Crushing Fatigue and Pain

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2004
Crushing Fatigue and Pain
31
Sun, 08-21-2005 - 2:45am

I have not been on this board in weeks. All winter I was doing tests and trying to find the best solutions for my Crohn's and the crushing fatigue and pain from my waste down to my ankles. The miracle drug Remicade that I had fought for so long, that my insurance denied me four times, has not yet helped me in any appreciable manner. Actually I was able to get off my other Crohn's drugs and finally the prednisone so maybe it has helped the Crohn's symptoms. But I was left with the arthritis pain, the spine, hips, legs, knees (oh god, the knees) and ankles and oddly my wrists. The fatifue from the constant pain, the Vicoden, the Tylenol (with Crohn's I am very limited in the anti inflammatories I can ingest) was making my life a non life. I felt like staying in bed all the time. BUT I have a job Monday through Friday, I am my sole support, my grandson is 6 and I have had him often, with my son courting his second wife and planning their marriage and now honeymoon. I could not continue as I was. So I started on 10 mgs of prednisone again, to get through the wedding in California where the girl's parents live (we live in Seattle), the time and attention needed for my grandson and meeting all the new people, seeing my own family again who lives in California.


So I am back on the prednisone and also was prescribed Wellbutrin which was really helpful. My god, I feel so much better! I have even lost 15 of the 25 pounds I gained over the winter because Wellbutrin leaves me with no appetite. I actually feel like doing things again and I need to feel like that because I am moving in a month to be near my son and his new wife's new home so I can continue to be a part of my grandson's life and the new babies that will come.


I am just venting here but maybe someone will get something from the Wellbutrin thing. I know all these drugs are so individual. One will help one person and not another. My biggest disappointment was the Remicade. But as I said, perhaps it has helped my Crohn's symptoms as I rarely have them, only occasionally.


I had been so depressed over the winter, losing my body shape, losing my energy, losing hope. And now I have come to terms with the fact that I may never get my body shape as it was but it can be better and it is. I may never feel like I did, never have that energy again. But I am better than I was last year at this time. It has been a year this month that I had my first huge Crohn's flares and was hospitalized three times and found my wonderful GI doc who has helped me so much. He is the one who said Wellbutrin has shown to help Crohn's.


Maybe I am on the wrong board here. But I like you guys on this board so hope you don't mind hearing me rant again.


Going back to bed now.


Donna
Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Sat, 08-27-2005 - 2:02pm
Rosemary, I'm a fan of Amazing Race too.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Sat, 08-27-2005 - 2:13pm

I think I like Howie because he's so "out there".

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Sat, 08-27-2005 - 2:15pm
Donna, how are you feeling these days?

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2004
Sat, 08-27-2005 - 3:33pm

I agree about Howie. Guiless is a good word for him.


I am on my way to my grandson's 7th birthday party celebration (already had a mini celebration on his real birthday which was Wednesday).


You gotta get a Tivo. I can record two shows at the same time and watch one.


Donna
Donna
Avatar for donnaldy59
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2001
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 9:03pm

Thank you Donna.

Avatar for donnaldy59
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2001
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 9:05pm

Hard to tell Molly about the Humira - after getting the shot in my finger I have been feeling great - no more hand pain.

Avatar for u_s_limey
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 10:17pm

I voted for Kaysar too.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 1:58pm
Donna, I would imagine it would be hard to tell which one helped your hand more

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 2:10pm

Sue, it's amazing what you find when you channel surf.

Molly

Avatar for donnaldy59
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2001
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 7:30am

Thanks Molly for the tip using Sarna!