Pain and depression

[luvdolphins58]

Hi all. I have been going thru so much physically and emotional past few months,more than normal.  The last 2-3 months I have had more pain and totally lack of interest in everything. I did have sepsis and was in hospital 7days. I've been out 3 weeks still no motivation. I'm on effexor as another pain med. Is all pain and stuff causing this or am I depressed and need to talk to Dr.  Is being depressed causing more pain or pain causing depression?  I'm so frustrated at all this. Than my body just reaction is making me sick with all kinds of crap. What do u guys think?

[Tuckamore]

Oh my friend - I'm so very sorry that you are having increased pain.

I'm going to sound stupid here and ask why the problems getting it filled? Is it the insurance company that's causing the problem - or our beloved, caring pharmacies? Not!  

I don't think it's the Obama Care as much as it is the "War on Drugs" better known as the war of chronic pain patients and their physicians. Regardless of who's to blame we have to instrumental in change - at least true for those that are still able to fight.

I think most of us are angry, very angry. There are still ppl like Sherry that have no idea what we are talking about. They have maintained their caring, concerned PMPs and get appropriate pain management. They are the lucky few.

Depression and Chronic Pain! It's a vicious cycle. What came first, the chicken or the egg? I believe most of us suffer from Situational Depression. It's just what it sounds like - our situation makes us depressed - treat the situation - you treat the depression. Most of us experience depression in varying degrees at various times.  

You mention the fact you had Sepsis. Did your pain, depression worsen following the Sepsis? Are you aware of a condition called Post Sepsis Syndrome (PSS)?

Post-sepsis syndrome is a condition that affects up to 50% of sepsis survivors. They are left with physical and/or long-term effects, such as:

    Insomnia, difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep
    Nightmares, vivid hallucinations and panic attacks
    Disabling muscle and joint pains
    Extreme fatigue
    Poor concentration
    Decreased mental (cognitive) functioning
    Loss of self-esteem and self-belief

It's just been recently recognized and there have been several studies on it. There is more to PSS that cannot yet be explained, such as the disabling fatigue and Chronic Pain that many survivors experience.

Just a thought but I'm wondering if your increase in pain and SX may be (in part) related to PSS.

Whatever the cause - it's no way to try and live life. Sadly none of us get to chose much in this life - and we can only change just a few things. So remember it's how we play the cards that life deals us that really matters.

We're here for you. I hope that knowledge helps you as much as it does me. Hang in there. Keep posting!  My heart goes out to you.


(((HUGS)))
   ~Tuck

[philnoir]

You should be angry, my dear. Everyone in pain should get angry.

We're all in this boat together and we need to get the pendulum swinging back in the other direction.

I'm doing all I can, but you my friend, need to get more analgesia, so put pressure on your PCP -- get those medications.

Gabapentin may also give you some relief, but you'll need at least 1600mg / day. Some people are on twice that dose. Your pain doc whould be thinking about that and other drugs that will help lower the pain score, not worrying about addiction or hyperalgesia.

Let me find you Dr. Forest Tennant's latest editorial --

http://bit.ly/1IN4LQc

Give that a read -- it will lessen your anxiety and help you sleep.

When you dream, do you dream of dolphins?

[luvdolphins58]

Oops 4 15mg of morphine. That's why still not filled

[luvdolphins58]

Thank you phil for response. When I was in hospital with sepsis the Dr said I needed to be on more or stronger pain meds however my pain management Dr doesn't agree. Anyway its a battle with them the primary Dr the insurance company and now last few days pharmacy. OMG since friday Dr changed meds from 6 10mg oxycodone to 4 15mg a day. Its taking act of Congress to get this filled. Still not filled. Yes I need advocate to help but who how do I get one. As of tonight I'm officially depressed tears all that good stuff. This Obama care and control substance crap is outrageous. The druggie people can get much whatever want they know system and makes it so hard for chronic pain patients. Like WTF sorry I'm ranting just royally angry

[philnoir]

Pain and depression go together like beans and cornbread.

People with chronic illness also suffer from depression -- you're not alone.

And anyone who's endured what you are enduring would feel a profound loss. That's why you're not interested in anything. You just want to feel better.

Effexor may not make you feel like the woman in the commercial, happily working in your flower garden, or whatever the nonsense is. You are not depressed because your serotonin levels have dropped to a new low.

All of your essential neurotransmitter levels are down in the dumps.

And from what I learned a week or so back, you need to make a decision about surgery, which means a second opinion, and a greater understanding of your disease.

But why isn't your pain under control? Who can go into a doctor's appointment with you and fight for more pain control? You need a warrior.

Action is the way out of this black hole. Begin reading about how you can get better. Learn about your underlying condition, learn about treatment options, and get moving.

Yes, it's hard. Please get some help with it. We can only do so much here at the other end of the internet.