I'mGP appt advice?

[cosmondo]

Hi, I have an appointment tomorrow with a new GP who I think might be more open to discussing any help I can get. I'm hoping for some good questions to ask, please.

I'm on amitriptyline & sertraline, which aren't helping. I've had co codamol, which bagged me up & I didn't like.

They diagnosed me with fibromyalgia & basically said nothing really works, hence I've asked to see this guy as I've seen him before for something else & he seemed nice.

I get muscle knots all the time & I've seen mention of Myofascial pain syndrome, which sounds more my issue - except there's also a lot within fibromyalgia that describes me too. Is it possible to have a mix of both?

I think I need something to relax my muscles, help with pain & also the anxiety/depression/tiredness that comes with it.

Sounds like I'm asking a lot & I doubt anything exists to cover it all.

Any suggestions? I'll now try other meds, as these were the first I'd allowed myself to try, after battling for years on DIY treatments.

Needling to unspasm the muscles?

Acupuncture?

Gabapentin?

Pregabalin?

Duloxeline?

Any advice most welcome & thanks! 💚

[Scooterz2]

I find tramadol helps and naproxen

If you take naproxen you will need lansoprazole or omeprazole to protect your tummy

Good luck

[cosmondo in reply to Scooterz2]

Thanks, yeah I have had those 2 actually. But I didn't last long on them.

[Scooterz2 in reply to cosmondo]

How come?

[cosmondo in reply to cosmondo]

Didn't like them

[Dinkie]

I can't tolerate prescription meds so rely on other methods. Have you considered chiropractor treatment. If you do please do your research and make sure that they understand and appreciate the unique problems fibro throws up. Took me quite a while but I am really satisfied with the one I have now who takes time to assess before treatment each and every time. I have also found gentle stretching and heat pads help along with warm epsom salt baths. I know others say Tai Chi helps too. I wouldn't be without my hypnotherapist either - not for everyone as one can feel quite vulnerable whilst being treated but again I did alot of research and visited several for free first sessions before I found one I was comfortable with. I did try the spinal injections but have to say they had zero effect except for the one in the back of my head which stopped the migraines for months.

Have you asked for a referral to the Pain Clinic - worth a shot, and/or one of the fibro clinics dotted around the country. I went to the one at Guys and St Thomas's. Very interesting, a one off appointment where you will see several specialists, I saw a physio, psychologist, rheumatologist and one other and together they put together a plan of action for my GP.

Diet has played a big part for me. Not proven anywhere that it helps but I know from experience that if I stray from the no processed foods path I pay for it later.

Good luck I do hope you get the desired result from your appointment.

[cosmondo in reply to Dinkie]

I'll ask about the specific clinics, thank you.The baths with salt is one thing that actually does help. Cold showers too.

Hot bottles, cold packs etc & my stretches I've been plugging away with for years.

Got to the point of looking into meds & tried a few without any luck.

I feel as if I've come as far as I can without something to help.

No such thing as a silver bullet though.

[Dinkie in reply to cosmondo]

It sometimes takes years to find the right drug or combination of drugs. It’s tricky as fibro is so different for all of us. Agree about the silver bullet- all drugs have their pros and cons.

[rosewine]

I found hydrotherapy helped and Preablin helped bring down the vile, burning electrical type pains I was getting. I honestly couldn't do without cocodamal.

I think you have to try various medications as one doesn't fit all. Hope the session is productive.