Disclaimer, I'm not seeking advice on what to actually do and obviously would never act on anything without first seeing a doctor. I would just like to get some thoughts.
My health condition is two-fold. Lupus is obviously my main condition but in connection with that, I have "Major Depressive Disorder". Today I have also been diagnosed with Osteopenia following a DEXA scan and from 5 years of steroids.
I'm on a LOT of drugs and hate seeing anyone other than my main GP because I am so embarrased about it. Most GPs tell me I take too much but the GP I saw today seemed horrified and quite worried about me. It just leaves me so confused.
For my lupus: (prescribed by Rheum Prof)
Prednisolone: 10mg x 1 daily (I had managed to come down to 8mg but I'm going up to 10mg again as I'm not doing to well)
Hydroxychloroquine: 200mg x 2 daily
Azaiothioprine (Immunosuppressant, I'm off this as a test until I see Prof next month)
For pain: (this was the cocktail I left hospital with after I had my pain assessed over a week and prescribed by my Rheum Prof)
Paracetamol: 500mg x 8 daily
Dihydracodeine: 30mg x 8 daily
Gabapentin: 300mg x 6 daily
Ibruprofen: 400mg x 3 daily
Tramadol: 50mg when absolutely necessary and something I rarely take unless I'm in a lot of pain. One pack lasts months.
For depression (prescribed by psychiatrist)
Amitryptiline: 175mg (yes you read that right) x 1 daily (I used to take >75mg for sleep/pain)
Zopiclone: 7.5mg x 1 daily
And
Bonviva: 150mg x 1 monthly
Osteocare: x 2 daily
The main cause of the GP's concern was the Amitryptiline and the Zopiclone. I was telling him I had felt dreadful after starting Zopiclone last week, I really have felt awful and it has taken me 3 days to get the energy to actually go to the GP. The Psychiatrist prescribed me an extra 25mg of Amitryptiline and the Zopiclone as I was starting to slip depression wise and as hitched knows all to well that my worst moments were late at/during the night, which he very much wants to avoid. GP thinks I should consider stopping Zopiclone or at least halving the dose to see how I go.
Every new GP I ever see in the practice (bar the one I have come to know very well who agrees with it all) is always worried at my pain killer levels and without fail will ask who has given me so much. I would very much like to take less but if I still get pain on this cocktail, what would it be without?
I would really like your thoughts on what I take and does it seem excessive to you? I would also be reassured to hear your similar tales. ?
