Ok so...

[tripnstumble]

Ok first off, still in limbo here waiting on the neuro. Anyhow, my PCP put me on Effexor she claimed so that it would help with my energy levels... I think she just thinks I'm nuts lol But, that's fine. I have been taking it to make her happy.  I know how I am, I know I stress and let things get to me. I always have been this way. So, in that aspect the Effexor is working great and I have taken it before for the same reasons. But, if all my MS type symptoms are stress related wouldn't they be calming down some if everything else is? They aren't changing at all. And it sure hasn't helped with my fatigue at all like she said it should. Forget it! I'm still tired all day long and I am sleeping at night. Also IF this is all stress it doesn't explain the high sed-rate I always have in my blood work. I'm not sick, haven't been sick in years oddly enough and all my other blood work has been fine other then the sed-rate being high. I'm still having muscle spasms, pins & needles, balance issues, twitches and terrible terrible upper back pain yet. One thing I did find very odd was earlier when I was laying down I decided for some odd reason to lay on my belly. I never lay on my belly. When I did it arched my back, and wow weee did the pins and needles really kick in all over the place. I don't know if it was just a coincidence or what. I'll have to do the belly thing again tomorrow to check and see if it does it again. I keep telling all my Dr's something is wrong in my upper back and that is one thing they keep ignoring. Oh yea and the lovely cognitive issues sure haven't left either!

But anyhow, I guess my question is more of an opinion. If this medication is working in "calming me down"  and I'm not stressing wouldn't you think this other stuff would slowly be going away? Or is it something that just may take more time?  Any opinions on this??? :)

[tripnstumble]

Well I guess that's the thing, my PCP is trying to help until I get to the Neuro. etc. I guess I was really hoping that all this was stress related and the Effexor would be that magic pill, so far it hasn't been. I was on Flexaril and Soma earlier last year for the muscle spasms in my back which neither helped, I had been pretty fine in that area until last week when I ended up at the ER the pain was so bad. The Dr. at the ER said it was muscle spasms and from the xray he said it looks as if their straightening my spine (between the shoulder blades area). Of course they gave me flexaril but it don't help.  I go back to my primary the 26th so of course I get to add this to my issues for her.

And no I did not do the belly thing again lol I was tempted just to see if it happened again but forget that, not in the mood for more issues :)

iambus, they have yet to figure out why I have a high sed-rate. I've had my blood taken and tested for everything and so far it's all come back neg. A high sed rate means there is inflammation in the body somewhere. They just haven't been able to find out why. So far the only time I have felt good was while on prednisone, which of course they won't keep me on. Is it related to MS? I have no idea.... Still trying to figure out my puzzle.

[iambus]

Sorry, I don't have an answer but I do have a question for you lol.  I have the same symptoms as  you.  You mentioned you had a high sed rate. Do you know what that means?  Is that connected to MS?

[HVAC]

Your PCP may be treating symptoms. Stress does not cause MS but it can make it worse. They put me on Effexor for pain. In fact they try all kinds of off label stuff. Even after diagnosis. She may not think your nuts but be trying to help you feel better.

Alex

[jensequitur]

I wouldn't do the belly thing again.  I have lesions in my spine, and when I'm having problems, arching my back will cause my legs to go weak, and sometimes will set off myoclonus in my torso.  

So you feel less anxious, but your other symptoms remain.  I would talk to your PCP and tell her you feel less anxious, but your symptoms aren't going away.  You need symptom management, and she's only addressed one of them.  Upper back pain could be because of muscle spasm, so see if she'll prescribe a muscle relaxer for you.  I took Flexaril for a while before I switched to Baclofen, which is a better maintenance drug for controlling my muscle spasms.  I feel less 'drugged,' but I have fewer spasms.

I personally believe that brain damage can cause anxiety and depression, so deciding that anxiety and depression are the cause, rather than the symptom... well, it's just lazy.