Antidepressents?

    • Anonymous
      April 5, 2010 at 10:57 pm

      Ever since I have joined the forum I have noticed a lot of doctors prescribe a variety of antidepressents to us. I am wondering why – do they have an actual effect on the GBS, do they help the pain, or do they just help us get through the days (which can be difficult). I am seeing my neuro on Friday and am interested in your input, thoughts and reasons. I am still on a LOT of pain meds and would like to reduce that cocktail a bit.

    • April 6, 2010 at 8:45 am

      Certain anti depressants do help with pain. I know that cymbalta does and I think Elmo might be trying Elavil, search his name and you will find a recent post by him that says the name. There is another one that someone has recently mentioned, can’t remember who or which one, maybe someone else will remember. Savella is what comes to my mind, but not sure.

    • Anonymous
      April 6, 2010 at 9:49 pm

      I happen to be on both Cymbalta and Elevil right now. My Dr. said the Cymbalta helps with the pain. Ive been on it for a long time now so I dont know if I would be in more pain than I am in now. The Elavil is OK, but the combo makes me super tired. I forget to take it some nights though.

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2010 at 1:16 am

      Anti-depressants prescribed to treat pain are being used off label.They may or may not work. I found none of them did for me but boy did I get horrid side effects. If your pain is moderate and/or persistent then try whatever will help.

      Since I’m in pain I can not tell I’m on pain medication. I don’t “get high” or feel sleepy. It helps me get what I need to do done in my house or errands. Don’t suffer in silent pain.

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2010 at 8:11 am

      Hello! I find I am “weepy” at the end of days when I have pushed myself too hard. I choose to not be on meds because I want to know what my body is telling me. If I pushed too hard, I want to know. My thinking is that’s going to speed my recovery (and pushing too hard will hinder it).

      However, GBS is a pretty major life change, which can cause depression. It’s isolating. And, especially in the beginning, it’s hard to get exercise (which alleviates depression).

      Spring is here and summer is coming. If you can hold out until the fall, sunlight can have a huge impact on existence of depression, so you may find you won’t need meds during the spring or summer.

      Also, I was able to go off ALL meds when I discovered I had an allergy to
      c o r n (non-existent before gbs!). You can’t imagine how much pain this food allergy was causing!! And almost all sharp pains went away when I eliminated corn from my diet. I know of another person who was able to alleviate pain by taking a vitamin d supplement.

      Be careful w/a “western” philosophy dr. They prescribe meds for everything, and sometimes don’t look at the whole picture!! You might also want to see a naturopath.

      Best,
      Gale Force Winds
      2 years into recovery
      Jan, 2008 in hospital
      Had slow onset (21 days), and a slow recovery
      Feeling 75 – 80% recovered
      (and hoping for the other 25%!)

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2010 at 3:21 pm

      Hi GFW, I was slow onset (3 weeks, 2 days) and I feel like I have taken a long time to recover, too (especially since my case was mild). After 1 1/2 frustrating years with traditional docs, I found a doctor who practiced integrative medicine. She took me off gluten and dairy after an elimination diet. At that point I was incredibly discouraged with the pace of my recovery. 6 months later I discovered a corn allergy. Several medicines were making me sick. My recovery the last 10 months has been fairly rapid, but I still am not 100%. The corn allergy is so difficult due to labeling laws. Just saw the doc 2 weeks ago. She thinks I definitely have celiac, but there is no way to test for that now. What allergy tests did you have? My diet is so restricted. I feel human again, but wonder if these restrictions are forever? Any advice? I would hate to chance another bad illness. My pediatrician (who is very familiar with food allergies) told me to avoid the foods, regardless of whether I have allergies or celiac. Both compromise the intestines and overall health. I’d love to have a soda. Do you know of one without corn? :confused:

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2010 at 3:23 pm

      oooops, did i just hijack a thread…..didn’t mean to change the subject, sorry!

    • Anonymous
      April 8, 2010 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks to you all who replied. I have gone on a gluten free diet since coming home – it is helping hubby far more than me. He has had gastro problems since childhood and when my lupus sister suggested gluten free helps auto immune (it has been life changing for her) I tried it. Imagine my surprise that hubby stopped having IBS, nausea after eating and falling asleep in the middle of conversations. So, gluten free is the way of our house now – I so miss bread! Anyway, I digress. I took Celyxa (sp?) years ago and it helped me through a bad time, but haven’t considered it since. But I am soooo isolated. I can’t drive or go anywhere without an escort. I rarely go outside by myself. Oh, how I’d love to just go out on my patio and have a cup of tea but I have to have help getting there – can’t carry a cup of tea and use a walker. I am so unsteady I am afraid to walk in my backyard if no one else is home. I get so much peace from being outside, got to figure out how to overcome the problems getting there. I think the sunshine would be so much better than more chemicals!

    • April 8, 2010 at 2:19 pm

      Cathie, I am going to come to Arizona and help you on your patio, but I am staying!! Can you get out there without the tea? Maybe you could just have your husband put one of those tea sun jugs out there for a couple of days. What about a thermos bottle that has those hook thingies on it and put it on your belt or walker. I bet that sun (vit D) would be awesome for you!

      About the diet, we removed sugars (about 80%), best we can do, cow dairy and chocolate (allergy) and it too has made such a difference. Regarding your husbands gastro issues, candida is a huge cause of that and just by removing the gluten, you could also be starving yeast. Kind of a bonus. Gluten free is part of a candida diet. No beer either!!