Curtisd3
Newbie
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 49
Loc: Michigan
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I currently take 40mg Paxil, 2mg Xanax and 3 Soma a day. My PM appt. is tomorrow 2/18/04. Are these going to deter a doc from helping me? Most PCP would never in a million years prescribe something on top of these.
Thanks,
Curtisd3
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voyager
Old Hand
Reged: 04/17/03
Posts: 415
Loc: United States Virgin Islands
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It depends on what is indicated on your MRI report versus what physical complaints you manifest.
Let us know how it goes.
voyager
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Anglwink
Veteran
Reged: 04/29/03
Posts: 605
Loc: East coast
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well the Paxil & Xanax are for axiety, depression, the emotional stress, and not for pain, the soma is just a muscle relaxer so basicaly, that is the only thing you are taking for the pain. I also take an anti-depressant with xanax but it has nothing to do with my pain meds. Alot of pcp's believe that anti depressants help people with the pain. THEY DON"T and don't let them try and tell you they do. That is just an excuse for them NOT to treat you with something for the pain. Anglwink
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"Believe"
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manoman
Journeyman
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 54
Loc: Warm part of the Sun
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I guess it depends on what meds you are seeking.
If you are seeking Hydro, I would think any mention of depression could potentially gum up the works, since that's one of the contraindications for Hydro. I guess it all depends on your specific circumstances though, along with the Doc's opinions, and your records.
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Whatsnew
Enthusiast
Reged: 09/27/03
Posts: 205
Loc: S.E. USA
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If you are getting these meds from an OP, this could be a problem with many Drs. Take care,
D
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rainydays
Newbie
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 43
Loc: midwest
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could you explain further what you mean by, "gum up the works? " i am on effexor 150 and i am taking hydro for fibro....whats the contradictions?
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Julz
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/17/03
Posts: 222
Loc: NJ Shore
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rainy~
I think what Manoman is saying by "gum up the works" is that if you are taking Effexor for depression, and you tell your PCP you need something for pain, most likely your PCP will NOT prescribe Hydro for the pain, as one of the side effects of the Hydro could be depression- kind of puts you in a "Catch 22" of sorts. I would assume that your PCP would most likely prescribe Soma or something similar to it for the pain, something that is not an opiate.
JMO,
Julz
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Love never fails. 1Cor 13:8
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voyager
Old Hand
Reged: 04/17/03
Posts: 415
Loc: United States Virgin Islands
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I agree with rainy days 100%. Effexor is an excellent drug used to treat depression/anxiety and makes for an effecitve combo when treating pain because it DOES decrease the amount of pain that some people experience. 
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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I take the followings meds:
Lipitor, Catapres, Methadone, Trazadone, Elavil, Flexeril, Phenergan, Effexor XR, Rx Ibuprofen, and Diclofenac. I just went to the pain management doc yesterday (1st time) and was completely honest about my meds and medical issues (including that I was on the methadone maintenance program for 7 years) and they had no problem prescribing more methadone for my pain--so long as I stopped getting prescriptions from my PCP for the same drug and/or other narcotics.
Granted they had my recent MRI films (I posted the original interpretation, but found out yesterday that T7 is actually fractured...having surgery today in about 2 hours...) and so my condition justified narcotic pain meds.
In this case, I believe my honesty paid off.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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turcica
seeker
Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 312
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night shade, did I read your post right? You are having surgery in 2 hours? Do you have a laptop and posting while they are prepping you for surgery? Wow, you are a devoted DB member. Good luck with your surgery. Hope it helps your problem. turcica
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turcica
The only failure is not knowing how to be happy
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Sweetz
Diamond Mind
Reged: 05/11/02
Posts: 765
Loc: Texas!
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Good luck with surgery! wow, 2 hours, you ARE devoted! let us know how it goes/went.
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"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 461
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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Night_shade- YIKES! And to think we were just discussing chiro's and whatnot- imagine now your chiro pushing on THAT! Great Scott, girl! Do take care and good luck with the surgery!
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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Sabine
Newbie
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 35
Loc: U.S.
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I agree with Manoman about having an antidepressant Rx "gumming the works" for sufficient pain meds, though it is important to be honest with your MD about the meds you're on so that you can get the best treatment. It's definitely a catch 22.
Good luck to NightShade.
Sabine
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formerly "NewSimian" Registered 11/03
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catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 320
Loc: Midwest
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Quote:
could you explain further what you mean by, "gum up the works? " i am on effexor 150 and i am taking hydro for fibro....whats the contradictions?
I think that a lot of docs would think you are predisposed to drug abuse if you have a history of depression. Catmom
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If it's not immediate, it's not gratification.
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Curtisd3
Newbie
Reged: 01/29/04
Posts: 49
Loc: Michigan
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I had my PM appt. today, so this is an update to my post of yesterday. I ended up not telling the doctor about the medication I am currently on. I could go on and on about my reasons for not being forthcoming on this issue, but I won't. The doctor was an older Asian man--very nice, a little absentminded (he hooked me up to the manual blood-pressure machine then turned on the automatic one, left the room, came back and wondered why I had no blood pressure). I'll try what he prescribed and when and if they don't work, he's not the kind of guy who'd going to resist pulling out the prescription pad. He prescribed Flexeril, Ultracet and Elavil (he probably wouldn't have prescribed the Elavil had he known about Paxil) and also Physical Therapy. All in all, it was a good experience. I didn't really think he was going to prescribe hydro right off the bat after reading some posts about "lowballing" patients.
Thanks to everyone!
Curtisd3
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zoe11
Journeyman
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 87
Loc: Other side of the moon
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That's a really old-fashioned approach to pain. I'm all for the pain clinics. These docs seem to really know what's up. At least it helped for me. My pain doc completely took me off elavil. I've lost a ton of weight and feel great.
Anti-depressents are prescribed for pain because people with chronic pain are much more likely to experience depression than the general population. Anti-depressents also work on the pain centers in your brain. They don't take pain away, but they do help with some of the signs and symptoms of pain.
Bottom line though, if you are in pain, by all means find a doctor who will treat your pain. Ask for a referal to a pain clinic in your area.
z
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Anglwink
Veteran
Reged: 04/29/03
Posts: 605
Loc: East coast
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Quote:
rainy~
I think what Manoman is saying by "gum up the works" is that if you are taking Effexor for depression, and you tell your PCP you need something for pain, most likely your PCP will NOT prescribe Hydro for the pain, as one of the side effects of the Hydro could be depression- kind of puts you in a "Catch 22" of sorts. I would assume that your PCP would most likely prescribe Soma or something similar to it for the pain, something that is not an opiate.
Julz,
This is Not true, as I take effexor er 150 mg, xanax, and my pcp prescribes me hydro 10/500 3 x a day. Hydro only causes depression when you stop taking it all at once, but not if you are on maintenance. My pcp used to give me soma's but he won't anymore stating that they are to addicting (lol) and that the effects of the soma while driving, etc... are much worse. as I suffered with bi-polar depression for over 30 years and also cp, I have been to MANY Drs. and most pyhsciatrists belive that the physical & depression go hand & hand. So you need to work with both your therapist & your pcp...Anglwink
ps. I also live at the jersey shore.
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"Believe"
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kayleighbear
Member
Reged: 12/01/03
Posts: 101
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My pain specialist originally started me on Zoloft along with hydro and neurontin. I swear, I could NOT keep my eyes open. I'm talking, my husband had to stay home from work for 3 DAYS because I couldn't care for the babies!! It was awful. I went off the Zoloft and felt MUCH better. I do get really depressed at times because of the pain, but don't think I want to mix that many meds at one time.
I hope your meds combo works for ya. Keep us posted!
Kayleigh
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 924
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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I just want to let you guys know that Prozac 20mg a day does seem to help my meds work better or my brain distributes the chemicals better.
I am prone to depression; and years ago, when Prozac was the capsule du jour, I noticed that I was still crying, but my back felt a little better.
This time, due to cognitive therapy, I can manage my moods ...better... I'm sure there's improvement to be had, but... and I asked for Prozac purely out of curiosity to see if I was imagining that all those years ago.
Turns out I wasn't.
But- no more than 20mg a day for me or I get mmmmmmmmmanic, and I really don't drink anymore (remember poor Phil Hartman and his wife? Well, Prozac does kind act as a catalyst for many other substances; I don't care what Lilly says.)
That being said---
yeah, you are on trial with your responses at PM, and they have to be the ones to suggest pain psych help; it has to be their idea, I know you follow!  
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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