[Doll Steak]

Hello. I am new here and looking for some answers. I have been suffering with back pain for many years. In recent months, my lower back pain has worsened. I am also experiencing very frightening stab-like pains in my finger joints, ankle, thigh, knee, and wrist bone. They almost feel like lightning strikes and are unbearable. When my knees or fingers hurt, I can't have anything, including a bed sheet touch me. My doctor did some x-rays on my back and found that my arthritis has gotten a little worse, I have some more calcification and spurs, and she is sending me for PT again. No blood work. Last year I experienced joint pain and she checked me for RA. It was negative. Since then, she just says it comes with age. I am 46. My parents have less pain than me, and get around better. I feel useless and depressed. On top of that I have Bipolar Disorder, Panic Disorder, & Depression,. I have been on medications for over 20 yrs. I currently take Prozac, Tegretol, Seroquel, & Trazadone. Does anyone think that long term use of anti depressives or anti-psychotics could be to blame? PS My doc does nto believe in Fibromyalgia or any of those diseases. Thank you in advance.

[CANDC]

Welcome to Psych Central!

not sure of the answer to your questions but here are some articles that might be of interest
Psych Central - Search results for Causes of back pain

[Doll Steak]

Thank you very much

[SnakeCharmer]

Hi, Doll Steak. Tegretol can cause stabbing joint pain. I've taken Tegretol for 20 years for an extremely painful neuralgia that can make my life unbearable. I've also lived with this side effect:

Neuromuscular System: Aching joints and muscles, and leg cramps.

Side Effects of Tegretol (Carbamazepine) Drug Center - RxList

There's no other drug that works as well as Tegretol for what I have so I made the decision to live with the joint and muscle pain and aching legs.

If you're taking Tegretol for something other than neuralgia there's probably another drug that's equally as good that doesn't have the knife-in-the-joint side effects of Tegretol. This side effect wasn't recognized until the last few years so many doctors don't know about it. Your doctor may be willing to change you to a different drug if you show him the latest info.

I wish you the best and hope your doctor will be willing to try different medications with you.

Doll Steak, maybe your doctor doesn't believe in fibromyalgia but many doctors do. I believe in it because I have it. I'm currently in a pretty bad fibromyalgia flare: muscles hurt (mainly legs), not so much joint pain, fatigued and fuzzy thinking. It's not fun.

I was on tegretol for a long time and didn't experience any symptoms that I experience now. Not saying that couldn't be the case for you though.

[Doll Steak]

Thank you both. The Tegretol is for BP disorder. I wasn't aware of that side effect, but I have only been on it for 6 months. They switched me from Geodon to that one because of the weight gain and anxiety side effects. The joint and back pain before it, but it definitely has gotten worse since so that is definitely something to look into. I am awake now due to the pain. I feel like my body is attacking me. Everything is hurting right now especialy low back and right fingers.