August 18, 2008
Erroneously Diagnosed as Bipolar
Re: “The relationship between fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder: A comprehensive review”
Before I finally got diagnosed with CFS/FM/MCI, I was told that I was depressed, even though I kept insisting I was not depressed …When I had a psychotic reaction that lasted a day or so, when I was on Prozac and Trinalin for an upper respiratory infection, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. From there I spent three years in a psychiatric trap, taking psychotropic medications that reduced me to a very sick person, losing all muscular strength, moderate to severe memory loss, and abnormal EEGs, not to mention thyroid shutdown and the inability to be gainfully employed, due to severe fatigue.
For the first time in my life at fifty years of age, I was debilitated, mainly due to drug reactions and emotional stress that were diagnosed as psychiatric episodes from bipolar disorder. This also was diagnosed as the depressive stage of bipolar disorder, and I was not taken seriously until I nearly died with congestive heart failure…
It has been ten years now since I was diagnosed with FM/CFS/MCI. I have not had one bout of depression nor mania, but still carry the moniker of mental illness, which I cannot escape from. I have had no connection with psychiatry for eight years… The only medication I take is Synthroid. I pace myself, live a very healthy lifestyle and have regained my muscular strength to the point that I am back where I was in 1995…
I am the director for the Atlantic provinces for the ME/FM Action Network and would like to have this story told. There is a difference between major depressive illness, bipolar disorder and FM/CFS/MCI. When a person states they do not feel sad, not suicidal, not negative, not moody, knows when they are feeling "strange" while taking drugs that are known to cause psychosis, they should be believed and their symptoms investigated further. It would have saved me a great deal of grief over the past thirteen years.
- Judith Day
Atlantic and Territories Director ME/FM Action Network
http://www.mefmaction.net
_______________________________________ Epsom Salt Soaks for Magnesium
I do Epsom salt soaks to get my magnesium. I put a handful of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) into a pan of warm filtered water and soak either my feet or hands for about 30 minutes, twice a day. The positive difference in my cognitive function and energy is very significant. – Lucy
_______________________________________ NeurontinR (Gabapentin) Made Big Difference
I am happy to say that after 10 solid years of severe pain, cognitive and fibro fog issues and all the terrible symptoms that go along with Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME I have had very good success with Neurontin. I do know that Neurontin and other medications have various, sometimes horrific, effects on people but Neurontin has done wonders for me…
The first night I took Neurontin it worked. I mean it WORKED. I awoke after 8 hours of solid sleep and it was restorative. I immediately began to catch up on paperwork, light house work and the like. Through the weeks, although still limited to the amount and time I can spend doing some chores such as laundry, cooking, emptying the dishwasher, I can now do [much more than before]… I still need to take naps an average of 2 1/2 hours but they, too, are restorative… Although I do awaken at night now (a month on Neurontin), it is not an issue. I fall asleep and still get restorative sleep.
You may have already written information on Neurontin, but if not I hope you look into writing one. – Martha
Note: We’re not sure where Neurontin (generic name gabapentin) stands vis-à-vis FDA consideration as a drug to be approved specifically for fibromyalgia, but we did publish two items last year reporting on the Gabapentin in Fibromyalgia Trial (GIFT) that seemed to have good results. Following are three articles you might be interested in reading:
1. “NIH issues statement highlighting Gabapentin’s potential as effective treatment for Fibromyalgia pain, sleep, & fatigue”
2. And an abstract on the study report – “Gabapentin in the treatment of Fibromyalgia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial”. Conclusion: “gabapentin (1,200-2,400 mg/day) is safe and efficacious for the treatment of pain and other symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia.”
3. Also, a number of recent articles mention gabapentin for FM pain – one being “Pain management in Fibromyalgia” by Leslie J. Crofford, published in May 2008.
_______________________________________ One Take on Why ‘We’ Can’t Drink
RE: “Why ‘We’ Can’t Drink – My One and Only Hangover”
There is a scientific reason for alcohol problems with FM/CFS. When the liver metabolizes alcohol, it first uses enzymes to break down the alcohol into acetyl acid. That is a fairly easy step, and the acetyl acid isn't particularly toxic. The second step is to break down the acetyl acid into acetaldehyde, again not too difficult. The final product is to break down acetaldehydes into non-toxic products. This is where the problem occurs.
Most people store a small amount of the enzyme needed to break down the acetaldehydes, and make it without problem when needed to break down the alcohol to its final products. However, the acetaldehyde accumulates when there isn't enough enzyme (or you drink too much), and then you get a nasty hangover (or you die, if it's bad enough).
Coincidentally, the waste products of a candida (yeast) infection in your intestines include acetaldehydes. Since most people with FM/CFS have a candida infection in their intestines (I certainly did), the liver is overwhelmed with acetaldehydes 24/7, and it has no enzymes left to process alcohol. I wish some scientists would take a closer look at this. - Sandy
Note: Penny McCracken's humorous article really rang a bell, judging by this and other reader's comments.
_______________________________________ Recently Diagnosed, But Firm Beliefs Already
I'm new to this, but I have already developed some firm beliefs. Number one, I MUST do pain management or I will waste a lot of time in a lot of pain. I came to this conclusion one morning when I was resisting taking anything for pain and it was 12 noon (FIVE HOURS LATER!) before I finally gave up the fight. I was full of anxiety and exhausted from fighting it. I tried the fibro stretching video I bought, I tried lying down, I tried distraction...forget it. From now on, I will not be ashamed to take something for pain. For me, 50 mg of Tramadol 1x day is working.
And I also won't hesitate to take a muscle relaxer for sleep instead of lying there twitching and spasming like an idiot and "toughing it out". I lose sleep and get anxious...what's the point of waiting? (For that, I take 10mg Flexeril)
Another firm belief: I have to keep moving no matter how hard it is. I WILL do cardio 3 x week for 30 minutes and I WILL stretch consistently. A short muscle atrophies and spasms....stretching is good for you. I'll cry through it if I must, but I will continue to do it.
My last firm belief so far: I have to eat right. I have lived for 45 years eating whatever I want but it's time to stop. I know that whatever illness comes my way, I am better prepared to handle it if I am eating a good diet, weighing a good weight and getting regular cardio exercise and keeping my muscles stretched. I no longer eat sugar or wheat products.
I'm sure I will come to a lot more conclusions (or firm beliefs) as time progresses but at least these habits are causing me to feel as if I have some control. I am not a victim and this illness will not claim my life. AND it is NOT in my head (how I wish it was)! - John
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Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is generic and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regiment without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.
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