Re: Hi! I'm New. . .

Jane Dahl (dahl.j(AT)ghc.org)
Thu, 28 May 1998 15:48:23 -0700

>>> Roger Pratt <rogerp(AT)cyberspace.org> 05/28 3:15 PM >>>

I've had TM for 4 years and although my progress is much slower now
that it was early on, I refuse to give up. You need to be thankful
for any progress, however small and enjoy life to the fullest.

**Thanks Roger. I try. It just seems to be a bit of a 'catch 22.'
Living life to the fullest, at least in the physical sense, seems to
put progress back some. And I ask the next question, not in a
depressed state, but rather to get a realistic assessment. . .after 4
years, do you feel that you will ever be completely well? How severe
is your TM?**

My numbness and pain seems to intensify when I get fatigued. But
sometimes it is worse for no apparent reason.

**Amen. Do you seem to get fatigued more easily, too?**

On the advice of a neuologist I tried ibuprofen but it doesn't help
much. I take Trivil at night (it lessens the pain and helps me
sleep). I'm on Prozac, too, in the morning which helps me cope.

**Ibuprofen doesn't really help me much either. That's why I thought
I'd ask. The neurologist wants to prescribe amitriptyline, which is
an antidepressant that has been, theoretically, shown to relieve
spinal pain. Unfortunately, I tried the stuff once before and it
caused all sorts of bad side effects like intense hot
flashes/sweating, raised my blood pressure, made me agitated, etc.,
etc., etc. It did not help me sleep, which it was supposed to do.**

Hang in there.
- Roger P :-)

**I'm hanging! You too!

Jane D.**