I can't?  Well hell's bells!!

Then I guess I will just close this thread down and then ... What's that?

Oh!  I CAN ask!  KEWL!  Well, then here goes:

I have been having a circulation problem in my left foot.  I went to the podiatrist, and then the vassal surgeon, and then into the hospital for an angioplasty in my legs.  They found a problem area, and put in a stent (just what I need ... ANOTHER stent!  LOL!).

Ok, so that took care of the origin of the problem, and will prevent further problems.  BUT, it does not fix the problem that I already have with my toes.  It is now just my big toe, and my pinky, but mostly my pinky.  For a while, they were not sure if they were going to have to amputate my whole foot.  Now it is down to the question of just taking my pinky, (the big toe is showing improvement) or not.  He wants to try a new pain med, and give it a week.  If that doesn't give me some relief from the extreme pain that I have been dealing with (ALMOST as bad as a cluster hit, believe it or not) then the toe has to go.  

He wants to give it a week.  So, next Tuesday I find out if my new name will be Nine Toes, or not.

The question that I have to ask all y'all is this:  They have had me on percocet, and then Oxycontin, for the pain, but neither did a thing to it.  He now gave me a prescription for Elavil.  It is an antidepressant medication, but he says that it sometimes does wonders as a pain killer, when nothing else works.

Has anyone else ever heard of Elavil being used as a pain killer?

Chuck

Can't help with the elavil question, but geez . . .you might lose a toe?

I'm so sorry you're having this problem.  What a bummer.

Mosaicwench wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 6:11pm:

you might lose a toe?

Come on, Pat!  It is JUST a toe!   No biggie!

I am surprised at some of the comments I have gotten from people around home, here, that found out what I was going through.  When the talk got around to loosing my foot, everyone was in shock.

WHY?  It is JUST a foot ...

I am not going to stop being me, and doing what I do, just because I loose a foot.  With the advances in these new fangled contraptions that they strap on ya, I could do virtually everything, except ballet, with a prosthetic.  And if I got the right prosthetic, I could probably do ballet too!  (I never could before, but with the right equipment, who knows?)

Don't worry about me, I am FINE!  (the main reason I haven't said anything, before now, was I didn't want to sound like a whiner, when I can deal with it just fine.)  I was just curious if anyone had ever heard of Elavil being used as a pain killer.

But thanks, Pat, for your concern.

Chuck

Elevil never helped me with my pain - it did keep me sleeping for about 5 days though.  

That was about 15 years ago - maybe it's changed?

Gayle

the damn things (toes) are only good for stubbing and breaking anyway.  I was talking to someone about amputating their toe once and they thought for sure they'd lose all sense of balance from not having One little toe  ;D  

I have heard of a few antidepressants used as nerve pain killers.  I believe it is the same as anti-depressants for CH (lithium - anti-manic anyway) - the dosage is lower for pain use than for depression...
If I remember correctly it served it's purpose for my sister - she got addicted to the heavy duty narcotics they gave her so it was a better bet - she said there was less pain anyway.

Gotta love all of the off-label uses for drugs and the confusion it causes!! ::)

Val

ClusterChuck wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 4:58pm:

Has anyone else ever heard of Elavil being used as a pain killer?

Chuck,

Elavil is sometimes used for pain that is caused by nerve damage.  My doctor said it's often used for the "phantom limb" pain that amputees sometimes feel in their no-longer-existent limbs.  I had it prescribed once for a nerve injury, but all it seemed to do was zombify me.

Regards,
Jim

Hey Chuck,
Elavil IS prescribed for CH - had two neuros give it to me. Didn't work! Maybe your results will be different (since it is the "footer", not the "header") - hope so.
Take care!!

Can't tell you about Elavil,but will definitely put you up a knotch on our prayer list.

Jerry

"AH AM FAHNN!"

I have heard it soo many times from you, ya freak! (I actually believe it!)

Fact is, loss of a big toe can affect your balance, hence your gait, but you have the walking stick, so noone knows that ya walk like a drunken sailor anywhoo........besides, it's your pinky toe!

I have heard of other Ch'ers being prescribed Elavil, just never heard if it worked or not.... it hasn't hit the top 5 as either prevent or
abortive, but noone has really had much conversation about it......
you have a high threshold for pain, Chuck( wonder how ya got that?) Perhaps you should work with your Dr till you find comfort?

And since Linda would be furious if I let you slide on ANYTHING......(ya dumbkoff)......vessel surgeons either fix ships, or vases.. but not feets. perhaps (ya dip) you were referring to a VASCULAR  surgeon?

Anyway, I hate that you have to experience any MORE PAIN AT ALL, ya big doofus...
and that's about as mushy as I can get! :D
Get well....and bite me! :P
Ah luvs ya man!

Cathi :P

ClusterChuck wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 6:21pm:

Come on, Pat!  It is JUST a toe!   No biggie!

It IS a biggie.  

Well no, it's actually a "wee wee wee all the way home" piggy, but I digress. . . . . .

I'm sorry that you have to experience more anesthesia, more bleeding, more pain, and more of everything we spend our lives trying to avoid.

We care, thus it's a bummer.  Just shut up and say thank you for your concern!! ;)

Chuck,

Sorry abou the toe problems, but I wondered where you were lately, haven't seen alot of posts, until recently. Yes, I actually missed ya...
Diane

Chuck , you can have my toes. Though the gout has them currently infected with crystalized uric acid

now we'll NEVER get the old fart to toe the line pfffft

BTW
You have officially exceeded your allowed number of inquiries of any type....
Try it again and we'll have to hang you upside down by your t.....err......ankles!

Signed,
Middle Mgmt. :D

Yes, elavil, or amitryptaline is used for pain. It works for some people. Neurontin, Lyrica, and nortryptaline are some others that do the same thing.

Elavil will give you a dry mouth, and may make you tired. If it's a once a day thing, take it before bed.

Good Luck with your toe!

jesus chuck is it not enough that we live in the same mad house with CH you have to join me in the amputi house as well


Quote:

next Tuesday I find out if my new name will be Nine Toes, or not.

my wife calls me nine and two thirds. crushed the end of my index finger of at work. my wife also calls me stumpy (i hope its because of my finger lol)

Mark (stop copying me  :D)

I took Elavil for CH back years ago (told you I'd taken EVERYTHING - just EVERYTHING!!) and even at a LOW dose, I couldn't wake up the next day (or the day after). But I'd say give it a try - it's safer than the pain meds (at least it won't trigger a hit).

But now I've got a SERIOUS question.... Does the pain in your toe take away your "attention" (maybe not the right word, but you know what I mean) to the pain in your head? I'm asking because of the times I've thought about breaking my big toe to give me a new "focus" from my head.

Now be a good boy and do what the nice docs tell you and I promise NOT to step on your other nine toes when we're dancing cheek to cheek in St. Louis. ::)

Hugs BD :-*

Chuck:

Sorry about the circulation problem with your foot.  Elavil and other antidepressants are used to deal with pain, however I wonder why they didn't recommend something that has ON LABEL use for neuropathy.

I hope it works and you keep all your toes.

Ray

ClusterChuck wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 4:58pm:

Has anyone else ever heard of Elavil being used as a pain killer? Chuck

Yes - the tricyclics (like Elavil) and St. Johns Wort (which contains heterocyclics) are good for some types of neuropathic pain. Before the recent interest in St Johns for depression, it was most widely used as a liniment for aches and pains - sciatica, lumbago, things like that.  The elavil is worth a shot if the other pain relievers are not doing you good.

The biggest problem I see could be your ass kicking ablity being affected... ;)

You KNOW I love you!

Mark...... :-*

ClusterChuck wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 6:21pm:

Mosaicwench wrote on Jun 16th, 2009 at 6:11pm: you might lose a toe? Come on, Pat!  It is JUST a toe!   No biggie! WHY?  It is JUST a foot ... I am not going to stop being me, and doing what I do, just because I loose a foot.   Chuck

and ya wonder, chuckiepookiepoo, why you're one of my heroes? THIS is why!!!


Quote:

With the advances in these new fangled contraptions that they strap on ya, I could do virtually everything, except ballet, with a prosthetic.  And if I got the right prosthetic, I could probably do ballet too!  (I never could before, but with the right equipment, who knows?)

Trust Chuckiepookiepoo to make it sexual...... oh wait, that was me. Well, if they decide to cut of that, I'm sure you'll have a slightly different attitude, won't you sweetie?

smoochies,
Lizzie

Chuck,

Sorry I can't help in answering your question about Elavil.  

I do hope that all turns out okay with all your "little piggies" and that you are feeling like a ballerina soon!  ( I just know you've got a pink tutu somewhere)  

Seriously... I'm sorry you are going through this and I pray that all is okay.  Keep us posted.

Jeannie

Cathi_Pierce wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 9:20pm:

...vessel surgeons either fix ships, or vases.. but not feets. perhaps (ya dip) you were referring to a VASCULAR  surgeon?...

He didn't say "vessel surgeon" OR "vascular surgeon" - He said "vassal surgeon".  That is a medieval surgeon under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he has vowed homage and fealty.  ;D

Regards,
Jim

Chuckie, your odds are 50/50.  Try it.  I wasn't paying attention to my extremities when I tried elavil but it did loosen up my crochet stitch.  When I tried Paxil, I noticed it helped with some nerve pain.

Good luck, fella.  

Charlotte

Wish I had something useful to say Chuck but alas.....

How long has this been going on? Maybe time...we still have some.. will be the answer.

Charlie

elavil.......
i took it.. was on the max dose.  (didnt know that was the max dose at the time, but ... well.. i didnt know much at the time.... )
they use it for pain.. and it helps.  Know why?   Cuz you sleep and you cant fukkin wake up!   When you ARE awake.. you cant think straight... but you're not awake long.... so dont worry.

I hope you have a comfy bed!  

I HATED ELAVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!  
i was on it for 6 months.. started low and went to the max dose.. my dr kept saying - it'll work BETTER.. the drowsiness will go away.. the depression and pain will get BETTEr.. just stick with it...
6 months - still couldnt stay awake.  That whole 6 months is a BLUR to me... I lost the whole 6 months.  I couldnt tell you anything about it except  i was tired, cranky, hungry, and still in pain and depressed.

Good luck.  I hope it works better for you than it did for me.

Chuck - your attitude is impressive.  You dont let the small stuff (ex..toes) get you down.  I need to be more like that...you go thru more shit than I can even imagine, and you remain positive.   I dont know how you do it!  

Woobie... :-*
(who's attitude is shit today....... LOL)

Alienspacebabe said:

trust Chuckiepookiepoo to make it sexual...... oh wait, that was me. Well, if they decide to cut of that, I'm sure you'll have a slightly different attitude, won't you sweetie?

smoochies,
Lizzie[/quote]


I  beg to differ! Sex, ok specifically the big O(h!) gives our pink tutu'ed friend a Kip 10!
Oh, and you'll not be going up on toe any too soon without that pinkie toe!!!

Love....
That Lil ole attitude adjuster, ME! :D