bit, thank god!
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Post by winterwhispers on Mar 7, 2011 22:59:57 GMT -8
That's great news
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