Comments on: Is it real? The past decade of my life suggests so

By: Sherril Johnson

Sherril Johnson — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:50:02 +0000

I’ve been keeping up with the backlash from the NYT article (that’s how I got here) and I had to smile (in comiseration) when I read about your experience with Effexor withdrawl – it’s very similar to mine, also. That whole thing with my eyes..geez that was weird and annoying! Thank God (or whoever) that I don’t have those “brain zaps” so far. That would truly make it unbearable.

I was starting and increasing Cymbalta (said to be the next drug to pass FDA approval for FM) while I was decreasing and stopping Effexor. I had several weepy weeks when I pretty much gave up on trying to go anywhere but to medical appointments for fear of having a breakdown in public. There was one day that was the worst where I got so upset at a minor change in my evening schedule that I found myself seriously considering suicide, and not only that, but yelling about it to my mom at the top of my lungs within hearing distance of my 18 yo nephew. At that point I had to admit to being dangerously depressed and start asking for help from all sources available. I seem to be getting to a workable “cocktail” of drugs for my particular issues and I hope you do too. Sooner rather than later!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:53:41 +0000

Well said. Good luck with the effexor withdrawal. I just went through the SSRI discontinuation syndrome and it was very unpleasant, especially since my physician did not warn me about the possibility and then dismissed me when I brought it up. Most of the symptoms went away after a month, but it is now 5 months later and I still have some residual “brain zaps” and dizziness.

By: On how I’m not a good writer… « Undercounted Sassy

On how I’m not a good writer… « Undercounted Sassy — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:22:09 +0000

[...] January 15, 2008 Filed under: Medical drama — Count Sassy @ 8:22 pm Julia is. I struggle to explain my fibro to many of you who ask, and she captures it. We’ve not [...]

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:59:05 +0000

Thanks to all of you for commenting and sharing your experiences. There is a great amount of comfort, I think, just in knowing that you’re not alone.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:34:25 +0000

I feel like you crawled inside my head, and I don’t even know you!

I too have spent today fuming about the article I read in the NYT today, and I too have spent a brutal day combating the side effects of Effexor.

Thanks so much for saying what needed to be said… And for letting me know that I’m not alone – in my very real disease, or in my need to fight to find a life beyond the pain.

Good enough isn’t good enough for me either.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:16:48 +0000

This article came up while my sister was in the middle of a flare-up. I’m a 24-year-old guy, and it almost made me cry. I wonder how many half-wits are reading the article right now and are going to think that she’s making up her illness.

By: jane

jane — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:30:03 +0000

I think that what you are describing is the feeling that so many people who suffer from a fringe illness – whether it be fibromyalgia, – experience. If there’s not a pink ribbon or red heart attached to it, it seems as though nobody who hasn’t experienced it really understands. It is really appalling to me that medival professionals dismiss it. It’s kind of like a male obstetrician telling you that childbirth hurts a little. I am sorry for your pain because you are the kindest, most honest person I have ever known. And you don’t deserve it. Even if I didn’t like you when you were 5 and I was 9.
Love you now!!!

By: November

November — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:28:11 +0000

Amen, sister.