Having a bad Fibro Fog day and with significant pain and stiffness in my legs/knees. I have tried many pain meds including NSAIDS, tylenol, nortriptyline and nothing has helped. The vicodin has been the one that has made the most difference but I can only take it at night because I work during the day full time. My MD has suggested the use of Effexor for the pain - I am currently also on Paxil - she would want to take away the Paxil and try the Effexor. She has also mentioned Ultram, percocet, and oxycodone. Has anyone had any luck with any of these meds and if yes/no can you give me other ideas I can try to help with the pain? I know there is not a easy fix, but relief would be nice.
I take Daypro, and the generic for Opana, for Fibro, and Psoriatic Arthritis, which may not be the answer for you during the day, however one of the gals on the Psoriatic Arthritis site who teaches, swears by Nucynta, she uses it during the day with no problems. She told me it has given her life back!
I use Tramadol 50 mg twice a day and Lyrica 75 mg twice a day. It helps but I feel that the meds don't work long term like others have said and you have to try different meds and doses to see what is right for you. I am fed up with the horrible swelling I am having with Lyrica and just emailed my doc to try to get on something else as I cannot deal with this side effect. Hope some of this helps but it really is just different things and doses that works for different people. I feel like fibro is so weird in all the differences everyone has with their pain and what they do to help relieve it.
Hi nurse 13, it’s been my experience that what helps one may not help another, for me I see a pain specialist, and he has given me a low dose Fentenyl patch, it was great the first few weeks, after 2 months the dr wanted to increase it… Nope, it made me so sick, so I’m sticking with the low dose, it does help with the morning pain & stiffness just a little… Then recently I have had to take 1/2 Lortab during the day for bad back pain… The one med that does seem to help is called Tizanidine, it’s a muscle relaxer, I have only taken a few times & it helped with menstral pain. I have to talk to my dr. About if it should be used as needed or everyday… I’m unclear about that.
Just a friendly warning… Please read up on the Effexor, I have read & heard its impossible to get off of
I hope you can find something that helps
Yeah, I heard about that about effexor as well as I am a nurse. I am currently on Paxil and have been on it for several years, I use it for panic attacks - I was told this is hard to get off of as well. I see my MD again on June 10 and we are going to discuss options for the pain. I am a bit nervous if she takes me off the Paxil because I have not had any panic attacks since I started it years ago. I am not crazy about Effexor either, hopefully we will come up with something. Thank you everyone for the ideas and areas that I may consider. Happy Friday!
Hi 13 - the fact that you are a nurse, got my attention. My Father was a doctor in Los Angeles and all those years of getting to know the nurses and the people in his office - well, I have tremondous respect for you. Dad passed away about 30 years ago - but he was so loved by everyone and was well-known.
Please, be very careful with the pain med options that have been given to you? The fact that you work full-time is amazing to me - with all you have to contend with. I agree with the others, Effexor has terrible side effects when trying to get off it. Also, I have a friend who is on this Med, and if she misses just one day - she can REALLY feel the negative side of the Effexor.
I hope you feel better and again....kudos to you for being nurse! I am sure you are terrific at what you do! Hugs! Laurie
I have had luck with percocet paired with fentynal patches. I function at a way better capacity now and actually have part of a life again vs in bed all day in a ton of pain.
I use ultram too, and find it helpful but not amazing.
