New here and looking for advice.

[Kapalua]

I'm new to this community. I live in Canada but am British, moved here 24 years ago. Was eventually diagnosed with fibromyalgia 8 years ago after being told I had sciatica and every other possible cause related to my pain. Been taking Cymbalta since diagnosis but felt no improvement with pain and gained a lot of weight. Have been weaning off this drug for the past 2 years, gone from 120 mg to 11.5. The withdrawal side effects are unbearable, I basically reduce by 0.5 mg each time but at various times had to stop the withdrawal because I had events and problems in life. I go through hell for at least a week with each step down and am housebound for that time. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and am using a CPAP machine. This has helped with fatigue but my pain is worsening. My Doctor has suggested Gabapentin but I've done a lot of research on this medication and I'm scared of the side effects.Any advice would be welcome.

[Creativeness1]

Hello and welcome

Welcome to our lovely forum were you can share experiences and support each other through the journey.

Take a good luck at the homepage and pinned posts.

fmauk.org

Will help use find all the useful information researh and guidlines for the sight.

Good luck on your journey

:)

[Kapalua in reply to Creativeness1]

Thank you, I'm sure I will learn a lot from you all.

[biffbrain]

Hello I'm sure lots of people on here will have similar experiences as u and so can give helpful advice .welcome to the site ☺

[Kapalua in reply to biffbrain]

Thanks a lot.

[TheAuthor]

Hi Kapalua

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance.

I am so truly sorry to read of how you are suffering and struggling, and I sincerely hope that you can find some relief to these issues. I do not take Gabapentin myself as I am on its comparative drug, Pregabalin. There can be side effects with this but not everyone will experience them so it is impossible to advise anyone on how they could react to them?

I also have sleep apnea and use a C-PAP and I find it very useful. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Kapalua in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you for your message. I am finding more motivation to do things since I began using the CPAP but it's the fibromyalgia pain that stops me.

[TheAuthor in reply to Kapalua]

Good luck my friend

[Bertiedette]

Welcome Kampala. To our wonderfully helpful site..

You will get all the answers and help that you need from our very

kind and friendly members.xx

[BeezyB]

I have been on 900mg Gabapentin for over a year &-half now. Just Dx Fibromyalgia in February. Gabapentin has helped me immensely with pain & tingles. Still suffer but able to function at better level! Don't feel I've had side effects to Gabapentin. I've put on weight but not sure attributed to drug as much as being forced to slow down due to body insistence! Good luck

[Kapalua in reply to BeezyB]

Thanks, I'm glad you've had a good experience with Gabapentin. Everyone is different as far as drug side effects go. I seem to be one of those people who does react badly to meds which is why am so hesitant. Seeing my Doc tomorrow and will talk to him about it.

[Kapalua]

Thank you, I hope I can give answers and help others too.

[Lizzy-m]

Good luck with your doctors appointment I hope it goes well. Take care

[BeezyB]

Hope your doctor helped you make a decision on med switch.

[Kapalua]

Yes, BeezyB, we decided not to add Gagapentin, continue with reducing Cymbalta and possibly adding Cannabis oil. My doc has no experience with the oil and is contacting the sleep disorder doc who suggested it. It's been raining so hard here today and my body is feeling it. Hope you are having a good day/night.

Sunny smiles.