Comments on: I like the drugs, but they don’t like me…

By: bonnie-ann black

bonnie-ann black — Wed, 16 May 2007 20:25:43 +0000

i have always found the caveat “side effects may be mild and may include dry mouth…” no one who has ever had dry mouth would consider it mild… it is absolutely one of the most frustrating side effects ever. the only one worse was the one i got from taking an antibiotic — it made me have anxiety attacks and paranoia! (well, made the usual anxiety attacks and paranoia much much more heightened anyway!) i can’t even take Advil(TM) or Tylenol(TM) P.M. — i get weird effects, like a feeling of paralysis and mild hallucenations. they’re not nearly as much fun as advertised.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 14 May 2007 18:54:59 +0000

Ah, yes. Adhesive capsulitis: been there, done that. I couldn’t even manage to get my left hand into my back pocket or brush my hair. I was particularly happy when they told me that having it in one shoulder predisposed one to having it in the other too. (I haven’t, yet.) Physical therapy, strength exercises, and shots of cortisone in the joint eventually worked. I was worried about the cortisone, but it helped. My insurance paid for the PT, for which I’m very grateful. Good luck, and hang in there. Oh, and my shoulder if fine now, though not exactly as previous to the AC, and pain-free.

By: caroline spector

caroline spector — Mon, 14 May 2007 14:15:30 +0000

Rory– yeah, chronic pain is just exhausting. And there’s nothing wussy about saying so. I think our country has a ridiculously Puritanical attitude about it.

RB — I went to an orthopedic surgeon and he said surgery often makes frozen shoulder worse. I envy your friend who had the surgery that worked. I have heard that if that surgey is performed wrong, the can break your arm.

Ophelea– You got me about the CFIDS. I didn’t even go into the doctor’s office for the FM. I went in intially for the frozen shoulder and my neurologist diagnosed the FM.

I’ve always had drug sensitvities — even as a child.

By: Ophelea

Ophelea — Sun, 13 May 2007 23:33:05 +0000

Have they checked to make sure you don’t have CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome) with FM as your secondary? The reason I ask is the two go hand in hand.

I have CFIDS with the OTHER secondary – neurological disorders. I lose cognitive abilities, memeory, etc.

But a hallmark of CFIDS is fatigue, sensitivity to medications – those fantastic complications you talk about! – and just a lot of little things you mention that seem familiar…

By: Maureen McQ

Maureen McQ — Sun, 13 May 2007 04:00:12 +0000

rb, that sounds scary. Maybe very good, as well. But scary.

By: rb

rb — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:21:07 +0000

I have a co-worker whose spouse had frozen shoulder. He was put under general anesthesia and the surgeon performed “forcible manipulation” (which sounds… well, it’s just an unfortunate name). But he woke up pain-free and with range of motion restored.

By: Rory Harper

Rory Harper — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:20:00 +0000

So, does the new stuff at least give you some kind of a buzz?

As you know, you have my best and most recent empathy on this subject. Chronic pain sucks. It’s not just that it hurts, but that it wears your ass out, and subtracts your ability to enjoy the other parts of your life.

Recently, I’ll admit, I’ve gotten into usually referring to it as ‘discomfort’ at work, myself. I hate to sound like such a wuss and call it ‘pain’ and ‘hurting’ when I’m lying back grey-faced and semi-immobilized in my chair.

I hope this next drug trial gives you some good relief, Caroline.

By: Bud Simons

Bud Simons — Sat, 12 May 2007 20:24:29 +0000

Meds are a crapshoot. I think all pharmaceutical packaging should have a picture of Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry saying “You have to ask yourself a question, do I feel lucky?”

For some reason the word “opioids” makes me think of pod people infesting Mayberry.