TexMom85
04-16-2008, 12:19 PM
Hi All,
I would like to get an idea of what you FM sufferers are taking for your pain, and what has or has not worked for you. I am currently taking Celebrex and Flexeril, along with Lyrica for an unrelated issue (nerve pain), and not having too much success. I also previously took Topomax, which worked well for a while, but the side effects got to be problematic so I had to stop taking it. Right now, my pain level varies (worse at night), but I'm getting more miserable by the day.
I am getting ready to go to my doctor soon and definitely want to make a change in what I am taking. I thought I could ask you all and have a real FM sufferer tell me what has or hasn't worked for them, rather than just reading drug labels.
Thanks for any info/sharing!
Blessings,
Tex
I would like to get an idea of what you FM sufferers are taking for your pain, and what has or has not worked for you. I am currently taking Celebrex and Flexeril, along with Lyrica for an unrelated issue (nerve pain), and not having too much success. I also previously took Topomax, which worked well for a while, but the side effects got to be problematic so I had to stop taking it. Right now, my pain level varies (worse at night), but I'm getting more miserable by the day.
I am getting ready to go to my doctor soon and definitely want to make a change in what I am taking. I thought I could ask you all and have a real FM sufferer tell me what has or hasn't worked for them, rather than just reading drug labels.
Thanks for any info/sharing!
Blessings,
Tex
Sponsor
singerja1999
04-16-2008, 12:34 PM
Hi Tex,
Here is wishing the best of luck to you. I was on Lyrica for two weeks. It did nothing for my fibro however it affected my balance, and memory so I got off of that.
My real pain is only when someone applies pressure to any part of my body. I have had ultrasound and it was so painful I almost cried. Even when my cat walks on me I see stars.
What really helped me the most was celebrex. My doctor, however. took me off of it when it received such bad publicity.
Good luck and keep us posted. Jackie
Here is wishing the best of luck to you. I was on Lyrica for two weeks. It did nothing for my fibro however it affected my balance, and memory so I got off of that.
My real pain is only when someone applies pressure to any part of my body. I have had ultrasound and it was so painful I almost cried. Even when my cat walks on me I see stars.
What really helped me the most was celebrex. My doctor, however. took me off of it when it received such bad publicity.
Good luck and keep us posted. Jackie
Grapedy
04-16-2008, 01:21 PM
You may need to add one of the anti-depressants. But don't think of it as a pill for depression, think of it as a pill that helps turn off some of the pain receptors. The ones that work best for most FM patients are Remeron, Effexor and Cymbalta. Some people have improvement on Lexapro but most don't. Remeron is taken at night, so since your pain is worse at night that might be a good one to start with. That's what I take and it also helps me sleep.
The bad part is that all of those can cause weight gain. I've gained 20 pounds since I started Remeron, but in my case it was 20 pounds I needed to gain. I could stand to put on another 10-15 before I start approaching overweight.
You can also go up on the Lyrica dose if you want to, especially if you're only at 75 or 150 per dose.
The bad part is that all of those can cause weight gain. I've gained 20 pounds since I started Remeron, but in my case it was 20 pounds I needed to gain. I could stand to put on another 10-15 before I start approaching overweight.
You can also go up on the Lyrica dose if you want to, especially if you're only at 75 or 150 per dose.
bleigh
04-16-2008, 04:10 PM
Well, I've tried a few things in the past medicine wise to help my fibro. Pamelor, Ultram, Naproxen, Flexeril, Elavil.....can't remember the couple other things. I pretty much hated every single drug except low dose Elavil. For some reason, I'd end up with all the side effects and they'd never go away after being on the meds for months (Pamelor a couple of years). So, I just quit trying anything else. Figured I was much better off hurting with the fibro/myofascial pain that I was suffering with the drug side effects.
I found that the only things that could bring on an almost pain free existence was a very low carb diet and light exercise. I'm not the most disciplined person so it's been difficult for me to get back into the routine, but when I manage doing this for over a year I was feeling great (and looked pretty darn good too). I've gone the no carb route to experiment with my cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the recent past and amazingly I'm reminded that the diet is good for my pain management too. Also dropped my high cholesterol and triglycerides to well within the normal ranges within a month. I know this may not work for everyone for pain, but if you haven't given it a try it's worth it....you'll lose a few pounds too and that's great for those aching backs and feet!!
Currently the only meds I will talk are otc ibuprofin and tylenol and my prescription 10mg Elavil at night. My doc keeps trying to bump that up to 25mg, but I'm happy with the lower dose. I do need to be able to wake up at night if one my children needs me. I'm sure there could be something out there that I could take that would help, but I'm not willing to suffer through the reactions to find it.
I found that the only things that could bring on an almost pain free existence was a very low carb diet and light exercise. I'm not the most disciplined person so it's been difficult for me to get back into the routine, but when I manage doing this for over a year I was feeling great (and looked pretty darn good too). I've gone the no carb route to experiment with my cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the recent past and amazingly I'm reminded that the diet is good for my pain management too. Also dropped my high cholesterol and triglycerides to well within the normal ranges within a month. I know this may not work for everyone for pain, but if you haven't given it a try it's worth it....you'll lose a few pounds too and that's great for those aching backs and feet!!
Currently the only meds I will talk are otc ibuprofin and tylenol and my prescription 10mg Elavil at night. My doc keeps trying to bump that up to 25mg, but I'm happy with the lower dose. I do need to be able to wake up at night if one my children needs me. I'm sure there could be something out there that I could take that would help, but I'm not willing to suffer through the reactions to find it.
CDS75
04-16-2008, 06:34 PM
I have been going through trial and error for about 5 years. I don't know if it will help you but here goes:
Pain - Oxycontin 20mg 4 times a day, Lortab 10 for breakthrough
Spasms - Baclofen 20 mg every 8 hours, except at night I take tizanidine 4-8mg instead because it helps me sleep. I also have Lidoderm patches that help significantly with my spasms
Joint pain - plaqunel 200mg 2 times a day, Mobic once a day
Migraine - Uggg, this one is difficult. I have taken all the triptans and for one reason or another don't tolerate them. Now, as soon as I get an aura, I grab 4 motrin. Usually, this will prevent the headache from turning migraine, if not I will more than likely have to go to the ER for IV Toradol (always helps)
Sleep - Ambien 10 mg, Tizanidine 4-8 mg, Benedryl 20mg. This will usually put me to sleep and keep me asleep...usually. Otherwise I am up for 4-7 days straight.
Supplements - magnesium, calcium, omega3, vitamin d, zinc, selenium, B complex, multivitamin
I have been through all the normal ones - topamax, lyrica, cymbalta, ect. The problem with a lot of fibromites is MCS - multiple chemical sensitivity. So finding medications can be tedious.
Pain - Oxycontin 20mg 4 times a day, Lortab 10 for breakthrough
Spasms - Baclofen 20 mg every 8 hours, except at night I take tizanidine 4-8mg instead because it helps me sleep. I also have Lidoderm patches that help significantly with my spasms
Joint pain - plaqunel 200mg 2 times a day, Mobic once a day
Migraine - Uggg, this one is difficult. I have taken all the triptans and for one reason or another don't tolerate them. Now, as soon as I get an aura, I grab 4 motrin. Usually, this will prevent the headache from turning migraine, if not I will more than likely have to go to the ER for IV Toradol (always helps)
Sleep - Ambien 10 mg, Tizanidine 4-8 mg, Benedryl 20mg. This will usually put me to sleep and keep me asleep...usually. Otherwise I am up for 4-7 days straight.
Supplements - magnesium, calcium, omega3, vitamin d, zinc, selenium, B complex, multivitamin
I have been through all the normal ones - topamax, lyrica, cymbalta, ect. The problem with a lot of fibromites is MCS - multiple chemical sensitivity. So finding medications can be tedious.
TexMom85
04-16-2008, 06:51 PM
I found that the only things that could bring on an almost pain free existence was a very low carb diet and light exercise. I'm not the most disciplined person so it's been difficult for me to get back into the routine, but when I manage doing this for over a year I was feeling great (and looked pretty darn good too). I've gone the no carb route to experiment with my cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the recent past and amazingly I'm reminded that the diet is good for my pain management too. Also dropped my high cholesterol and triglycerides to well within the normal ranges within a month. I know this may not work for everyone for pain, but if you haven't given it a try it's worth it....you'll lose a few pounds too and that's great for those aching backs and feet!!
.
I have becoming increasingly suspicious that my diet has been impacting my pain levels. I figured out that sugar was a particular culprit. My internist, who does the majority of my treatments, suspects that I have major food allergies, since I am so "inflamed," according to a test she ran. Since I gained 37 pounds in about 3 months from Lyrica and steroids, my weight has ballooned to its highest ever (I cannot bear to even type it here). So, with my doctor's permission, I started on Medifast last week. I also was given a diuretic (Triamterene), so all told, I've lost about 20 so far. But, I think this diet is making me sick. I am experiencing nausea and stomach pains. But, the good thing that has come of it is that it's really made me take notice of how MUCH I was eating prior to the diet. It's also eliminated most food that have the potential for allergies (other than the soy that the product is based on), so I have the option of trying to add suspected foods back in to see how I react. I would not be surprised to find that wheat/gluten is a problem for me, and I cannot even tell you how much of it I was probably consuming.
I had tried the low-carb thing several years ago and was quite successful in losing weight, and I felt good, could eat when I was hungry, etc. Hubby also tried it and, like the typical man, lost 18 pounds in 2 weeks and has kept it off for 2 years.
I am hoping to stay on this Medifast for a while, at least to get my body on the weight loss roll, if you know what I mean. The plan I am on involves eating one meal of your own each day, including lean protein and low-carb veggies or salad. I think I will transition to eating meals like that, keeping out the potatoes, bread, pasta, sugar, etc. and see how it goes. After years of illness, medications, surgeries, and poor sleep, I have a good deal of weight to lose and would be thrilled to shop in the regular ladies' section rather than the frumpy plus-size area. But, I would rather have the treatment and deal with the weight rather than deal with worse pain and no sleep.
Thanks for the info; I am going to research your regimen and see what my doctor says we can do for me. I know I need to do something!
Blessings,
TexMom
PS Thanks, CDS75, for sharing your list of meds. Welcome to the boards!
.
I have becoming increasingly suspicious that my diet has been impacting my pain levels. I figured out that sugar was a particular culprit. My internist, who does the majority of my treatments, suspects that I have major food allergies, since I am so "inflamed," according to a test she ran. Since I gained 37 pounds in about 3 months from Lyrica and steroids, my weight has ballooned to its highest ever (I cannot bear to even type it here). So, with my doctor's permission, I started on Medifast last week. I also was given a diuretic (Triamterene), so all told, I've lost about 20 so far. But, I think this diet is making me sick. I am experiencing nausea and stomach pains. But, the good thing that has come of it is that it's really made me take notice of how MUCH I was eating prior to the diet. It's also eliminated most food that have the potential for allergies (other than the soy that the product is based on), so I have the option of trying to add suspected foods back in to see how I react. I would not be surprised to find that wheat/gluten is a problem for me, and I cannot even tell you how much of it I was probably consuming.
I had tried the low-carb thing several years ago and was quite successful in losing weight, and I felt good, could eat when I was hungry, etc. Hubby also tried it and, like the typical man, lost 18 pounds in 2 weeks and has kept it off for 2 years.
I am hoping to stay on this Medifast for a while, at least to get my body on the weight loss roll, if you know what I mean. The plan I am on involves eating one meal of your own each day, including lean protein and low-carb veggies or salad. I think I will transition to eating meals like that, keeping out the potatoes, bread, pasta, sugar, etc. and see how it goes. After years of illness, medications, surgeries, and poor sleep, I have a good deal of weight to lose and would be thrilled to shop in the regular ladies' section rather than the frumpy plus-size area. But, I would rather have the treatment and deal with the weight rather than deal with worse pain and no sleep.
Thanks for the info; I am going to research your regimen and see what my doctor says we can do for me. I know I need to do something!
Blessings,
TexMom
PS Thanks, CDS75, for sharing your list of meds. Welcome to the boards!
bleigh
04-16-2008, 07:50 PM
Let me know if you have any questions about the diet. I have terrible problems with most dairy (not hard cheese or yogurt), corn, and gluten. My stomach literally hurt for a couple of years and it just quit when I dropped the gluten. Yesterday I ate a small cup of dry cherrios and just about died last night. Felt like I was in labor. I also have a tendency to swell pretty badly when I eat gluten products. Amazing how skinny my ankles are when I'm not swollen. I've not been that good about keeping gluten out of my diet so I'm pretty much bloated, gassy, and just plain uncomfortable most of the time. I know, stupid.
Anyway, I know there is a link to my diet. If I eat a high carb meal, I feel like passing out. Get so sluggish, no energy, and something really starts to ache (like my neck or hips). Also gluten carbs and sugar are having a terrible effect on my lipids. I am about 35lbs overweight and obviously this is not good, but when I drop the sugar/bread carbs my lipids are better than perfect. OH, also PMS symptoms get much better on the diet!!
When I first went low carb several years ago, I did the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. Basically you eliminate all carbs all day except for one meal a day. You can have what you want for that meal and it must be started and finished in an hour. Back then it worked good for me b/c I could still have something sweet and bread or pasta once a day. I weighed 150 lbs and was wearing extra small clothes. My body composition totally changed. I'm naturally muscular and dense boned...in case you were thinking that sounds heavy. Now, I need something more like Atkins as I shouldn't be eating gluten at all. Low fat protein, lots of veggies, fruit, nuts.....I feel lighter and healthier just thinking about it.
Never heard of the Medifast diet. Sounds like it's working great for you and weight loss. Please try a few things and see what happens. Keep in mind it may take a week or longer to feel the changes so give whatever you try a chance to work...kind of like taking medicine.
Anyway, I know there is a link to my diet. If I eat a high carb meal, I feel like passing out. Get so sluggish, no energy, and something really starts to ache (like my neck or hips). Also gluten carbs and sugar are having a terrible effect on my lipids. I am about 35lbs overweight and obviously this is not good, but when I drop the sugar/bread carbs my lipids are better than perfect. OH, also PMS symptoms get much better on the diet!!
When I first went low carb several years ago, I did the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. Basically you eliminate all carbs all day except for one meal a day. You can have what you want for that meal and it must be started and finished in an hour. Back then it worked good for me b/c I could still have something sweet and bread or pasta once a day. I weighed 150 lbs and was wearing extra small clothes. My body composition totally changed. I'm naturally muscular and dense boned...in case you were thinking that sounds heavy. Now, I need something more like Atkins as I shouldn't be eating gluten at all. Low fat protein, lots of veggies, fruit, nuts.....I feel lighter and healthier just thinking about it.
Never heard of the Medifast diet. Sounds like it's working great for you and weight loss. Please try a few things and see what happens. Keep in mind it may take a week or longer to feel the changes so give whatever you try a chance to work...kind of like taking medicine.