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New Medications
I saw the psychiatrist for the first time today and he was very nice. He told me I have PTSD, severe anxiety and depression due to my illnesses and the fact that I was attached in my home in September by someone I used to date. I never went to see anyone until now and the doctor couldn't believe I made it this long without medication.
My question is, has anyone taken these medications? Lexapro, trazadone, and clonazepam? Any advice on taking these medications?
Also, another question. I've been posting about my friend that I've broken a lot of ties because of her "illnesses" and I wanted to ask you all a question on something that she told me yesterday. I called her (yes I was feeling guilty because I hadn't talked to her much) and she is in Chicago at the Diamond Clinic where they specialize in migraines. She was supposed to leave on Saturday, they released her and she made it to the airport, where she started crying uncontrollably and decided that if she flew home (about a hour flight) that she was going to have her husband take her to the emergency room. Well she called me and I opened my big fat mouth and said, why don't you call the doctor at the diamond clinic and see if you can go back. She then called the doctor, he told her to go back. She had to get a wheelchair and have security escort her out to the taxi because she thought she was going to faint.
Here's my questions.... She made a comment to me about getting a pic line put in her arm. If any of you know a pic line is an iv that threads into your chest area. She has been getting pic lines instead of iv's the last two times she's been there. I asked her why she was so big on the pic line and she actually said " because I get a rush when they put the medications in the line and I can really feel the medicine" say what???? I told her that I didn't think she should be making those types of comments because the doctor would think possibly she was drug seeking. I still can't believe she said that to me. My other question is that she's not working and is trying to get permanent disability, BUT, she can be on facebook playing games, she can sew all day long, and go garage sale shopping with her mom. I know I've had migraines before and I've never been able to do anything except lay down and wait for the migraine to go away. I'm thinking something seems very weird about that. Anyway, I was just wondering what you guys thought about all of this?
Hope everyone is having a pain free night!
Karen
My question is, has anyone taken these medications? Lexapro, trazadone, and clonazepam? Any advice on taking these medications?
Also, another question. I've been posting about my friend that I've broken a lot of ties because of her "illnesses" and I wanted to ask you all a question on something that she told me yesterday. I called her (yes I was feeling guilty because I hadn't talked to her much) and she is in Chicago at the Diamond Clinic where they specialize in migraines. She was supposed to leave on Saturday, they released her and she made it to the airport, where she started crying uncontrollably and decided that if she flew home (about a hour flight) that she was going to have her husband take her to the emergency room. Well she called me and I opened my big fat mouth and said, why don't you call the doctor at the diamond clinic and see if you can go back. She then called the doctor, he told her to go back. She had to get a wheelchair and have security escort her out to the taxi because she thought she was going to faint.
Here's my questions.... She made a comment to me about getting a pic line put in her arm. If any of you know a pic line is an iv that threads into your chest area. She has been getting pic lines instead of iv's the last two times she's been there. I asked her why she was so big on the pic line and she actually said " because I get a rush when they put the medications in the line and I can really feel the medicine" say what???? I told her that I didn't think she should be making those types of comments because the doctor would think possibly she was drug seeking. I still can't believe she said that to me. My other question is that she's not working and is trying to get permanent disability, BUT, she can be on facebook playing games, she can sew all day long, and go garage sale shopping with her mom. I know I've had migraines before and I've never been able to do anything except lay down and wait for the migraine to go away. I'm thinking something seems very weird about that. Anyway, I was just wondering what you guys thought about all of this?
Hope everyone is having a pain free night!
Karen
While it is good that you have distance yourself from someone you are not comfortable with, disregarding her statements about the "rush" is the wise course of action.
Regardless of what someone says about their first moments with pain medication, remember that it is between them and their doctor, and the energy spent judging others is best reserved for fighting your own battles.
These are the same attitudes that make it so difficult for legitimate pain patients (and your former friend may still be one regardless of her reactions to her meds) to get adequate pain control.
Why perpetrate the same wrong against someone else?
Regardless of what someone says about their first moments with pain medication, remember that it is between them and their doctor, and the energy spent judging others is best reserved for fighting your own battles.
These are the same attitudes that make it so difficult for legitimate pain patients (and your former friend may still be one regardless of her reactions to her meds) to get adequate pain control.
Why perpetrate the same wrong against someone else?
Karen,
I think that she will have to come up with more than just what has happened. The disability is based upon the fact that you have ABSOLUTELY NO chance of getting better and ever being able to work again. That's why every once in awhile you will read about someone getting their disability taken away and then they are charged with fraud. The SS Department has had them followed and discovered that they are no longer disabled and didn't notify the Government or lied from the start. That's why when you are so young it is VERY difficult to get PERMANENT DISABILITY.
Sometimes you can get Disability for a year or 2 but have to be rechecked by their Dr.s. That's another thing also she MAY have to be checked by their Dr.s!! Since I had no Dr. I was sent by them to their Dr. and they were the ones that diagnosed EVERYTHING that was wrong with me. It helps a lot when it is THEIR own Dr. that gives you the diagnosis that you are not able to work anymore!! :) The reason is because their Dr.'s have to follow strict guidelines and criteria that the other Dr.s don't necessarily have to follow. They may THINK that it looks as if you would get the disability but then the SS Board may not agree. There are SOOOOO many steps that you must follow to get there it's almost impossible to get approved at an age younger than 50. As you know. :( I just have a feeling that she isn't going to be able to prove her case. I really believe that she will have trouble proving that she can't do SOME type of work. (That is only my opinion NOT the SSD Board's!!)
What time is your appt. today? Take Care everything will be OK...Sherry
I think that she will have to come up with more than just what has happened. The disability is based upon the fact that you have ABSOLUTELY NO chance of getting better and ever being able to work again. That's why every once in awhile you will read about someone getting their disability taken away and then they are charged with fraud. The SS Department has had them followed and discovered that they are no longer disabled and didn't notify the Government or lied from the start. That's why when you are so young it is VERY difficult to get PERMANENT DISABILITY.
Sometimes you can get Disability for a year or 2 but have to be rechecked by their Dr.s. That's another thing also she MAY have to be checked by their Dr.s!! Since I had no Dr. I was sent by them to their Dr. and they were the ones that diagnosed EVERYTHING that was wrong with me. It helps a lot when it is THEIR own Dr. that gives you the diagnosis that you are not able to work anymore!! :) The reason is because their Dr.'s have to follow strict guidelines and criteria that the other Dr.s don't necessarily have to follow. They may THINK that it looks as if you would get the disability but then the SS Board may not agree. There are SOOOOO many steps that you must follow to get there it's almost impossible to get approved at an age younger than 50. As you know. :( I just have a feeling that she isn't going to be able to prove her case. I really believe that she will have trouble proving that she can't do SOME type of work. (That is only my opinion NOT the SSD Board's!!)
What time is your appt. today? Take Care everything will be OK...Sherry
Sherry,
I applied when I had thyroid cancer and was taking radiation treatments and they denied me. I didn't fight it, I just had to be very sick through the whole process. It was bad all around. My friend knows how to use the system. One time she was at school and there was a cone that said wet floor, she went about it and fell anyway. She sued the school district and got 20,000 plus an operation (nothing was torn) so she definitely knows how to work it. People like us never get it, I have five folders of documentations at my dr. office, I'm sure that's probaby enough, don't you think. She is going to be off work for two years, but is already starting making plans by seeing the neck doctor (trying to get a disability there) she thinks she has fibromyalia, and of course her depression when she was admitted in the psch ward. It all adds up for her. She keeps stating taht she is going back to work, but I know she isn't. There is just no way that is happening.
I applied when I had thyroid cancer and was taking radiation treatments and they denied me. I didn't fight it, I just had to be very sick through the whole process. It was bad all around. My friend knows how to use the system. One time she was at school and there was a cone that said wet floor, she went about it and fell anyway. She sued the school district and got 20,000 plus an operation (nothing was torn) so she definitely knows how to work it. People like us never get it, I have five folders of documentations at my dr. office, I'm sure that's probaby enough, don't you think. She is going to be off work for two years, but is already starting making plans by seeing the neck doctor (trying to get a disability there) she thinks she has fibromyalia, and of course her depression when she was admitted in the psch ward. It all adds up for her. She keeps stating taht she is going back to work, but I know she isn't. There is just no way that is happening.
Karen,
Because of her young age (under 50) she will have to "jump thru hoops" before they will EVER give her SSI. Unfortunately, for anyone under the age of 50 they make incredibly difficult and stretch it out sometimes for more than 6 years before they make any kind of determination on an SSI case. She definitely knows the system because she knows how long she has to be off of work and everything so it sounds like she has been planning this for a long time. That's so sad and that's ANOTHER reason that SSI is so difficult to get because of the people that TRY to work that system. She is young enough that she is going to have to prove that she CAN'T do any other type of employment. Not just the type that she was doing. She may be in for a rude awakening. I have been on SSI since 2003 and I was one of the few (even tho I was over 50) that was approved the first time around. Almost everyone has to appeal. I didn't even think that I was eligible. I had applied for Tenncare for medical care in TN and THEY told me when I applied that I should apply. I was astounded as I believed (falsely) that you had to be a paraplegic or confined to a wheelchair or be suffering from cancer or blind. What I didn't know was that DDD is one of the BIG criteria's for being granted SSI. Mine was so advanced that I had NO problem being granted it. Plus I had a history of Heart and High Blood Pressure and then there were my hip problems. However, it was granted on my DDD.
One thing you have to understand is that many Disabled people are able to leave the house and do things like garage sale shopping (albeit not very often as most wouldn't feel up to it) and definitely being on the computer as that is one of the ways that I get interaction with other people (such as all of my Friends on here :) ) but I'm able to lay or sit when I do this. I must admit I don't think that I would be able to do it if I had migraine as I couldn't even stand the light when I used to have them. I had to stay laying down with a washcloth over my eyes until it went away. Plus when I would take my Fiorinal for my headaches I really just wanted to lay down and rest, but that's the way that it affected me.
How long has she been applying for it? Exactly what grounds is she applying on?
Listen she will have a difficult time unless she can get some of these Dr.s to lie for her but I think that they will see thru it if she is lying. Just hang in there and see what happens.
I'm VERY sorry that you were not granted your SSI. Did you appeal it at all? Usually the Disability Attorney's are a REALLY good way to tell whether you have a case or not. If they take your case you will stand a pretty good chance of eventually being granted SSI HOWEVER, remember you have to be off of work for at least 2 years to even be considered and that might be why you were turned down. It's hard to be able to afford to be off of work for that long with NO income. Unless you have State Disability or Workers' Comp.
Try to relax as I think that the truth will come out in the end....Sherry
Because of her young age (under 50) she will have to "jump thru hoops" before they will EVER give her SSI. Unfortunately, for anyone under the age of 50 they make incredibly difficult and stretch it out sometimes for more than 6 years before they make any kind of determination on an SSI case. She definitely knows the system because she knows how long she has to be off of work and everything so it sounds like she has been planning this for a long time. That's so sad and that's ANOTHER reason that SSI is so difficult to get because of the people that TRY to work that system. She is young enough that she is going to have to prove that she CAN'T do any other type of employment. Not just the type that she was doing. She may be in for a rude awakening. I have been on SSI since 2003 and I was one of the few (even tho I was over 50) that was approved the first time around. Almost everyone has to appeal. I didn't even think that I was eligible. I had applied for Tenncare for medical care in TN and THEY told me when I applied that I should apply. I was astounded as I believed (falsely) that you had to be a paraplegic or confined to a wheelchair or be suffering from cancer or blind. What I didn't know was that DDD is one of the BIG criteria's for being granted SSI. Mine was so advanced that I had NO problem being granted it. Plus I had a history of Heart and High Blood Pressure and then there were my hip problems. However, it was granted on my DDD.
One thing you have to understand is that many Disabled people are able to leave the house and do things like garage sale shopping (albeit not very often as most wouldn't feel up to it) and definitely being on the computer as that is one of the ways that I get interaction with other people (such as all of my Friends on here :) ) but I'm able to lay or sit when I do this. I must admit I don't think that I would be able to do it if I had migraine as I couldn't even stand the light when I used to have them. I had to stay laying down with a washcloth over my eyes until it went away. Plus when I would take my Fiorinal for my headaches I really just wanted to lay down and rest, but that's the way that it affected me.
How long has she been applying for it? Exactly what grounds is she applying on?
Listen she will have a difficult time unless she can get some of these Dr.s to lie for her but I think that they will see thru it if she is lying. Just hang in there and see what happens.
I'm VERY sorry that you were not granted your SSI. Did you appeal it at all? Usually the Disability Attorney's are a REALLY good way to tell whether you have a case or not. If they take your case you will stand a pretty good chance of eventually being granted SSI HOWEVER, remember you have to be off of work for at least 2 years to even be considered and that might be why you were turned down. It's hard to be able to afford to be off of work for that long with NO income. Unless you have State Disability or Workers' Comp.
Try to relax as I think that the truth will come out in the end....Sherry
I'm with you, I hate the 'rush' that comes with some IV meds. I'm hypersensitive and the rush that others get is painful for me.
wow, not cool. I'm surprised that the hospital would give her a PICC line if she's not blowing veins. The hospital I was in didn't give my friend a PICC line when she asked even tho they were blowing veins almost daily. That's not good medicine on the part of the hospital.
I'm *very* sorry that your case has been denied and hers has been accepted. That's horrible for you. Have you appealed your case or gotten a lawyer?
*hugs*
~Dame
I'm *very* sorry that your case has been denied and hers has been accepted. That's horrible for you. Have you appealed your case or gotten a lawyer?
*hugs*
~Dame
I think that sounds crazy about the "rush". I was hospitalized for migraines in April 08 before I had any CP and they gave me dilaudid via IV. I would ask them to do it at a moderate pace because the "rush" was freaking me out. It felt like all this pressure in my body pushing outward, like I was going to explode. I mentioned to a nurse who did it slower than most that I appreciated that she didn't just shove it in there. She said most people like it shoved in there fast and have even asked to do it themselves. It really freaked me out. It really does sound like your friend is milking the system and that's unfortunate. It really bugs me that people go in for a rush, yet when we are in serious pain and tears, they have to treat us like we might be addicts. I have had such horrible experiences in the ER while in severe pain, all because of rush seekers.
I can understand why you aren't keen on being her friend anymore.
I can understand why you aren't keen on being her friend anymore.
They put iv's in her arms and then she demands the nurse to call her doctor and get her eh pic line. She absolutely does not want the iv, she's made it very clear for me. She has never blown a vein, she's just adament bout getting the line put in. I totally believe in disability for people that need it, but when I see her garage sale shopping, going to the movies (bright light hurt my eyes when I'm watching a movie) and she plays at least eight hours on Farmville, and a cooking site. I've have 8 more legitimet illneses than she does, yet they won't approve me for any type of disbility. Even when I had thyroid radiation, they declined it. I just could' believe it. She told me the other day she weighs 210. pounds. She's 5'5 and used to way around 150. She's gained a lot of weight because of the meds and the fact tht she does nothing all day but sews, hangs out with her mom, shops, and goes to doctor appoitments. She's currently trying to build a case for her to have complete disability after her two years is up from her school district. She asked who my rheumotid doctor is because she thinks she has fibromyalgia, and then she saw a doctor regarding her neck, to fill out additional disability paperwork. I"m just watching her go by.
We have nothing to say to each other anymore.
We have nothing to say to each other anymore.
I've been on clonazepam for years, and it's a huge help. I adjust my dose of it about every 4-6 months, but I habituate to meds at an incredibly fast rate. I take it 3x daily, as well as PRN for when I need to reboot my brain. I'm not familiar with the others, so I can't help you there.]
As for the PICC line, I've had one of those. And yes, you do get a rush from the medication. However, at least in my case, it wasn't a 'hey, let's do that again' type of rush. Instead, it was more of a sigh of relief because I could actually feel the medication working. The PICC line is *not* the first option for IV medications because it requires delicate almost-surgery to get it inserted correctly. The catheter goes right to the entrance to your heart, but can't actually go in. It's a delicate procedure. However, in my case, I blew 10 veins in 2 hours with regular IVs and that's why they gave me my PICC. Also, regular vascular IVs take much longer to deliver the medication to the rest of the body. And if it's a potent medication, it can *seriously* burn as it gets into the system. With a PICC line, the burning is either shortened or eliminated.
As for her being able to get disability, it differs for all of us. I'm on SSI because of my status migrainous, and can be on the computer almost all day. However, I can barely walk to the bathroom to relieve myself without ending up on the floor. How migraines effect us is different case by case. Also I'm on so many meds (11 right now) that my general brain function is completely shot half the time. Facebook games require almost no real thought, and can serve as a distraction.
I'm not saying that you don't have a reason to be confused or concerned, I'm just very familiar with where your friend is coming from.
~Dame
As for the PICC line, I've had one of those. And yes, you do get a rush from the medication. However, at least in my case, it wasn't a 'hey, let's do that again' type of rush. Instead, it was more of a sigh of relief because I could actually feel the medication working. The PICC line is *not* the first option for IV medications because it requires delicate almost-surgery to get it inserted correctly. The catheter goes right to the entrance to your heart, but can't actually go in. It's a delicate procedure. However, in my case, I blew 10 veins in 2 hours with regular IVs and that's why they gave me my PICC. Also, regular vascular IVs take much longer to deliver the medication to the rest of the body. And if it's a potent medication, it can *seriously* burn as it gets into the system. With a PICC line, the burning is either shortened or eliminated.
As for her being able to get disability, it differs for all of us. I'm on SSI because of my status migrainous, and can be on the computer almost all day. However, I can barely walk to the bathroom to relieve myself without ending up on the floor. How migraines effect us is different case by case. Also I'm on so many meds (11 right now) that my general brain function is completely shot half the time. Facebook games require almost no real thought, and can serve as a distraction.
I'm not saying that you don't have a reason to be confused or concerned, I'm just very familiar with where your friend is coming from.
~Dame
Jamie,
First, you are NOT venting, you are expressing yourself. I actually appreciate what you've said because I've been feeling like I'm a b**** because it makes me so mad that she's doing this. There are people like you and me struggling to keep our jobs, that have real illnesses, and then there are people like her that have worked the system for years and always gotten their way. I'm glad that you're planning on seeing the physiatrist, I hope it works out for you as well as it has for me. You may have no other choice but to take morphine, sometimes that's just the way it is. I'm still reeling over her telling me she wanted a pic line put in so she could feel the "rush" of the medication. That just sounds like a drug seeker to me.
First, you are NOT venting, you are expressing yourself. I actually appreciate what you've said because I've been feeling like I'm a b**** because it makes me so mad that she's doing this. There are people like you and me struggling to keep our jobs, that have real illnesses, and then there are people like her that have worked the system for years and always gotten their way. I'm glad that you're planning on seeing the physiatrist, I hope it works out for you as well as it has for me. You may have no other choice but to take morphine, sometimes that's just the way it is. I'm still reeling over her telling me she wanted a pic line put in so she could feel the "rush" of the medication. That just sounds like a drug seeker to me.
Thanks guys! My friend is 38 years old. I was thinking the same thing when she mentioned the "rush" that she was getting the medications to feel great. I totally feel that if she can spend all day on facebook playing games, and then shopping, going to movies, etc.. she can go to work. I really do feel that way. As I said earlier, she's been going to a variety of other doctors, she went to a doctor for her neck (didn't know there was anything ever wrong with her neck) and she said the doctor was filling out paperwork for disability. Then she asked me who my rheumatoid doctor was because she thinks she has fibromyalgia, and she wants to add that to her disability. She made a comment a few months ago that she may go back to work after her 2 year disability ends, but I know that will not be the case. She's too busy building a case of having things wrong and having doctors fill out disability paperwork. It's a shame.
Thanks everyone for your input. I hope everyone has a pain free day!
Thanks everyone for your input. I hope everyone has a pain free day!
Hi Karen,
I, too, have had the Trazadone a loooooooooong time ago. Wow, it was back in the mid-80's when I had a nervous breakdown and needed it for sleep. I had to be very careful when I took it that I was going to bed right then as it would knock me out. (It doesn't take much of anything to knock me out.) :) I actually fell asleep in bed while I was talking on the phone and was still holding the phone when Jean came in from work (I'd had surgery and was at home recuperating) and found me there. I NEVER remembered a thing about it!! That's when I quit taking it. That was too frightening to me.
I totally agree with Sara and Jamie about your Friend. I truly believe that you did the right thing about separating from your Friend. Karen, how old is your Friend? The reason I'm asking is because I'm on Social Security Disability and her age will make a difference on how easily she will be able to get the Disability.
Don't feel guilty, I know it's easier said than done...Sherry
I, too, have had the Trazadone a loooooooooong time ago. Wow, it was back in the mid-80's when I had a nervous breakdown and needed it for sleep. I had to be very careful when I took it that I was going to bed right then as it would knock me out. (It doesn't take much of anything to knock me out.) :) I actually fell asleep in bed while I was talking on the phone and was still holding the phone when Jean came in from work (I'd had surgery and was at home recuperating) and found me there. I NEVER remembered a thing about it!! That's when I quit taking it. That was too frightening to me.
I totally agree with Sara and Jamie about your Friend. I truly believe that you did the right thing about separating from your Friend. Karen, how old is your Friend? The reason I'm asking is because I'm on Social Security Disability and her age will make a difference on how easily she will be able to get the Disability.
Don't feel guilty, I know it's easier said than done...Sherry
I have never been on them meds but I wish you the best with them and I hope they do help you.
As for your friend yes you are right it sounds like she is playing the system and the comment about feeling the rush that shows there is something more going on with her then anyone can see. Isn't that way people take street drugs to feel the rush? Just my thoughts.
Jamie
As for your friend yes you are right it sounds like she is playing the system and the comment about feeling the rush that shows there is something more going on with her then anyone can see. Isn't that way people take street drugs to feel the rush? Just my thoughts.
Jamie
I've had the trazadone for sleep and the clonazepam for panic attacks. They both can throw me for a loop. They did their job well for me.
As far as your friend. I think she plays the system like a fiddle. And I've never met a pain patient who did anything to get a rush. Maybe I'm too old!!
Sara
As far as your friend. I think she plays the system like a fiddle. And I've never met a pain patient who did anything to get a rush. Maybe I'm too old!!
Sara
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Jamie