Ive been prescribed Lyrica

[owen]

been prescribed Lyrica for my Neurological pain. Its labeled use is to relieve neurological pain caused my shingles and diabetes. Ill let you all know how it goes. You might want to check it out. On paper it would make sense for it to work.

[Sissy]

Hope this works for you! Keep us informed. I was given a message from a neurosurgeon to take double doses of Omega 3 Fish Oil - now everything I eat tastes like sardines, but I am willing to give it a try.

[PCSVictim]

I have been told that all us pcs sufferers should take fish oil but I also was told that its best to begin taking it right after the concussion. Something about free radicals causing more damage. Of course, I did not know this until much later b/c most of the doctors I saw are dumb about pcs.

[owen]

yeah i tried the fish oil, it didnt do anything for me.

[Lucy]

HI - I have tried the fish oil - Omega 3 I think it is called. Didn't help me, (at least I didn't grow any scales - ha ha!) I have now come across some herbalist through a friend of a friend, who's mother is a naturopath in the UK who has come up with something and is sending it out to me - I will do some research on it and let you know how that goes - I guess you just never know! Lynlee

[jeffn]

To LYNLEE, I've been using Flex Seed Oil in my energy drink seems to help with my mental clairity. Something you may want to research. Jeffn

[Lucy]

Hi - where have you been?? I thought about starting a new heading enquiring about your where abouts! So are you ok and have you finished the book - or do you have to start again as it has been a blurr?? Thank you for the flax oil suggestion - are you saying that I might lack mental clarity?? ha ha!!! Lynlee

[RisibleGirl]

I think I might have mentioned that my neuro prescribed Provigil (http://www.provigilweb.org/) yesterday. I've done a bit of research on it since yesterday and it sounds very interesting. She told me that it would help me feel more on top of things mentally and make me more awake.

In my research, I've found that it somehow does give you more mental clarity and indeed keeps you awake and alert. Apparently the Air Force uses it for pilots that have long missions (or something like that.)

I didn't take it today because I don't need to be alert. I'm taking my husband to have lasik in a bit, so took the day off. Might as well enjoy the fog, eh?

I'll let you know how the Provigil goes. It's very expensive, but if it makes me feel like my old self- it'll be worth it. We can compare notes! :)

Oh, editing to say- I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have pain. I'm sorry for those of you that do. I hope that drug works for you.

[jeffn]

To Lynlee, No you're as a sharp as a tack. Flex Seed Oil is brain food, it's organic and helps me with my mental clairity and I don't like using drugs or medication if I don't have to.

My LAP TOP was stolen on the 11.20.07 so I had to replace it and have been off line the last week or so.

Setting up a new firewall so this does not happen again.

Take Care Jeffn

PS I think I'M going to have some ice cream:) Yes the book is a must read on my 3rd reading now. Running a we bit slow.

[Lucy]

Rather have the icecream than the flax seed oil! Jeffn how does setting up the fire wall stop your computer being stolen - I would suggest that you lock your doors or get an alarm installed.

I am going to look up all these new drugs. I have received my latest potion which I am going to start tomorrow. It is a herbal potion. Just went to find it to tell you what it is and can't find it. I will have a sleep and then tell all about it. o ooh - that sounds weird - must need my sleep!!

Lynlee

[jeffn]

To Lynlee Let me know how the herbs are working for you, interested in this type of therapy. I have a friend who does volunteer work in Costa Rica. She works with the indigenous tribes down there and is trying to protect the knowledge and medical plants in this part of the world.

Interesting note Dr. Bob Scaer talks about this in his video on Trauma.

Thinking outside of the box. Jeffn:)

[Sissy]

Hi, thanks for all your responses on the Omega-3! I had to quit taking it because it was irritating my stomach - am very sensitive and can't take any NSAIDs for long either. I guess I will just eat more fish.

Owen, is your new med. working for you yet? I decided yesterday to give the Topamax another try, after reading that trinking lots of water and sports drinks should help with side effects. I'm going back to the neuro next Wed. and should know by then if it works for me. Good luck to all.

[Lucy]

HI, the homeopathic potion that I have been talking about is natrum sulp. Before taking it I had a read of it - another case of who knows! Anyway I am trying it right now - was instructed to take 8-10 of these tiny pills (apparently not meant to have the liquid version of it and it is better quality if from Germany/Switzerland) after rinsing mouth and before eating. Then another 8-10 approx 10 mins later and not to eat and drink for an hour. Then the same the next day - then nothing for a week and then do the same again. I have to report back after the first 2 days. Apparently it is meant to be great for fatigue and head injuries.

Lori I looked up your Provigil and that is also for keeping you awake. Is that prescription only in the US?

Jeffn - am going to buy some flax seed oil after I have finished with this Natrum sulph.

Lynlee

[RisibleGirl]

Lori I looked up your Provigil and that is also for keeping you awake. Is that prescription only in the US?


Nope. I have a friend in Australia that has taken it (she has narcolepsy). It's called modafinil over there.

I took it for the first time today, and I really DO feel a difference. You oughta see all the work I'm getting done (well, between reading this board and working.. ha ha). I telecommute 3 days a week and so those days I'm more free to keep up on the board.

I have found that I'm grinding my teeth more than usual- I'll have to see if that's one of the side affects.

[Curious]

some of the members on the pd forum take provigal. my dad does. yep..the teeth grinding and jaw clenching can happen.

here is link about the med.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a602016.html

btw...on the top right hand side of nt you can find a drug checker link.

[jeffn]

To Lynlee, Cool Let me know how the Natrum Sulp works for you. Need to google that one in never heard of it ?

Take Care Jeffn

[Lucy]

Jeffn - I googled it - natrum sulph as well. There were all sorts of "natrums". On one site I found that when talking about head injury it mentioned feeling like your brain is loose inside your head - that is one of my feelings and at the base of the brain. Sounded like it was great for you liver - so OK I will have a happier liver as a side effect! One hour later after taking it and I can now have breakfast - 11.30 am here. They are tiny little pills - kindl of the size of the coloured sewing pin heads.

Lori I am going to ask my doctor about the provigil - being able to stay awake all day and to not be distracted so easily would be wonderful - I don't think I would mind being addicted even though I have always been anti drug. It does sound like it is somewhat of an upper. I was given morphine when my blood pressure went crazy and my head felt like it was going to burst - I guess it litterally was going to - anyway for a couple of days I was like an energised mad woman - but oh so pain free!!!!

Sissy good luck with your neuor on Wedsnesday, hope there is something that works well for you!

Lynlee

[Lucy]

After being so hopeful nothing that I have noticed has changed - however I had been to that concert on the Thursday night which wouldn't have done me any favours. I have instructions to do the same thing again this week - so being forever hopeful I shall have another go then. If there is a miracle I promise that you will hear me yelling from over here!!!! Maybe if I fill myself with this, the omega 3 and the flax seed oil.................................

Lynlee

[owen]

The lyrica isnt helping. Its only been 5 days though. Im not sure if my doc will have me keep taking it or not.

Sorry guys. I was hoping id have something useful to report.

[Sissy]

Owen, thanks for the update. I just got back from my neuro and he told me to stop the topamax. I was on 25mg at night for the last six days and it didn't do anything for my headaches. Now it's on to 10 mg of amytriptyline and I hope it doesn't turn me in to a zombie, ha. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get rid of this awful headaches. Maybe you need to take the Lyrica a little longer, good luck. Do you have more migraine headaches or are they tension headaches?

[cathym]

I am really sorry about your medication. I've read all your post's and hoped you'd finally find some relief. I am new to this site but I wanted to thank you for what you've wrote in the past. I was injured in Feb. 2007 and have been in constant pain ever since. I have felt very alone and hopeless in regards to finding a solution to the horrible pain in the back of my head. I hope some day it will go away. Doctors, friends, family don't seem to understand that it isn't just a 'headache'. I have been to so many dr.'s, etc, etc, etc and nothing has worked. I just can't understand how there can be so much medical knowledge out there and still no answer or relief for this pain. Today my neurologist referred me to a Headache Specialist in a city 3 hours away (and over a snowy mtn). Hopefully, I won't have to wait too long for an appt. I am just venting. I am so, so sad.

[Sissy]

Hi Cathym, welcome to this site. So sorry about your injury! I hope that you will get some good help from the headache specialist. Those of us on here who are suffering from bad headaches are still looking for the perfect medicine. At least we can share our experiences and what works for one person might not do anything for another, so we all just keep trying to get better. Maybe we can help you with your sadness. Good luck to you!

[Dmom3005]

Welcome to the site.

I can't remember your name, thats one of my problems.

But I sure understand about headaches too.

Donna

[froglady]

Welcome cathym, sorry you have such headaches. I don't have them, just the memory loss and can't drive a car due to all the cognitive problems. Gaye

[froglady]

Welcome cathym. I thought I already posted but it isn't there. UGH! Gaye

[Sissy]

Donna, how are you doing? Sorry I was so hard on your husband a couple of weeks ago! Did you get your walking stick yet? I tried the Topamax, but it didn't work for me - at least it didn't make me dizzy - so now I'm on to Elavil and have to see if that works, grrr. I have been telling people all along that I need a head transplant - just haven't found the right donor yet, ha.

[Lucy]

I have seen my GP and he is looking into getting the provigil and trialing it with me. He had not heard of it in NZ, appologised to me as he had not!!! Is going to consult with his friend the chemist about bringing it into the country - would have to find out about the process etc etc - thinks it would be around $80.00 per week - I woudl just about pay anything to be able to stay awake all day. Even it I didn't take it everyday it would be lovely to have the option!. That is one thing I miss aside from being able to stay awake all day - I no longer have options - like I can't change my job - who would hire somebody who can only work 3 hours a day and needs a snooze in the middle of it. Any way I am now feeling somewhat excited about this - will be next year before I will know if we can bring it into the country but it is nice to have something to look forward to!!!!! Yeah = thankyou, Lynlee

[hurtsobad73]

Owen, thanks for the update. I just got back from my neuro and he told me to stop the topamax. I was on 25mg at night for the last six days and it didn't do anything for my headaches. Now it's on to 10 mg of amytriptyline and I hope it doesn't turn me in to a zombie, ha. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get rid of this awful headaches. Maybe you need to take the Lyrica a little longer, good luck. Do you have more migraine headaches or are they tension headaches?

I have been to a migraine specialist for my headaches. He too took me off of my Topamax, I was put on that initially for my seizures. So now he has me taking 480mg of Verapamil (old blood pressure med that is now used for headaches) and he told me to take this supplement called Migra-Eaze. You can find it on line. But since then and it has been probably 8-10 months, I have only had 2 major migraines in which was treated with Relpac. So that might be something you could ask your doc about.

Owen - I have been taking Lyrica for neurological pain, fibromyalgia and non epileptic seizures. It has been about 45 days and I feel good. It took about three weeks to feel the change, but it happened. Now if I can only get the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Seizures under control, I will be good to go.

Just wanted to share those thoughts with you two.

M

[Sissy]

Hurtsobad73, thanks for the advice! I don't think I have migraine headaches, just lots of tension. I have taken two of the amitriptylene (10 mg) now and feel drowsy today and my legs feel like jello - hope this will go away.

[Sissy]

Lynlee, I hope you will be able to get the Provigil and that it will help you. You definitely deserve to be awake all day - not too much to ask for this Christmas season - or any time for that matter! I don't have a job, so I didn't have to deal with that stress. Well if I had one, I probably would have lost it anyway. But honestly, I am so tired of myself and thinking of my head all day, so my plan is to look for some volunteer work soon. Take care and a good weekend to all.

[jeffn]

Sissy I've been using imitrex for the last 9 months, and they do controll the migraines for me. This is a preventive medication so you need to use it before the migraines starts. Very expensive without insureance, but it's a lot better then being in bed for weeks at a time.

You may want to ask your Dr. about this it might help.

Jeffn:)

[Sissy]

Jeffn, thanks for the advice! I don't have any of the typical migraine symtoms and so far I have tried two anti-seizure meds that also prevent migraines and they didn't do anything for my headaches. I have a lot of tension and tightness, like wearing a bike helmet that is too small, ha. I'm going to try the Elavil for a while and see if it helps. It's an anti-depressant, but is sometimes used for chronic headaches in a lower dose. I have good prescription coverage. Also, I have to eventually file with my uninsured motorist coverage. I do have a lawyer helping me and we are now waiting for me to get to the point of getting the headaches under control and getting all my medical bills in. Just nothing but a hassle!!!

Enjoy your weekend! I'm going to our local university's Christmas concert tonight. Should be really nice.

[jeffn]

Sissy you may want to re read the post on Barry Willer as there is some good information in regards to PCS and dealing with the insureance people.

From my experince I was doing ok at the 3 year mark and getting back on my feet and then suffered a major set back with the migraine headaches that put me in bed for almost 9 months, a word of caution.

Take Care Jeffn

PS I hope you enjoyed the Christmas show.

[Sissy]

I increased my dose of amitriptylene to 20 mg last night and today I am very drowsy and foggy. I don't know what is worse - getting up with a headache every morning or being all drowsy and not noticing the headache as much? Two of my friends who are nurses assured me that this med. should eventually help and not just mask the symtoms, so I am not giving up hope yet.

Jeffn, I know we will always be at a higher risk for the PCS to come back and also for developing seizures - not something to look forward to!

[mark_sp2]

Yes I know what you mean about the barf of fish. Get Natures Bounty Oderless Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fish OIL.

I take about four tablets a day and no fish oil belch or breath. You can check at Walgreens and also at Wal-Mart and they should have it on the shelf.

Also look into EEG Bio Feed Back to see if they can offer some help in retraining the brain to work better and get you on the road to a normal life.

Hope this helps, I am in my thrid year, fourth month of recover from the auto accident that occured seven years ago.



Hope this works for you! Keep us informed. I was given a message from a neurosurgeon to take double doses of Omega 3 Fish Oil - now everything I eat tastes like sardines, but I am willing to give it a try.

[Sissy]

Thanks Mark, I will look for the Natures Bounty fish oil. I had given up on it and switched to flaxseed oil because it was aggrevating my acid reflux - my only health complain before getting hit by a car (okay, maybe some aches and pains in the old joints from overuse, ha). I hope you continue to improve with the bio feedback. I might look into that if I am not recovered by the one year mark.