Posted by stavi (209.38.4.61) on July 26, 2000 at 11:44:43:
In Reply to: please clarify posted by pinksharkmark on July 26, 2000 at 02:06:44:
Mornin' Pinky!
No, I really meant 5 DAYS. But that has only been in the past year. I have had these for about 4 years at six weeks on, three to six weeks off. I did have them previously, for about 5 years, at two weeks each cycle, one in spring, one in fall. Anyway, it took me a while to actually be diagnosed - just got lots of 'yeah, right' or 'it's just stress' BS from docs until last year when I found my current doc.
With her, we started trying the meds: calcium blockers, beta blockers, prednosone, depokte, etc. About a year ago, the 11 week cycles started and I never had more then 5 days pain free. In March, right after my 27th b-day, I walked out of her office with three prescriptions - a Verap, another Prednosone, and Sansert (no, not to be taken at once - it was my choice what to try, but this would avoid me having to pay another $20 co-pay for her to write a prescript if each one didn't work. I had strict orders from her on how to do each.). Anyway, I was worn out, depressed, and sick and tired of feeling sick and tired from all the meds. So in a crying, screaming, pissed-off fit of anger, I tore up all three slips of paper and have been off meds since. I started trying more 'natural' methods of relief - herbal remidies, meditation, ice and heat packs, anything anyone here suggested which didn't involve a doctor's note. I had some relief, but the pain was always there. Even in my 5 days remission (if you can call it that) I still had shadows.
So in answer to your episodal/chronic question: I don't know. The long cycles have only been going for a year - so is that a switch from episodal to chronic, or just a bad year? Who's to say with these things. I'm just hoping I've found my fighting chance!
Geez, I didn't mean to be so long-winded. So there's my story!