Hi, I have been seeing a new LLMD since March I am currently on Septra, Ceftin and half malarone dose. I also take LDN, sleep meds, and the ocaasional xanax.
Throughout being sick I have refused pain meds and antidepressants telling myself I want a cure not something to cover symptoms. Anyways almost 4 years later and I really just want some relief, for myself and my kids who are definitely effected by mom never feeling well.
My pain is neurological pain/neuropathy. So I am considering trying cymbalta. I did try lyrica for a short time whe I first became sick and could not tolerate it.
I guess my question is do you think its wise to add another medication to my already stressed body? Will the benefit outweigh the risk? I also have to up my malarone in the near future.
Anyone else finally cave and add an antidepressant?
Thanks for any answers in advance
Posted by hopeforhealth (Member # 23673) on :
can a moderator please delete this duplicate? I don't know how
Posted by mom2kids (Member # 31972) on :
In the past 6 years the docs have given me cymbalta, lyrica, savella and a couple more I can't remember right now. Not only did they not work, but they literally made me crazy. I will never take another antidepressant again.
I take vicodin now daily, it doesn't take the pain away, but it is enough to allow me to function. I'm not sure I will ever function like before, but this allows me to participate more with my family.
Hope you find some relief, take care....
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I can do it for you, but it would be really great if you would learn how to edit or delete your posts! Everyone here needs to know how.
mom2kids: Why haven't you tried 5-htp? It directly increases the serotonin levels in a natural way with no side effects. On the other hand, those toxic pills do all kinds of crazy stuff to the body to try to artificially elevate serotonin levels.
It would be like taking synthetic drugs in order to raise our vitamin C levels...
Or, for a more "real life" example, taking prescription D2 instead of over-the-counter D3.
Anyway, I just feel that not enough people know about the benefits of 5-htp, and those that have tried it have tried it in way too low of a dosage.
Posted by JenInMa (Member # 31544) on :
What dose of 5-htp would you recommend?
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Definitely 100mg 3 times a day. That's the best for most people. If that doesn't work for you within 2 weeks' time (which is RARE), then you can try upping it to 600mg a day for a couple of months.
IF that doesn't fix your problem, then most likely it's not due to a serotonin deficiency. Then you should look into other things that might be causing your problems, including mineral imbalances, thyroid problems, dopamine problems, etc.
Posted by JLaw (Member # 31159) on :
I was on Cymbalta and felt great, prob was the contipation and then the insomnia kicked in. Cant function w/out sleep so I stopped it. what is 5-htp?
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
It's a natural supplement that gets converted by the body directly into serotonin. There's no better way for raising serotonin levels.
It should also help you to sleep better at night, because in increases your melatonin stores. Some people take it just for the benefits of the improved sleep.
Posted by hopeforhealth (Member # 23673) on :
Thanks lymetutu i know how to delete posts now
5HTP helps with mood, is that correct? I have tried it but like you said I may not have been taking enough. The reason however for taking cymbalta is for nerve pain so I don"t think 5HTP would help.
I have refused antidepressants and pain meds for 3.5 yrears but I am suffering and I am not better so I am now hoping for some quality of life.
I can understand why people are leery, I am too. I know some people have bad reactions to the meds but aren't most of us taking heavy pharmaceuticals? Lots of people on here have had very bad reactions to abx. yet we all continue to take them.
Anyways I was hoping to hear some positive stories about the drug so up for more input.....even the negative stuff Posted by hopeforhealth (Member # 23673) on :
I'm sorry, your not Lymetutu, your Lymetoo. I have know idea where that came from
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by hopeforhealth: [QB] Thanks lymetutu i know how to delete posts now
YEA!!! Good for you!!
yes, I AM Lymetutu!! and Lymetoo .. I have to have aliases, ya know! Posted by climber (Member # 26330) on :
I use the 5-HTP as a spray. I use three sprays under the tongue for 30 seconds twice a day. Unfortunately I am taking many other med.s and supps. that it is difficult for me to express how well it works. It is designed to support your neurotransmitters. Good luck! climber
Posted by hopeforhealth (Member # 23673) on :
and my computer is wonky tonight, please excuse the duplicates
Posted by mom2kids (Member # 31972) on :
James, ditto on hopeforhealth. I am not depressed the meds were supposed to be for pain. I think docs are using these and trying to say they are better for pain instead of pain meds. I had to beg for pain meds, but doc had no prob giving me psychotropic drugs.
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Do you think they try to prescribe them so much because they get kickbacks from the drug companies?
Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
Those meds (lyrica, cymbalta) don't work for my nerve pain at all. Everytime they are suggested now, I just say, "they don't work for me". My pain clinic accepts that fine.
What does give me relief and I've had to go back on it, is Neurontin. I have to take a pretty high dose though, I take 3 600 mg. pills a day.
It really does help my nerve pain, and my llmd even said it would help more than the others I told him they offered.
It really keeps me up doing more than without it.
Posted by MannaMe (Member # 33330) on :
Here is what one doctor said about using antidepressants for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The antidepressant doesn't take away the pain, it just alters pain perception.
So, does that mean, the antidepressants are just altering your brain, so you don't feel pain?? Do we want our brains changed?
Posted by donjoe341 (Member # 28634) on :
Are you sure your doctor is addressing all of your infections? I have a lot of nerve pain and I am in treatment for bartonella. Being in treatment for bartonella has decreased my nerve pain significantly. Bartonella is know to increase nerve pain in people that have lyme.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
duplicate posts happen when we are not patient enough waiting for the "add reply" to go through
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Tutu - they also happen to me when I hit the "back" button too many times. It goes back to "posting a reply", and then I'm like "Son of a gun!!! Now I have to go back and delete it."
Posted by hopeforhealth (Member # 23673) on :
Tutu James is right that is what is happening to me
Posted by hopeforhealth (Member # 23673) on :
donjoe341- I actually tested weak positive for bart. What are you taking?
Manname- even if it is changing my brain I'm almost at the point where I don't care I just want some relief.
Thanks everyone
Posted by Richard1062 (Member # 19233) on :
We find Cymbalta is great for helping with pain control. Wish we had tried it sooner. 5HTP didn't seem to have an effect.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Why are you hitting the "back button?"
Just WAIT. Didn't anyone teach you kids PATIENCE?? Posted by hopeforhealth (Member # 23673) on :
yay Richard1062, I am so happy to see a positive review. Only cause I'm desperate but also scared and I've been putting it off for months, actually years. My husband just says "try it!!! look at all the other crap you are putting in your body."
sorry tutu, I will be more patient. I am kind of nervous to post this cause I might mess up and post a dreaded duplicate. I'm kidding you have made a huge commitment to moderate this site and I'm sure we don't make it easy.
much love, hope
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
But now you know how to fix that! So no worries!! Posted by kitts (Member # 20542) on :
Cymbalta really helps my pain. It has definately been worth it for me.
Posted by laurie sm (Member # 14584) on :
Hope-I am sorry but I have a negative comment about Cymbalta. I was on it for about 6 months and it did absolutely nothing for my pain. I have neuropathy too.
I was on it 4 years ago before my Lyme diagnosis. The neurologist kept upping my dose because I told him the pain was unbearable.
I became extremely depressed but do not know whether this was from the Cymbalta or the fact that I was VERY sick and I was told that I had a neck problem when I knew it was much more than that!
That being said THAT was my experience and yours could be way different.
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