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BecB
30 Posts |
 Posted - 01/28/2012 : 13:42:24
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Hello,
Has anyone else had problems with flare ups when they are going off meds. I take a low dose tricyclic depressant for pain and now I am trying to get off of it and have more pain. I have lowered the dose and encountered the same thing. I have read Sarno, am doing the daily Wiki, and journaling like crazy. I know it will be a journey for me and not happen over night since I also started having panic disorder with the pain. I am really making progress but am struggling right now.
Thanks,
Becca |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2012 : 17:05:29
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Hi Becca,
I had low back pain for 15+ years. That is now past for me, but recently I also experienced some panic/anxiety that I'm working though, so I can appreciate where you are coming from.
One of the problems with with dosing your own meds is you know when you are changing the dosage. Then your mind plays all kinds of foolish games, like, "Oh, I've decreased my pain meds, hmmm, I wonder If I the pain will come back?". It may come back as a possible outcome, because you have the memory that you have decreased your dosage, and you have expectation (ok, Sarno would say fear) that the meds (not your mind) control your pain. Its hard work to break the mind conditioning that associates the fear of the pain with the pain.
One thing that worked for me was to not fight the pain. TMS pain is benign, there is no long lasting permenant effect of the pain, only the memory of it that brings the fear to you. So, if you fight the pain, then you are continuing to fuel the pain/fear cycle. Having no fear is also hard to get your head around, and it takes time and practice. So, if you are not there yet to be able to ignore the pain, then as a start try to just accept it, in the context that the pain cannot really hurt your body in any material way. The pain is real, but it is in your mind, and not caused by a physical abnormality, its caused by your brain.
No fear. Let the fear pass through you. Do not let the fear that comes in stay within, let it come in an pass though. When it has gone only you will remain.
Take care,
-Stryder |
Edited by - Stryder on 01/29/2012 17:09:41 |
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BecB
30 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2012 : 18:19:38
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Thank you Stryder! That is great advise. Not fearing the pain has been really hard for me. It is just so painful and the panic response is immediate. I am really working hard to break it. I am doing a lot better then I was but am still in the process. Thanks again!
Becca |
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wrldtrv
666 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2012 : 17:19:45
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| Becca, would you mind saying which tricyclic you are on and why you are going off it? I ask because I am considering one. Thanks! |
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BecB
30 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2012 : 18:04:04
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| I am on nortriptyline. I have been on it about 7 months and it has been helpful for me. Actually, I have had a lot more pain so I am not sure if this is the right time to make changes. I am only on a very low dose. I also have major panic issues and this med is perscribed for panic disorder and sleep problems too. |
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wrldtrv
666 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2012 : 16:25:27
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| Thanks Becca. I am considering chlomipramine, another trycyclic, but an concerned about side effects. |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2012 : 15:45:30
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Becca, wrldtrv,
Do either of you have any experience with the SSRI class of meds in general or Celexa in specific?
Becca,
Hope you are making some progress with your TMS and med dose reduction.
Take care, -Stryder |
Edited by - Stryder on 02/07/2012 15:46:09 |
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wrldtrv
666 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2012 : 17:03:11
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Hi Stryder,
Yes, I know quite a bit about Celexa (citalopram), as I have been on it a couple of times in the past. In my opinion, it is better than most of the other ssri's mainly because the side effects are basically nil. I never even noticed a sexual side effect, which is very common with most of the others. Also, it is generic so very cheap. My only problem with it was that it pooped out fairly quickly (after 1 1/2 yrs or so). That's not a big deal because you can switch to something else for awhile and then return to it.
I'm currently on lexapro, which is really the same drug as celexa, but supposedly more potent, eg, 20mg lexapro is equal to 80mg celexa, but I haven't found that to be the case with me. Both celexa and lexapro were almost identical as far as I could tell.
Why are you considering an ssri?
By the way, everybody is different. Our brain chemistry is different and what works for one person may not for another. For example, I am a weak responder to ssri's, which means, they work, but not all that well. Some people respond quickly and forefully and others don't respond at all. The truth is that for all antidepressants, not just ssri's, they are only a few percentage points better than the placebo! I have been told that the people who respond the best are those who have the most serious depression. For the typical mild to moderate person, the effect is harder to determine. |
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2012 : 16:44:09
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Hi Becca, Post back with an update on your progress. Take care, -Stryder
Why are you considering an ssri?
Hi wrldtrv,
Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts on Celexa (citalopram). My PCP started me on 20mg and a therapist one month ago as I was having middle of the night panic attacks, anxiety and related TMS-equivs. I agree with you that in hindsight its not clear that the meds are contributing more than the placebo effect, and although I'm improving its hard to know is it the meds, therapist, and/or the TMS work (that I'm doing more of). Maybe getting help from all three. I do admit that I've learned some valuable skills from the therapist that fit in well with the TMS work. I do agree that the meds are a bridge in the short term and not the cure (similar to Sarno prescribing pain killers in some cases).
Take care, -Stryder
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Edited by - Stryder on 02/20/2012 16:49:33 |
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BecB
30 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2012 : 14:43:33
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Hello,
I have tried several SSRI's and the one I have had the most luck with is a low dose of zoloft. I have panic attack issues and sometimes the meds cause me to panic more. I just tried to get off the zoloft and had a lot more TMS panic and pain so I decided that now was not the time.
I have had success getting off another med I was taking for pain. Everytime we start of stop meds there are mental and physical side effects, at least that has been the case with me.
Becca
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Artgal5986
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2012 : 15:01:29
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Becca-
Did you ever try Xanax? (You probably have, but just in case..)I used to have panic attacks and that really helps to calm your body from the fight or flight response. And it is not a drug that has to build up in your system. You take it as needed. I now only take it very occasionally if I need to go to sleep and I am too anxious. I also only needed a low dose of .25 mg but they have higher doses. But I definitely think the journaling is the key because you need to get in touch with the emotions that are causing you the horrible panic. I would suggest not changing doses of meds if they are working or you feel fine. I am sorry you are not feeling good. I understand your pain!!! Feel better!
Erica |
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Flare up when going off meds
