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Sunday, July 17, 2011

New Meds again!!!

It has been almost one week since I started my amitriptyline, to replace the Cymbalta I had to relinquish since I could no longer afford to pay for it.  Still not sure how I feel on it.  I am trying to give it the "old college try".  I can tell you one thing I have noticed.  It sure does make me sleepy.  My severe insomnia has become less severe, but it lingers and makes me very sluggish all day.  So I guess it is a wash.  I am getting more sleep, but I am not waking up feeling any more rested, actually I am feeling more tired.  UUGGHH!
So here is the list of side effects for this particular medicine:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • drowsiness
  • weakness or tiredness
  • nightmares
  • headaches
  • dry mouth
  • constipation
  • difficulty urinating
  • blurred vision
  • pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
  • changes in sex drive or ability
  • excessive sweating
  • changes in appetite or weight
  • confusion
  • unsteadiness.
    Does it make sense that I am taking this medicine to help with headaches and pain and it has a major side effect of headache.  I can never figure it out.  Then, it messes with my blood sugar, so not fun since I have been diet controlled for so long I don't test and so now when I feel "off" I can't test because I don't have the equipment.  So, I just keep pushing on and on.  Why on earth is there not a medicine that can just fix it, without causing more problems.  I mean for crying out loud, is taking some of the pain away worth getting so tired you can't enjoy it.  It is frustrating.  I try and keep thinking, maybe I need some time to get used to the medicine.  Maybe once my body adjust to it, I won't feel like a walking zombie, but then the question arises, how long do you wait to see if your body adjusts to the medicine?  I wondered aimlessly through the grocery store tonight, wobbling like someone that just had a dual hip replacement, so I could try and get a few items because my fridge and pantry were looking like a bachelors pad after a 3 week party binge.  I needed my husband to drive me, just did not feel comfortable enough to do it myself, but once there, I was so tired, it took every ounce of energy to get me through the store to get the groceries.  The worst of it all, I still have a pretty decent headache, it is not like it has made a huge dent in the pain.  I so want to be back to my old self.  I want a day without pain.  I want to wake up, not have to take a handful of meds to function, to be able to get in the car and do whatever I want for as long as I want, without any help.  I want to make dinner, and eat it, no matter what it is, and then run around with my family after dinner, doing, again, whatever I want. All in all, I will continue to fight to find the right medication.  I will try and continue to give it the "old college" try.  I try not to let it stick in my head that it won't work, or to let the side effects list blemish my opinion of the medicine.  The only major problem I have is I was taking Cymbalta, did not realize how well it was working until I could not afford it and now have to try all these other medicines.  Even though they had to increase my Cymbalta dosage, I did not feel like a zombie, I did not get dizzy, motion sick, it did not mess with my sugar levels, and I could go to the grocery store by myself, (well the last one, at least one at least occasionally).  All I know, is I have to try and keep my spirits up, continue to be a guinea pig and hope it all works out in the end..  For now, I keep working with the amitriptyline and hoping it is the one, or that I can rule it out sooner than later!  So for now, keep smiling and moving forward, nothing else you can do!!!  Gentle hugs to you all. 

2 comments:

  1. Oh Man...this is horrible. Obviously there is no generic for Cymbalta huh? If it works it's awful that you can't afford it. Did you check the Cymbalta site? They have info there on assistance paying for your meds, and even free if you qualify. I have one med that is really expensive. but I need it, so what do you do? I hope either this new med starts working, or you can find a way to get back on Cymbalta.

    Just read your "about me" section. Did I ever tell you I was a dispatcher for years, and then finally went into the records division at the PD I worked for? I can't remember if I ever told you. Couldn't do that job anymore! Too much stress for me!

    mo

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  2. Mo, thanks for the info, but I did try the website. It is only for people without insurance in order to get assistance for paying for their meds. I am trying my hardest. I go back to my neurologist next Tuesday so I figured I would see how it goes until then, and then we will go from there. Plus, I don't remember you saying about being a dispatcher, but I would love to go back to work. I also did a whole lot with the NCIC computer entries and would love to do that again. Well, I will just keep pushing, and trying.

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