Lexapro for anxiety/pain relief?

Hi,

I've been trying to heal my centralized chronic pain (at times quite debilitating) for roughly 6 years. I've used Curable app, read books from Dr. Sarno, Alan Gordon, Dr Davis Hanscom, and the list goes on. I'm a huge proponent of meditation and mindfulness. I've also tried Expressive Writing although I admit I haven't stuck to it as a daily practice.

I used Kratom and valium to help manage the pain for roughly 3.5 years, however, it eventually stopped working, unless I increased my dose of course which I refused to do. So after a long grueling journey, I managed to rid myself of both of these substances. I'm so grateful to have gotten off these meds, and to be honest, I'm in much less pain than I was when I started these substances - so there's clearly been progress made - HOWEVER I'm still contending with this madness and as much as I'd like to think I'm a Zen Master guru with the strength of a lion, I'm growing increasingly frustrated as it feels like I've plateaued and I'm not making anymore progress. I'm also contending with anxiety as it's only been 6 weeks since I kicked the valium (although I've always had anxiety, even before the pain)

This journey has cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars and so much lost precious time of my prime years as an adult (I'm 39 yrs old). I've lost the majority of my financial wealth and am now struggling to stay afloat. I need to be in a better place to not only feel good about life but also to perform in order start making money again.

So what I'm writing this post for? I'm at a loss as to what to do. I want to stay on the journey of healing my brain, however, it feels like I need a little more support. Therefore, I'm highly considering trying Lexapro for 3 month trial. I know Cymbalta is more often used for pain, however, the stories I've heard about Cymbalta scare the shit out of me. To be honest, the idea of taking any medication makes me cringe, however, I'm in need of a change and getting back on Kratom and/or Valium seems like an even worse idea and one that I'm not currently willing to explore.

I don't know where else to turn so I've decided to drop a thread here, hopefully I'll receive some good suggestions/support from other community members.

Thanks!

 

Write.
Write about your frustration.
Write about your finances.
Write about how you felt before (the stress). Your symptoms.
Write about everything.
The avoidance of the writing is because your mind is still trying to protect you from the emotions.
This is probably the best thing I have heard about journaling. It will help you give your mind permission to deal with your “stinky cheese” https://audioboom.com/posts/7194309-wheelchair-bound-to-total-freedom-mighty-mouse (The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW / Wheelchair Bound to Total Freedom - Mighty Mouse!)

 

Appreciate this reminder. I listened to this today and I'm already feeling a sense of renewed desire to restart my writing practice.

 

I'd love to try therapy but most awesome therapists don't accept insurance and charge a pretty penny. I've tried to cut corners on this one but as they say, you get what you pay for.

 

If you are willing to let us know your general area, perhaps folks here can help you locate a few practitioners. I am beginning to try with another therapist who has low rates, does take insurance and has EMDR and IFS experience (both mind/body) and has some chronic pain experience but also comes from a medical model background. My goal is not to have her help me with the pain, but to help me with anxiety. I can continue with TMS work on my own. There are loads of possibilities, keep your mind open.
It’s possible that you can help yourself with the anxiety by doing the journaling and doing a few things you love to do and find yourself moving forward. Mouse also kept an evidence journal. It helped her realize moving through the phases she went through.