Antidepressants

[Enos]

I had been overwhelmed with anxiety for a few months. I went to a phyciatrist and he gave me Lexapro antidepressant. I am reading that it prob won't help with fibro. Anyone have success with antidepressant with fibro? This is all new to me.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

I'm not familiar with lexapro, but it is an SSRI and other anti depressant within this group have been beneficial for some people with fibro.

It is trial and error finding what medication might help, and sometimes it's a combination that works. Other people find that no medications help or they cannot tolerate the side effects

[Enos in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

It is an SSRI, it is the other one. Thanks for your info so much appreciated!

[NeonNailsKnitting]

Hi.

I’ve been taking 30mg of Amitriptyline for a couple of years, an hour before bed and it does help me sleep better most of the time, but i will still have nights of insomnia. I will still, sometimes struggle to get comfortable and drift off to sleep but for the most part i have found this antidepressant useful.

I think Hazel offers good insight. I’ve learned quite a bit in just one night, having joined earlier today, so i would definitely keep popping onto the forum. Everyone is kind and helpful.

CB 😊

[Enos in reply to NeonNailsKnitting]

Ok,thank you for your reply. I appreciate it!

[BoL20]

I was originally prescribed Citalopram, but was later changed to Duloxetine as it helps with both pain and depression. It doesn't take the pain away fully but it does help a lot - I once forgot to put in a repeat prescription so was without tablets for a few days and the withdrawal was hell (that's the downside of Duloxetine). I take 90mg a day, in the morning.

[Enos in reply to BoL20]

Thank U for your reply. I have heard withdrawal on that is really hard.

[bookish]

Hi, just in case you want to dip in, there is an Anxiety Summit starting on 2nd November. I've no idea if it will be any good, I just signed up to see Datis Kharrazian's talk on 5th, but there are some other decent speakers and people I've heard good things of, so might be worth a try. theanxietysummit6.com.

I'd had my Fibro for 30 years before I worsened due to another injury and then had 15 years on Gabapentin, Tramadol, Amitriptyline, Citalopram/Venlafaxine. It was ok for emergency use but doesn't help you get to a root cause, nor fix underlying issues. When you feel able, try to do both - use the medication if and while you need it but don't stop there. Lifestyle changes can make a big difference, so be gentle with yourself and only do one little bit at a time x

[Enos in reply to bookish]

Thank you for all your info. I still need to find a Dr that understands Fibro. What kind do u go to?

[bookish in reply to Enos]

I have never had any support for the Fibro - currently on 3rd (recent) Rheum, but Neuro is far more use. It only got diagnosed as an 'aside' about 4 years ago. Actually have Small Fibre Neuropathy (as well, or SFN causing Fibro, is anyone's guess) and understand that Mast Cell dysfunction pain strongly resembles Fibro and my Mast Cells are definitely dysfunctional, so maybe it isn't Fibro, or not all symptoms are Fibro. Other possible causes/correlatations are raised inflammatory cytokines and genetic variants on COMT (which relates to neurotransmitter balance as well as oestrogen). I have other autoimmune conditions and, personally, found that I had an underlying gluten and dairy intolerance which had been showing symptoms from childhood, so everything improved rather a lot when I stopped trying to eat those (or using on skin - think corn in cosmetics etc). A trial of an autoimmune diet may be worth some thought although it doesn't suit everyone and some don't agree that it has any validity. If you give it a go, best to try and get a Coeliac check first so that you don't have to go back onto gluten. If GF works for you, you will not want to and would not be advisable. Best of luck

[Hidden]

Hi, I am new to this group. I really struggle with taking antidepressants for pain - I somehow feel I'm being tricked by the medical people however I am currently taking Amitriptyline at night to help with pain and I don't wake as many times as I did before being on it. Hoping this is the medication working. I've also been on Duloxetine which doesn't agree with me at high strengths but is supposed to help people with Fibromyalgia. Hope you find something that works for you.

[Cmh59]

I have taken Lexapro for depression for years. It took me a long time to find the right medication. I have not found a med that helped with my anxiety and depression both. I took Ativan for my anxiety a long time. My dr. then switched me to Valium. Due to my age and other health issues my dr. keeps lowering it. Which is upsetting, as my anxiety some days is really terrible. He thinks that the med is just a bandaid for the anxiety. I would like to find something that would treat both. Is there something that triggered your anxiety - sometimes mine gets worse when I am stressed or have too many things going on at once.

[Enos in reply to Cmh59]

I have had anxiety off and on a few years prob 5. but really bad the last 4 months. I have bulging disc and injured them again. I was reading neg stuff about them and got stressed and depressed. Then this fibro came which made my back, shoulders and arms ache and burn. that got me upset. I looked it up. within a few days I had other stuff going on. I can see now I started having those tender spots for a couple years now. So I went to phyciatrist a. couple week ago and that is what he gave me. Dosent help the stress when I start thinking about fibro long term I can feel it in my chest and get warm. I thought it was for both but so far no. I am only on5mg . I can take xanax but I just get sleepy. Don't like it although I can sleep good. How old are u? I am 68. I need to find a good dr. and someone said go to pain clinic too. Do u do the mindfulness thing? I looked it up and started reading about it.What are your symtoms?! Thank you for sharing, I appreciate that alot.

[Cmh59 in reply to Enos]

Well I am not sure if I should respond to the anxiety/depression or the fibro. I haven't found any anxiety meds that help with depression or visa versa. I take Lexapro and Valium both. I have never taken Xanax. I first tried Cymbalta for the Fibro, thinking it would help with both, it didnt do anything for my anxiety/depression. I went off it and the side effects were hellatious! I then went on Gabapentin. It is great for fibro and CRPS from nerve damage from knee replacement. I am in pain management and have been for years. I get epidural spinal injections 4 times a year and most times it gives me pretty good pain relief. I do take an extended pain med twice a day and also an immediate release twice a day. Each day is different, some days good, others not so much. I read a lot about RA mostly because it scares me. I don't know how long I've actually had it because I have a high pain tolerance. I think I should be on an injectable, but you have to have so many tests before they will let you and I can't afford it. You will always read something is bad or you should or shouldn't take this. At the end of the day it your body and when you find something that works for you, take it until it either stops working or the dr. changes it.

[Enos in reply to Cmh59]

Cmh59 thanks for replying, I appreciate that alot!

[KnackeredKaty]

Hi Enos, I was offered Sertraline a couple of years ago as a trial medication for fibro. I have been taking it since and it seemed to help with pain. I seem to be back to square one again with pain and knackeredness! I'm not sure anything works long term.🤕

[Enos in reply to KnackeredKaty]

Ok thank you. What is knackeredness? Sorry it didn't last for your pain.

[KnackeredKaty]

Knackered means really really tired. Knackeredness isn't a proper word, I just made it up! 😁

[releasethemagic]

Duloxetine is licensed both for depression and anxiety, and for fibromyalgia. Many Fibro patients find it beneficial and you could ask your Doctor whether it is something to consider for you. You will find information about the drug here nhs.uk/medicines/duloxetine/

[JayCeon]

I (& my body) don't like meds - for anxiety I used of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), books, mailing lists/forums and own tricks - mindfulness, living in the here and now....

[Enos in reply to JayCeon]

I need to learn to do that. I saw in counseling u can get a counseling to help u with practicing that. Thank u JayCeon

[Stace30]

Look at dr Roger murphree