ISufferFromFlankPain.com

For the past few days I’ve been feeling like total crap. I’ve been experiencing depression, profuse sweating, severe headaches, chills, blurred vision, anxiety, dizziness and nausea. I feel like I’ve relapsed and am going through BW’s again. I researched Cymbalta and I think the afore-mentioned are side-effects of/from it’s use, so I quit taking it (yesterday). As it turns out, many people who are taking it or who have taken it complain of the same thing.

I would strongly recommend that anyone taking it or considering taking it talk to their doctor first. I’ll never take it again.

I’m going through benzodiazepine withdrawal. I should have about 2-3 3-5 days left of feeling sick and wanting to jump out of my skin. I really don’t know what’s worse: this or my flank pain. I can definitely understand why addiction is so hard to deal with. Regardless of your attitude/mental outlook, your mind and body are both fighting for equal ground on an already uneven battlefield.

I have a consult appointment with my PMS today at 1:30, to discuss my current options.

Update: My PMS put me on Cymbalta and Neurontin. I have a follow-up appointment in three weeks.

Update: I woke up on Saturday, the 21st feeling much better. I think the worst of my BW’s are over…

I changed my blog’s theme/look, hoping it’s easier to read/easy on the eyes — Please let me know if you prefer it’s former look.

It’s 11:09 AM, July 4th, and I’m trying to sit still. My pain feels like it’s come back full-force and I am so uncomfortable all I can do is sit here like an addict with a severe case of RLS. I have no concentration and can barely think enough to muster a paragraph.

I should note that I ran 2.5 miles yesterday. I feel like my pain has relapsed as a result. I hope I’m wrong.

The procedure I had done this morning is called Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation or Radiofrequency Ablation. The literature I received from the doctor defines Radiofrequency Ablation as a procedure that involves heating the tips of small needles which are placed into exact locations (usually to treat low back pain, leg pain, neck pain and headaches) using an x-ray machine (C-Arm Fluoroscopy). It temporarily or permanently interrupts the pain messages by stunning nerves.

Overall, my pain has dropped from a 6 to about a 1, but that could be from the local anesthetic. More to follow…