Ahhhhh, Sweetie ... just try to remember that a lot of your depression is from PAIN. People who have never had to deal with chronic pain won't understand how depressing it can be, but I do. I tell people it's like having a toothache every day for years ... and the Bad Days are when that tooth abcesses. Since most people have had toothaches, they can sort of relate. Try it!

Fibro IS a disease! It hurts ... everywhere! That was the first DX I had until it was determined that much of my pain is due to having arthritis in every single disc in my back from the neck down. I always knew where the leg and ankle pain came from ... I have enough metal there to be considered bionic!

I guess my bottom line is this ... you hurt and you need to find out why. Screw the time, screw the money, screw anyone who doesn't understand that pain is depressing! I can also tell you you'll feel better just knowing WHY you hurt because when you know WHY, you can figure out how to make it better.

<center>YOU ARE WORTH WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FEEL BETTER!</center>

The Neurontin made me sleepy for nearly 2 weeks before it got into my system. Take advantage of it! Take a NAP! That side effect will be gone soon enough. The "drunken sailor" side effect took longer ... I'd get up and find myself needing to hold onto the door to get to the bathroom! Not fun, but it was funny! And don't get on anything like a step stool until it's in your system either. One side effect I had was almost like a vertigo, so watch out.

I'm glad you're going to start the ALA! I hope you have the same reaction I did ... just remember that it takes different times for different people. It started to work for my daughter within days but it took a month or so for me to see the results.

Hang in there, Mrs. M! Mr. M loves YOU ... even depressed, even *****y, even hurting. Don't forget that, OK?

GoodMama