Advice on medication

[Bennett1943]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this website and would like to ask some info on painkillers. I've been taking Co-Codamol and Amitryptiline for FM. I find though that they don't always give relief.and wondered if that's the best I can expect. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Bananas5]

There are many options but as you will know each person's pain affects them in different ways.

There is a dedicated Fibro site here on HU which may be a good starting place. No not dismissing you either! Just giving you a hand to those who will understand specific conditions.

Give me a shout if you get lost

x

[Bennett1943 in reply to Bananas5]

Thank you for your kind reply .

[Hollieb1986]

A friend of mine has FM and she is on gabapentin for it, you could try asking your doctor to see if your suitable for it. And if the amatriptaline isn't working ask if you could swap to nortriptaline

[Bennett1943 in reply to Hollieb1986]

Thank you for your reply. I shall follo it up !

[johnsmith]

Going down the drug route will often result in needing more drugs to control the pain. This will have side effects of interfering with thinking, sleep and emotions in the long term.

You need to look at the physical therapies like massage, yoga, t'ai chi, chiropractic and Alexander Technique.

Pain is dependant on muscle control, posture, tiredness and emotion.

Over contracted muscles need to be manually stretched out. Over contracted muscles are painful. Stretching out over contracted muscles can be painful. Doing the necessary therapeutic exercises to stretch out over contracted muscle can be painful and can take a number of weeks to get good improvement in less pain and freer movement.

Over contracted muscle can apply pressure to nerves and cut of the blood supply which removes waste products and provides nutrient to body parts.

Medication is often an attempted quick fix that does not have a good track record of success.

Hope this is helpful.

[Bennett1943 in reply to johnsmith]

Thank you John for such a full reply. I have wanted to join a gym but worried about making things worse but your info certainly gives me a more informed approach. Thank you again

[Bennett1943 in reply to johnsmith]

Thanks again John. I have an appointment with my GP on Monday to try to sort something else but I'm putting all the advice I'm given into a little book for future reference and guidance.

[Bellaluz in reply to johnsmith]

Thank you for this reply. I am learning and I think it makes complete sense to me. I have worked my entire life and was very active. I quit my job and became my husband's caregiver, he is a combat wounded veteran. As an at home caregiver I had a more sedentary job and less walking from my old job. As I look back, my joint pains and fibromyalgia symptoms and pain in general started when I became sedentary. Now I walk ten miles and do feel better but I will stretch out my muscles and learn better excercise techniques. Although pain holds me back I do feel better after I excercise. Thanks again.