so my pain ridiculously high today. To the point where I am actually sweating and feel feverish. Everything hurts and burns and aches. So my question is, has anyone ever tried pain meds and do they really work with fibromyalgia? My rheumatologist says that pain meds do not work with fibro and that I just have to live with the pain, essentially. However, because he has only studied fibro and does not live with it every day, I want the opinions and feelings of my fellow fibro fighters. Thanks everyone. Hope you are all having a low pain day!
Hi. I take lyrica for my Fibro. (in addition to anti-inflammatory meds, plaquenil,and sleep meds) Sometimes, however, my pain is off the charts. When that happens, my dr prescribed hydrocodone (vicodin). I used to take tramadol for pain but it didn't do much. I agree with my dr that narcotics shouldn't be the first line of defense for Fibro pain. I do my stretches, some exercises, rest, icing and heating pads. Sometimes, though, the pain just becomes too much and I need help to get through it.
I know I got oxycontin after some procedue or other but it didn't do a thing to help with my fibro pain. But that's just me. I find that Lyrica helps me the most, although I haven't tried Cymbalta. It seems that Lyrica and Cymbalta are specifically made for nerve pain, which is what fibro is comprised of, at least in part. Pain meds are formulated for different types of pain.
Why not try it and see? After all, your pain isn't mine and may be coming from a different source.
Good luck if you try it, Ahava, and let us know if it helps you.
I get great pain relief from Norco. The pain is always there but tolerable. I hated to start taking them, I waited many years, but am so thankful for them now. They really make a difference for me.
Good luck and hope you get some relief soon.
Best wishes,
Melyn
I have Cyclobenzaprine 10mg tab & Hydrocodon-apap 325mg tab, the 1st one is a muscle relaxant & the 2nd is a pain med.
AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGH, Live w/the pain? Live w/the pain?? Live w/the pain???
Remind your Rheumatologist that he became a Rheumatologist to HELP people, that Fibro is NOT a one size fits all, it is a many faceted illness that has a different effect on each human being & therefore a different combination of scripts & over the counter pain meds will be used to help us function!!! PERIOD
I believe that by telling my Doctors that I did not want drugs/narcotics is what got their attention and they gave me some respect. I had one Dr. who did prescribe Norco and flexeril before I got my diagnoses and they made me feel worse!! BUT I kept them just in case and I found that once I had started the Cymbalta the pain leveled out to something I could tolerate in most places but my buttocks was a different game. The siatica was my breaking point and I took both the norco and the flexeril to help control that pain.
So everyone is different and the pain levels are different... some meds help and some do not... I now have my rhumy prescribe the norco and flexeril but I do not take them unless I just have to. Went to him today and they handed me a cup to pee in... I was like Really... I do not take them everyday... I do not take them most days... I only take them when I cannot stand the pain... and then I could not pee...too funny... next time I am taking the Norco with me and they can just count them...lol
I'm sorry you hurt so bad. Are you doing any better? I have a very sympathetic doc, who wants to try and help me have as much of a life as possible, outside of my pain. I do have a few other issues that lead to chronic pain, but, the fibro is the constant.
I've been on mscontin, with Norco and baclofen for flares, and right now, I'm weaning off the mscontin, and on fentanyl patches. It seems as though I'm always flaring at night.
For me, percocet does nothing for the fibro pain, but, the Norco is what I started with, and got relief from.
The big disadvantage of taking these meds, is that you get used to them, have to increase the doses, and switch to stronger narcotics for relief.
I'm sorry to hear that your doc seems ignorant to pain relief and fibro. If possible for you, have you considered trying another doctor?
Thanks for the replies everyone, my pain is still horrible but I am managing best I can. More feverish feelings today, could not make it to my doctors appointment this time because unfortunately I have to work. He always has a huge waiting line to get in to see him as well. Not preferable or grand when you absolutely need to be seen. I have tried most of the meds mentioned here, unfortunately none of them worked for me, the worst ones being Cymbalta and lyrica. I know that narcotics are not the answer, but sometimes I feel that any relief is welcome on some days. The pain is just too bad.
I will try to speak with my rheumatologist again but I think that maybe perhaps it is time to find another one that understands my needs better and will try to help me best they can. Most doctors I have been to either want to snow me with meds (no thanks), or they believe that eastern medicine is the only way. While massages and yoga help, I don't think they are the complete answer.
I think that finding what works to help ease fibro is a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly struggle. Sometimes I feel that my symptoms are always changing and so, in turn, my meds and routines need to always be changing also. Sigh, in the end I try to remain positive and just keep on keepin on. Love to all!