Shingles Pain Med
Ann, Are you talking about Lyrica? They gave that to my husband for his severe pain that could not be relieved even with oxycodone (large dosage) and I believe that messed with his nervous system and was the beginning of all his spiraling out of control healthwise. I told him to flush it down the toilet.
He is very sensitive to meds. Once took Ativan for something -- maybe pre laser surgery for the eye. Can't remember. But he was so loopy, he acted like he was drunk and kept saying I'M FINE. Scary. I know others who've taken Lyrica and had no bad effect. May be coincidence. But personally it was a Lesson for me. Every drug has side effects, we all know. After Paul's experience I went to the Web and looked up side effects for Lyrica. Paul had 9 out of 10. Some have 0. But we must all be extra cautious before taking a pill.
In the midst of *our* medical ordeal w/Paul I did not think to stop and check the Internet for information. I was wrapped in caregiving the man I love who was in constant agony for wks. Then he collapsed. Broke his foot. The Emergency Room. The brain MRI and every one worried about his head, not his foot. Of course! Then staying in the hospital. Going home alone. Walk the dogs. Feed them. Put out the garbage. Get back to the hospital. In the midst of a crisis, we don't think to do what has to become second nature for all of us. To check things out.
I was on my toes at the hosp making sure every one was following up as they should. That Paul was getting his meds (per usual -- for bld pressure, diabetes, etc.). Checking dosages. Dealing w/his pain. Dealing w/orthopedist, neurologist, internist, cardiologist. It was crazy.
But -- I have learned, before taking a new med to check it out carefully and consider the down side seriously! Knowledge is power. Forearmed is forewarned... An important message to share.
Sent with love... ANDI
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Andi BB
'95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive...
'98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!)
+ good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either...
Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...
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