Long Time No Word.......

[PamelAnneCT]

Hello all! Been having a rough time, got down to 4mg had a horrible flare, back up to 7mg better but not wonderful and my depression and anxiety started kicking me hard. Long story short, my son took me to a psychiatric crisis unit (horrible place) because I was talking about ending my suffering. The crisis unit was useless, but my son and friends saved my life. I'm on Cymbalta now and adjusting well, feel better emotionally and hoping that it will help with the Fibro pain once I've been on it a while longer. My numbers are climbing, ESR is at 22 and CRP at 5, I'd stopped taking a natural anti-inflammatory and have started back. Fingers crossed my numbers will be better next week at my next blood draw. I have been seeing a neurologist for the neuropathy in my hands and legs/feet. I have axonal damage, the fingers that come off the nerves have decided to die off. No explanation why yet. I think this on top of the Fibro, Chronic Fatigue, PMR and GCA just pushed me over the edge. Hard to build a new life when you don't know if you'll be able to feel your feet and hands. Ah well, I could say 'this too shall pass' but I'm afraid of what it will pass into! Hope you all are as well as can be!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I gather the crisis units are generally a) horrible and b) not a lot of use unless you happen to arrive between 9 and 5 - and preferably not too late in the day!

I'm so sorry to hear your woes - and I do hope things will improve soon. Trying to reduce when you aren't ready can lead to far more than you'd think and you definitely have rather more than your fair share.

All the very best.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

PamelAnne, I'm so sorry to hear what a horrid time you have been having, but what a blessing to have such a caring son.  Hopefully the Cymbalta will not only help with the Fibromyalgia pain but also with the depression.  Although your ESR and CRP would really be considered within normal range for many people, if they have been lower in the past then your increase back up on the steroids will probably result in them being lower again  in time for your next round of blood tests.  I hope you will soon feel much better.

[Megams]

Hi PamelAnneCT

Reading through your post triggers me to send to you my special loving prayerful thoughts on this continued journey of utter frustration.

May brighter days be ahead and my secret in coping with my PMR and recent heart attack along with my deteriorating breathing issues plus neuropathy in feet brings me to live one moment at a time and pray for a better day tomorrow.

Much love & huge hugs xx

[PamelAnneCT in reply to Megams]

Thank you! That is how I'm living now.....all I can do. Does get frustrating. My prayers to you too!!

[Doralouise77]

PamelAnneCT , I am so sorry you went through this but so glad your son took control and got you the help you needed.  A few years ago I had my first introduction to Prednisone and nobody told me what to expect at all and I being so ill at the time didn't have the energy to look into this new drug I was taking.  Well I started to have suicidal thoughts.  I wasn't depressed in the least, but these thoughts would just pop into my head and tell me what I had to do..........so I did it.......took a whole bottle of hydromorphone.......it was all very rational......I picked the day, time, which daughter would be around that could handle it,.......and then I waited all night for something to happen and it didn't........ which annoyed me to no end to begin with and then I thought , well, for some reason I'm not don here.  So this time, my second time on Prednisone, when these thoughts started coming again, I knew what they were and I didn't listen, and don't listen, and emphasize that I am not at risk of doing anything.........but if someone had just told me what it does to some people.........to think that I might not be here today...........now that's scary........

Please keep well,

Cheers