I need some help
on 5/3/12 7:57 am
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-approves-cymbalt a-for-the-management-of-chronic-musculoskeletal-pain-1067365 18.html
I know I sound like a commercial... I have no financial interest in it, though, really!

I used Cymbalta in the past for a different issue, and I found it to be quite effective. I don't use it now.
I hope you can get some help to feel better soon.
Kelly, if I think of something else, I'll message you. The only thing I can think of is medical buses that pick up people to take them to appointments and then bring them home.
But the pain thing it's so hard -- for me -- to deal with the mental aspects... the shame and the sense of being "bad" for taking a few extra. Part of me thinks that the doc should just tell me to go cold turkey and be done with it.
I've even been in the same position you're in.... I've taken my pain meds for the day, and so I look at my array of vitamins and pain meds, and I think to myself, WHAT else can I do? I had some anti-inflammatory patches from last year, and I thought I'd try them for a bit, since my stress levels are not nearly as bad as other times in my life. After my second dose, I knew my stomach lining was getting irritated and if I took even one more dose it would go from a pre-ulcer to an ulcer.
I do understand a lot of what you are feeling. I think you SHOULD re-schedule, and PLAN the trip with a map or otherwise empower yourself so that there is no way you can get lost. Even make the journey in advance wth your partner if possible, so you know the way. For me I have to face my PCP and talk to him about how I've been going against teh prescription (not by much, but it's still a huge issue in my mind).... so you have to face the issues that losing your way triggered for you, and perhaps by facing and overcomng them, you'll empower yourself. Just like my visit to my PCP.... he's a great guy, he has a lot of true human level understanding and compassion for his patients, and I KNOW he's not going to make me feel bad (I hope!) but it's still hard to face him. But I must do it if I want to get a better pain management regimen set up.
~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
If I had not just taken so much time off of work the past two weeks with my "anniversary" nonsense, I would come up and take you to Cleveland, but I already pushed things pretty far with my absences, especially after already missing a lot of time while in the hospital amd recovering from the elevated INR, nosebleed, broken bone thing in February.
Hang in there, talk to your therapist, explore other possibilities for doctors that are closer, and tell the little voice that is calling you stupid and undeserving to STFU!
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Make another appointment. Drive up the night before and stay in a hotel. Ask for specific directions for parking and landmarks to get you into their building/office. It will be well worth the money and will spare you tremendous stress.
Connect with your therapist - good move!
Take a big breath, square your shoulders, and be patient with yourself. Pain does wacky things to us. So does stress. Take whatever small steps you can...
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.