Mama de Cleo rides again

[cleolinda]

So yesterday I got absolutely zero work done because my dogs spent all morning barking hysterically at stove repair people. The two guys themselves were nice; they've been out to our house a total of three times to install a new range for us (and I'll have to take a picture of it; it's totally space-age awesome and... a bit difficult to cook on, but we're learning). And then, right as they were finishing up, the lead guy tells me (sounding very apologetic and embarrassed, by the way) that... they need to charge us an extra $85 just for coming out there. Which he doesn't think is fair (particularly since no one told us this ahead of time), but his boss is kind of riding him to collect it.

Dear Reader, I just started laughing at them. I mean honestly just laughing in their faces. And then I dialed a number on my cell and said (and I quote), "Here's the phone, talk to my mother. And GOOD LUCK."

By the time she was done calling around, she'd discovered from the Sears rep that there is no such thing as a "trip charge," and that the stove guys' boss (head of the installation company/department) must be scamming customers as a way of skimming off the top. SHENANIGANS!

Meanwhile, my meds--and I'll go into this for future reference for anyone who might be trying Lamictal: I was on 150 mg (in addition to two other medications). My doctor wanted me to try to get up to 200 mg; that's always been the target dose she wanted me to go up to, and we've been moving towards that very slowly over the last two years. (A previous increase that was a bit too-much-too-soon sent me into a severe fit of depression, etc.) So I'm trying to be cautious; I'm trying to be careful. Two Wednesdays ago, I take the 200 mg, just to see, and that afternoon go on a crying jag. Excellent. So I went back to 150 for the next several days, because I was like, the hell with this, I've got a Fifteen Minutes to write.

Aaaaand then I went into that bizarre, overcaffeinated manic phase last Tuesday. I don't know if it would have happened anyway, or if it was triggered by the Lamictal spike, or--hell, if it was going to happen anyway but extra-triggered by a huge Coke I had on Monday. I have no idea how these things work. All I know is that I spent the next three days uncomfortably "on" (although otherwise calm and functional). So on Friday, I said, whatever, I'll try the intermediate 175 dose, just to see if that helps.

Weeeeeeell, in order to do that, I had to cut the end off the pill. We're not talking exact science here, either.

I spent all of Friday doubled up with the worst lower back pain I've ever had.

I mean, it was exactly the same kind I've had at particular times of the month, but more AUGH. I took a total of four Aleve over the course of the day and it did almost nothing. And I had read the list of possible side effects in advance, and "back pain" was, in fact, one of them--but don't tell me I had some kind of psychosomatic thing because I thought I was supposed to have back pain--that shit does not originate in your own head. (My God almighty, let me never experience that again.) So Saturday I was like, THE FUCKING HELL WITH THIS, IT'S BACK TO 150. I was still kind of sore, but: the Fifteen Minutes got finished. And I called my doctor on Monday, and she was like... well then. That... that didn't go too well. Don't do that again, I guess.

Now, just because I'm insane (and in a way completely separate from actual mental illness, I might add), I thought... you know what? Let's try the 200 again. I mean, oddly enough, that was a higher dose, but there was no pain. And maybe the pain came because the pill was--compromised? You know, cut, a bit crumbly; maybe that screwed with the time-release... thingy. Even though I was advised to cut it. I don't know.

You know what? I was completely, totally fine on 200 today. No crying at all; in fact, I was a little bit bouncy. A little flushed, a little dizzy--but that's the side effect I've had with every single med increase (or decrease! or taking it later in the day! or if I forget to take it! or if I take it the next after forgetting to take it!) I've ever had. I've come to think of it as the "Everything okay, full steam ahead" reaction. So... barring an occurrence of the legendary Fatal Rash... and, I mean, I'll have to see how continued use works out... I seem to be okay. Bizarre.

Comments

[sun-star-n-moon.livejournal.com]

I love your Mom. End of story.

[diddakoi.livejournal.com]

Cleo's mom has powers beyond those of mere mortals. Let scamming department heads beware.

[misti-k.livejournal.com]

Re: Lamictal.

It sounds like your body was just in shock. Your doctor jumped you from 150 to 200 (WTFUCKINGFUCK?!?!) without a pause at 175. Then when you did the 175, you were 'withdrawing' from the 200.

Lamictal is some crazy shit, I know that much.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't get why she keeps suggesting these 50 mg jumps when I KNOW they don't work for me. Although by the time we were done discussing it two weeks ago, she had agreed to the 175 thing. She just didn't make it terribly convenient to try that.

I've done really well on it, though. I mean, in general. When we're not screwing with it.

[kauricat.livejournal.com]

I am a big fan of your mother. And I wish I had her confidence, because I have paid that damned Sears "service call" charge MORE THAN ONCE. Damn their eyes.

But never again, so thank your mother for me!

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Now, I don't know if every service call charge is a rip-off. I just know that the "multiple trips for one uncompleted installation" one, apparently, is.

[robinmc.livejournal.com]

Two things:

1) As always, I love your mom. She is the awesomest.

2) In regards to the Adventures in Meds-Land...damn, lady. I'm glad you seem to be feeling better.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well... that's why there's been a total lack of linkspam, because it was the easiest corner to cut if I was going to let something go for a few days.

[krazycat.livejournal.com]

Your mom is A+ once more :)

[plazmah.livejournal.com]

Your mother is my hero. :D

And I'm glad to hear you're okay!

[moodybunny.livejournal.com]

Lamictal worked amazingly well for me until it gave me uncontrollable shakes. I'd been on it for months at that point.
It's a rare side effect which took my doc forever to figure out what was wrong.
Best of luck to you on your medicinal journey.

[sienamystic.livejournal.com]

Your mother, she rocks so hard.

[kijikun.livejournal.com]

If this is the same stuff I'm on (I'll have to double check) They have to take you up slowly by 25mg, and if you miss a day you have to start all over. They aren't supposed to jump you up 150 to 200 like that. It can screw you up big time.

[kijikun.livejournal.com]

I still have crying jags sometimes and my social paranoia kicks in at time, but I don't go into fully panic attacks when things go wrong and I managed to have only one partial panic attack at con (more from being over tired and missing something I really wanted to see but knew I couldn't get into. I went and cried in the bathroom. God bless my friends for putting up with me)

[scornedsaint.livejournal.com]

"Here's the phone, talk to my mother. And GOOD LUCK."

I love hearing things like this, because not only does it serve as a reminder that your mother is everything I want to be when I grow up (...or tomorrow, when I have to call my landlord who has failed to send me my lease for the past two weeks), but it's also a PSA about crazy scamming shenanigans.

[fiveforsilver]

your mother is everything I want to be when I grow up

That's exactly what I was thinking, I totally want to be her when I grow up. I wouldn't even think to call and ask if that was a legit charge, much less have the guts to actually do it.

Also, good luck with your landlord.

[t4-flirt.livejournal.com]

Your mother is awesome. My mom is the same way. And when it comes to BS, I tend to be the same. I would've called around like crazy as well. Way to go Mama de Cleo!

[aravynkenobi.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever left a comment on your lj before. I've been a faithful reader of M15M and, recently, the Secret Life of Dolls. But I didn't want to bother you with comments. For some reason, I've decided to say something now. Maybe because I've gone through crazy stuff with meds myself.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the time release of the meds was affected by you cutting the pills. I used to take Tegretol and when we were messing with my dosage, weird stuff happened when I had to cut the pills. Ultimately, I wound up on Depakote, which is much better, but that's beside the point.

I'm truly sorry for all the crap you've had to go through with this. I hope things start getting better permanently in this department. And on a sidenote, your mom is amazing. Just wanted to say that.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really do think the cutting was not helpful. That's really very likely what it is. (And thank you!)

[moonyprof.livejournal.com]

Whew, what a story! I hope the 200 dosage works out for you. I've been through the whole Lamictal adjustment thing and it can be scary at first, plus you *don't* want to take the generic. Trust me on this.

It's a GOOD idea to pay attention to physical symptoms when you're changing dosage like that. Calling the doctor was absolutely the right thing and it sounds like she took you seriously. I cut my Lamictal all the time because I'm on 250 mg, so I don't know if that was a factor, but everyone's different.

I've never had the Legendary Fatal Rash, but again, it's a good thing to take it seriously. Here's hoping it all works out and that you truly do Feel Better.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

you *don't* want to take the generic. Trust me on this.

Oh shit...

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Can, ah, can I have your Mom's number? Just in case? I've had really bad luck with airlines and hotels the last couple years...

I am grateful when you post Adventures in Modern Meds. Sometimes I need to be reminded that it's not just me.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah--I'm sure to a lot of people it sounds really TMI, but I figure it helps people to go, "Oh, shit, that's something I need to talk to my own doctor about, then."

[calatha.livejournal.com]

We bought a water heater from Sears and while it was under warranty, one of the elements had to be replaced. Oh sure the part was covered. But to come out and replace it? $125 for a fifteen minute job to install a $17 part. So even when they're legit they're ripping you off.

[symmetryonset.livejournal.com]

How time release works: they make a little pill cost with a hard shell and repeat several time. They why your body dissolves the medicine gets to the shell and is slowed down as is dissolves the shell before it get to more medicine. I am not sure why you would be advised to cut a time released pill because then it doesn't work in a time release fashion any more and your system can get to all the med at once.

Just FYI

[fiveforsilver]

Thank you, you know what, I have wondered forever how they did time-release pills. That makes so much sense, wow. Cool!

Also, yeah, cutting a time-release pill sounds like it would totally defeat the purpose.

[kittybacklash.livejournal.com]

My mum has a whole bunch of mental illness issues and stories like yours is why she out and out refuses to be medicated. It just sounds like not a lot of fun to go through.

I commend your experimental bravery (and possible insanity for trying 200 again)

[lady-moriel.livejournal.com]

I guess a person just has to weigh the risks against the possible benefits...if the inside of your head is a bad enough place to live, you're willing to try almost anything to make it better.

[elizardbits.livejournal.com]

GOOD LORD. The Lamictal Rash of Death scares the crap out of me. Should not have googled. *flails*

[lady-moriel.livejournal.com]

Yeeeah, same here. *is thoroughly squicked*

[delle.livejournal.com]

I ADORE your mom. Speaking as another "difficult/bitchy" callers (depending on what customer service rep I'm talking to - and I've BEEN a customer service rep, so I know how to handle a caller like me)

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah, she really is polite when she does this kind of thing. She just tends to know bullshit when she hears it and also tends to question it. Pretty much the scariest thing she says is, "I'm sorry, this is not acceptable," which I hope isn't too bad.

[xerinmichellex.livejournal.com]

And then I dialed a number on my cell and said (and I quote), "Here's the phone, talk to my mother. And GOOD LUCK." I immediately thought about your "Blocks of Wood" amd "Gerald" stories. Your mom is awesome.

Also, glad to hear you're feeling better. I've never been on prescription meds myself, but my brother takes a few and whenever he's upped on his dosages or lowered he feels the side effects. A few days of taking the new dosages and he's back to normal.

[thecolourclear.livejournal.com]

Gerald! He is my favourite 'character' ever!

[lady-moriel.livejournal.com]

I'm just glad I've never had dosage problems as dramatic as this, I guess...well, actually, at one point not too long after I started on Effexor, I'd gone up pretty gradually to a 150 mg dose, at the end of which I was taking two 75 mg pills that were maybe left over from the samples used to get me to that point, I don't know. Then I switched to my prescription, which should have been the same thing--except somehow I didn't realize that each of those pills was 150 mg and kept taking two of them. I think I double-dosed for like...a week? And then realized and stopped, which yeah, not real smart. I may have the chronology a little off, but I seem to recall that the week directly after I went down from 300 mg back to 150 mg was the best I'd had in a very, very long time--and then I crashed hard. It was only one or two really bad days while, I suppose, my body readjusted, or finally showed effects of readjusting, or something, but it was the worst I'd been since before I started getting treated at all.

Other than that my meds haven't been very exciting, but they've been kind of...frustrating. Effexor, on the whole, worked really, really well for the first several months after I started taking it, and I felt rather guiltily lucky that the very first medication we tried had done so well, and then it just kind of started...dropping off. I wasn't as bad as before I'd started taking it, but I wasn't good either, so my doctor and I fiddled with decreasing and increasing the dose and adding Wellbutrin, none of which had any real effect. So then we switched to Cymbalta, which worked better, except...it's kind of done the same thing? I want to say I've been on it for more than a year now, and it started out working better than it does now (have added Wellbutrin again, but I haven't noticed much change there). Like, I'm pretty sure I'm better than I'd be without meds, but also, I don't think it's that common for medication to start losing efficacy after such a short time (years and years, maybe; not 6 months to a year) so that's something to worry about that maybe nothing will quite do it for me, and I've been remembering the feeling when Effexor was working of having woken up after being asleep for years (or even coming back to life after being dead for years), and man do I miss that.

tl;dr. I dunno really. Maybe I should try adding some herbal remedies or something; I hear St. John's Wort can help, although just because I feel like natural remedies should be less likely to screw with existing medications, I'd probably be real stupid to add something without checking with my doctor about drug interactions and all.

[fiveforsilver]

Re meds losing effect

It happens differently for different people. I'm not on those kinds of meds, but I get migraines, and I have to be careful about what I take and how often, because I build up a tolerance (also I have a...tolerance for or resistance to pain medication, so I always have to have the strongest stuff, ugh). I've been ok for a few years now, although I think my current stuff may be starting to lose effect. One of my sister's friends, though, can only take any given pills for a month or two before they stop working.

Frustrating but true.

I feel like natural remedies should be less likely to screw with existing medications

Some herbal/"natural" remedies interact with pharmaceuticals just as badly as other pharmaceuticals, so yeah, talk to your doctor or the pharmacist first.

[falco-conlon.livejournal.com]

I love your mother. I really, truly do.

[greyduck.livejournal.com]

And then I dialed a number on my cell and said (and I quote), "Here's the phone, talk to my mother. And GOOD LUCK."

It's amazing how much one sentence can improve your entire day. Big ol' grin on my face now, and let me (make a point of not) tell(ing) you about how crappy this day's been...

To sum up: You rock. Your Mom rocks. Amen.

[youngcurmudgeon.livejournal.com]

And then, right as they were finishing up, the lead guy tells me (sounding very apologetic and embarrassed, by the way) that... they need to charge us an extra $85 just for coming out there.

Aaaaaand right there is where I started scanning the horizon for signs of Cleo's Mom and Gerald, Fighting Shenanigans One Complete Sentence At A Time. (Do they need business cards?)

[jadesfire2.livejournal.com]

oh man, sometimes I wish I had your mom to fight my battles for me. I'm always getting scammed, or buying stuff because out of guilt because I took so much of the salespersons time

[glenvorian.livejournal.com]

Aw, everyone should have a Mom like that! I do. One does not want to piss her off.