So, I called the Dr yesterday about still being in pain. The Relefex
they put me on makes my poor tummy cramp beyond belief as well (and
doesn't help with the pain anyway)
So, they said stop taking the relefen, and called in a muscle relaxer
for me to take at night to "help me sleep". The problem with THAT is, I
don't want to be knocked out at night! The baby still gets up 1-2 times
a night, and after Saturday night, I can't depend on DH to get him,
because DH's gotta go back to work.
I'm so confused. I guess I'm going to call again tomorrow, just to
clarify (the assistant just left a message, she had my pharmacy number
already), But I'm really confused as to how "keep taking your zoloft
everyday" is going to help with the pain?? It hasn't made a difference
ever (I've been taking it since 1wk PP....for PPD, they just upped the
dose last week..saying it would help, and it's not), so I don't know
why it would now.
Shouldn't I get something for daytime too??? Doesn't seem fair that I
have to sit around in pain until Dec 5th. At the moment I HAVE
painkillers, I got hooked up when I left the hospital (but, I'm taking
them, because I still have a KILLER headache!!! Oy....and the bruises I
have from hitting the kitchen floor, OMG!!), but I don't have enough to
last me until Dec 5th.
I'm so awful at asking for pain meds. I know I shouldn't hesitate, but I do. I'm such a wimp.
Hmmmm....Maybe you need something besides Zoloft. The idea behind upping your dose is that meds like that kick up the levels of seratin(umm..I don't think that's right..sorry) basically the "happy" chemicals, which also aid in...well...sort of tricking your brain into responding more to those chemicals than the ones for pain. Its weird, but it makes sense, I swear. But maybe Zoloft isn't it anymore. As far as the sleep meds go...I'm not sure. You don't want to be knocked out, that's true. How tired are you? Maybe you really don't need sleeping pills, I mean you DO have a new baby and new moms just don't sleep that much. If you really are that sore and tense from everything, a muscle relaxer most likely WON'T knock you out, it'll make you feel normal. Just like people who take pain pills are afriad it'll knock them out, if you're really in pain it just makes you feel better. Talk to your doc about all of this, make sure he REALLY knows how your feeling about the medications.Yeah, he mentioned amiltryptiline (I know I spelled that wrong) as
another option besides Zoloft....but that gives me WICKED headaches. (I
was put on it as a prevenative for my migraines summer 2005, it was
AWFUL. I also slept 10-12hrs and had problems getting up in the morning)
I really like the "happy" effect Zoloft has on me. I figure if I'm not
mad at my mother, it's really working! It just doesn't seem to be able
to "trick" my brain. I'm not willing to up the dose anymore...I think
50mg is my max. I'm so little, I don't like to take high doses of
things like that, I'm always paraniod of the side effects.
I guess I will try the muscle relaxers. I didn't go pick them up today,
I'll probably do that tomorrow when I'm out and about. I have some
flexeril that I took this evening, but it's not really having any
effect on my pain level.
*sigh* I'm not really that tired.....I guess I shouldn't have said I
don't sleep very well when I saw him. He seemed to think it was because
of whatever I have (he's thinking Fibro....the Drs at the ER Sunday
night thought RA was a better diagnosis..I don't remember WHY they said
that, just that they didn't think I had fibro) I have a hard time going
to sleep, but that is partly my fault, because I dread waking up (and
being in such awful pain)
I'm really annoyed that they think muscle relaxers are the anwser until
I see the Dr again on Dec 5th. That seems like a long ways away!!! The
assistant also said to not take any ibprofen, just don't take anything
but the Zoloft, and the muscle relaxers at night. So what, I'm supposed
to run around in agony for 4 more weeks? Ugh. I hate all this. I'm
hoping my labs have something in them...the results should be in soon.
Why can't you take any Ibu? I'd be calling back and asking about that one. That seems a little odd. If you have RA, you need to be taking SOMETHING to help control it, whether its working 100% effectively or not is another issue. But the worst thing you can do is not take ANYTHING. I also don't understand why he is only giving you one other option besides Zoloft. There are HUNDREDS of meds out there like Zoloft, and some are much safer and more effective. Do some googling and see if you like the sound of one, and ask him about it. I was on Lexxapro and LOVED it. My best friend always used Wellbutrin and that was perfect for her. Try the muscle relaxers, but make sure someone's home with you, just in case. :) Perhaps the reason they are so stingy about your meds is because they don't have your labs back yet. And I can understand that, but that doesn't mean they can't change your Zoloft. That should be counted as an entirely different issue, in my opinion. PPD is a form of depression, and I'm sure you've seen the commercials "Where does depression hurt?" "everywhere" that very well could be part of why you are so achey and in pain. I see no reason why they can't juggle some things in that area, to see if they get a good response out of you. I know you said you're wimpy when it comes to demanding pain pills, but think of it this way, you're not demanding pills, you're demanding your LIFE back. And you deserve it. Give them a call tomorrow and ask 80 million questions, until you are comfortable with the answers. Good luck!
There are other options for pain. There are pain patches available that will not knock you out. They don't work for everyone. But they like to use these for people who need to drive, students who must study, etc.
I think being worried about a new baby is a very valid reason to be picky about what they are giving you. Just push and say you need something but not something that is going to keep you from being able to respond to your baby. Otherwise, they are being irresponsible.