Hi there. I was diagnosed in December 2014 by my primary doctor. I currently take gabapenten and aleve to try to combat the pain. The medication is not working and symptoms are worsening day by day. I don’t even know what I can do or where to turn to try to get more help. It’s affecting my every day activity and my work as well. If s gone has any helpful tips or can point me in he right direction I would be forever grateful.
Hello Cathy,
I am sorry to hear you are experiencing these problems. I think the first thing you must do is to go back your Doc, and tell him. There may be better meds you can take. I personally take amitritylene, 50mg, helps mor e with sleep than pain. Also ther are people on here who find other things work for them, we are all different so there could be something that works better for you. I think the aim with this very tricky condition is to find the best thing that works dor you. I have realised you cannot expect to be pain free. I don't want to sound negative because there are other things that will help you manage. For instance, pacing yourself, some form of relaxation, or mindfulness. You may find CBT works for you (cognitive behaviour therapy). Hope this helps and I wish you luck.
Take care, Anne
Welcome! It is definitely a search in progress to find what works and what doesn't. As Anne mentioned unfortunately being pain free is rare, I have not seen that in a long time. But I have learned different ways to deal with it. Limiting and planning my activities and time to recuperate from them has helped. I also insist on doing something with my dog everyday, short walk, play ball. I know Water is a releif for me also. Unfortunately going to a pool is a ways away so I don't get to enjoy it as often as I would like. Luckily my husband is looking into getting a small pool for our backyard... Good luck and stay persistant with your doctor to find a helpful combination of meds. Gypsy
Hi, Cathy! So you have been recently diagnosed as of Dec 2014? Have you talked to your doctor about the pain you are having? When I was first diagnosed, I was given 30 mg Cymbalta once a day with 50 mg tramadol every 6 hours as needed for pain. That worked great for about 2 months. The pain came back so bad, sleepless nights, etc. went back to doctor & upped the Cymbalta to 60 mg a day. That worked for about 4-5 months–then pain came back with a vengeance-doctor upped my Cymbalta to 60 mg twice a day. This is what I still take months later–I still have pain, but it is more manageable. Most of us have to have our meds adjusted, especially within that first year of diagnosis. What works great for me might not do anything at all for someone else. Check with your doctor to see if your meds need an adjustment of some sort. Feel better soon! HUGS from Deb
Hello there, Sorry to hear another person being told they have FB. Your primary can and will do what they can but you need a arthritis doc. or a I can’t spell the word correctly so here goes rhomatoligist they can better help you. But find one first that understands and knows about this disease and keeps up with the new things coming out to help people like us. Lyrica workers for me but I have been on it si long it just takes quit a bit of the edge off enough to at least be able to get yourself to the restroom. I am at the stage where my doc. Prescribed morphine tabs. They were wonderful but can’t afford them right now due to hubby’s lay off in Oct. So doing the best I can that’s all we can do. One day at a time. Stay positive. I am trying it gets bad when everything hits at once. It has really been a bad, hard struggle for both of us these past 3 yrs. I am here for you or anybody out there. So vent, B#%ch all you want I will read every word and get back to you ASAP. I am here. Hope you have a pain free tomorrow. Donna
Cathy,
It might be a good thing for you to find a Dr that knows Fibro and is willing to work with you. I to was diagnosed by my primary Dr. many years ago. I went to him for everything and he to started me out on the meds that you are on. Finally he told me that I needed to go to a pain clinic because after he changed my medications multiple times he was lost and didn't know what to do with me anymore. I have been on many meds I was on 10 medications at one time I got relief for awhile and then I they would need adjusted again. I found
So sorry to hear that you’re struggling with the pain - it is an evil little thing, isn’t it? Some primary care doctors may still be afraid to work with a lot of pain medications for their Fibromyalgia patients and they might not be aware of a lot of the options available for us. Perhaps you can talk to a rheumatologist or even a pain specialist. They will be more familiar with fibromyalgia and how to treat the patients pain. Never be afraid to let your doctor(s) know that something isn’t working for you and that you are in pain. If a doctor tells you that you don’t need more pain medications, it’s time to fire them and get a new one! It is not acceptable to be in pain! I fired 3 before I found the one that worked for me the best. He’s a pain specialist and he has treated me wonderfully these last 3 years. In addition to that, take it easy when you need to and don’t push yourself too hard. It’s not worth it.