Hi - just picked up my script & although the Dr I talked to said he was going to treat the FM symptoms using an antidepressant-citalopram ..

[Whatamug1]

I now discover that it's Sertraline 50 mg mornings. Bit worried really - heartburn/burping/noisy tum - nothing too bad....but has anyone else been prescribed it for FM. I'm not depressed any more than I can feel down ...so pls can anyone HELP x I'm the one with history of med mistakes & my trust isn't great in the profession. Many thx ann

[Hidden]

Hi there sertraline is also for anxiety. I've been taking it for a good few years now and am coming off them as my depression is more of a need than anxiety and the pregabalin, which, I'm prescribed for pain and spasms is also used to treat anxiety.

Please go back and talk to your GP if you are not happy with your meds or have any concerns he can explain why he has put you on it. I take 150mg daily I was taking the max dose of 200mg. however we are all different and this is my own experience.

xxxzebxxx

[Whatamug1 in reply to Hidden]

It's a bit of a mystery - was on venlafaxine a while ago for same reason & it worked well - but not on the pain - My mind is totally open to anything so it's just time to suck it & c. X

[pondminstrel]

hi...my consultant prescribed me antidepressants ,so please ask questions and take them,,they work on the nerve endings thus helping pain decrease...but please don't just take tablets because we have been given them,ask about them its our bodies,and we have a right to ask,,but as I said I did ask and this is what my rhumatolagist told me, xxx

[Whatamug1 in reply to pondminstrel]

You're right - just realised that the venlafaxine - for depression - did suppress some of the pain - it took that edge off it ....thx lovely, will c how I go on these first but there's another answer there

[Maladjusted]

Sertraline was the first medication I was given. It didn't suit me as it triggered my IBS and I had constant stomach upsets and nausea. I also did not feel any benefit from it, although doc insisted I stick it out for 2 months. She said after that time my body would adjust to it, but the upset stomach continued until I stopped taking it.

We are all different, and what is good for one person isn't necessarily good for someone else. If you are concerned at the side effects, you should go see your GP.

Em x

[Whatamug1 in reply to Maladjusted]

Thx M - it wasn't a great start this morning - but been fine for the last few hours. Fingers crossed x ann

[Whatamug1]

Thanks all ....I'm already getting that bad pain at the bottom of my sternum that goes through to my back (only once so far & it didn't last long). I have had ulcers & IBS ...... which is why I can't take anti inflammatories ......Will give it a go tho' x ann

[haribo36 in reply to Whatamug1]

I also get that pain that goes through your sternum to the back,it's so aweful isn't it! I do hope the med helps you

[Whatamug1 in reply to haribo36]

Think it was the new meds today that started it off but it only happened once ...phew. I've not met anyone whose had that pain before - poor you - anyone ever given you any idea as to what causes it?

[haribo36]

I thought it was down to fibro,I get it a lot.Funnily enough,that's the first pain I had when I became ill and I originally got told that I had ankylosing spondylitis but they were never sure as it didn't show up on the X-ray so I just put it down to fibro as I do most of my symptoms x

[Whatamug1 in reply to haribo36]

Mine started 23 yrs ago - It's the way the pain keeps growing in intensity & then faids

[Whatamug1 in reply to Whatamug1]

Ooops don't know what happened there ....clumsy finger syndrome I think ...what I was trying to say was the way it builds etc ...it's like labour pains but in the chest ! x

[Pebbles71 in reply to Whatamug1]

i have this from time to time too...i had it last year and was taken to hospital in an ambulance..I had every test..blood test..water samples scans..xrays going and put on morphine and then told nothing was wrong and was prob a bad bout of indigestion lol...i then was diagnosed with fibro this august and finally told by the consultant that the pain is a complaint of fibro in some people..personally i think everything they cant find an answer for is linked to fibro and that is quite worrying as things may get over looked. xxx

[Lruk]

I have taken citalopram previously and had no problems with it, I came off when I was put on gabapentin, as the two don't work well together and I needed something stronger for the pain.

[Whatamug1 in reply to Lruk]

Thanks for replying ....I know it will take time but I can hardly wait to just have the peace of mind to know that whatever I'm taking is the best I can do for the body bits - bless it .....It has worked so hard for me over the years & deserves some tlc x

[Whatamug1 in reply to Lruk]

I've noticed that gabapentin keeps appearing along with the word cymbalta (forgive spelling) & another one I can't remember! I'm very interested to hear how you've personally found it x

[Lruk in reply to Whatamug1]

I have had no problems with the gabapentin apart from very slight weight gain which may well be due to the fact I am less mobile and probably eating more. I am currently taking 300mg gabapentin at a dosage of 2 capsules 3x daily. I was on the weaker ones but they were not helping. Gabapentin do take a while to take effect though, they aren't like paracetamol that work almost instantly. HTH.

[elvis777]

i take sertraline, doc said to take it for 6 mths. she gave me amytripteline for pain and the sertraline to stabalise my mood. i was feeling quite angry with life and would often fly off the handle, these have helped me chill a bit more.

[Whatamug1 in reply to elvis777]

That's put a smile on my face. With me it's early days but so far so good. I'm using opiates for pain as amytriptoline starts off the RLS. Found it very good for the back pain for a long time many moons ago x take care ann

[Whatamug1 in reply to Whatamug1]

I was writing a post script about the sertraline when my fingers jumped on it's own. Dr said he wasn't treating Anxiety/depression but the fm. It's very early days on this but feel like I can run a marathon and take a law degree etc....think it's called MANIA - but quite enjoying it! Things are funny that usually aren't & luckily my 'common' sense is telling me not to take on the physical ! X ann

[Pebbles71]

I have the same symptoms in my tummy due to medication but my dr prescribes me a tablet called Lanzoprazole.

It stops all the crampy type feelings and also the gurgling/rumbling noises and heartburn/indigestion. When I have run out of it before and havent been able to get my next lot the symptoms return with in days...Its a tab that also stops tummy ulcers that are caused by some meds.

Ask your doctor for this as it really does stop all the symptoms you have explained.

Hope that helps...

Soft hugs xxx

[Whatamug1 in reply to Pebbles71]

Thx - my lanzoprazole lives beside my bed & it does work very well on everything you mention .....tho' the pharmacist did mention that it shouldn't be used over an extended period. ? ann

[Pebbles71 in reply to Whatamug1]

i have been on it for nearly 3 years now i think and never once been told about time restraints etc...but then again i suppose everything used for a prolonged time must have its side effects...i think i will double check next time when i am collecting my next lot ..thank you xxxx

[Whatamug1 in reply to Pebbles71]

I think what came across from what I was told was that if you need take it over a prolonged period that it could be masking something else - ie the actual cause of the pain. I have to be tubed for ops cos the acid which comes up when I'm flat (when sleeping too) & this year I am voming stomach contents as well with it (sorry) ....Have found that watching what I eat & eating early helps. BUT really think it's Dr time & perhaps a camera may be needed. Ta for replying ...... u should have been asleep. x