One of my biggest problems with having MS is deciphering between a "real" symptom and other things in life. I often ask myself if what I'm feeling is MS related or just a side effect of living. Lately since I've started my new work out regimen I've been feeling some extra "symptoms". At my last neuro app last November he gave me a sample of Lyrica. A medication normally used for Fibromyalgia patients. I did some googling and found out that often MS patients also use it manage pain and help control our crazy nerve endings. This stuff has worked very well for me. I have only used it 5 or 6 times since Nov but I do believe that it has worked. I have considered that maybe it's all in my head and I've given myself the placebo effect but I think I'm ok with that.
Anyway, I started looking at all these forums of people who have been taking Lyrica and who have gained all sorts of weight, and are dizzy, and often very tired. So then I started to analyze myself and wonder if I've felt that. I start thinking, yea I've gained a lot of weight. yea, I have balance problems. and YEA, I'm ALWAYS tired. OH MAN IVE BEEN DEALING WITH SOME CRAZY SYMPTOMS!!
But then I turn off my crazy button, and realize I've only taken this stuff a handful of times. 50mg of this drug 5 times over almost 5 months is not grounds for excessive symptoms. But this seems to be how I look at almost everything. Is this a symptom? Is that a symptom of MS? Is my life a day to day symptom? And this, right here, is exactly where I get stuck in the middle of MS. How the shit do I know what is "normal" and what is "MS"? There are certain things that I know I didn't feel before my MS, and I mark those is the MS column. But there is some other stuff that happened before, or just started and I have NO CLUE what column to put it in. Its like I have three columns: Normal Life, MS, and Every Other Fucking Thing That I Feel Everyday. Sometimes I think the MS and the E.O.F.T.T.I.F.E. Column overlap, but who the crap knows?
I did this with the Betaseron when I was on it. Although I FOR SURE got night chills on it, there was other stuff that I'm just not sure about.
I feel like this is where have MS really blows. So often people think you're just making shit up, or that you're whining. And all I wanna do is punch those people in the face...but sometimes even I don't know where the line is. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm tired because I'm out of shape, or if things hurt because I don't work them out enough, or if I'm off balance because I stood up too fast....or....or....or...whatever. It seems like so often things could go either way.
I wish everything had a clear cause and effect. I'm so tired of blurring the lines. I'm so tired of not knowing if I'm right or if I'm just making stuff up too. Damn it body, get more in tune with yourself.
Side note: I do think that Lyrica is helping with my tingly feelings, the hot spots, and the minor back pain. It also really helps me in the cold weather with my legs. It basically tells the nerve endings to calm the fuck down, and stop firing. Its good stuff. If you have similar problems ask your neuro for a sample. I have also heard of people taking Cymbalta for this, but I don't really know much about it. The Lyrica website doesn't mention using it for MS, but apparently lots of people do. They often take higher doses and much more frequent than I do. But anyway if you have some crazy-ass nerves like I do, check it out.
