PatientsLikeMe ™

I have learned much about depression, PTSD, finding the right therapist, to keep trying to work with whatever psychiatrist you have (and I have had several) to keep trying new things and combinations of things until you find that certain "cocktail" as we call it here that really helps and takes the worst of the edge off of one's symptoms.  For me the biggest is to stop thinking and obsessing and planning suicide.  I still have occasional thoughts some days but I always tell my therapist and discuss thoroughly.  I am also finally (4/2011) truly realizing how much we all assume others know what we are thinking or that we think we know what others are thinking.  This is another important step to self care, self awareness, awareness of others, and the knowledge that assuming things about others, if it's important, is not a good idea.  Communication is key.

Now I am dealing with severe pain in my lower back, front hip nerves, and knees.  Sometimes I can hardly walk.  I am going to physical therapy and had xrays done.  Recently I had a full blood and urine work up and talked to my PCP about what my typical day, week, month is like. She checked pressure points on my body that if sensitive can also point to Fibromyalgia.  In conclusion she concluded that it was most likely I had FM even though there really isn't an actual test.

So now I am trying to find the energy to educate myself about FM.  My pdoc recently suggested perhaps trying Cymbalta instead of Zoloft but I hear Cymbalta can make people prone to weight gain and I cannot afford that as I am already 40-50 pounds over weights even though I lost 35 pounds last year and have kept it off.

The next thing I want to look into is Low Dose Naltrexone that many people on the MS, FM, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) site on PLM are either trying to talking to their docs about.

One of many sites mentioned: http://www.ldnscience.org/interviews/118-the-use-of-low-dose-naltrexone-in-fibromyalgia

Note:

I had had many therapists: LCSD's and Psychologists... I learned something from each one... but this one I have now is the best.... I may still suffer daily physical pain and have to take meds every day but I do have someone in my corner I have truly come to trust.  Something that really wasn't in my vocabulary for most of my life.  I honestly can say I owe part of my recovery to being open to reveal my most difficult fears, shame, and life story to another person every week for 14 years.