So miserable and sad

[Mynamegoeshere1]

I went to my first ms specialist and he was changing up a lot of my meds related to the severe pain that I'm having with my ms. Right after that, my first ms medication, copaxone, started giving me a lot of issues and I had to stop usage of it. I'm so miserable right now that I'm not even wanting to get out of bed. I feel so weak that I can barely pick up a glass to get myself a drink. I'm in so much pain that I'm afraid to get up and move around, and that only adds to the extreme depression that I've always had. My legs are like rocks if I try to walk just to the bathroom and I can barely move. I just don't know what to do. I'm pretty new at all of this as I've only been definitely diagnosed since October. Any advice?

[BigA]

You're newly diagnosed and it can seem overwhelming. Your body is still healing. Make sure you get plenty of rest, but also try to do something to address your mood. Even though you are stiff, try to walk around a little in the garden.

Everyone is a depressed at the beginning and it feels like you got old overnight. But it does get better but you have to push just a little.

Although you are afraid to move, keep moving as much as you can.

The best things I can recommend are these:

1) This website
http://www.overcomingmultiplescleros...MS/What-is-MS/

2) These meditations for pain. They have been doing them at Boston university hospital for 30 years and they are for people with cancer and other things who live in daily pain. It works and it will help you in many ways. You can get it from the library.

http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Me...7461100&sr=8-1

If you feel you need it, be sure to ask your doctor about an antidepressant. the first year is the hardest, but it gets better.

[mjan]

OH dear come here: (((( HUGS ))))

Sorry for all you are struggling with.. enough!!

When you say your MS doc changed your meds what do you mean? Do you have spasticity and meds for that?

Also there are tens units and Baclofen pump for those with really bad cases. Sounds like you need some help in deciding what combo of methods help someone like you with such severe chronic pain.

Do you do any stretching before you get out of bed? And have you had your back xrayed or MRI? Esp your lower back? Not sure where your pain is, but sometimes it takes alot of different measures to address it.

Again, your post touched my heart and makes me sad for what you are going through. Been there.. but its better for me now. Found out not all was MS related. Lost weight, eating better reduced my overall inflammation which added to pain and misery.

Hope you get the help and relief you need. Sometimes neuros aren't the ONLY or best to address pain issues. There are pain mgt clinics that help with a combo of methods using alternate methods in addition to meds.

Gentle hugs my dear~Make sure you let us know how you're doing and results you get, ok?

Jan

[Mynamegoeshere1]

Thank you

I have PTSD, severe depression, and ms. I was on Effexor for the PTSD/depression, but ms doc asked that to be changed to cymbalta. I'm in the midst of changing that and from flexeril to zonegram. The doc didn't want to many changes at once but wants to start baclofen started next month. To make those matters worse, I started having severe allergic reactions to copaxone so I'm waiting for betaseron to make its way here. I'm terrified due to my already depressed state that the possible depression side effects are going to be horrendous.

To make matters worse, I'm a newlywed and had to mova back with my parents because my depth perception is so bad I can no longer drive and run into walls when I do get up to walk. I'm just so depressed and so glad I found a forum of people who have been there and might understand how I feel. When I was in the hospital for steroids, they had leg compression pumps on me that helped so much. Is there a way to get those?

[Thinkimjob]

I don't know whether you can buy/ rent the compression pumps. I'd say they'd be very expensive, but I could be wrong.

The long stockings work quite well, if you've got someone to help you get them on. (And off.) They cost a bit, but not too much.

[Creede]

Hi

Hello Mynamegoeshere1!

I don't have much advice, but just wanted to make sure you knew you were not alone!!! I'm so sorry u r going thru all that, but one good thing about this site is you will find many people going thru it as well or have gone thru it... me included.

We have a lot in common as far as the MS goes. I too had to move back in w my folks, I am often sad and miserable, I had PTSD, and I had trouble with Copaxone!!!

If your like me, it will get better!!!

Stopping the copaxone might have been a really good thing for you!!! I hated it!!! It only added to me being so miserable... again if your like me, do not let anybody talk you into going back on it!!! I was having those reactions, but my doc really didn't believe me that it was so bad, and I guess it does hurt everybody some... so I kept on it, and it is rare, but I ended up going into anaphylactic shock and it almost killed me, if I would have been alone I think it would have been the end of me!!! Anyway, as you probably know, the copaxone isn't made to really make you feel better, but only to keep things from getting worse. I felt soooo much better and was so much less miserable after I finally did stop it, I hope you find the same thing, and start feeling better soon and have better luck with your next MS med!!!

Best of Luck to you!!!

[babygirl_vic]

I'm so sorry to hear you're so depressed and in so much pain!!!!

Just know that you're not alone and that all of us on here can relate!! Sounds like you're med change has thrown you for quiet a loop!!

THe leg compression things you were talking about I'm sure you're dr can write you an RX for and you should be able to get thru a medical supply store, and you're insurance may help pay for it. If not I'm sure you could find one at a medical supply store or online.

I would call the dr and get back in ASAP.....if the change in meds has made this big of a difference.

Hope you fill better soon!!! Just remember to get LOTS of rest!!!

[meeegun]

hi,

just wondering how do the sequential compression devices (SCD's--these are what you were wearing in the hospital) make your legs feel better?

they are designed to push fluid and blood out of your lower legs to prevent swelling and blood clots after surgeries and in patients who are bedbound for long periods of time. you also said your legs feel like rocks...this *can* be a symptom of extra fluid (swelling) in your legs. do you notice any swelling in your legs? this can increase pain which might be adding to your misery.

i once had very swollen legs but did not realize it for almost 2 days. i couldn't figure out why they hurt so bad. i ask you because it sounds like you are in a bad way right now and its easy to miss things like that. i did and i wasn't even going through what you are. i was on vacation!

but if your legs are swollen you should let your doctor know because there are serious reasons why they would be swollen, and some less serious ones. he would need to see you to tell.

i hope you start feeling better soon!

[KittahNY]

I am sorry you are going though this. ut welcome to the site. Have you tried getting a massage? Improves circulation, muscle tone, reduces spasticity, and it is known for helping with depression and sleep patterns. I am a massage therapist who has MS and treats a lot of ppl with the disease. let me know if I can help at all!

[photomama]

I don't have much advice other than to offer ((hugs)). You aren't alone in this!

[LisaL77]

Hang in there!

I cannot offer any advice or comfort but that we are all thinking of you. Lots of folks here know what we are talking about when we explain our symptoms and problems. That is some comfort to me, that I am not alone. I hope you find relief very soon and discover a cocktail of meds that is just right for you.

[Mynamegoeshere1]

Reply

Luckily my sis in law is a massage therapist and massaged for me and said my legs were full of knots and my right one, the one that locks up the most, has a really tight tendon that no matter what she did, would not loosen up. The doc saw them like this and wants to start back often but not until all the other meds are changed.