When you sustain severe disabling injuries, anxiety and depression are common byproducts, especially if they result in chronic pain.
Does they have to be? No, of course not, but they often are.
A wise woman named Wanda once taught me "Grace, when a person says "but", THROW OUT everything they said BEFORE but, and REALLY listen to what they say after it, because THAT is what they care about."
I knew that as a result of my injuries and all that had transpired, I met the clinical definition of depression. I had anti-depressants suggested long before I conceded to trying them.
I didn't try them because I was convinced that if I just found the right dr. and got the right procedure, I would be fixed, get my life back et voila! Bye bye, injury and chronic pain-induced depression.
A.k.a. "situational depression" that in my case, morphed into clinical because of being left to rot in pain and unable to work, thanks to reprehensible work comp insurance docs who trade in their ethics for huge paychecks, doing immeasurable harm to injured parties who do not receive timely and/or appropriate medical care.
When injuries aren't addressed appropriately and in a timely manner, your body will not heal properly. This of course, translates into devastating, life-altering chronic pain.
At some point, I admitted to myself that a part of why I refused the anti-depressants, wasn't just because of my hopes to make a full recovery, but because I was ashamed both of being clinically depressed as well as the stigma of being seen as such by anyone who would have access to my medical records, or be in line behind me at the pharmacy, etc...because thanks to the unfortunate percentage of classless medical staff who do not respect patient confidentiality, there really is no guarantee of confidentiality and/or privacy.
It was not until I was blessed to become the patient of a tremendously compassionate young doctor, Dr. Crystal Campos in Corpus Christi, TX that I finally conceded. She reviewed my two spinal and one shoulder MRI's and then looked at me and said "I don't know how you even get out of bed."
I admitted my dread for going on an anti-depressant. She zeroed in on the fact that when I took my Neurontin (generic name "Gabapentin"), for my sciatica/nerve damage, it exacerbated depression, lethargy, and left me cloudy headed without ever fully relieving that type of pain. Hence, my nicknaming it "NEUROTTEN".
She said that there was a new anti-depressant
called "Cymbalta" and one of its great qualities
is that it helps to reduce neuropathic pains
caused by diabetic neuropathy;
and though my nerve damage was not diabetes based,
the pill couldn't discern the difference between nerve
pain from injury vs. diabetes.
Thus, if I took it, it wouldn't just help my depression,
but relieve my nerve damage pain.
THAT got my attention!
I still didn't like going on that type of Rx, but the thought of actually having my nerve pain well-managed without adding to the negative mental side effects, was something I couldn't pass up.
For those of you blessed to not have nerve damage pain, here's what it is like: You know how when you hit your funny bone, you get that reverberating pain that is tingly and numb and very uncomfortable?
Take that, multiply it by 1,000
and make it permanent!
Oh wait, add "burning sensation" too at times,
and then, only then, you just may begin
to get a clue on what
people with neuropathy deal with. ****
****Due to my nerve damage and symptoms, I have been the recipient of EMG testing at least twice that I recall. In a nutshell, it is a highly unpleasant test for people like me who me want good news, but don't get it. (More about EMG testing below.)
People, horrid nerve pain is just one of the MANY reasons that we all need to avoid becoming diabetics! It's up 90% in the U.S.! (WebMD)
I know first-hand that are many vicious cycles in chronic pain that lead to multiple health challenges.
One of the common byproducts of depression for many, is emotional eating and/or overeating. One of the common byproducts of injury and chronic pain is living a sedentary life. (Meaning little to no physical activity.)
This lack of activity not only perpetuates depression, but combined with it and emotional eating, will then create obesity. This of course, will lead to numerous dangerous health challenges such as an enlarged heart or other cardiovascular issues, hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes. All of which perpetuate sytematic systemic breakdowns that lead to a zero quality of life due to additional serious health conditions.
The great news is that I took the Cymbalta and it worked! I recall that I even lost 8 or 12lbs in the first couple of months thanks to it! An unexpected but very much needed good pill byproduct for a change! (This was several years ago.)
I don't recall exactly, but I think I took it for a year the first time.
During which, I began getting acupuncture from a really good chiropractor who after about 60 visits, got my pain reduced consistently and that got me back to my best functioning level in 2 years! (I also got chiropractic adjustments from him as he deemed necessary based upon my specific progress or lack thereof.)
I went on Cymbalta again for a second time after my second work injury left me with no choice but to finally have the invasive spinal surgery with fusion, I'd previously avoided successfully thanks to top notch acupuncture and chiropractic care.
Thus, if you prefer Western medicine and suffer situational or clinical depression that involves nerve damage/pain, please check with your doctor to see if Cymbalta's benefits outweigh its risks and is a viable option for your nerve pain and depression.
BUT, as importantly, KEEP READING
because on 8/15/15 I watched Dr. David Perlmutter's special on the brain on PBS and when he got
to the part about anti-depressants and their risks in women, it made me realize the need to update this page.
Also people, if you are clinically depressed, please, don't drink alcohol. That's like pouring gas on a fire...life's tough enough without adding to our own burdens!
I went years of not being able to drink as the rule so I lost my "drinking skills", (a.k.a. tolerance) but when you are obese and live a sedentary life, drinking isn't a smart option anyway.
Did you know that obese people get drunk faster than fit people? It's because muscle processes everything that we eat and drink, much more efficiently. Fat does NOTHING good to or for our bodies!
Spinal Trap: Back 2 Good is all about helping people to regain their best quality of life, as naturally as possible. However, this doesn't make me anti-Western medicine and/or taking prescriptions whose benefits outweigh their risks.
Though I can and do personally recommend Cymbalta for the dual purpose as discussed herein I want to stress the fact that many Rx's that appear to work well for our respective needs, often do not reveal the potential and/or horrid, sometimes irreversible damage, until a person has been on them for years.
Thus, if you are on an Rx for depression and/or anxiety that manages these issues well, that's great.
BUT, it may not continue to be a great thing and by the time you find out if it is going to be a bad thing, it may be too late to prevent new, bigger health challenges that result from such long term Rx use.
Dr. Perlmutter quoted this statistic
(from JAMA):
"Women taking anti-depressants are 45% more likely to have a stroke."
"Their risk of dying is increased by 32%."
Seeing these statements
made me grateful to God
for His leading me to Holy Basil,
which works ON DAY ONE!
Holy Basil (extract) allowed me
to discontinue my Cymbalta entirely
in early 2012 and I rarely take Xanax
anymore either as it has been
that great of a blessing
for depression AND anxiety!
(They go hand in hand; you have one,
you get the other.)
The bottom line is that we all have a responsibility to make choices that WE believe are for our best health.
For some this may be never taking a prescription drug or drugs.
For some it may be going herbal.
For yet still many others, it may be a combination of both.
If you know that you need to take an Rx
to improve your quality of life,
that's understandable;
but please don't depend on it for life,
if thanks to God and His herbs,
you don't have to.
Spinal Trap: Back 2 Good shares numerous self-help and other natural healing modalities that anyone truly seeking balance and peace can utilize. Prayer, music meditation, dark chocolate, etc...
Thanks to God, I SUCCESSFULLY manage my
anxiety and depression with Holy Basil Extract.
It has been the biggest blessing for which I could ask,
for these all-consuming conditions that
millions suffer, worldwide,
even without them being injury/chronic pain induced.
If you prefer a natural, effective solution, see below to visit my HERBS page to learn about the efficacy and blessings of Holy Basil!
EMG Nerve/Muscle Damage Testing
You get stuck with needles in various muscles and nerve groups to see if it hurts you. Which means, you can't/shouldn't take any of your pain meds and anti-inflammatory prior to, because it will skew the accuracy of the test results. However, do not take this as medical advice; you must listen to your doc about what Rx's to discontinue for it, not me.
Thus, if it hurts like hell and is unpleasant that's good news.
If it doesn't hurt, that's bad news, because it indicates damage.
So, it is a test that I have declined to take a third time because I consider it a lose/lose either way! Besides, I know my body. I know when something feels different, worse or better. If something worsens severely and quickly, then I would call my doc and request the test.
Based upon both my superior clinical training and closer than not to 12 years of pain patient experience, there is a lot of testing that should only be done when necessary for making pre-op surgical decisions and/or to determine if a medication is working and/or to view post-op progress.
Beyond that, in my opinion, I find the recommendations for some (too much?) testing, including repeat testing such as this (and radiological) to be overdone, especially if the above factors or anything else necessary to ensuring your best health, are not in play.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY NO TO YOUR DOCTOR
AND TO TESTING RECOMMENDATIONS
AND TO PRESCRIPTION PILLS.
JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE SOUND REASONING (not just emotions like fear) BEHIND YOUR NO'S.
When I said no to the last EMG recommendation it was because I already know that I have nerve and muscle damage and MORE IMPORTANTLY, that thanks to God I am well-managed with valerian root for nerve pain and my spinal cord damage spasms, magnesium malate for my muscle damage/pain and turmeric/bromelain for my overall pain/inflammation.
Thus, there was nothing that my doc was going to adjust or change if I had the test updated since I had taken myself off of Gabapentin and Baclofen (Rx for tramautic spinal cord injuries).
Therefore, I would have suffered greatly and for what purpose??? NONE.
I have suffered enough and never regretted saying no to that test.
Again, just as a doctor must have sound judgment behind their treatment plans and recommendations, you too need to have sound judgment behind your choices to do or not do what they recommend.
We all know what we don't know so if you don't know something pertinent to your best health, ASK so you know!
If you are not in the habit of asking your doctor probative questions, START.
Just as they have to ask you probing questions to make decisions for your best health, SO DO YOU!
When your doc recommends a test, ASK:
What it entails and why they want it?
Are they going to offer to do surgery or if needing surgery is already a foregone conclusion, do they need its results to determine the best procedure for you?
Do they need its results to change or even, (prayerfully!) discontinue your meds?
Recommend physical therapy or other prescription-based needs that improve your health or at least, quality of life?
PEOPLE, THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
"REQUIRED" AND "RECOMMENDED"
WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICINE AND MEDICAL VISITS!!!
If you get told that you "need" to get a test done
or you "need" to be seen to get a refill, ask why?
Don't be rude, suspicious or defensive,
you very well may "need" to do so because it is indeed required;
however, many times it may just be
"recommended" vs. "required" ASK.
Still unsure of the difference?
When you get your oil changed, many places recommend additional services but they are not required.
Ditto some of your healthcare situations.
(This same prinicple applies at the vet's too.)
ASK what the best case result will be if you get it done?
ASK what the worst case is if you don't have it done?
ASK what kind of treatment options or plans it will give them insight to if you get it done and if you don't get it done?
They should be able to answer you without being the slightest bit defensive. If they get an attitude with you, consider that a red flag unless they're normally kind, then overlook it, we all have bad days. However, if they are always condescending, then find a new doc because such a person is not able to be a true HEALTH PROVIDER.
Once you know all of the facts, then make a logical decision based upon your informed opinion.
If you still have questions, ask. That is your right.
ALWAYS KNOW WHAT & WHY WHEN IT COMES
TO YOUR PATIENT CARE BECAUSE YOUR DOC
MAY BE YOUR ONLY NEURO, ORTHO OR PAIN DOC,
BUT YOU ARE NOT HIS/HER ONLY PATIENT.
The good ones have a lot on their plates!
Though they are good,
they are still human
and can and do make mistakes.
Thus, the more involved YOU ARE
in your care, the less likely YOU ARE
to suffer avoidable issues.
YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON ON YOUR CARE TEAM!
For a clinical explanation on EMG testing, please click Mayo Clinic's link:
