Whats the best way to deal with fibro?

[maz123]

Been unwell for about 15years with one thing and another finally diagnosed with fibro, now i know its not all in my head which is what i was thinking. Doctor has prescribe me with Amitriptyline and Fluoxetine been taking them for about a week. Dose anyone think these will help me?

[Vicki1]

Hi maz,

I was recently diagnosed with fibro too - the Rhematologist has put me on Amriptaline along side the Tramadol at bedtime. I can honestly say that I noticed a difference in the first week! What dose are you on? I know that mine will be increased by 10mg every 2 weeks but will only go up to 50mg in total. (if you suffer with depression then it will go up a lot more than this though)

Good luck and hope you start to see a difference

[Hidden]

Hello Maz, I am so pleased at last you've got your diagnosis. It's always easier accepting something when we know what it is that's been causing us to be ill. Whether Amitriptyline will help you or not, only time will tell as we all respond differently to medications. Personally speaking, I've found Amitriptyline very helpful. I've been taking it for three years now, it's helped me sleep and generally deal with the symptoms of Fibro better than I did before. I take 50mgs at the moment, usually taken around 2pm so by midnight I am ready to sleep. I used to take it at bedtime but found that it zapped me out for most of the next day, so it's important to take it earlier in the day and not at night time. It's a bit trial and error, but see how it works best for you as to what time to take it, unless your GP has specified when to take it. I haven't taken Fluoxetine so I can't comment on that. It usually takes a few weeks for your initial meds to kick in, so give it a while before you make a judgement. I hope it all works for you, but if you have any worries about anything please seek the advice of your GP or Consultant and whatever you do don't stop taking your meds without speaking to them first. We are all here to help and support you in any way we can, so feel free to keep us posted on how you are managing. Take care!

[Sarah-Jane]

Hi, head on I'd say in answer to your question. Get yourself some good information either on line or try Fibromyalgia for Dummies as I found that the most helpful.

I take 30mg of Amitrptyline around 7pm - 12 hours before I want to get up, or I can't!

Also Pregabalin 200mg - one with the Ami, one at 7am with 2 co-dydramol [20mg]; I then take the co-dydramol every 4 hours when I need it [only] but have 2 at bedtime [between 9 - 10pm] with my Tegretol [I have epilepsy] and I have 300mg then. I am pretty zonked out with this, but cope during the day and manage to keep a job as a teaching assistant. The only thing is, if I forget to take my Pregabalin early enough I am rather foggy and forgetful - also dangerous on my battery chair! Need one/two hours to be safe [I guess as I stop hitting furniture about then!]

By the way, I keep well away from the kids when like this so don't worry, okay?

See if your doctor or Rheumatologist will get you Hydro Therapy for gentle exercise - but be careful you do not make it worse by over doing things. I hurt my back and it kept flaring after Hydro until I stopped Hydro!

Apply for DLA so you can get more mobile and maybe help at home. Right now I am being a wuss and not making a phone call to social services to get home assessed. I should really.

I hate being disabled, but if you can accept that you are not going to be able to do what you could and seek things that you can, you could avoid becoming depressed - and thats very easy.

Watch out for any side effects of meds and talk them through with doc as some are worth living with! Not everything works for everyone, so I wish you good luck dear friend as now you have friends who know where you are coming from - feel free to rant in your blog - you will be surprised how many will be there for you.

Soft hugs

[diagnosed Dec/Apr; started Feb 2011 we think]

[pennells]

hi . yes they have helped me a lot, i could not sleep as i was in so much pain , and my muscles just didnt work , so found it hard to turn over in bed, but thinks have got better , suex