Diagnosed today and very depressed - Fibromyalgia Message Board

sunshine123 · 06-26-2003, 02:15 PM

Hello everyone: I was diagnosed with Fibro today. I kind of figured I had it b/c of the research I've done on the internet and from having all the symptoms that it entails such as: IBS, Vulvodynia, TMJ, headaches, muscle pain everywhere, insomnia, depression, anxiety, etc. It was suggested that I take calcium before bed and sublingual B12 twice daily. I've been taking calcium before bed for quite awhile, but it hasn't helped me sleep any better. My predicament is that b/c of my IBS and acid reflux problems, my system doesn't tolerate most medications. I get really bad heartburn and diarrhea, etc. from most meds. Several years ago, I was given Serzone for depression and that was a disaster and a couple years ago I took the lowest dose of Elavil and couldn't tolerate that either, so I don't know what meds. if any I'll be able to take. It's so frustrating. I guess I'll try natural stuff, even though those things can also cause stomach upset. Does anyone else have problems taking meds. b/c of IBS or acid reflux? Thanks for letting me vent. Sue

Creeping Crud · 06-26-2003, 03:07 PM

Hey Sue,

I'm sorry that you're depressed..

If it helps, depression is fairly natural after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.. After all, when a doctor tells you that you are probably going to be sick for the rest of your life, it's not the most exciting or happy news..

Have your doctors ever put you on anything to help treat your digestive disorders? I know there are a few decent drugs on the market, but you might have to go to a gastroenterologist to get real help..

As for calcium, it didn't help me sleep any better either.. A fairly gentle (and non-prescription) medication that I take to help me sleep is benadryl - just the regular pink kapseals.. I'm not sure if that would be too hard on your tummy or not, but it might be worth a try.. I take one about 3 hours before bedtime, another about an hour before bedtime & I usually sleep like a baby..

I know a lot of anti-inflammatories are very evil on the stomach, so I'm not sure what you will or won't be able to take either.. It'll probably be a long process of trial and error, unfortunately..

Anyway, I hope your grief is short lived and that you start feeling emotionally better soon..

Take Care,
Melanie

JAYB · 06-26-2003, 04:34 PM

Ask your doctor about SSRI antidepressants. They're for anxiety and depression, and you need something to sleep too. A low dose may not bother your stomach. Sleep loss intensifies symptoms. Serzone didn't work for you but maybe something else will. Many of us have tried different meds. It's trial and error with fibro. good luck!

Sweet Pea · 06-26-2003, 05:46 PM

I've found that Nexium works very well for the reflux. I take it every night. I've taken it for almost a year now. If I miss a night or two I know it. It allows your throat to heal so it doesn't burn anymore.

Ambian also will help greatly with your pain symptoms. You need to get a deep sleep. I hesitated going on this because my husband is a deep sleeper and we have kids. I had dead bolts put on our doors and bought extra fire alarms and put them all around the house so I would feel more comfortable sleeping. I can still wake up if I need to and I don't feel like I have a hang over in the morning.

I have held off on the antidepressants. I know I get depressed but I don't want to be dulled any more than I already am.

I went unmedicated totally for a year. I finally couldn't take it any more. Once I got medicated I realized I was putting my family and myself through more stress than was necessary. I have more going on than just fibro. I was trying to be stoic and "strong" by handling it without pain killers. Now I can smile and laugh again at times. I still have that grimace but it has lightened up a little. If you need meds, get them. You might have to try a few until you get the right ones. I tried a few lemons until I got the right ones. I flushed a few bottles and returned a few bottles back to my pain management dr, wasted some money but I finally have the right combo. I'm not pain free but I am manageable.

If you are afraid of pain killers like me, take as little as you can, just enough to take the edge off.

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PINKYPRISCILLA · 07-03-2003, 09:53 AM

Hey sunshine,

Do you have tmj, too ?