Painkillers stopped working

[Madhu5]

Hello everyone,

I've had fibromyalgia since 2021 and it's full body.

About a month ago I stopped taking Amytriptaline and Gabpacentin as they were acting more like depressants and did make me feel like taking my own life to escape my profound pain.

A week after I stopped the prescribed medication. Over the counter painkillers also stopped working. So now nothing works.

I do physiotherapy for an hour in the morning and evening. I also work 40 hours.

It's getting harder and harder to exist. What options are there for me?

[Blearyeyed]

Have you been referred to a pain clinic or offered other pain relief alternatives by your GP? What over the counter medication were you taking?

Is there any possibility that something else could be causing the symptoms and pain as well as the Fibro which you could need examining and treating?

[Madhu5 in reply to Blearyeyed]

No alternatives offered at all by GP. I don't take any over the counter medicine as I'm now immune to it. Every time I get tests done, they all come back clear.

[bertie1606]

Did you just stop taking the gabapentin or did you taper off? Withdrawal from it can cause an increase in pain as well as other symptoms. Can I ask why you do 2 hours of physio a day? It seems a lot

[Madhu5 in reply to bertie1606]

I stopped dead. As the physio has become a habit.

[Ebony13]

Great you are still doing physio as its important to keep movement. Look up spoons as a way to pace yourself. If you need a rest then rest. If this does not seem possible with work then talking to your boss to accomidate you or cutting hours may be helpful. Its balancing your activity with rest. Also mindfulness and CBT with 're-thinking pain' (on youtube) helps your mindset on dealing with pain. Suppliments and massage help some. Essential oil and magnesium lotions for soothing areas. I do not take meds and can tolerate pain to a degree that it does not stop me doing what is important. Choose what your are able to do without pushing yourself too much. Tai chi has been recommended as a relaxing way to keep movement.

[Jasmeet12]

Oh my word... how are you working 40 hrs?? I have full body fibro and had to give my business and work altogether. I take Noratiptaline and Zapain for pain relief. Im have tried tramadole but sometimes alternative it with the Zapain and my body get used to it. I dont know if that helps

[KimiJay]

Dear Madhu, Sounds like you are doing everything you can to fight the pain. I know that having acupuncture from a Chinese trained practitioner in very traditional acupuncture techniques has helped me cope with the grinder in my nervous system all the way through. Sometimes there is a reaction, sometimes a marked lift. This is a dreadful time of year for pain anyway but I don't think I get pain as badly as many on here. I just know that right now I am affected by weather conditions, darkness and horrible things on the news. Neighbours and friends too in different ways. - And you are still working 40 hours!!!That is quite remarkable! It speaks of a true Fibro Warrior in my brain-fogged mind! Please don't give up! You do have options. It's just not always possible to think of them exactly when you need them, especially if working full time.

I've been reading something on another website called 'Health Rising'. (I am never sure about posting things but there is a really interesting article about nicotine patches for pain and it mentions their use with FM. Below is the link that I hope will stay when I click reply and I would be glad if our Website Mods here could add their wisdom)- (Please do guys if you have time, energy and inclination to follow this up.) - I I am going to try the weakest dose of nicotine patches that I will get from Amazon and see what happens after a week. Nicotine can evidently be therapeutic if not smoked and just used, as they say - transdermally - on the skin. - I have boswellia to rub on but I just forget I have it in the mind fog and panic! This nicotine is on a plaster you stick on. - Yesterday and the day before travelling for an hour I used a muscle heating rub because another person on here recommended using warmth. That helped a bit.

Here is the website:- healthrising.org/blog/2023/...

Well, I just know I am getting really flare-tired all the time now and still trying to do 'necessary' stuff at home. The increased discomfort is horrible but I'm retired, supported and have choice even if I don't take it. - It seems that you will certainly need more rest with your work hours so could you have a go at convincing your workplace that you can be more productive if you, and perhaps others in the workplace have more chances to rest up someplace for at least fifteen minutes after lunch at least? I just think 'Negotiating' is one of the skills and 'options' that some people make use of ... that you as a fibro survivor and full time worker will have. Perhaps worth a try to go back to where you may well have tried before? - Opening a dialogue may help others to come out of their particular closets too. Time might be now even if if hasn't been before? Our World is so much sadder this year even than the last. There's a lack of justice everywhere and that makes people who suffer want to stop trying. - I wish you all the best. More rest and if it's you who are the big boss, remember, this too will pass and you're going to be ok! Gentle hugs. x

[1whitestar]

I have duloxtine for my fibromyalgia and that really helped me . Hope that helps .

[Brighteyedbabe78]

There is lots of alternatives to medication. For example multivitamins, magnesium. Also try a TENS machine. One that you can attach anywhere on your body that needs it. Leg cuffs are good also for the restless legs. They inflate like the blood pressure cuff. Also invest in a good massage chair preferably one with heat. Good luck and gentle hugs 🤗