Confirmation of fibromyalgia

[Fibrodubber]

Well I had my assessment last week and have been confirmed as having fibromyalgia. Went to my doctor today and was prescribed gabapentin. My FM symptoms seem to be worsening and I find I’m having to use a cane more and more frequently. Does anyone have any advice or experience of taking gabapentin and how effective it is in treating FM? I’ve heard conflicting information on other forums.

[S840]

Hi. I take gabapentin and have been for past few months now. 300mg 4 times a day. I also take with tramadol. It worked great at first as I also have osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. But as more and more of my joints are becoming effected by arthritis I think pain med's just take the edge of. I still in pain but tolerate it somewhat better. I have gained a bit of weight and herd gabapentin can do that. Good luck.

[Lynda1957 in reply to S840]

Hi, yes, I’m on both of these for osteo and Fibromyalgia. My weight gain has been stupid... 3 stone in 2 years. I also take an antidepressant, and all of them could potentially cause this, or maybe the combination of all 3! I’m passed the point of caring really 😔

[AsheleyGreen in reply to Lynda1957]

Hi Lynda, I can really relate to you being at the point of not caring. I've gained 2.5 stones in 2 years. So went from a 12 to a 16, which is quite snug. I, too, just cannot summon the wherewithal to focus on this as I am in too much pain to give much of anything my care. It's so awful that we are actually at this point. Take care of yourself xx

[Lynda1957 in reply to AsheleyGreen]

Hi Ashley, am sorry you feel in so much pain. I wish there was a magic pill to take it all away, but doctors just keep upping the painkillers untill you just sit there ( or lay) in a stupor all the time. I suppose it’s the easiest, and cheapest option for them rather than getting you to see specialists. And what do they do? Make you feel 10 times worse, so you are forever crying or sleeping. Think I’ve got to that point now.

Am due for a PIP assessment soon, and the thought of that feels me with dread. Even though I was given High mobility and Living indefinitely, I’ve been told they take no notice of that, and even give you no award because they lie! I can’t get my head around this at all, and think it’s disgusting behaviour by so called professionals!

Am just at the end of my tether 😔 Sorry.

[robpw]

I agree with s840 you learn to cope with a level of pain most people wouldn’t be able to accept pain meds just take the edge of and usually have their own side affects which when your already suffering you could do without

[grandmama16]

I've taken it....first too many mgs in each pill, then Dr. reduced it but it still made me feel jumpy. Sleep Dr. gave it to me too to help me sleep but it didn't. So, for pain or sleep it doesn't help me. I take Norco, mild opiod, and 1/2 ambien or xanax for sleep. If I'm itching I take otc allergy pill and that helps sleep too. I've tried Butrans, a pres pain patch and it didn't work. We are all so different in what helps. I take Cymbalta for Depression and it's for Fibro too. Hope something helps you.

[infected1]

Hi, when you say you had your assessment, did you see a rheumatologist? Just curious as it seems common practice to get a diagnosis from a rheumatologist, and then be handed back to the gp to be managed with medication, physio referrals etc.

I take Lyrica (pregabalin) which I believe is the sister drug of gabapentin. It's a strong med and when I started taking it i did have some dizzy spells for a short time until I adapted to it. I had to keep increasing the dose until we found a dose which made my pain more manageable. (300mg twice a day).

I hope it helps you as much as Pregabalin has helped me.

[Kimba1]

Hi there

I was on gabapentin 300mg twice a day then 600mg at night with paracetamol.

I've just been back to the doc's as I've been getting worse and unable to cope with the pain and saw a doctor who has fibromyalgia

So now I'm on 300mg three times a day 600mg at night also codeine phosphate 4 times a day and meloxicam and a gastro tablet for my stomach

It takes the edge of but not much else

Oh and the doctor said gabapentin wouldn't cut it on its own as there are so many different symptoms to fibromyalgia that they need to be treated individually

Hope this helps

Take care xxx

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

It's different for everybody what works for one person dosent for another, me personally didn't like the side effects , I actually feel better not being on the meds didn't feel like it was doing anything different for me xxx

[Lynda1957]

Too tired and hurt too much for therapy. I have tried but ended up in bed for 4 days crying with pain, so now I just don’t complain.