Early on, Lisa was put on Effexor by her neurologist because it supposedly helped reduce chronic pain. I always looked at it also as a preventative for depression. Lisa never had really showed any classic symptoms of depression but she was not very happy at having her whole life turned upside down and being in constant pain! Later, a pain management doctor at Texas Childrens suggested that she maybe get on a stronger antidepressant, so she could deal with her pain better and maybe focus on it less. Otherwise, he said she would be caught in a viscous cycle. He said that psychiatrists were the best ones to know the right drug to prescribe for the patient. This really helped us get over the stigma of going to a psychiatrist. We had balked so before at anyone who had the audacity to suggest that the headache had any psychological aspect. The psychiatrist was very helpful in other aspects besides dealing with pain. She helped us find the right dosage of Cymbalta that addressed both chronic pain and Lisa's fibromyalgia. She also tried to help us find a sleep medication that would work for her. But whatever you do, don't just pick a name off of an insurance list. Ask around and find a doctor or friend who can recommend someone. October 7, Lisa had her second nerve decompression surgery, this time on the nerves on the front of her head. |
