nadine

I did take this many years ago, but was switched to Klonopin--- longer acting for me. Most days I take klonopin just at night to sleep, but will take half pill sometimes during the day. Klonopin was just a better choice for me and actually helps my muscle spasms calm down as well. I don't recall any side affects that I had with Buspar other than some dry mouth.

thinking of you and your family---- wishing you all the strength you need right now

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melissa--- so happy you are home and to see your post. Rest and fill us in when you can, for now enjoy being in your own bed and space!!!

Somehow I missed this post the past couple days-- Congrats Amy to you and your family!!! Hope your soon feeling better and that you may have some additional help with the little ones for a bit. Take Care.

It sounds like anxiety/panic attacks, but I would discuss with your physician. For me Klonopin helps a great deal, it was better than xanax for me and longer lasting. Everyone is difft. When I was really sick with CFIDS the first time, the anxiety was real bad. I just couldn't understand what was happening to my body and had a hard time coming to terms with it all ---- therapy was very helpful. It literally was a matter of changing my thinking and forcing myself to continue to go out and do things, as horrified as I was to do that. It was very difficult, but within a couple months with meds and the therapy I was so much better. Actually, at the time I was terrified to just drive to the apts, which was so unlike me--- I drove all the time, everywhere-- so getting to the apts. was a form of therapy in itself. I am dealing with the anxiety issues again with this last 2 yrs. of illness. I think it is mostly in relation to never knowing how i am going to feel, my life being turned upside down, will I ever be normal again, and what seems like the never ending variety of symptoms and treatment failures, being dependent and homebound. I think with chronic illness- a state of some anxiety and depression is normal. I just try to get through it and meds do help. I just tell myself it will pass. I am good at distracting myself as I am home, will watch tv, music,relaxation tapes, computer game, chat with someone on phone, or just talk myself through it. I don't think you should feel guilty about asking questions or not giving enough advice. WE all support each other in whatever way we can. Sometimes by you just asking a question you are helping someone else.

Thanks again Emily for the time to update and I hope you are also feeling better.

Linda---- I am sorry you are having such a hard time getting the care you need. I know you have been feeling worse and not being able to get answers and care is more than one can deal with when feeling so poorly. I am not sure if you are familiar with the show "HOUSE," but my husband is always telling me--- " I want that doctor, maybe than we can get some answers." We laugh, as we know it is just a show, but many friends have said the same thing to me. They want to put me on Medical Mysteries or to be a case on HOUSE. I have been telling docs for 2 yrs. there is something underlying going on, things get worse, not better and I keep seeking answers. I won't give up, but it is frustrating to find a physician who wants to try and tackle the entire picture and not just a piece of it. In your case it seems if you have abnormal MRI's and labs- if I understood you correctly, than your PCP should be following that. Do you have a regular neuro that you have been seeing as well as your PCP? I may have lost some of the info here, sorry. I don't have any real answers, but I do relate in some way. I make sure I have reg. apts. almost monthly between the two docs I am currently seeing to make sure that the symptoms are evaluated for changes, even if they don't have answers. I also brain storm treatment options with them and the other specialists I see. The problem with that is getting them all to communicate. Doesn't always happen. Keep after that PCP ---- take care

You sure have been through a lot, glad you feel the apt. went well. Do you have family history of heart disease? What other meds have they put you on and have they made any other recommendations regarding activity, or cardio rehab of any sort. Not sure what you could tolerate in your case.

Amy-- Good luck to you -- glad everything has gone so well. Hope you have been resting as much as possible!

thanks Melanie for the update---- she will continue to be in my prayers

Glad you had a better day today and I hope the Cymbalta helps. I think many of us have been feeling quite low. My hope is that the weather with hold and help the spirits of some.We had major floods here for the second time in a year and it has been quite depressing -on top of everything else. The sun may not take away all the physical problems, but it sure helps mentally. I was able to sit outside and watch the husband clean up the garden area and go for a bit of ride-- that is a good day for me. Hang in there --- we will all lift each other up--- PS --- I am watching the Boston Red Sox play the Yankees and the Sox just scored 4 HOME RUNS In a ROW!!!!!!!!! now that makes me feel good!!!!!!!

This has been a major problem for me as well. Too many horror stories to tell. The must successful attempts have been done by nurses who were specific IV nurses - if you are fortunate enough to be somewhere that has them. The larger hospitals I have been to did have them. However, at my local hospital it's a nightmare, with the exception of one lab tech that was successful for blood draws. I then requested that she come for all future draws, if at all possible. They all get very frustrated and last time said "they need to do something, you need a central line " docs didn't want to do it. Just a nightmare. This has been a problem for several of my family members. When you say not a big deal- I have to disagree, some of my most painful moments have turned into painful hours of people trying to stick me!!

Within a week from my hearing I had paper work from the judge. Then in 3 weeks I happened to be reviewing my banking on line and noticed large deposit and had no idea Soc. Sec. deposit had been made. I still haven't received the paperwork from Soc. Sec. explaining the back payment or what the payback to insurance company and lawyers will be- so money is put away. I also have no idea what my monthly payment will be. I was told it can take 90 days to hear from them and that the check may come first. This is a little frustrating as you can't touch it until you know the actual payback to everyone. I guess if you didn't have a lawyer and had no insurances to pay back it would be completely dift. Anyway, within three weeks the money was in there.

Melissa- I was so excited to see your post when I logged on Things sure sound pretty rough, but I am thrilled that you had the chance to communicate for even a brief post. We are all thinking of you. I hope the transition home goes as planned. Take care and continued well wishes being sent!!

thanks emily

thanks Nina

Do we have a current address to send mail to? --- I think one may have beeen taken off for privacy? can't remember. Just wanted to say hello Melissa and continued thoughts and prayers to you!!!

Just wanted to say hello and sorry things are so difficult. You need to be able to vent these feelings and I hope it is comforting to know that the members here care. We don't all have the same exact health challanges, but we come here for information and support. Well, I should speak for myself, but that is why I come here. That support can often be just what we need on a bad day, even if there are no wonderful words or wisdom. Just a hello, we care. It seems so difficult to keep on fighting at times, but hopefully the encouragement and support here keeps us going. Take care.

This is something I deal with on a regular basis. It can be embarrassing. I frequently have to stop for a public restroom if we go anywhere and I have my husband hanging outside the door in case I don't come out within a couple mins. NOT FUN- I have to be careful not to try and wait to use the restroom as this brings on symptoms real quick for me and if I eat certain foods, it will also make it worse. I am thankful that it is usually just a real bad episode of presyncope and not a total faint! Some other things that help me are cold wet cloth on my head, leaning head down and often open window for air, even in winter- it helps some-

I get this all the time -- i think for me it is a combination of things, continued vestibular problem, but often feels like blood flow issue, med reactions also make it real bad

Glad things went well and enjoy your time with mom!! A little of mom's TLC can go a long way to making us feeling well again!

I am sorry you are going through such a bad time. Do any of your meds help for the pain you are feeling? Does your physician have any ideas to help with symptoms that you haven't tried or is something new going on? thinking of you and hoping you soon have some relief!! take care

Just wanted to add to the Congrats!!

great photos Nina--- looks like you had a wonderful time!!! More critters-- is this bird playing dead??? you crack me up---