Dear Friends, I'm at my wits end. Ever since my doctor changed my migraine prevention (due to $$$), in the past few weeks my headaches have gotten worse. I was on Topamax then changed to Propranalol. She has me on Celexa for depression. I'm maxed out on both meds. My depression is getting worse, I feel like nothing is working right. I have so much going on in my life and not much is going right. The headaches are horrible, I'm nauseated all the time. My left shoulder is still frozen and I can barely use that arm. Can't afford therapy or rehab. I don't know what drugs to suggest to my doctor, or what else I can say or do when I see her Fri morning. I'm so tired of living with this constant pain, nausea, and depression. Its not me and the person I used to be. I'm still fighting for disability. I welcome any and all suggestions for help. I'm at my wits end.
In search of help and peace,
Tee
Need advice on chronic headaches & depression from my DC family?
- Posted:
- 6 Sep 2012 by Tee6759
- Topics:
- celexa, depression, migraine, neurologic disorder, headache, migraine prevention, pain, generalized anxiety disorder, frozen shoulder, anxiety and stress, chronic
Responses (8)
pledge6 Sep 2012
Hello Tee. Sad to read that you are still having such a time off it. Not certain about the headaches, others members might have an answer for you in this area. In regards to depression, I am thinking along the lines of Remeron/Mirtazapine. I believe that its more suited for your type of illness, which I believe is Secondary Depression. Take heart, (easy for me to say) for things have thier way of turning around. I am a firm believer that once the drug or combination off drugs is found, you'll be feeling much, much better. Regards pledge
mdwag6 Sep 2012
There are drug companies that can help with your medications. Ask your doctor or pharmist to help you get in touch with the company the drugs you need, come from. Most of them can be found on the Internet. Sounds like you have your hands full. Everyone that is in this group know what you are going through, we have all been there. They have medication for nausea, make sure you pen it down which medication is causing the nausea, or is it coming from the headaches? I use to throw up none stop from the migraines I use to have. Most of the migraine medications are available straight from the companies they come from or they will give you prescription discount cards. Topramax is now in generic form. Make sure you ask your doctor for sample. Cymbalta has been know to aid pain and depression. I also went on a coupon place and they offered a large discount on Cymbalta. Your doctor should be able to help you find a pain med. that works for you. Be open, tell the doctor exactly how you feel. Doctors can't help if they do not know how you feel. Good luck, hope I have helped.
Tee6759
6 Sep 2012
Yes Mdwag, you've helped a lot. The nausea seems to becoming from the headaches. Plus there have been changes in some other meds. Thank you for all your support and suggestions.
In peace,
Tee
kaismama6 Sep 2012
I looked up the price of the generic topamax and there is a huge difference in price. Do you qualify for medicaid? The would not only help with meds, but they also would help with the therapy you need. Effexor comes in generic too. Have you tried that? There are also other places to get help with meds besides the manufacturer. If you strike out with them, there is the partnership for prescription assistance. There is also freedrugs.com.
Tee6759
6 Sep 2012
Dear Kaismama, I don't qualify for Medicaid. I am checking into the options you've mentioned. Thanks for all your support. It means a lot!
In peace,
Tee
pbandami
7 Sep 2012
Hi Tee, I forgot something after I initially read this post, but since May of 2009, there has been a generic "brand" producing Topamax (topiramate) named TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. In study after study and in questioning doctors, it has been shown that the TEVA generic brand topiramate has a much higher efficacy rate than any other generic brand. I know you can not be demanding in getting the medications you need, but keep this in mind when you get a doctor to write you this script that he/she note on the prescription that the TEVA manufacturer be used to fill the prescription. If a pharmacy gets a prescription that lists a SPECIFIC generic manufacturer, they have to fill it with that "brand." Some insurance companies may balk, but it is the same price as the other generics and it works much better, no matter the condition for which it was prescribed. My topiramate is prescribed for seizures and as a mood stabilizer, and for me, it controls those two conditions better than other generics.
All the best,
Philip
pbandami6 Sep 2012
Tee - MY thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult period for you. As for your disability quest (and believe me it is a quest - not wanting to scare you, just being realistic up front), you have to have patience and perseverance. Social Security is a federal bureaucracy that defines the term bureaucracy. You should not attempt to venture those black waters alone. So if you do not already have it, find legal representation. And if they are an experienced disability attorney, you pay nothing up front and he/she ONLY gets paid if the end results in you being awarded your disability benefits. Hopefully you can get that issue to someone else.
All my best, Philip
Tee6759
6 Sep 2012
Dear Philip, thank you for your words of encouragement. I definitely have an advocate helping me with my claim. I wouldn't dare venture into something like this without legal advice. I just hope things will turn in my favor. Thanks again.
Peace,
Tee
pbandami
6 Sep 2012
I am so glad you have an advocate in your corner. It takes some of the stress off you and you have someone working for you that knows how to navigate the Social Security Byzantine rules and regulations. And like I stated before, it takes patience and perseverance - and I know that is difficult when it seems Social Security is arbitrarily withholding a lifeline from you. Keep me posted. Philip
WildcatVet6 Sep 2012
Hi, Tee! Seems you and I are in a similar situation - in my case it's what symptoms are caused by MDD, which by hypothyroid, which by my meds cocktail, which by sleep problems. It's just plain frustrating and, yes, depressing!! Everyone has given you a lot of very good advice and I hope it's helpful. All I can add is please try to perservere. It's so hard to find just the right balance, but it's so worth it. I hope you'll try for disability - my psych helped me apply (without legal assistance) and not only did it get approved immediately, but they back-dated my payments to my last date of employment and gave me an extra $20K. That alone helped so much by relieving my financial worries. The presciption coverage has really helped too.
I do hope you find your peace and comfort - you have some great people here rooting for you! DrWildCat
Tee6759
7 Sep 2012
Hey DrWildCat, thank you for sharing your experience. My advocate is trying to get my SSDI backdated to when I last worked. That would be 15 months ago at this point. I can only hope it works out. Thanks again for your support.
Peace,
Tee
butterfly...6 Sep 2012
Tee,
I am sorry you are still dealing with ask of this. I can't remember if you have tried Cymbalta or not but it might be a good option for you. I have all the patent assistance contact info if you want to call the manufacturer.
Also make sure to tell the Dr. that you have NO insurance & you need generic medications and Any Samples she might have so you can try the medication to see if it works. Also my drs. will alot of times give me samples monthly on any of the medications they have in stock.
But almost All of my medications 20 different ones I get free thru patient assistance programs. So if there are some medications you take let me know which ones & hopefully I can help.
As far as the migraines go I use the Zomig nasal spray & it usually works pretty well. And for the nausea I take the generic brand of Phenegran & it is cheap & works Great for Naseua.
How you feel better soon & send me a PQ if you need any patient assistance contact info.
Take care my friend my thoughts & prayers are with you, Kathy
Tee6759
9 Sep 2012
Dear Kathy,
I can't begin to thank you for all your support and encouragement during my ordeal. Your letters have given me strength during a very difficult time. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are such a ray of sunshine!
In peace,
Tee
butterflylynn
10 Sep 2012
Tee,
You don't have to thank me I am happy to help a friend out anyway & anytime I can. And you are so welcome & I am glad that the Dr. is making adjustments.
Talk to you soon my friend & as always you are in my thoughts. Kathy
sara123456 Sep 2012
1) First, I think that you should try to get back on the Topamax which apparently helped you more with your migraines than the Propranalol. Also look for the programs mentioned above to help with the cost.
2) I swear by my Butrans patch for my severe migraines. I haven't had to go to the ER once since I raised it to the middle dose. But if your doctor is willing to prescribe it, you should start at the lowest dose which is 5 mcg.
3) Effexor for depression. Your Celexa is not helping you enough. I was severely depressed and nearly suicidal over a year ago due to my constant migraine pain and the little that I could do. Just increasing my Effexor without any therapy, completely took away my depression 5 weeks later. I was so astounded because I told the doctor that my depression was entirely situational, which it was, but the Effexor took away the depression!!
Tee6759
9 Sep 2012
Hey Sara,
Thank you for all the information. I've been on Effexor before and it didn't do very well. I've pretty much been thru the whole list of antidepressants. Celexa is pretty much my last choice. I do take Zofran, it helps my nausea with my gastroparesis. That drug works wonders! Thanks again for your support.
In peace,
Tee
sara12345
9 Sep 2012
Tee,
Thanks for your response back. Means a lot. Don't forget about the Butrans patch which helped my migraines a lot.
Sara
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Dearest Pledge, I can always count on you for suggestions and compassion. I'm already on Mirtazapine as well as the Celexa. I'm not sure how things will go tomorrow. I just know things have to change. Thank you again for your words of wisdom.
Peace,
Tee
Very good Tee. Be well and I hope you feel better and soon.