Pain Killers - Fibromyalgia

[Lizflynn80]

Good Morning,

I am newly diagnosed after suffering with widespread pain and brainfrog since 1997.

I have been given Duloxetine to take, started at 60mg, then 90mg then given 90mg twice a day although i am only taking the 90mg once a day.

My question is how do I get my GP to assist me with pain medication. Every GP I have seen so far has said the same speel of 'there is no indication that pain killers work for Fibromyalgia and therefore we can not prescribe any for you'

Also does anyone use a walking aid? does it help to have a stick? AND how have you found getting family to understand your condition?

I am really struggling with my pain and need some help. I sleep for approx 4 hours a night and spend my days working but from some sort of trance like state.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Lots of Love, Liz xx

[Beautifulwoman]

I am American. Gabapentin(Neurontin) works well. I take 400mg three times a day.

[BlueZero08]

oh liz im so sorry! I’m on 30/500mg cocodamol, i was taking the 8/500mg for a while and it helped but it wore off which i told my GP and she increased it to the 30s. I only get 50 a month because theyre addictive and i take 2 a day, one in morning and one at night. I would think that since you’ve been struggling for so long they would give you some kind of pain relief. Could you get a second opinion or see a different doctor?

[Alsithee4]

Hi Liz, sorry to hear you've been suffering for so many years before diagnosis. The same happened to me, albeit not for as many years I've been on a number of pain meds without much success and ultimately asked the GP to refer me to the pain clinic as I couldn't find anything that worked. They've been really helpful. I'm now on the waiting list to try acupuncture for pain relief, I'll try anything!!!

You need to be firm with the GP. The script they have once you're diagnosed drives me mad (same script from my GP 😀).

[2hot]

Hi Liz, I am sorry you are feeling so bad. Like BlueZero08 I am on co-codamol 30/500mg but I take six on a 'normal' day and 8 when things are bad. When things are very bad I am sick and cry but thankfully that passes. I was told to keep up the dose so that it doesn't get so bad that I can't move. That was 20 years ago and I have been on them since. They have muttered about addiction occasionally, but that ship has sailed by now and they work. I have a mixture of meds to keep me moving. It took a long time to work out the combination that worked well enough for me to keep working. I also have a full body pillow and a wedge pillow that I use to help reduce the pressure in bed. I also bought a new Emma mattress which was the best purchase ever! Keep on talking to your GP to find the best combination of help you can. Sadly you might have to keep on taking appointments until it is fixed well enough for you to live a life. Take care.

[LaurieLee]

Hi, ask GP to be referred to a Pain Clinic. I was put on Tramadol by pain clinic, although that was before GPs started refusing opioids. They only take off edge of pain, but I boost mine with paracetamol. Don’t give up, keep fighting for your rights. if GP refuses, see a different GP. If necessary change GP practise. Good luck.

[nickij72]

I take CBD gummies ,and wear a CBD patch they seem to work better for me than painkillers . Dnt get rid of pain but helps me not saying this will work for u everyone is diff but maybe worth a try .

[Art24]

Hi Liz, firstly I'm sorry you're struggling with so much discomfort, it's hard to judge what's the best way to tackle your worse days/flares. I take 90 mg of duloxetine once a day as this is near maximum dosage in a day.If you feel your Gp is treating you unfairly then maybe try a different GP in same surgery..

Have you tried any gentle hobbies, I like colouring, puzzle games on my phone, meditation apps before sleep? I also take medication 2 hour before bedtime so it doesn't make me feel out of it all day also avoids that hang over feeling next morning, I was always told to take it 10 to 12 hrs before your due to Start your next day. Hope this helps in some way, you're not alone. Gentle hugs 💜

[Purple020222]

Hi Liz,

I was only on duloxetine for 4 weeks and they didn’t agree with me so I stopped taking them, I phoned to speak to GP, just for a bit of reassurance about taking them and a nurse called me back and she wasn’t much help. I am newly diagnosed so still trying to come to terms with this. Trying to get a GP’s appointment is nearly impossible. They have referred me to the pain clinic but there’s a LONG waiting list.

Hopefully you’ll get sorted 🙏

[painedout]

I requested a referral to the pain clinic and was prescribed pregabalin and duloxetine. My GP refused to honour the prescription as he said it was too expensive, so I contacted my specialist at the pain clinic to tell him and he wrote to the GP and told him to prescribe the medication that had been authorised for me. That did the trick.

[Liolio78]

Hi lovely, i know you commented to me but i cant find it on here to reply so replying here.

With duloxetine i was on them for years, and they did help with the pain, but ive had other issues and mental health has been declining so my gp wanted to change to a different antidepressant. I couldnt take the two together so she wanted me to come off dulox. And then i realised how difficult that would be for me. The withdrawl isnt pleasant! Its taking me months on a slow taper (started at xmas) and im no where near the end. Personally, i think yes they help but if there is ever a reason to have to come off them that when the problems start. You are on a very high dose, please research if you can, it may be that its the perfect thing for you, but be informed as much as you can before you go higher. wishing you well xx

[releasethemagic]

I found that spreading the duloxetine dose over the day worked better than one large dose. I take 30mg three times a day. My pain clinic consultant suggested it to ease the sleepiness it was causing in the morning.

[Lizflynn80]

Thanks so much everyone. Back at the drs next Friday morning to request some pain relief, fingers crossed xx