Thanks for your responses. I did go to a Rheumatologist once, and ranked one of the best in my area. He prescribed trazadone for sleep. I haven't filled the script yet. I usually take a low dose of Klonopin if I am too wired to sleep well. I have tried Lyrica and it gave me far to many awful side effects. I take Zoloft for anxiety, which has definitely helped in my recovery, which began about a year and a half ago. My main problem is just the horrible muscle pain. I am going to start swimming regularly to see if that helps. I also just ordered some Curcumin to try for pain relief. I will just keep trying things until my pain is gone! I am determined to overcome this. Thanks again for your feedback.
Hi Gina, Just a word of caution about going of your medications. Make sure you do it under your doctor's care and let he/she know it you are experiencing any significant withdrawal symptoms.
Regarding your question I have a PCP who does not deal with pain management and also doesn't deal with narcotics. So I was told by one of my previous doctors to take magnesium. I increased it until the stool becomes loose than stay at that same dose. It has helped me a lot and I haven't had any side effects from it. You might want to ask your doctor about this.
You might also want to ask other members of the support group what they do if they're not on medications.
Like many rare conditions, it is hard to find just the right medications for you, but they are out there. If what you are on isnāt working, then It is time to work with out something else with your doc. Donāt discontinue your drugs without talking to your doc first, but you should be able to do just that once you speak to them. I have psoriatic arthritis too, and it took me years to get the right med combo. Talk about patience. But, I am glad I was persistent because I am able to work, and live my life, mostly. With PsA, I canāt expect perfection, but my life is much better than what it was.
Bottom line, donāt give up on finding there right treatment for you.
I replied a few months back but just got an update here. My back and neuropathic type foot and leg pain got so bad that, after 25 years, I just saw a nationally known specialist near Boston. He suggested Cymbalta, despite my concerns about what are called anticholinergic effects, tough on older men like me. My pcp followed his suggestion and I noticed a fair pain reduction even overnite. Howeverā¦ Five days later I got quite severe side effects and stopped. I even opened the capsule and took one 1/2 strength, 10 mg, but still got severe urinary problems, the older male problem with many meds. So Iām back to nasty pain and my generic Ambien, though I will start researching and trying supplements again I will probably end up with getting low dose naltrexone, LDN, also mentioned here by someone. I believe this is a low risk potential high reward for many of us, though a pesky prescription to track down and get prescribed, though doable by phone. Good luck with your med search. Will post any positive find.
Yes, we do often look normal, like with many nasty disorders, but the best term Iāve heard for fibro pain is excruciating.
I only use specific strains of cannabis but no pills (except natural stuff like turmeric,ā¦)
I also take Countrylife Coenzyme B-complex caps (with high vit B6, it helps with the pain because fibromyalgia is actually spasmophilia and itās nerves that constantly vibrate without control. My neurologist says iām walking a marathon every night with all my muscles (when iām sleeping, that way i donāt get deep sleep stage 4)
I also get vitamin injections with B1-B6-B12 and pure B12
For sleep best and immediate results from earthing (i use a mat and not something with silver, best 50ā¬ ever spent for sleep, and other spoonies respond the same, so i definitely would try it out if i were you. I have this and lay it under my sheets at knee height so iām constantly in contact with the mat (https://www.earthingnederland.nl/aardingsmatxl)
And food, no more sugar or processed foods
Iām on 5htp and mild codiene 8mg for pain when I need it. I was on sertraline but managed to come off it. I swear by stretching, walking and Physio in pool. Iāve a lot of pain lately. I notice if I can manage to get up and stretch a bit I can get going. Hands and feet really bad at min, so orthotic central for feet
I was diagnosed 10 years ago and Iām currently only taking tramadol. 50mgs 3-4 times a day. CBD oil works great for me. The prescriptions for fibro just made me feel worse in different ways.
I take medication for my arthritis but not fibro. My rheumatologist did suggest anti depressants but wasnāt keen to put me on them in case I gained weight, and put more pressure on my joints. At the moment I take co codamol when needed and take lits of hot baths! I find exercise does actually helpā¦ when I donāt feel too exhausted or in pain to get the gym or the pool!
I have been diagnosed in 2011 ā¦after the initial trials and itās side effects, I stopped medsā¦I rely on massages and supplements. Although I must admit that when I quit working and took life more easy, the intensity of my pain reduced significantly. I know itās not an option for most but for me itās the one thing that helped enormously I used to have weeks of not being able to get out of bed but not anymore. I do yoga, donāt eat processed foods or sugar, I started fasting, and meditation, and take multivits. i did write a post about complementary therapiesā¦