As 2005 is approaching its end, I have realized that my
medication "program" has had some big changes.
Up through the end of the third quarter of 2004 I used:
1800 mg Neurontin (600mg 3x day)
7.5/500 Vicodin 3x day
40 mg Celexa (changed in May to Cymbalta)
100 mcg Levothyroid
plus asthma meds
to:
150 mg (50 mg 3x day) Topamax
60 mg Cymbalta
7.5/500 Vicodin 4x day
100 mcg Levothyroid
5 mg Ditropan XL taken at bedtime
Physically, shunt #3 is not working out well. My brain
does not like shunts. It wants to collapse the ventricles,
so we cannot set the shunt low enough to get enough
drainage. And I have problems with disc C 5-6, and nerve
damage from a collapsed C 2 - 6 syrinx.
I found out from our pharmacist that the sulfa component
in Topamax and Avinza is different than what is in
Diamox and Sulfa antibiotics (which are similar to each other
in composition). I have been on Topamax for a month
now, and so far in side effects I have noticed a slight
tingling in my hands and feet, not much more than what
is usually there anyway.
This recent medicine "tune up" has made a big difference.
My headaches are much better controlled. Yes the Vicodin
has been increased, but my shunt is also not in as good
a working order as what it had been earlier in the year.
And I am feeling much better than what I have been feeling
in several months now. And that barometer has been
swinging all over the place!!
I encourage everyone to take a look at all your meds,
and evaluate them carefully as to whether or not they
are doing the best job possible for you. You never know
when a "tweak" here or there might bring about a better
quality of life.
Betsy
medication "program" has had some big changes.
Up through the end of the third quarter of 2004 I used:
1800 mg Neurontin (600mg 3x day)
7.5/500 Vicodin 3x day
40 mg Celexa (changed in May to Cymbalta)
100 mcg Levothyroid
plus asthma meds
to:
150 mg (50 mg 3x day) Topamax
60 mg Cymbalta
7.5/500 Vicodin 4x day
100 mcg Levothyroid
5 mg Ditropan XL taken at bedtime
Physically, shunt #3 is not working out well. My brain
does not like shunts. It wants to collapse the ventricles,
so we cannot set the shunt low enough to get enough
drainage. And I have problems with disc C 5-6, and nerve
damage from a collapsed C 2 - 6 syrinx.
I found out from our pharmacist that the sulfa component
in Topamax and Avinza is different than what is in
Diamox and Sulfa antibiotics (which are similar to each other
in composition). I have been on Topamax for a month
now, and so far in side effects I have noticed a slight
tingling in my hands and feet, not much more than what
is usually there anyway.
This recent medicine "tune up" has made a big difference.
My headaches are much better controlled. Yes the Vicodin
has been increased, but my shunt is also not in as good
a working order as what it had been earlier in the year.
And I am feeling much better than what I have been feeling
in several months now. And that barometer has been
swinging all over the place!!
I encourage everyone to take a look at all your meds,
and evaluate them carefully as to whether or not they
are doing the best job possible for you. You never know
when a "tweak" here or there might bring about a better
quality of life.
Betsy
