Mrs. Burschman

Paxil gives me night sweats. But it's also a miracle drug for me, so I put up with it. I'd rather be sweaty at night than incapacitated during the day! I'd advise patience, too. It might take a bit to make a huge difference. I hope it works for you! amy

Yep. Bug your congressperson's office. That's my husband's job! He helps people seeking disability and also veterans' benefits. That's their job! Every United States senator/representative has a staff dedicated to "constituent service," which basically means helping you navigate government. They have magic phone numbers that help get things done. Good luck! Amy

Corina, It's awesome that you got into a program -- and really inspiring that you're so excited about it! I think that bodes well for you improving. Congrats! Amy

I've been quite absent as of late, but I noticed that you are both celebrating your birthdays today. Congratulations! Eat a big piece of cake for all of your DINET friends! Amy

Thanks, you guys! I've calmed down from my panicked post this morning. I think it's probably a combo of power walking after a winter of just riding bike, being more sensitive to pain than others (possibly) and being really anxious. I'm waiting to hear back about a job that I had a second interview for, and I'm really stressed about it! But I certainly will ask about the Vitamin D too. I'm seeing my doc Wednesday. It's so nice to know that I can come here (even if I've been a bit absent) and find friends! I really appreciate it. Amy

Hi everyone, I'm sorry I've been a little absent as of late. I've been so busy trying to find a new job (while still doing my old one) that I haven't been here much. I hope this finds you all doing OK. I was doing really well until about a week or so ago. Almost overnight, it seems like I started being in pain. The worst is my shins (it feels like shinsplints) and my lower back. It aches really bad. I went to the doctor (urgent care, not anyone I'd seen before) and she thinks it's overuse from riding my recumbent bike. But that doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because I hadn't changed how I was riding it at all. I DID go on a power walk for the first time in a long time, which maybe could aggravate my shins, but I'm not sure there isn't something else going on. From what I've been able to tell, I do have a lot of the "tender points" they talk about with fibromyalgia. I have an appointment to see my regular family doctor next week, but I don't know if she knows much about fibro. Does a full-blown case of fibromyalgia come on that fast? I was fine two weeks ago. I'm just scared. I don't want to be in pain forever. Whenever I'm in pain, it's so easy for me to think that it will never go away, and that this is my new "normal." Does anyone have any ideas? Any words of encouragement? I just want to feel like I did two weeks ago! Amy

Good luck! It probably will take a few weeks for you to notice a difference if it's going to help. Be patient! Amy

I was sad about my diagnosis at first (like you said, who wants to be saddled with a chronic illness?) But now, I'm actually really happy about it, because it EXPLAINS so much. And I'm really glad to know that it's not psychological. That's a big relief to me! It will get easier. And we're here for you! Amy

Jennifer, I'm so glad you're doing well! I haven't been around as much, either. Too obsessed about politics at the moment and spending more time on other Web sites! But I'm happy that things are going well for you. Amy

(((Amy))) Thanks for the update. You're in all of our thoughts and prayers.

Happy late birthday!

Congrats, Morgan! I'm so happy you're (mostly) sane again! Sheesh. Amy

I have a hole worn in my chair at work where my shoe hits when I tuck my left leg up under me. I'm either sitting like that or cross-legged all the time. I've never heard of that causing health problems. Amy

I think it's mostly just which one you can tolerate best. I tried Effexor at one point (it's an SNRI -- a close relative of SSRIs). It gave me a migraine daily! Yuck! So I went back to Paxil. If I had to start over again, I'd try Celexa. Paxil works well for me, but the side effects are supposed to be the worst, and it's also the hardest of the SSRIs to get off of if you decide to in the future, due to its very short half-life. Good luck! Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

Prayers and love for Amy! I hope the hospital stay works wonders!

The migraines triggered by getting up to use the bathroom is interesting. Do you turn the light on? I'd think that going from dark to bright light in the bathroom also could cause it. A bad trigger for me is glare, such as sun reflecting off of something into my eyes. Amy

Happy birthday a little late, Willows! I've been so obsessed with the presidential election, I haven't been visiting as often. But I hope your day was happy! Amy

I've never had a problem with it. Just make sure the anesthesiologist knows! I'll be sure to tell him/her about my POTS/dysautonomia next time I have to be put under. Amy

It might have helped me somewhat WHILE I was doing it, but unfortunately, it didn't do much during the rest of the week. I quit doing it after a while. The doctor who helped me with biofeedback also said my readings were really abnormal, which I think would be expected with dysautonomia. Amy

Wareagle, Like you, I wouldn't mind doing the hydro again. It really helped. I had more or less six months without pain! Yes! If it got bad again, I'd do it. Right now, it's not bothering me enough to bother with it. It comes and it goes. It's hard to not get discouraged when it's bad, but with me, it's always gotten better. Sometimes I just have to keep telling myself that! Amy

(((Nina)))) Sorry that you're feeling bad! I hope the medication shake-up helps! POTSy bodies are so darn touchy! Amy

Sometimes it seems like if I get cold, it takes FOREVER for me to get warmed up. Like the rest of the day! And it's only 5 degrees out today. Ugh. Gotta break out the hot tea! Amy

Wareagle, Yuck! Welcome to the unfortunate club! Like Morgan, my problem is mostly with pain in my urethra, and some "yucky bladder" feelings. It comes and goes. It's always worse before my period. I don't know about the rescue installations affecting the ANS. I tried a course of them, but it didn't really help. Actually for me, the hydro itself seemed to help the most. It's almost like it overwhelmed the nerves in my bladder so badly, they shut up for a while. Also, drink water! Then drink more! I've noticed that if I'm really burning, sometimes just doing that can help. I wish I could help more. Just know that you're not alone! Amy

Congrats! Yay! Amy

Same here! I hope everything goes smoothly for you today. Amy