I'm taking 40mg of fluoxetine and I'm increasing gabapentin to 1500mg today. So far I have absolutely no relief. Has anyone been on these medications with good results? I'm in so much pain and so stiff.
I have tried many, but the best is Savella. I think you will be please with this.
I have not had health ins or meds since 2005.
When I did nothing helped.
I am currently waiting on an appt at a free clinic.
I have increased pain in my left foot.
I used to take 3 x 600mg gabapentin daily along with 3 x 75mg of Effexor XR and 20 mg Amatriptoline at bedtime. The gaba and effexor were in over the course of the day and I had great results. My new rhumatologist said that that was too high a dose of gaba and he put me on Lyrica and I'm getting the same results as before. Virtually pain free, minor sleep issues, but my case of fibro is very mild.
Originally when I wanted to be put on Lyrica, the ins co said "You've got to try Effexor, gaba, or amatriptoline first". So I asked my rhuma, can you put me on all three. Within three weeks I was pain free. My old rhuma said we can dose you up to 3600mg of gaba but my current one says he won't go above 1200mg.
Hope that helps and Good luck,
Allen Highnote
I have been on both meds and niether one gave me relief. I have now been on nabumetone 750mg @ e times daily and i actually feel like a normal person for the first time in years. I have relief from my pain in all my joints and muscles. Only side effect has been upset stomach but after 3 weeks that is getting better.
Gabapentin made me gain a lot of weight after it took me a year to get 64 pounds off. I stopped taking it.
I would love to try Lyrica but my insurance company doesn't cover name brand medications. If there was a generic brand it would be covered. I can't understand why this medication isn't working. My rheumatologist didn't do anything when I called him and told him the medication wasn't working. He just said it takes a very long time. My regular doctor is the one that just increased my medication.
Allen Highnote said:
I used to take 3 x 600mg gabapentin daily along with 3 x 75mg of Effexor XR and 20 mg Amatriptoline at bedtime. The gaba and effexor were in over the course of the day and I had great results. My new rhumatologist said that that was too high a dose of gaba and he put me on Lyrica and I'm getting the same results as before. Virtually pain free, minor sleep issues, but my case of fibro is very mild.
Originally when I wanted to be put on Lyrica, the ins co said "You've got to try Effexor, gaba, or amatriptoline first". So I asked my rhuma, can you put me on all three. Within three weeks I was pain free. My old rhuma said we can dose you up to 3600mg of gaba but my current one says he won't go above 1200mg.
Hope that helps and Good luck,
Allen Highnote
I have been on Gabapentin for several years and over this time the dosage has been increased to manage the pain. I now take 400mg three times a day and it is working quite well. I have not heard of Fluoxetine. I am also on Cymbalta 60 mg once a day.
I am on 600 mg of gabapentin 4 times a day but it is mild relief, if put together with Tylenol 3 it is much more relief, I have taken Lyrica before from a friend when i was in desperate need and it helped tremendously! it put the gabapentin to shame. but my Dr. will not write a script for it.
IrishLass,
If you have evidence that a med has worked for you in the past, and your Dr will not write a script for it, I would change Drs unless your Dr can give a real reason why you should not be on it.
FYI, Lyrica is a very, very similar to gabapenten so the two drugs should not be taken at full doses at the same time!
It took me several years for us to get my dosage perfect on all of these drugs. Fortunately, I've had two very good rhumatologists.
Also, NEVER loose hope. There is a solution that will help. You just have to be willing to do what ever you can and never give up! EVER! Mine was working with a personal trainer who understood fibro, massage, meds, and meditation.
Allen
About gabapenten::::All it did for me was add 50lbs...and no pain relief. I've recently gone through problems with Cymbalta where I thought I was losing my mind. Am off it now but hear that it works well for many people.
My problem is a I have a very low tolerance to chemicals..thus even a very low dose of 'whatever' causes me a great deal of grief. Where I live - MM is allowed so my Dr. has me on that which I use in moderation. Helps for my insomnia and numbs the pains for awhile.
I am very interested in trying what Allen Highnote is doing with massage & meditation and will definitely look into that.
When I was looking for a meditation teacher and massage therapist, I made sure that each understood the importance of working within my limits. I had to be able to express "No, that doesn't work for me or that's too much." and be heard and respected. This is especially important with massage. For example, if the massage therapist goes too deep or overdoes a good thing, I will pay the price the next day or two. Therefore I need to be able to communicate my limits and be heard. If your massage therapist doesn't hear and respect your limits, politely move on to another therapist.
I have been on the gabapentin and it did seem to help me...I have not taken fluoxetine - is that for pain?
I took Fluoxetine some years ago for depression following back surgery...it's mostly an antidepressant & anti-anxiety drug from what I was told. I'm glad the gabapenten works for you.......has it made you gain weight?
fluoxetine is an antidepressant. It's supposed to help me sleep and keep me from getting depressed, that's what the doctor told me.
lindasmathews@gmail.com said:
I have been on the gabapentin and it did seem to help me...I have not taken fluoxetine - is that for pain?
Exercise is VERY important and is only part of the solutions for me. I see a personal trainer at least once a week and he really understands how to work with me. I wish I could workout like I did when I was in my twenties but have learned about my limits and pay the price when I exceed them. Those limits, by-the-way, have increased over time with gentle never-ending persistence!
I also had the same problems with Cymbalta. It helps some people but not me.
lfeiljj: http://tinyurl.com/7wus9w8 ***GO TO THIS WEBSITE, 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN THE PAGE, THERE IS A BOXED OFF SENTENCE WITH "HELPFUL ANSWERS" ON THE RIGHT. This is who you contact that can help you get the meds for free if your insurance doesn't want to pay. Everybody uses these patient assistance programs now-- take advantage of it. The Drug Companies expect us to use them, and they are all really nice and easy to talk to. NO ONE can afford meds. I have insurance for Brand Name, but the copay is $70 !! I'm going to apply for other meds, thanks for reminding me. (I worked in a Doctor's Office & dealt with this all the time) But I think this is the best and easiest way for you to get it. If you want to try Savella, I can get you their # too, just let me know.
I've been on fluoxetine in the past with no results at all. Now I am on Effexor instead, with the Gabapentin 1200mg per day. Plus Zanaflex 6mg three times a day, but I only take that at bedtime, because it knocks me right out. I'm getting some relief, which is better than none for a change. Since I've already been on the Effexor for many years, I definitely think it's the Neurontin that helping. I was on Lyrica when it first came out; it did nothing at all for me. All my doctors want me on Savella, but there is a contraindication with my other meds. Maybe try Savella first? I've only heard good things, and Fibrogirl is on it, says it's the best! The only thing I would question is the stiffness you're having; the Gabapentin only works on nerve pain. Your doctor may need to add a muscle relaxer, which seems to common to this kind of medication cocktail.
Allen: My Rheum has me on 300mg of gabapentin 4 times a day =1200mg. I just read that they are getting good results with Fibro and Neuropathy at 2400mg a day. But 3600mg ?? EVEN BETTER! I left a message for my Doctor about increasing it, but of course he hasn't called me back yet. I think I would do better at a higher dose, because it does seem to give me a little relief at 1200mg daily.
I've looked into meditation also, and massages scare me. I've made appointments and ended up cancelling. If my husband just touches my back or hip the wrong way, no matter how light the touch, I could go through the ceiling! In theory, it sounds WONDERFUL ! They always say they know how to handle medical conditions, but I'm still nervous. But that's great advice; To you give them your limitations upfront, and they don't respect it, then move on. If they hurt me though, I don't know if I'll do it politely ! LOL!
Geranium: You and I have talked before about MM. I wish I didn't live in NY. BUT OMG, have I gained weight !! And I do not eat. Usually one meal a day, when my husband comes home from work, if even that. HOW CAN I GAIN SO MUCH WEIGHT WITHOUT EATING??? I know I don't move much, but this is ridiculous !!
OK, talked too much as usual -- going back to my corner now ......... :D
Please start eating.The pills are making you gain weight.
I am following beyond diet.It is a low carb diet you can look up on the web.
You need to est some fats to loose weight.
Not eating will hurt you.
Joann
You have to be careful with massage therapists. Most MTs will listen and hear your concerns. Also, every MT's touch is different. Some are simply better than others. When I was diagnosed with fibro, I could barely stand a light touch. But over time I have been able to receive deeper and deeper touch.
If you communicate your needs, expectations, and potential response to touch to the MT BEFORE the massage, any competent MT should respect it. During the massage, communicate with the MT. Let them know what is working and what isn't. It's OK to ask them to go very lightly or very slow. I've only had one experience in my life (out of 500+ massages over 20 years) where I had to stop a massage. I simply didn't like her touch. The way I stopped the neck rub was "I'm sorry but this is causing my pain. I don't mean to be mean or rude, but I need to stop the massage. My fibro is flaring up and touch is hurting me today." Luckily it was a free neck rub from a class mate so it was no big deal. If it isn't working, don't suffer through it. The MT should understand. And if they don't, that's their issue an not yours if you've communicated your special needs and concerns up front.
Also, there are many different types of massage. Reiki is a form of energy work that does not involve touch and can be very powerful. Other types are warm salt wraps, warm stone work, cupping, sound work, myofacial. The internet is a great resource.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Renie I was on 1800mg/day of gaba for two years and my first rhuma said we could go up to 3600/day. My second rhuma disagreed and put me on Lyrica. Now I take Lyrica 50mg 3x/day with the same results.
I have found that if I break my Lyrica and Effexor dosages into 3 a day as opposed to one or two doses a day, I'm more awake and the drugs are better used by my system. Had to work with my rhuma to get dosages right.