Medical Page

Jennifer Ann Everett

Medical Page

Based on medical problems I've faced, I want to offer support to those going through similar problems. I don't give medical advice, though, or claim to be a doctor. This is just from one patient to another.

* The greatest advice I can give is to research a medication before you ever take it! Even if the doctor says to just take it, question him or her as much as possible about the medication, known side effects, complications, etc. The most important thing to know is whether the medication has long term effects on vital organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain.

Chronic Back Pain

In May of 2000 an MRI showed that I had four herniated disks in my lumbar spine. For the year prior to the exam, I had been in extreme pain continually. No doctors thought that my condition was this serious because of my young age. A wonderful neurologist, Dr. Daniel Hopson actually made the diagnosis that perhaps saved me from life in a wheelchair or depending on a walker or cane. My spinal cord was being crushed by herniations in the last four disks in my vertebra and Dr. Hopson sent me to an orthopedic surgeon to correct the problem. Dr. Stephen Courtney could only do work on two disks safely by performing a diskectomy, where he removed only the herniated portion of my disks. This surgery was performed on L3-L4 and L4-L5 disks, the two worst herniations on June 21, 2000. The surgery offered relief from the nerve pain radiating down my left calf; however, about four months later, I experienced new nerve pain radiating down the back of my left thigh. After seeing numerous pain management doctors, orthopedic surgeons, and neurosurgeons, I finally decided to have surgery performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Hisey on December 13, 2002. I had another diskectomy, this time on L5-S1, the last disk. I have had some relief, but still pain. I would be lying if I said this is easy to talk about or go through. It is so easy to give up on and cry about. There is no hiding from it because the pain is usually constant and interferes with my everyday life, but I have learned ways to manage my pain and to be easier on myself.

Depression

The most difficult illness to explain is depression. Everyday people say that they are depressed about something, but Major Depressive Disorder is something completely different. I think the best way to start out explaining how it feels is to share one of my journal entries that I shared with my therapist.

4/21/03 My whole life I thought I wanted to die, but I've really been waiting. Waiting for those joyful moments that eventually happen admist all the pain and sorrow. And while I'm waiting that fight impulse in me is raging. I keep fighting my desire to just end all the pain. At these times I feel so weak and out of control, like I want to give up. I feel so passive because I'm waiting, hoping that there is something better out there for me. I have too many dreams and passions just to throw it all away. Does it make me weak because I feel like giving up? Well, I never have. I'm still waiting.

Epilepsy

Medications

www.topamax.com

www.effexorxr.com

www.motrinib.com

Topamax: I love this medication! It suppresses my appetite and I haven't had any seizures since I have been on it. My headaches have been minimal also while on this medicine. It has worked really well for me

Trazodone: This really helps me sleep well, which is always a problem for me because of anxiety and chronic pain. It feels like a natural sleep, too, not like a drug-induced sleep.

Effexor: I feel really stable on Effexor. I still have fleeting thoughts of suicide, but no one can depend on medication for help with that. I have no side effects from this medication, either.

Motrin: The best pain killer of all time! I take presciption dosage, but I recommended OTC dosage to my sister and she noticed an improvement within a week. It doesn't take the edge off, but it helps to keep pain level consistant.

As of January of 2004, I quit taking Hydrocodone and rely soley on Motrin. The most I will take at one time is 600mg of Motrin. I no longer take it everyday either. This way it takes the edge off and I condition my body to handle more mild pain. I have also learned the difference between numbness and pain. I take Motrin when I need it and it works ... that's the bottom line. Walgreens sells generic Ibuprofen (1000 200mg tablets for $19.99). Its a great deal.

Hydrocodone: Good for those emergencies. I know the docs always try to get me off chronic use, but when I'm having a 9 pain day, I take this!

Others I've taken:

Paxil: Now for some reason, I felt less suicidal when on Paxil. It's a wonderful medication. I was just on it for a long time, so my doctors took me off.

Wellbutrin: Never take if you have a seizure disorder! This medication is how doctors found out that I have a seizure disorder. It works well for depression, though.

Neurontin: Doctors rave about this medication. I do not. I was on it for three years. I still had seizures and nerve pain. Plus, your appetite will increase like one hundred fold. Maybe it works for some people. If it works for you, tell me what it's supposed to do. Also, I gained 80+ pounds while taking Neurontin because I was always sooo hungry. Since I have been taking Topamax I have almost lost all of that weight because of my decreased appetite!

www.paxilcr.com