cymalta(flexiril) and Ultram(Tramadol) Expericence so far

[Talonsmomma]

I have been taking both of these for about a week now...
The first time I took the Ultram it didn't really make me stop hurting as much as it made me feel like I was high and just didnt care that it hurt. The giggling fit wore off about 35-40 mintues later and that was about the only side effect I had from it.
Now I take it and it doesnt do anything, I mean ANYTHING at all. No laughing or feeling good or lessinging of pain.
Did anyone else have this kind of reaction?
Took the Cymbalta, the Dr. prescribed to sleep, but right now I am staring at my clock adn it is 3:30, because I still can't sleep. I have had no noticeable effects from this one, either good or bad.
Could anyone give me an idea of why this might be? I have an appt. with the Rheumy, but its not until June 14th, so until then I was just hoping someone could tell me why niether of these seem to help me.
I thought maybe it could be the dosage, but being as young as I am and seeing as many posts as I have about being labeled a drug-seeker, I am almost afraid to tell the rheum that I might need a higher dosage.
Ugh, I am so inexperienced with all this.
Also, does it take time to feel the good effects? Maybe thats why it isn't helping, maybe Im just not waiting long, enough.
Sorry guys, I'm rambling, I am just so depressed and tired of being sore.
Today my legs hurt so bad i thought they were going to shatter into a million pieces...
Anyway....
Thanks for listening....Any replies would be awesome!!!!!!!

[MomwithMS]

Hi.
The ultram doesn't make me feel high or giggly, but it does give me energy and relieves some of the heaviness in my arms and legs. I would say that it will take a week or so until your body gets used to the ultram. Hang in there!!

I have never gotten any relief from flexeril. I have MS, though. . so I have horrendous muscle spasms. Sorry that I'm not much help there.

Best wishes,
Les

[tkgoodspirit]

Talonsmomma,

Hi, my name is TK and I've had FM since March '02.

First of all Cymbalta isn't usually prescribed for sleep. So I'm a bit confused when you say that your doctor perscribed it for sleep. This kind of medication is usually prescribed to decrease pain by the chemical agents it is made up from, which can lead to a regulated sleep pattern. But it isn't meant to be used as a "sleep aide", at least not that I've heard. But I'm not a doctor either. That's why I'm confused a bit. Cymbalta is not Flexeril. They are two separate medications. Cymbalta is an SSNRI. Selective Serotinon Reuptake Neoepenepherine Inhibtor. It was originally developed for patients with Depression who also suffer from pain. It was originally prescribed to patients with Diabetes, then it was discovered that it helps with depression and pain. It is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor which basically means it increases serotonin which is a chemical in our brain that releases endorphines and therefore increases enegry, which in turn will releive paiin. Fibro patients do not have a lot of seritonin (if any) in their brains, so we cannot produce any of the chemicals that help us sustain energy. That's why we feel tired and then we feel pain. Inhibitor means it "inhibits" the neurotransmitters that destroy our neurons so that we CAN produce serotonin. Cymbalta is meant to give you energy and releive your pain. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant, and it DOES relax you so that you can sleep at night. It doesn't work for me, but it works well for others when they take it before bed. Cymbalta is meant to be taken in the morning, once a day. 60mg of Cymbalta is usually the dose that works most effectively. So I'm not trying to insult your intelligence or anything, but I think you have the meds Cymbalta and Flexeril mixed up. There are no generic brands for Flexeril or Cymbalta. Now Ultram is the same as Tramadol. Tramadol is the generic brand of Ultram. Ultram works for a lot of people for mild to moderate pain. It does not work for moderate to severe pain. Ultram is very good if you are experiencing pain from one source. It usually doesn't help Fibro patients since our pain comes from many sources. It is normally given as your first pain med to see how it helps or doesn't help your pain. Ultram is non narcotic and that is why it is preferred by most GP's and Rheumies. Since GPs do not like to administer narcotics or opiates for pain, usually. Rheumies usually will refuse to give narcotics for FM pain. Some do, but most don't. Reason being they have been taught that exercise and these SSRI's are what FM patients need to fight off the pain. Exercise increase's serotonin, thereby increasing endorphines and relieving pain. There are many many posts here by other folks with FM who testify to the fact that a regular exercise routine has helped reduce or get rid of all toghether, their pain. The more active you can be, the better you will feel. Unfortunately most of us with FM have other conditions that prevent us from getting enough exercise.

Oh I forgot to mention the other ingredient in Cymbalta, the neoepenepherine. This is also a pain blocking agent. There are other anti-depressants that are considered SSRI's, Effexor and Prozac are a couple. Wellbutrin XL works the same way only it has an agent in it that increases dopemine. Dopemine is a stimulantar. All of these anti-depressants, which is what Cymbalta is, are meant to stimulate you, and regulate your serotonin which in the long run will help you regulate a normal sleep pattern. They are not meant to PROMOTE sleep. They usually don't have sedative qualities, from what I hear or have researched. Your Rheumy should prescribe something like Flexeril to relax your muscles and help you sleep. Or other meds like Trazadone, Klonopin or any kind of muscle relaxant that is sedative in nature. You need to get enough restorative sleep at night, at least 4 hours, plus the non restorative sleep, 3-4 hours. Klonopin is commonly prescribed because it helps with Restless Leg Syndrome (common symptom of FM) and it's an antianxiety med, so it does help with sleep. I used it for 3 years until recently my Psychiatrist wants me to use Trazadone. Which isn't working as well as Klonopin, but Klonopin is very addictive so I imagine it's time for me to come off. It is a benzo type med made to treat anxiety, like Xanx.

So I would tell your doctor that the Ultram isn't helping with your pain. Cymbalta is an anti-depressant and it should be helping you with your energy and your pain, and depression if you are feeling depressed. There are a lot of side effects that drive people away from Cymbalta. I quit using it cuz it made me sweat so terribly. I don't believe in using Antidepressants for FM, but I also suffer from major depression so..

Ask your doctor about prescribing you something to help relax you and help you sleep, and if the Cymbalta isn't helping you, talk to your doctor about that also.

I hope I cleared some things up for you and helped you some. There are a lot of folks here on the FM who have been through the "medication trials and error", believe me! A lot of us here have practically used them all, so you can get much info and help from the members of the FM board. Ask any time you have a question about ANYTHING!

Nice to meet you.
Here's wishing you a good spirit,
tk

[tkgoodspirit]

Originally Posted by MomwithMS

Hi.
The ultram doesn't make me feel high or giggly, but it does give me energy and relieves some of the heaviness in my arms and legs. I would say that it will take a week or so until your body gets used to the ultram. Hang in there!!

I have never gotten any relief from flexeril. I have MS, though. . so I have horrendous muscle spasms. Sorry that I'm not much help there.

Best wishes,
Les

Hey Leslie!

Just wanted to post here and say that I have been thinking of you and that I have replied to a few posts asking about MS and FM and I told them to read your threads. A lot of posts about FM and MS seem to be popping up here lately! Hmmm.....makes me wonder if this is not some "sign" to me as I will be tested for MS very soon.

Anyway, I refered the questions to your threads so they can read your story.

I was just wondering how you were doing. I don't want to get off topic here too much, I saw your reply and wanted to pop in and say "hi" in the chance you see it.

Hugs,
tk

[monkeychow59]

TK,

I noticed in your response that you said that the recommended doseage for Cymbalta is 60 mg in the morning. I wonder if that's why the 60 mg daily that I'm taking isn't working as well as I'd hoped. My dr had said to take 30 mg twice daily, so I've been splitting it up.....one in the am and one in the pm.

I'm so glad you posted that, because I think that would be a huge help. Originally, I thought Cymbalta was doing a world of good and I would be able to go off of the Tramadol.....not so. In fact, I'm taking more Tramadol lately than I'd like to. Anyhoo, your post got me to thinking.....two 30 mg in the am is the same as twice daily....duh!!!

Thanks a bunch,
Monkeychow