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I'm not one for taking medications, but when I spoke with my doctors they said "get exercise everyday- you are going to hurt but you have to push through it- then you will start feeling better. But if you stop for a week you will hurt worse."
They refuse to give anything - I guess it's because there's nothing that really helps. Anyone getting relief from anything?
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Exercise Zanaflex Meditation Effexor XR Tramadol Degenerative disc disease Fibromyalgia Effexor Osteoarthritis Acupuncture Flexeril Stress Arthritis Advil Aspirin Ativan Physical therapy Ultram Pain Neurontin Lyrica Depression
I was given cymbalta for fibro pain and it worked wonders for me. My insurance will not pay for this so I had to stop taking it. But, its worth trying. Suggest it to your doctors.
I have had fibro since 1981. Exercise and water therapy was the only treatment at that time. It is hard to do but the exercise helps tremendously. I now take lyrica which has lowered my pain level and I still exercise.
Wrong wrong wrong! Both Lyrica, Cymbalta and a newer drug have been approved by the FDA for Fibro. Doctors have the opinion that Fibro is all in the mind. They should spend a day with it and then tell you there is nothing you can do about it.
When medicine is too expensive,you can try contacting the company and asking for a discount card. All they can say is no. I have one for Avinza which is not covered by my insurance. It would cost about $120 per month. With my card from the company, it is only $36 . Since I take 12 prescriptions, I would go broke if I had to pay full price.
My insurance also wouldn't cover Cymbalta--my doctor wrote a letter to my insurance company to go beyond their usual formulary. My co pay is higher--$40 but has been worth it!
Also, i have seen a couple rheumatologists who have no doubt that Fibromyalgia is NOT In your head. (and only one psychiatrist who did!--he's no longer with my provider's office--i think he was asked to leave! Ha!)
Mary
Cymbalta works wonders for me, also. I take Neurontin but may be switching to Lyrica which I have heard is better.
Gayle4
I just started taking Lyrica..I tried Cymbalta just over a year ago and it created more depression, dr. added Ativan and I become filled with suicidal thoughts. I don't see that dr. anymore..long story.
I hope the Lyrica helps.
As for exercise it is important to find the RIGHT balance which is difficult. WATER THERAPY, laps, kickboard, water walking or arthritis style water aerobics. Also Yoga/Stretching
I also have Osteoarthritis in my thoracic spine...that dr. told me that Fibromyalgia is typically diagnosed by "YOUNGER, INEXPIERENCED" doctors. I let it roll off, figured I am not seeing him for that anyways. But it hurts to hear whe you feel this way 24/7 good luck to you, and all of you that suffer this.
Hi Millersbaby
Don't know your screenname, but I still wanted to tell you that there is a medication that can help your Fibrmyalgia!!! I am taking cymbalta. It is a depression medication that also helps with Fibro. Also I take Lyrica. This is the best one for Fibro. Maybe your doctor just has doubts as to whether you have this or not. I would ask him to at least start you on Lyrica or if you have any depression with this maybe cymbalta would be better. It is perfectly normal to be depressed to some degree. We all get depressed b/c of having this or more medical diseases. I hope this helps and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Flossy
I was on both Lyrica, and Cymbalta to help with relief of fibromyagia. Lyrica for me helped a little while, then the dossage had to be raised. It caused me to gain weight because it made me feel like I was so hungry all the time. I finally got off it, and I have lost better than 30 lbs. I continue to take the Cymbalta. I also have been taking a couple of Supplement tablets that I feel helps greatly with my fibro. I buy these at Walmart. Turmeric, and 5-HTP. You might want to try to see if these will help you as much as I have been helped by them. Good luck.
I saw a physical therapist for a little while that helped me come up with specific exercises for functional fitness. I am able to maintain mobility and lower my pain levels while not using up all of my "spoons".
I take an antidepressant, tramadol periodically through the day, and a muscle relaxer at night that helps with the sleeplessness. I find that sleep makes a huge difference in pain levels for me.
Good luck!
There are many medicines to help in relief of pain. But why do not you try self- hypnosis for pain as recommended by one of the mind doctors who comes on WETA TV network. I have been prescribed Melxicom for knee pain. I try to avoid it as far as possible. Take it only when I do not have time to concentrate .
Fibromyalgia can hit strong, or slowly and grow into large pain. Mine hit strong. I do not believe that nothing works. Finding the right DR works. I like many others have a great RH Dr that put me on Neurontin (sister drug of Lyrica) long before that was approved. I also take Flexeril at night to help my muscles relax and get better sleep. My anti-depressent is the dual type that helps with pain also. Effexor XR. My advice is to go prepared to the Drs, and work out a coctail of drugs that will help. If you are totally against drugs then exercise will help a little. Mostly in water, and stretching. Especially in the morning. I stretch and rotate every joint and muscle before getting out of bed. If I don't I cannot walk. Good luck in finding your special way to treat Fibro.
When I was diagnosed last year, the rheum doc gave me zanaflex. A muscle relaxer similar to flexeril but a little different. I've been taking 12 mg every night and when I went back for my follow up with him he said my symptoms (pressure points) had diminished so I was on the right dose. However, I can't take NSAIDs, I can't take narcotics habitually, I can't take high doses of aspirin habitually either. The thing they'll let me take is Ultram (Tramadol). No one has even offered me Lyrica yet. I've seen several docs since seeing the ancient rheum that diagnosed me. 2 primary care docs, who generally take good care of me, a pain management doc, and another younger rheum at a teaching hospital. Why hasn't SOMEONE offered me something besides stupid Ultram??
I have FMS, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease and assorted non-visible physical disabilities. In the past my pain levels have been severe.
Today the only medication I take is Lyrica and on occasion Advil. The Lyrica helps with sleep issues, restless leg syndrome and neuralgia. Helping with sleep issues is huge since my pain levels, fibro fog, etc are all directly related to how well I sleep.
I tried Cymbalta but reacted badly to it.
Doctors now prefer NOT to prescribe pain medication, especially those that contain narcotics of any kind. I don't see that changing, so until something new is discovered we're going to have to find creative and holistic ways of dealing with pain. I know - so much easier said than done!
Things that have helped me:
Alternative health practices: acupuncture (there's a free clinic here, but many places have sliding scale fees. If you have a teaching college in your area that would be a good place to try). Reiki (I'm a certified Reiki practioner and teacher).
Morning stretches. I no longer have medical coverage, but when I did I went to physical therapy for my spine. Massive pain for the first couple of weeks, but afterwards actually felt hugely better. The stretches that I use were recommended by the therapist - and yes, they help with my fibro as well!
Nutrition - after doing research into endocrine disruptors and bio-accumulative toxins I came to the conclusion that these things play a huge part in many of the diseases that are becoming more and more prevalent. So, I switched to eating more whole grains & whole foods and when I can afford it - organics. I try to avoid fried foods, processed and pre-packaged foods and fast foods, It really does make a difference!
Supplements - for my energy levels (I can slip into fatique and exhaustion so easily with FMS) I take Vit B Complex. I also take VitD because I have a severe allergic reaction to UV/sunlight. Calcium. Co-Enzyme Q-10.
Stress reducers. Stress seems to play a key part in my pain levels. The more stress, the more pain! So I do various things to address stress, including meditation, Reiki, visualization, prayer, aromatherapy, uplifting/soothing music.
Life balance. Knowing your limits is crucial - and honoring them in positive ways. It can be a difficult thing to learn, and it's definitely on-going, lol. If you've never read the "Spoon Theory" I recommend it! It's a marvelous explanation and one that you can share with others in your life so that they can develop an understanding of your challenges as well. You can find it at the www.butyoudontlooksick.com website.
Gentle hugs to you!
Cynthia
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