SNRI [sym*bal*ta], continued…

Went off the [sym*bal*ta] because VA doesn’t provide it and because self-pay it’s at least $250/month. So…found a Canadian pharmacy which is well established and very strict about the process…100 days of [sym*bal*ta] 60mg cost US$156!, shipping included! That’s $50 a month. 3 months bought at my cheapest Walmart would be at least double that.

So…will see if it helps with the neuropathy. The neuropathy definitely continues to ease off since I stopped the Z0c0r, and hope that once the [sym*bal*ta] kicks in I’ll see even more improvement in my functioning.

Still, no way I can hold a regular job (haven’t for years as I own a business) but working from home I can lie down whenever I need it. WIth the [sym*bal*ta] I could sit at my computer up to 2 hrs without needing to lie down. Hope I can beat that once it’s in my system over 6 weeks.

Also, decided to apply for Social Security Disability. Right now in the info gathering phase and it seems a bureaucratic labyrinthe for sure…but I still have 4 years before I can draw any SS or pension.

Not been writing here much because we’re trying to sell the house, help our daughter with her kids and run the web business 7 days a week. It’s up and down so one needs to keep at the ecommerce or the $ can dry up quickly. Once we sell the house and move to a smaller house and dont’ have to work so much I plan to begin writing in earnest about some of the themes touched on here.

Good Grief!!! [sym*bal*ta] is EXPENSIVE!

Too bad I didn’t do my homework before trying out the [sym*bal*ta]. My Doc gave me a month of samples, and I figured “maybe $100 a month”…ha! Even in some of the questionable on-line pharmacies (where who knows

if you’re getting the real thing) we’re talking almost $300US. As I own a business and pay cash for my non VA Rx — that’s out of the question now, unless I hit the lottery. I get almost all my meds from the VA(I’m disabled 20% for hearing loss) but they don’t yet cover the SNRI’s like [li*ri*ka] & [sym*bal*ta].

The [ce*lex*a] was helping a bit but mostly with the depression, though the  [ce*lex*a] side effects (tension, sleep trouble,bad dreams/nightmares) made me wonder if it was even worth it. With the [sym*bal*ta]I’ve been able to cut my Tr*mad0l down to 2 tabs midday most days, maybe a second 2 in evening if I’ve been physically active. That’s more than half what I usually take. It’s a damn shame that these drug companies profit exorbitantly from our pain, under the pretense that the $ helps them develop new drugs — yes, and pay those quarterly dividends and huge CEO salaries and golden parachutes. If anyone knows a reliable place for online [sym*bal*ta] that is cheaper, please let me know.

From the meds log: Progress w/[sym*bal*ta] & Neuropathy

Before I paste here my log (the one I keep for the Dr. so I can remember things) on the  [sim*bal*ta] trial, wanted to mention that I saw a dear friend who is a neurologist. He told me that the term’neuropathy’ is really not descriptive of anything, it just means pathology of the nerves; doesn’t tell anything about etiology etc. He said I have ‘post lumbar laminectomy neurogenic claudication’. This is more precise. It means that the source of the neuropathic (foot-legs) pain is at the lumbar area where the fusion is, usually because of spinal stenosis brought on when the fusion grows ‘too well’ and impinges into the spinal canal and thus the spinal cord itself. Thus the problem in the back shows itself in the feet or lower legs, causing mobility issues.

I know it doesn’t change a thing, but sometimes to name an enemy, to know who and what they are, makes it somehow easier to deal with them psychologically. But enough on that.

———-Quotes from OO’s meds log ([sym*bal*ta] trial):
Sept.2,2007: Heading into 4th week on [sym*bal*ta] 60mg SR.The neurop thy seems to have improved in that where before it would burn and I’d have to lie down after more than 30minutes on my feet, now it’s more a cold sensation. Feet do seem to be better but have not been on feet more than 3 hours (though that was much better as far as foot pain goes). Plan to test that when we do a trade show next week(on feet ALL day, that’ll tell me if my ‘change’ has just been placebo).

Affect seemed to lift after the second week. Alot less depression (still there but not as debilitating) having more ‘bright moments’. Libido greatly improved, probably from stopping the z0c*0r, starting [sym*bal*ta] & decreasing tram*d 0l. Sleep is still a problem though, wild dreams; Not supposed to take 5-HTP (Dr has concerns about Seratonin Syndrome) but it’s the only way I can get more than a few hours continuous and restorative sleep…

Re: Tramad*0l: Since starting the [sym*bal*ta] have gradually needed less and less trama d*l, but when I’ve been physically busy (working, bending etc) then I definitely needed 2 tabs Tramdl.

Immediate term memory still bad at times, can’t remember from second to second. Funny, but caffeine seems to improve this. Tried Choline but that seems to put me on too much of an edge, though it definitely helps the memory. Too much stimulant is bad for the heart meds & my managed AFib…sigh.I can improve my memory but then increase risk of heart complications — mmmm….