Newbie to fibromyalgia

[weegy101]

Hi guys I'm new to all this I have been in constant pain for the last 2 years now and only just going down this road of fibromyalgia. The pain is in my shoulders back neck top of my legs and bum cheeks right hand left foot chest and a few more place lol my doctor has just put me on gabapentin I would like to know if these help anyone as they don't seam to work for me but I have only been taking then a week. Any help or advice on this fibromyalgia would be much appreciated thank you guys 😊

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello there and welcome. It seems to be trial and error for some as we struggle sometimes to find the right medication to help with pain, did your doctor ask to see you for a follow up ? You could ask for a booked call back if you have any concerns /or for a piece of mind, it did not suit me personally as upset my stomach when I tried it a few years ago, I take duloxtene but again what suits one person does not suit another, hence the saying trial and error. I try and pace myself as best I can as I do find it helps me with this condition , an over busy day I find it sets me back slightly the next if I’ve not paced and took mini breaks in between. Pay back we tend to call it , the forum is very good for reading people’s posts, information, friendly advice and lots of empathy as we sit in a very large unwanted club. I really could not go without a soak in the bath daily in some Epsom salts , it tends to relax my muscles and the pain threshold eases alittle. I do use a rub in gel called bio freeze on my back, shoulder blades, I do find this helpful (boots ,Amazon I get it from) just check with your pharmacist it’s okay to use with any medication you take. Xx

[weegy101 in reply to Yassytina]

Wow thank you im new to this pain thing as I have always been fit and healthy so I guess I'm still coming to terms with not been able to keep up with my 6 year old daughter out side in the garden any more. She tries her hardest bless her and picks the ball and things up off the floor as she knows I find that hard. I'm sure I will get there in the end. Thank you for your reply much appreciated x

[Cat00]

You need at least 3 weeks if not 6 weeks to tell if a medication is doing what it's supposed to do.

[weegy101 in reply to Cat00]

Thank you cat 😃 x

[Cat00 in reply to weegy101]

I took Gabapentin and Pregablin for a few years had to come off them twice for pregnancy. Gabapentin especially seems to take a while to come out of as well as go in your body. If you decide it's not for you I would advice coming off them much slower than the GP suggests, I gradually reduced over 2 months, the first time the GP gave me 2 weeks, very unpleasant! Also watch out for weight gain, especially Pregablin but Gabapentin too, took me a while to get down to my previous weight.

[LoneEra]

Hi weegy, fibro can be very tough. The waiting to see if meds work or not is always challenging. But hang on in there 🙂

There are lot of other self help techniques you could try to assist in reducing your pain. I’m sure you know many of them already, but as a reminder (I put these on another post just now so apologies to anyone reading this again!):

- Gentle stretching and exercise

- Pacing. This is absolutely critical - especially as a parent

- Sleep hygiene

- Epsom salts bath. Great for relaxing the muscles and easing out tension

- Mindfulness or absorbing hobbies. These are like distractions from the pain. Personally, I use art to keep my mind off the pain. Your daughter might like this too - maybe you could find something to do together?

There are other tips like eating really healthily, staying hydrated, and trying a TENS machine for the pain xx

[weegy101 in reply to LoneEra]

Thank you so much loneEra I will take your tips on board. Taking things easy is hard for me as I also work in a school and job is very physical I am trying to slow down tho some days I have no choice as the pain slows me down I tend to hide in my room on bad days lol 😅 x

[LoneEra in reply to weegy101]

Oh, I’m the same 😂 I’ve hosted a webinar this morning, been to the hospital, done 2 hours of work meetings and taken the dog out. Now I am in bed, exhausted 🤦🏼‍♀️ You might find this helpful: fibroguide.med.umich.edu/pa...

[Oscarlola]

Hi weegy 101 I have been on gabapentin for a few years now they work ok for me , but they don't work for everyone welcome to the group which you will find everybody very helpful and understanding. I would give them a little bit longer if your still not happy go back to your gp they might try you on something else aswell . Hope this helped a little bit and I feel your pain xx

[weegy101 in reply to Oscarlola]

Thank you so much Oscarlola xx

[mariamay]

Hi weegy 101. I have been on gabbapentin for 7 months now for a shoulder injury. They do take a few weeks to have any affect. I started off on 100mg 3x day but didn't help, I am now on 300mg 3x day. I have little shoulder pain and not suffered with my usual fibromyalgia pain. But I have had some side affects, stiff and painful fingers first thing in the morning are the worst. Just bare with it and see if they can help you, worth the wait if they do. Good luck.

[weegy101 in reply to mariamay]

Thank you mariamay I already have pain in my fingers but that is arthritis I'm so blessed lol thank you for your advice. X

[Liseeloo12]

Hey weegy101..

Nice to have you here, I was same as you, new to all this but have found great hope in reading all the comment from people that are in the same boat as us...

I suffer really bad with chest pain and neck pain, and sever pain in my spine between my shoulder blades, along with everywhere else.!!!...

I was on gabapentin for 6,7 months...and found I was taking more and more coz I felt it wasnt touching the pain...

My doctor also said you need to give it Time which I did but did nothing...

I have recently changed to amitriptyline and it really helps with taking that edge off, not completely eradicates it but definitely helps...within 5days I felt a change..

I also take trazodone along side with paracetamol.. but have a chat with your doctor...I found that it's so so hard to find the rite meds with this condition and were left to suffer...

But keep trying, you will find the ones that work for you...

If you need or want to chat I'm always happy...hope this helps..

[weegy101 in reply to Liseeloo12]

Thank you liseeloo for your advice its good to talk sounds like we have the same pains I used to be so fit and active but its all going down hill fast x

[Liseeloo12 in reply to weegy101]

Ur most welcome, I completely get where ur comeing from...I'm a 36yr old was fighting fit, worked all the hrs god gave and had a normal life....Until this!!!!

Mine started over 2yrs ago, and took what felt like a life time to be diagnosed..over the last yr iv got worse and worse and had every medication over the sun...I have pains that I never thought were possible...

I found and still find it hard to come to terms with that I'm going to be like this, I spend alot of time being indenile that my life is so different now...

Ur definitely not alone and anytime you want a chat or feeling down please just pop me a message...

I have found real comfort in talking to people on here, coz it makes you feel normal..my friends dont know what to say to me or how to be around me coz there not going threw this...but here we all feel the same...

I wish you every luck..xx

[weegy101 in reply to Liseeloo12]

Thank you so much liseEloo it's nice to actually talk to someone who is going through the same as me and yes I'm still not coming to terms with having it yet and still try to give100 percent at work and at home but pay for it in pain when I'm alone. I'm sure I will come to terms with it soon xx

[Liseeloo12 in reply to weegy101]

Your so welcome...u definitely need to take time for urself, I did exactly the same I kept pushing and pushing because I didn't want to admit I needed help..and i fell into a state where I couldn't even get out of bed, I was and am very lucky that I have a very understanding boss that I'm able to take the time I need to cone to terms with this and get better...

I was so against anyone knowing how I was feeling and how I was and am struggling that I made it worse...

Please please take time for you, u really have to put urself first. I know that sounds selfish but its definitely key to helping you control ur pain and stress...

I found that it sent me into a state of depression and anxiety..and that the world was against me...

But I'm learning to cope, I take time for me..

Please dont push urself I know that feeling of you dont want to let anyone down..or disappoint anyone,

But the only person hurting is us...

It's such an unpredictable ilness that everyday is diffrent and its hard for people to understand, but I promise you if you need the time please ask..ur be very surprised what help people are willing to do..xx

[weegy101 in reply to Liseeloo12]

Thank you so much xx

[Genie-gee21]

I’ve been on them for along time now I’m on 300mg 3times a day they do help but I’m on a lot of others med too, they may take awhile to get into your system . I would carry on with them as your doctor probably won’t chance them until you have been on them for a month I hope that’s some help to you

[weegy101 in reply to Genie-gee21]

Thank you I will persevere with them I feel a bit less pain today so fingers crossed x

[Oscarlola]

Your more than welcome anytime weegy101