I was actually wondering about NSAIDs lately. First of all, we don't have any restrictions in Turkey regarding pain medications I guess... but... I don't know if what we are allowed to buy as we need are opioids, or stuff that might be addictive, or if those restrictions in US apply to all pain medications. I really don't know if there are much stronger medications prescribed after surgeries etc and if they are "prescription only", but since I was diagnosed I have been able to go to the pharmacy, always thinking that they'll ask for my prescription, and I get my med no questions asked and for a very little price...
Like I said, I was wondering about NSAIDs lately. I'm not on any meds other than NSAIDs. Again, I believe it is much harder here to get on DMARDs or biologics. My thesis advisor's mom has AS and she told me that she was finally put on a treatment other than NSAIDs a couple of years ago when she began talking about dying - and of course she has great damage. I doubt that doctors would prescribe me those things with my "word" about how much pain I'm in - they haven't even bothered to scan my feet for inflammation which are killing me and I'm pretty sure it's inflammation.
I'm using Indomethacin and Diclofenac Sodium as I have mentioned in several discussions, and I was wondering how much damage I was causing my body. I tried not taking them, and that only lasted for 5 days! SI pain, I can bear, but my feet, my aching, burning feet are another story. Also, on day three I ran a slight fever, on day four I was shivering like crazy along with a slight fever and on day 5 - today- I felt like I was dying so I took my diclofenac. I didn't really want to, but I'm also writing my thesis and I need to function! So I was wondering how strong those meds are compared to the medications tntlamb is talking about when it comes to side effects - the ones that cause tremendous damage, even death. I only take one every day and that is usually enough to manage my pain. I mean, it wouldn't probably matter since somedays I just need them to get through the day like a normal person, but still, I'm worried and would like to know if I'm causing my body more damage than the disease itself. And I should probably add that I'm really depressed right now that I couldn't soldier through the pain and fatigue and I couldn't even work on my thesis today even though I really want to because of this darn disease, this pain, this unbelievable fatigue and brain fog...
Those are good meds LL, no worries. I'd look into an anti depressant as they really help with pain control. and if you are like most of us were during our thesis days could use a little help......Days and nights get screwed up. A DMARD and/or Biologic would be great too. There is BTW some evidence that some of the better NSAIDS actually prevent AS damage..
So what is your thesis??? I'd love to come back to Turkey again, its beautiful I have never seen an area that more typifies how man can cause environmental disaster. The old seaports etc. I think it was Alexander the great wasn't it?
Oh, thank you very much tntlamb I'm really relieved to hear that... Because I was forcing myself not to take them while I obviously need them and I think that was a mistake... I did read about NSAIDs preventing AS damage too, I think it was on the Mayo Clinic website - I think that's a reliable source? But it also said that while patients who took an antiiflammatory a day showed less damage, the ones who didn't take daily medicine were less depressed :D
I'm taking a medicine called Desyrel to sleep better at night. I think it's active substance is trazodone and it's an antidepressant, even though quite mild - or I think it is! And it did help a ton. I don't know if it's sleeping better that did the trick, but I am feeling better. At least I don't feel like I'm drowning even though I still get depressed :)
My thesis is mainly about how historical and social matters seep into cinematic representations but that's all I'm willing to say about it here :) I wouldn't recommend you to come back to Turkey these days... I don't know how much you see or hear over there but things are quite messed up here! And that's another reason to be depressed :)
I can't imagine how it must be for you there. Depending on how one interprets your coded explanation of your thesis, it must be VERY interesting and very daring on your part. Its clear you are a very brave kid just to be at the academic level you are and to be dealing with all that is "on your plate" I'm sincere when I say I would LOVE to there when you defend your thesis. Miracles do happen, so maybe it could work out. PLEASE keep us posted.
Thank you very, very much tntlamb... I don't know why but you kinda got me emotional here :) My thesis is finally beginning to really mess with my head I think - lately whenever someone asks me how I am my initial response is "I'm writing my thesis!". Maybe it would be best if I avoided contact with people for a while :D The joke aside, I'm hoping to write my thesis the best possible way that I can and that's a big part of my stress level, especially now that I have a condition that really doesn't allow me to work as hard as I used to. But at least I managed to get to the actual writing part, so I'm feeling closer to the finish line :) I wish you really could be there for my thesis defence and I would very much like to meet you, and hey, maybe that would be a time when all is finally well in my country - though I'm not optimistic about that! Again, thank you very much for your input, your kind words and your support :)
I have been on Desyrel for at least 25 years. I started because it was supposed to break the cycle of migraine headaches. I take 100 mg per night which is a very low dose if you are taking it for depression. There have been no side effects and 99% of the time it gets me to sleep. I have ADD that keeps my mind racing. This really helps. At least I can usually get a good nights sleep which I am sure helps with the PsA. I am just praying that I don't have another flare up that I need heavy pain meds. I am currently weaning off Prednisone that I have been on since December. I can't wait to get off if but it scares me. It was what made the flare go away! My migraines have been gone since a hysterectomy.
ladylazarus said:
Oh, thank you very much tntlamb I'm really relieved to hear that... Because I was forcing myself not to take them while I obviously need them and I think that was a mistake... I did read about NSAIDs preventing AS damage too, I think it was on the Mayo Clinic website - I think that's a reliable source? But it also said that while patients who took an antiiflammatory a day showed less damage, the ones who didn't take daily medicine were less depressed :D
I'm taking a medicine called Desyrel to sleep better at night. I think it's active substance is trazodone and it's an antidepressant, even though quite mild - or I think it is! And it did help a ton. I don't know if it's sleeping better that did the trick, but I am feeling better. At least I don't feel like I'm drowning even though I still get depressed :)
My thesis is mainly about how historical and social matters seep into cinematic representations but that's all I'm willing to say about it here :) I wouldn't recommend you to come back to Turkey these days... I don't know how much you see or hear over there but things are quite messed up here! And that's another reason to be depressed :)
This thread discussing antidepressants as use for pain is new to me but extremely interesting! Tntlamb where can I read more about that connection? This could open doors for me!
Now there’s a good idea, Rachael: a new thread on pain meds that aren’t pain meds. Someone want to start that?
And maybe sleep meds that aren’t sleeping pills?
Oh hey Coee, well, it turns out that I was right then... I'm only using 50 mg per night, so I'm basically using it for its sedative side effect :D But maybe a good night's sleep was all I needed for a much calmer mind... :) And now I'll answer to the discussion Rachael started so all the info is in one place :)
Coee said:
I have been on Desyrel for at least 25 years. I started because it was supposed to break the cycle of migraine headaches. I take 100 mg per night which is a very low dose if you are taking it for depression. There have been no side effects and 99% of the time it gets me to sleep. I have ADD that keeps my mind racing. This really helps. At least I can usually get a good nights sleep which I am sure helps with the PsA. I am just praying that I don't have another flare up that I need heavy pain meds. I am currently weaning off Prednisone that I have been on since December. I can't wait to get off if but it scares me. It was what made the flare go away! My migraines have been gone since a hysterectomy.