teacher2be
02-19-2008, 07:25 PM
i have had fibro for 8 years and have dealt with it on my own, but am ready to go to a rheumatologist and get try something. what do they usually give you medicine wise to start off with. i am so sensitive to medicine and have been scared of medicine because i have had such bad reactions to anti-depressants before and scared to try anything new. i need something for pain and justwant to feel better but don't want to be "doped up" feeling if that makes sense. i have 3 children and am going to school to be a nurse so i want to feel good but be able to function. would appreciate any advice.
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robbielee129
02-20-2008, 09:45 AM
I've had Fibro for 12 years. The first 5 I went undiagnosed. The doc's start out with the lowest possible medication, usually ultram or tramadol. Neither worked for me. Now I'm on Vicodin and that controls the pain. The fatigue is the worst! I'm also on Prozac and synthroid for my hypothyroidism. I hear that the new FDA approved drug Lyrica is good, if your insurance covers it as it's very expensive!
sherryrenee0423
02-20-2008, 10:53 AM
I would think a rheumy would put you on Lyrica and something to help you sleep. I've had bad reactions to every antidepressant I've taken except Lexapro, but I've read on the board that this one doesn't help most people...but it does the trick for me. My doctor prescribed me an anti-infalmmatory too. I can't remember the name, but it starts with an 'm' lol like that helps. I also take darvaset as needed for pain.
robbielee129
02-20-2008, 11:09 AM
I would think a rheumy would put you on Lyrica and something to help you sleep. I've had bad reactions to every antidepressant I've taken except Lexapro, but I've read on the board that this one doesn't help most people...but it does the trick for me. My doctor prescribed me an anti-infalmmatory too. I can't remember the name, but it starts with an 'm' lol like that helps. I also take darvaset as needed for pain.
THe one thing everyone with fibro needs to remember is that everyone is different. What works for one doesn't work for all. Unfortunately you have to experiment wth drugs and combinations of drugs to get it right. Also, I take a double dose of Vitamin D which helps my mood. Sometimes in the winter (Wisconsin is bitter cold!) I up the dose of Vitamin D on cold or dark days. Doesn't help the pain, but it does improve your outlook.
THe one thing everyone with fibro needs to remember is that everyone is different. What works for one doesn't work for all. Unfortunately you have to experiment wth drugs and combinations of drugs to get it right. Also, I take a double dose of Vitamin D which helps my mood. Sometimes in the winter (Wisconsin is bitter cold!) I up the dose of Vitamin D on cold or dark days. Doesn't help the pain, but it does improve your outlook.
SusanG50
02-20-2008, 11:17 AM
I've had fibro for 20 years, 28 with Chronic Fatigue...........talk about tired.
AND I've tried almost everything.
They are so right..........you have to find your own remedy.
Ultram has helped me a lot. Traumeel (homepathic) I would not be without.
Fish Oil, (helps mood a lot too) Calcium, Vit. D, Magnesium, Zanaflex (muscle relaxer), Folic Acid, Panethenic acid, Vinegar with the Mother (buy at health food stores) mix with honey and water and drink. (our bodies are not alkalized). A warm bath soak with 2 bottles peroxide and 1 box of epsom salt (draws out inflammation and puts in magnesium), exercises (gentle stretches -yoga) water exercises, water walking.
I have never been able to take anti-depressants..........have tried almost all of them.............hate the way they make me feel. Don't like being DRUGED, but do take lorcet for breakthrough pain when ultram doesn't work well enough. Just started that this year after 19 years.
The things I have found most helpful are supplements, exercise, lower stress events, rest, laughing as much as possible, and exceptance that I cannot change this situation. I fought it for years and was angry and bitter over the loss of my life, but feel better now that I have just LET GO and try to live one day at a time in FAITH.
Hope this helps you in some small way.
AND I've tried almost everything.
They are so right..........you have to find your own remedy.
Ultram has helped me a lot. Traumeel (homepathic) I would not be without.
Fish Oil, (helps mood a lot too) Calcium, Vit. D, Magnesium, Zanaflex (muscle relaxer), Folic Acid, Panethenic acid, Vinegar with the Mother (buy at health food stores) mix with honey and water and drink. (our bodies are not alkalized). A warm bath soak with 2 bottles peroxide and 1 box of epsom salt (draws out inflammation and puts in magnesium), exercises (gentle stretches -yoga) water exercises, water walking.
I have never been able to take anti-depressants..........have tried almost all of them.............hate the way they make me feel. Don't like being DRUGED, but do take lorcet for breakthrough pain when ultram doesn't work well enough. Just started that this year after 19 years.
The things I have found most helpful are supplements, exercise, lower stress events, rest, laughing as much as possible, and exceptance that I cannot change this situation. I fought it for years and was angry and bitter over the loss of my life, but feel better now that I have just LET GO and try to live one day at a time in FAITH.
Hope this helps you in some small way.
1sunny1
02-20-2008, 11:31 AM
Hi teacher2be, After 12 years of not being diagnosed, I finally was sent to a Pain Management doctor, she did diagnose me with fibromyalgia. She put me on cymbalta and Lyrica, and flexeril. The cymbalta and flexeril I take at bedtime along woth 150 mg of Lyrica, and in the morning I take 150 mg of Lyrica. I am convinced that Lyrica is a miracle drug, at least for me. But keep in mind, like others have said, everyone is different, so if one thing does not work, don't give up, try something else, and don't be scared of these drugs, they are not narcotics. I hope you get to feeling better...
Sunny
Sunny
Grapedy
02-20-2008, 05:19 PM
Every person is different. The most important thing though is having a doctor who believes FM is real. Many of them don't. You could hit your magic combination on the first try, or it could take months to find it.
Sherry, as long as Lexapro works for YOU, that's all that really matters.
Sherry, as long as Lexapro works for YOU, that's all that really matters.
kirstee
02-20-2008, 06:28 PM
I'm on the guafenesin protocol. This medication is OTC, well tolerated, and does not cause any allergic reaction, drowsiness, etc. I have improved immensely since starting this medication, but it does take patience and time for your body to start healing on this stuff. You can read "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia" to learn more about this protocol, or research on the internet.
Blessings,
Kirstee
Blessings,
Kirstee
teacher2be
02-20-2008, 07:46 PM
thanks everyone for your help. i take a vitamin or energy drink by dr. teitlebaum that does help. it is special for fibro/chronic fatigue. MAGNESIUM has really helped i take 1000 mg a day. they say people with fibro are very low in mag. my pain in my legs and feet is what bothers me the most. sometimes it hurts so bad they almost feel numb. and my fatigue that is my other main complaint.
georgi
02-22-2008, 01:29 PM
I think that I am dealing with two issues. I have severe bone pain through out my body that I have been treated for and was sent to a pain management doctor. I had been on oxycontin for the bone pain and the PM doctor put me on lyrica. I am on a low dose. He says I might also have fibro. I think I do too. I don't feel the inflamation all of the time, but I get hit several time a month with really bad inflamation in my upper back, neck and down both arms. You guys are the experts. Does that sound like fibro to you? Anyway I was wondering about lyrica. I see at the beginning of this post that 1SUNNY1 says that she was put on lyrica. Hows it working for ya?
Thanks for all responses.
georgi
Thanks for all responses.
georgi
1sunny1
02-22-2008, 01:56 PM
I think that I am dealing with two issues. I have severe bone pain through out my body that I have been treated for and was sent to a pain management doctor. I had been on oxycontin for the bone pain and the PM doctor put me on lyrica. I am on a low dose. He says I might also have fibro. I think I do too. I don't feel the inflamation all of the time, but I get hit several time a month with really bad inflamation in my upper back, neck and down both arms. You guys are the experts. Does that sound like fibro to you? Anyway I was wondering about lyrica. I see at the beginning of this post that 1SUNNY1 says that she was put on lyrica. Hows it working for ya?
Thanks for all responses.
georgi
I couldn't be happier with the Lyrica. I am still taking 150mg in the morning and 150 mg at bed time, along with Cymbalta and Flexeril. I do think I have put on weight because of the Lyrica, but I feel so much better now that I have joined a gym to combat that side affect.
Thanks for all responses.
georgi
I couldn't be happier with the Lyrica. I am still taking 150mg in the morning and 150 mg at bed time, along with Cymbalta and Flexeril. I do think I have put on weight because of the Lyrica, but I feel so much better now that I have joined a gym to combat that side affect.