Anyone on antidepressants for fibro? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

Vic15 · 06-14-2004, 01:49 PM

Hi

I'm just wondering if anyone is on antidepressants for their fibro???? I am taking Effexor (Venlafaxine) and it's seems to help with pain. Please give me your feedback..

Thank you

Vicky x

Sandy5764 · 06-14-2004, 02:10 PM

My doctor just started me on Lexapro. As he puts it, "It's not because you're depressed. It's supposed to tell your brain not to have pain." At this point I would take anything they gave me if it took the pain away. Only have been on it for about a week, don't notice any difference yet, but it's early.

healthseeker · 06-14-2004, 02:23 PM

I was diagnosed with FM in 1997 and have been tried on many different antidepressants since (script and otc). The way it was explained to me is that anyone that has chronic pain, can automatically develop a chemical depression. No matter what, you have to keep your doctor informed of everything else you are taking when he/she has you on these drugs - even something as basic as vitamins. I now take SAMe - it seems to help me more than any of the others and I can get it at Walgreens or Costco - too easy! It also helps with joint mobilty.

typingterror · 06-14-2004, 02:34 PM

A long time ago I was tried on Elavil for sleep, but had to stop taking it due to getting severe nightmares. However, antidepressants are a part of many fibro patient's regimen used as a relaxant more than depression. Undoubtedly we all go through bouts of depression though with this illness. I will take whatever works to live a lifestyle as normal as possible without walking around like a zombie. (TT)

taurus3 · 06-14-2004, 03:48 PM

I've been on ADs to, Elavail in my 20's, Paxil in my 30's and Prozac post-partum. The one that seemed to work the best was Prozac but they may because it wasn't just for fibro, I really was emotionally depressed. Elavil made me gain weight which ultimately made fibro worse and Paxil gave me all kinds of crazy side effects. But I'm not on anything now and haven't been for a year.

I can tell when that is an issue because I generally start having really bad insomnia too. Right now I'm sleeping just fine for the most part.

Hope that helps.