What is the very best pain reliever that you use?
Before my fibro became worse, all I used was meditation, warm bath's, exercise, variety of vitamin's, and motrin.
But after it became uncontrollable, I used alcohol because I'm too sensitive for the pain killers that the doctor's would give me. But through this last year I found that Flexeril, works great for me. It took from Dec. 2013 until about two weeks ago for my body to accept this muscle relaxer. Usually it makes me sleep for up to 14 hours. Then one day about two weeks ago I took a tab, and was counting down the minutes before I would fall off to sleep, and then just when I thought I was going, I woke up... Oh boy, I thought this is not right. But I can now stay awake and it makes me mellow enough that I don't feel like I'm straining. I'm very happy I can take this med. I would still be in pain.
Currently Im on Omeprazole for GERD, Loratidine for Allergies, Gabapentin for Fibro, VItamin B n D, elavil for fibro and ibs, topamax for migranes, and ibuprofen and vicoden on a as needed dont take them or youll fry your liver if you do basis... Notice they havent really given me very much to take care of the fibro and when Im at my wits end and im desperate for relief even if its for a little while I was adviced by the urgent care Doctor at the hospital the last time to be 'smart' when i take my relief meds.. the advice is to take it TOGETHER the vicoden and the ibuprofen and if its truly un bearable to buy and add OTC excedrin migraine 1 pill because there is a reaction in aspirin and ibuprofen not to use it more than once or twice in a month because it can give you ulcer if you do it alot .. but man that was a life saver .. then here comes MY doctor and says NO!!!! no caffeine it aggrevates Fibromyalgia so im screwed yet again still looking though
I am on omeprazole too, as I take celebrex for my osteo and it is very hard on my stomach. Off celebrex my fibro flares, I think my osteo pain triggers the fibro flares. I also take gabapentin, and have kertolac (an emergency room anti-inflammatory for really bad days). I take T3s daily, and I am down to taking one every six hours. The codeine seems to work for me, it takes that edge off so I can focus on other things rather than pain. On really bad days I will take 3 T3s at a time. I also use, meditation, light massage, hot baths, heating pads, stretching, and just good old prayer....anything to help the pain subside.
Singingtrees
Hello, thanks for sharing. With your supplement regiment is all of your pain gone? Or what percentage did this combo reduce your pain down to?
I just ordered Tumeric yesterday since I have never tried it. Is that the most effective one you use? What are some of the other kinds if I may ask.
Blessings,
Natalie
Remember when using supplements that you speak with your Dr. before using them.
I ate aleves before I was diagnosed and wound up with a chronic ulcer condition. I take opramozole for tummy issues, Norotin for that twitching, Cymbalta for the pain, fish oil for some reason I cannot remember, Matamucil, Miralax, flexeril , ...I have trazadone for sleep, and I have things In the cabinet that I just do not want to take like the stuff for migraines...3 pills every day, for migraines that only happen once or twice a month... Not for me.
Hope you and your Dr. find the right combo for you...
Huggs, Belinda
Thanks for sharing. I can understand the alcohol part of self medicating. It gives a momentary relief to the body and mind. But I am thankful that the Flexeril is working for you <3
I currently take Lyrica and just started Savella for Fibro. I also take Tramadol daily with my AM meds to try and nip the pain in the bud. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I also have Percocet for breakthrough pain, but it gives me anxiety so I end up countering that with a low dose of Klonopin or Xanax, which ends up helping. Today is day 2 on Savella and I didn't need any breakthrough pain medication so far today. I did however experience some nausea and drowsiness, I hope for it to pass once my body has adjusted. As I type I feel my right side of head, neck, trap shoulder blade, and arm start to burn. Here lies the question....to treat or not to treat?
Hi Belinda!
Thanks for your reply. Do you find that trazadone helps to decrease your pain the next day since it helps you to get into a deeper sleep?
Thanks,
Natalie
Natalie, I take the Cymbalta ,trazodone and Nurotin when I go to bed. The Cymbalta works wonders for the pain. I was prescribed that one first and noticed a great improvement in the pain the next morning after taking it...but it had some side effects to work through. Next came the Trazodone... it was to help me sleep. It does it's job!!! I sleep through the night and wake up feeling refreshed. I use to sleep through the day "Naps". Everyday!!! Now I do not do that unless I have over done things then nothing I do can stop the fatigue and I have to lay down...I have just put that together...now I understand why I get so tired and do my best not to over exert myself or become stressed out. The Nurotin is for that twitching...I was twitching everywhere...and yes that stops the twitch. Again I had to work through the side effects...that one made me feel drunk but once it was in my system that ended.
No matter what you take you have to give them time to work. What works for one person may not work for others. Keep a journal of how you feel and talk about those things when you see your Dr. together you can find the things that will work for you.
In short to answer your question...the Trazodone helps me sleep and helps to keep me from sleeping all day. It is the Cymbalta that has helped with the pain.
It might help to switch from Vicodin to Percocet. It’s a bit stronger of an opiate than the Vicodin. You might try a visit to pain management. They could get something worked out for you so that you get good control. Sometimes, you can even take that plan back to your GP and they will prescribe the meds following the outline that the PM doc suggests. That saves you from having to go to pain management every month for your meds.
You might also be better, if you have constant & daily pain, to be taking something regularly than playing catch up with your pain and medication.
I get why your doc freaked about the aspirin and ibuprofen. They aren’t worried about ulcers. Yeah, that can happen, but they are more worried about GI bleeding which can happen with one overdose of the wrong meds. And when I say overdose, I just mean taking them in a way that they shouldn’t be. GI bleeds are scary.
Anyway, I really hope you are able to get yor pain better controlled so that you can function. 
Usually, side effects like nausea and drowsiness subside after a few weeks of taking a new medication. If it’s still hanging on after that, let the doc know. Also, you might re-check the instructions to see if you should be taking it with or without food.
Oh! I forgot to write about the neck stuff. It sounds like a pinched nerve somewhere. I get these sorts of twinges regularly and in different places. I usually self- treat for 2 weeks. Ice or heat (whichever feels better) on the originating spot. Salon-Pas patches, massage, and Epsom salts soaks coupled with gentle exercise and stretching. I also really watch my posture. If I don’t start to see some improvement by the 1.5 week mark, I call the doc.
I hope you feel better soon.
I do a lot of ice and heat too, and lot of hot baths. I have really been working on my posture recently. Even changed our whole home desk set up this week so I can have great posture. It is already helping. Helpful to read about how you handle your pain. Thanks for sharing!
Natalie
Hi Belinda,
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. It sounds like you really have a handle on the pain and fatigue issues of fibro. I am glad you were able to work through the side effects too, because I know how rough that part can be.
I wish you great health!
Blessings,
Natalie
The daily Lyrica is a must for me. But for me, Percocet takes the burning pain away.
@GrumpyCat- Thank you for your response and support. I've looked into the neck pain and it's all fibro for me. I just bought Epsom salt and I will definitely give the Salon Pas a try. Sometimes Biofreeze helps with the neck pain. Horribly enough I have also been diagnosed with Benign Hypermobility which basically means I am overly flexible beyond what I should be. I have to be careful with my stretching and exercise (although it feels so good) because I am at an increased risk for injury.
I recently had my meds changed. I use to take 2mg of suboxone 2X a day. Now I take 100 mg of ultram 2X a day and 5/325 percocet for breakthrough pain. I also take 8mg of zanflex, a muscle relaxer, at night to help me sleep and keep the pain at bay. I also take cymbalta for both depression and fibro pain. I don't notice much help with the pain but I do think it helps to improve my mood so I keep taking it. I also use heating pads, hot baths, sitting with my feet elevated in a recliner, swimming and pacing myself throughout the day. Thank you for the question it is interesting to see all of the treatments for fibro and what others have found to work for them. Hugs Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thanks of sharing your treatment plan. I have just taken up swimming in hopes that it will help reduce my pain levels. I take a lot of hot baths and use a heating pad often. I have never tried sitting with my feet elevated in a recliner. Can you say more about that? What is that supposed to do?
Blessings,
Natalie