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What Causes Sleeplessness And Depression In A Person With Dercum Disease?
Question: I have had spinal fusion for mainly a pinched sciatic nerve and I was told by my neurosurgeon that I can take Endone if necessary. I have also been taken Lyrica long term and will be getting off this soon. I have now developed Bursitis in my right hip and I am worried that I will never be able to be medication free. I also have Dercum's disease and although my GP is aware of this I feel my symptoms are being fobbed off. I am not sleeping and feel I am getting depressed.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the difficult situation you seem to be in.
Dercum disease is a rare condition so I guess your GP is not used to dealing with such patients before. One of the features of this disease is also depression and emotional instability. On the other hand chronic pain itself whether due to the spinal or hip pain does itself predispose the patient to depression.
So it is a tricky situation with several factors at play. While you do not mention your age, chances are that joint issues such as those involving your spine and hip are of a degenerative nature, meaning they are likely to progress with age. For that reason I am afraid that the possibility of you being medication free is not high, most likely you will need some type of medication or the other unfortunately. The more realistic aim might be trying to be on as few medications as possible, in order to avoid side effects and addiction.
Physical therapy is recommended for your spinal issues. For the hip pain non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are usually effective in alleviating pain although might influence negatively high blood pressure and ulcers.
Given the combination of chronic pain and depression one medication which might also be suggested, which addresses both those issues are antidepressants, either of tricyclic group (like amitriptyline) or SNRI group like duloxetine.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the difficult situation you seem to be in.
Dercum disease is a rare condition so I guess your GP is not used to dealing with such patients before. One of the features of this disease is also depression and emotional instability. On the other hand chronic pain itself whether due to the spinal or hip pain does itself predispose the patient to depression.
So it is a tricky situation with several factors at play. While you do not mention your age, chances are that joint issues such as those involving your spine and hip are of a degenerative nature, meaning they are likely to progress with age. For that reason I am afraid that the possibility of you being medication free is not high, most likely you will need some type of medication or the other unfortunately. The more realistic aim might be trying to be on as few medications as possible, in order to avoid side effects and addiction.
Physical therapy is recommended for your spinal issues. For the hip pain non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are usually effective in alleviating pain although might influence negatively high blood pressure and ulcers.
Given the combination of chronic pain and depression one medication which might also be suggested, which addresses both those issues are antidepressants, either of tricyclic group (like amitriptyline) or SNRI group like duloxetine.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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