[stacyw]

I don't know why in particular i am crying. Tired. Hurt. Tired of hurting. Nothing different from any other day, but really getting to me today. I almost want to wish just one day of this on the people I love, so i don't feel so alone. and more than one day on some people.....It will be okay, I'm sure. I'll get some sleep or get distracted or something. Not hurting superbad right now, so why does everything seem to suck horribly right this second? thanks for listening.............stacy

[Shay70]

Hi stacyw

I have been browsing the RSD forum for the past few months. Your post was the reason that I finally registered. I can really relate to how you feel. I had a bad flare up yesterday and still didn't feel too great today. I wanted to cry but I didn't---wish I could. You are definitely not alone in this. Yes, you will be okay. I am sure that everyone with RSD feels this way at times. If there is anyone out there who is always up and cheerful, I would love to hear from them and find out what keeps them always cheerful. I could really use a dose of it. I hope you are feeling much better now.

You wondered why everything seemed to suck horribly right that second even though you weren't hurting superbad. There is supposed to be a connection between stress, depression, and chronic pain. You don't have to hurt superbad; medium bad can do it. It all adds up. Try not to feel guilty when you are down. I know I have a habit of doing that and it only makes it worse. I try to think of all the good stuff in my life and concentrate on that. Sometimes it helps the mood and sometimes-------------well you know. Have a better day tomorrow and remember that you are not alone in this.

[Bussey]

Hello staceyw,

I know exactly how you feel! In my case, when I am in the clutches of a horrible flare up, I can't think about anything else, other than the pain, dysfunction, and debilitation, that I am experiencing, at that time. I simply am too sick to care, or think about, anything else!

However, when the pain has calmed down, and I am feeling better, that is when I struggle with depression and frustration! The other day, someone asked me why it was, that I would be depressed, after my pain has gone down. I explained to her, that it is during the times when the pain is calm, that I am able to think about things. That is when I am able to think about life, as I once knew it to be. I then, begin to miss my old life. I miss my career, and being able to go shopping. I miss being able to go to church, etc. I think I have written enough, to explain how it could be, that I would become depressed, even after the pain has calmed down. It is truly a vicious cycle! I know that it won't be very long, before I'm dealing with the pain again.

So, I can understand why you would cry, even when the pain isn't so bad.

I sincerely hope, that you feel better soon! Take care.

Bussey

[stacyw]

Thank you, I went to see my pm doctor(who I really like) and I asked to be put on antidepressants and he agreed. He also put me on meds for break-through pain. At least something is being done. I do feel better today. No rhyme or reason, think I'll just appreciate it! Thanks again for your support. Why is it so much easier to be brutally honest with a perfect stranger?? stacy

[Bussey]

Hi,

You're welcome. I think we are able to be open and honest, because of the anonymity that we are afforded, on a forum, such as this one. No one will judge us here, because we simply want to help and support each other. Also, here, you'll find others, who actually understand what you are going through, because they are experiencing many of the same things.

I am very glad to hear that you are feeling better today. Hopefully, that is a trend that will continue.

I hope this makes sense.

Bussey

[Shay70]

[quote="stacyw"]Thank you, I went to see my pm doctor(who I really like) and I asked to be put on antidepressants and he agreed. He also put me on meds for break-through pain. At least something is being done. I do feel better today. No rhyme or reason, think I'll just appreciate it! Thanks again for your support. Why is it so much easier to be brutally honest with a perfect stranger?? stacy[/quote]


Stacy,

Glad to hear that you are feeling better today and appreciating it. Sometimes just having your doctor understand and do something positive to help is a big relief. Hope the new meds improve things for you.

I think one reason it is easier to be honest with strangers is that we hate to burden our loved ones and friends. I also think it is really hard for them to understand what we are going through. We hide a lot of what we are feeling from them until the emotions are overflowing. Better to tell strangers then melt down around them. So vent away as needed!

Shay

Think happy thoughts.

[reruho]

Stacey,
I would have answered sooner but I have been down with other health issues which had made me quite tired. Your original question was, "Why do I feel down when my pain isn't high?" Many people forget about the effect this monster has on the limbic system. This is a part of the brain that is involved in just about everything. Like many, our symptoms and systems affected by this monster come and go. I have those days when I just feel like crying or I am just moody as hell and everything upsets me, no rhyme or reason. On those days I take a nice hot and long Epsom soak. The Epsom salts are a natural muscle relaxer and just helps me get in a better mood. Tonight I have slept about 2-3 hours in small bits, my pain is low and under good control. The limbic system also affects your memory. I am often plagued with fuzzy thinking, poor memory and what I have called colander brain. (Everything runs out as fast as you put it in.) I sometimes think the effect on the limbic system is the hardest part to deal with.

The anti-depressants will help with your pain, because they can help you get some better rest. I took Elavil for a while and it was great in the beginning. We started very low (10mg). When we tried to raise it to 25mg it made my pulse race, I had a resting pulse of 112 bpm. I also tried Paxil and it turned me into a zombie. I went from 3-4 hours of sleep to 16-18 hours and no motivation. I am giving up on anti-depressant for a while.

Do you have a home blood pressure monitor? I would recommend getting one. Ask your doctor what he would recommend. It is good to monitor your blood pressure at home and after any adjustment to your meds. The RSD caused me to have HBP, but I am able to manage it with medication.

I hope things improve for you soon. I often find that I can handle these situations when I know why they are happening. My best advice is read, read, read everything you can about RSD. One, it protects you and two, it helps you battle this monster. That was the best advice I ever got from my old primary.

I wishing you some rest and low pain day. I think I will fix a cup of tea and go fold laundry while I am up.

Reta

P.S. Here is some information about what we talked about.

You must remember there are FOUR Main Symptoms/Criteria of CRPS:

1) Constant chronic burning pain (includes allodynia - extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, and vibration)
2) Inflammation (this can affect the appearance of the skin, bruising, mottling, etc.)
3) Spasms-in blood vessels and muscles of the extremities
4) Insomnia/Emotional Disturbance (includes the major changes to the limbic system such as short-term memory problems, concentration difficulties, etc.)

There are a great many additional symptoms that can also occur over the course of the disease. Not all patients will have all symptoms.
(http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage.asp?PAGE_ID=3&PGCT_ID=545)

"The limbic system is the home of emotions, motivation, the regulation of memories, the interface between emotional states and memories of physical stimuli, physiological autonomic regulators, hormones, "fight or flight" responses, sexual arousal, circadian rhythms, and some decision systems." (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-limbic-system.htm)