I am truely sorry you are having a bad time. I am on elavil and it works great for me for the first month. Now I am back to my base line. Sleep 1 to 3 hours never rested. I would recommend that you speak to your Dr. Those meds can be nasty if you dont wean off appropriately. I have found that all new things work for my pain and some for the fatigue until my body adjusts to them. This illness is so unfair and truely a destroyer of a persons life. Enjoy the little things listen to your body and remember you are the patient and have a major say in how you want your care to be handled. Prayers to you.
I am NOT on any rx medications. I have gotten a handle on and reduced my pain and fatigue simply by changing diet to anti-inflamatory diet, organic, gmo free, no gluten and working with my naturopathic physician. I take some supplements per my doctor's instructions. I have done water therapy, which was great, but I had to stop since the I reacted to the chlorinated water.
The other thing that helped me is to remove, as much as possible, chemicals and toxic substances from my home. I have also reduced my exposure to EMF(electromagnetic fields, computer use, TV, cell phones, cordless phones, other electrical appliances, etc.), and this greatly reduced my flare ups, pain and fatigue. All of these things have a cumulative effect on me. I don't need to take rx drugs anymore. It's a big change in your awareness and lifestyle but well worth the effort.
Some form of relaxation is important each day such as yoga or meditation, prayer or just going out in nature and incorporating positive activity and people into your life.
I have just recently been prescribed Cymbalta and it does help. I am going to a specialist next week to discuss fibro, meds, etc. My doctor could not confirm fibro but Cymbalta is for fibro and I have noticed a difference. May God be with you as you walk this path.
Everyone is different.Currently I am taking celebrex,lyrica,citalopram and levothroxine.Over the counter sleep aid 50 mg Diphenhydramine.No matter what I take I have pain and do not sleep well.Buts its better than it was.I cannot try any more because this is it Lyrica is the newest.I have heard of taki.g Adrenal fatigue formula.You can get it at supplement stores or on line.I cannot afford any more pills.I also gained weight but was diagnosed recently with a thyroid condition after complaining for months with the exact symptoms.I work part time cleaning and do not get disability.
Hi Ally, that's awesome all of the changes you have made. I have been doing many of the things you have been doing and it has helped. However, when I get really stressed, which happens so easily now that I have fibro, it seems like the only things that work to get me back on track is to rest for a good amount of time, sometimes I have to take a Klonopin. Last night I tried RelaxMax that my naturopathic doctor prescribed and it worked like a charm and I didn't have to take the Klonopin like I would have normally had too. May I ask what supplements you take that have been working for you? Any specific to pain reduction?
Has anyone on here ever had micro currents treatments?
I did mess up the medication..typical fog moments :)...It is Effexor 75 mg.
I think I might be one of those people that the meds don't work. I think they have even increased my fatigue to a degree.
Thanks for everyone's responses. I think with everything said I am going to talk to my doctor and then once I get some motivation try doing supplements. I have been working on changing my diet too but just haven't had much motivation since I felt like I was stuck.
At my last visit I told my doctor that I felt worse than I have ever felt..so she increased the medication and that has been a month and I feel even worse.
I am going to talk to her about getting off and trying natural things...I'll check in with everyone to see if it works.
Hope everyone is hanging in there..you guys are all great!!
I'm not on the site as much anymore for the same reason as you......just too tired/exhausted/fatigued all the time.
About the meds:: I have tried Cymbalta, Savella & Lyrica....BUT my body can't tolerate them.
I take 1/2 of 25mg Amitryptilene to help me sleep at night. Other than that....I can only handle OTC like Advil or Aleve for pain. It's useless for mega pain but better than nothing.
I took Tramadol for awhile but it stops working unless the dosage is increased.
BY THE WAY---don't let anyone tell you (even your Dr.) that there are no withdrawal symptom if you stop taking the Tramadol. I went through hell when I stopped taking it b/c of the weight gain. My Pharmacist told me that it WILL cause withdrawal symptoms in 99% of people.
My Dr. in desperation to try and help me...prescribed medical marijuana. I use it very sparingly and not often. I usually make a tea from it...adding a Chai tea bag to make it tastier.
Many people don't agree with using MM but there is lots of medical info now that is proving it to be beneficial for many ailments/diseases.
Probably the best relief I get is to swaddle myself in a heating blanket.
Hopefully some others on this forum have ideas for you.
All of the medications I take, I take for other illnesses, mostly my chronic migraines that I have had since 1992. I have always had sleep problems and that was solved with Ambien and 150 mg. of Trazodone. There is alot of groundbreaking work with Vitamins and minerals with FM, So far, all I have gotten is Fish Oil and Brown Seaweed. There are 7 important nutrients for FM. You can look them up, or PM me or when I feel better I can list them. I wish you much luck in the future. Just remember, we are all here with you. Gentle Hugs
Good for you using medical marijuana; the government has no business in telling people what to put into their bodies to deal with their ailments.
MM stores will be opening up here in MA within a year, probably, and I have debated whether to try some before sleep on days when the pain over the top. I'm sure my pcp won't prescribe it, maybe they'll have an MD at the shop I can show my old FM diagnosis letter from the rheumatologist! I would never smoke anything, had pneumonia a bunch of times and lungs are not 100%. Have you have found MM tea effective in pain control? Does it make you sleepy?
Hello, as I was saying. I took myself to sleep specialist 1994 and she saved me. I have multiple sleep disorders,delayed sleep,PLMS, RESTLESS LEGS (RLS)She told me Amitryptline was and old drug that was horrible for for many sleep disorders ESPECIALLY FOR RLS.
It about a year to undo sleep deprivation from Elavil and improve my sleep. It was a miracle ! I was appalled that a dr that commonly sees and treats arthritis will state old research which has proven not to be accurate for Fibro or arthritis,sleep disorders,anxiety etc!
Greatly dislike Amitryptline due to side effects and what ignorant Drs prescribe it for. I know when a dr. Wants to push that drug that they are not current in treating! Outdated. Much of Fibro is related with sleep disorders. Not all is. But mine certainly was starting to become more manageable. Getting restful sleep helps coping with chronic pain.
I believe the current drugs often used is CYMBALTA, LYRICA I BELIEVE are AFEW OTHERS OUT THERE. I varies what works for some and for others different meds. Tramadol I found to be useless for chronic pain.
If you considering going off of please tapper off so not to experience withdrawal. But before going off I would get an appointment with a good dr. that is known to do well with treating Fibro. ASK around,research and you be knowledgable about current treatment and options. That is a good way to be able to chose a good Dr for you and participate with your Treatment which can be so different for each person. Also consider a SLEEP SPECIALIST. I THINK YOU WOULD BE SUPRISED and possible pleased at how beneficial they are in the group of Dr. Treating Fibro.
A good Dr is a good partner for treatment. In 1992 there were very few option but I am forever grateful for a a wonderful sleep specialist that worked with me explained and educated me. Kept me up to date on the latest studies and research ( this was in 1992!) set a plan of treatment and my options if something didn’t work what would be the next choice. She was very special Thank Dr Wendy Fleugal she stared in KC,Mo and moved to Des Moine,Iowa.
I have found since some sleep specialist,rheumatologist,internets,family. Practitioners that were great, very knowledgeable and some that had no idea or clue. They tried pawning off old treatment on me!!
If you read,find people like in this blog that have the same (very resourceful). Research,research,research. You can find the best for yourself,best doc and be able to spot one you don’t want!
Be persistent and I know you are probably exhausted,sleep deprived,dealing with chronic pain but keep pushin and it never goes away but it can get much better and livable ,yes live able . It takes time.
Do not curl up in bed and give up. I have friends that have given up and they haven’t gotten better for years they remain the same. Curled in bed taking multiple different narcotics,drinking and it is sad,very sad.
I had two boys to raise and send to college,I had just had changed careers. I looked at that dr. That gave me that Amitryptline and told her I have to much to do and a life to live. 2 boys to raise and educate.
She had told me just to quit work and go on disability. Keep in mind this was in 1992.
Not many choices, in meds,Drs that believed in Fibro. The support groups very little old ladies that stayed home,slept late, did water aerobics and met in eve and bitched ,bitched,bitched. I worked hard and long hours. I got up early ,and pushed thru terrible pain,headaches. It does get better. It took me years nowadays there is so much known and meds to be used . Keep pushin as an advocate for yourself
Fand your family. Much luck Squeeze
I was told just last year I had fibro and IBS with bronchiecstasis thrown in as well. Some years ago I was told to take Amitryptiline for my jaw pain (have TMJD) 1 the first night, 2 the next and no more than 3 per night. I took 1 the first night-and that was enough, I couldn't wake up properly the next day and felt like a zombie-which is what I told the doctor.
As for medication for fibro, I take nothing but paracetamol as that is all I was told to take. I have tried a couple of things from the health shop-one was Devil's Claw, but didn't help. I haven't really found anything that helps yet, but will keep trying, everything i do try, even vitamins etc-make my stomach worse and the side pains a lot worse. But that could be 'normal', who knows?!
The fatigue and depression because of continual pain is so frustrating-there must be 'something' that will help everyone.
I’m a lot like other people I’m only newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia since November 2013 since then I was on Lyric which did nothing, I have tried various other drugs to no avail. I am allergic to all opiates so basically I am on various herbal supplements for the pain and trying diet. I’m on a waiting to see a pain specialist but have lost all faith in medicine
I hope you find some relief for your pain. I know that mine has risen considerably in the last week as I am sick with the flu.
My rheumy gave me a script for voltaren 1% gel. i tried it for joint pain in my hands. i didn't think it worked. i lost the instructions on how much and where your allowed to apply it and i was thinking of trying it again as i don't think i gave it enough time to work. TinaWi how and where do you apply your gel. How long did it take to work?
Hi Gina, I currently am on 1 script for flexeril, 5mg at night to help with sleep, sometimes i up it to 10mg. Also if i feel my muscles tightening up during the day under stressful situations or whatnot, i will take a 5mg pill daily as needed. Other than that i am on nothing but herbals, vitamins and watch my diet. Lots of green tea and no caffeine. I have tried all sorts of meds which either stopped working after while or had bad side effects. I do a lot of researching online for the latest studies and updates on anything natural that could help.
I was taking Wellbutrin XL and found it very helpful. Was on it for about 10 years. I've been off it for about 8 months. I take nothing else as I found most other meds made me a zombie. I have had CFS/Fibro before both legally/medically had names.
I have found EFT/tapping to be superb in helping me release emotions/anger/negative emotions, which I have found has reduced my fatigue and pain to a 3 or 4 from a 9 or 10, plus. Wouldn't mention it, except that I know it works.
Most likely you are not on the right meds. There are others your Dr. should try on you. It took years of trial & error before my Dr. got me on the right combination & dosages.
