Fibro Newbie

[laundryman]

Hi, new here and this is my storey. Pretty much the same as others I guess.

I have had many trips to the hospital for scans and investigations for ongoing pains everywhere for many years. Comes and goes a little but doing anything makes it come back. The consultant whom looked at my scans told me in a nice way that I am just wasting my and their time and would have to accept that I have fibromyalgia. I would like to know if anyone has found any fibromyalgia meds that actually do anything. I'm currently doing the Amitriptyline, Gabapentin, Pregabalin rounds with codeine and ibuprofen together.

Regards

[SecretRose]

I've been using Gabapentin for over a year. It gets rid of most of the burning and pinprick pain. For the muscular pain I use paracetamol and ibuprofen. I'm using a tens machine, that's really good to soften the spasmed muscles in my neck. That said, I have pain every day. I do lots of stretches and use a foam roller as well. Hope this helps.

[laundryman in reply to SecretRose]

Hi,Yes, a tens machine is a good idea that I hadn't thought of. Just ordered one to try.

Many thanks....

[Babydior1 in reply to laundryman]

Just to say, have tried Tens Machine with no joy. Have had this pain for nearly 5 years. Allergic to gabapentin and pregablin, take 90mg nortriptylin and morphine, can't do codeine as suffer from migraine. So pain clinic gave a Tens machine, what a waste of time!!! Still trying to find a way forward apart from soaking in a bath which eases it for 5 minutes after getting out.

Is yours localised to an area or throughout the whole body??

Good luck

Regards

Good luck

[laundryman in reply to Babydior1]

Thanks for replying. Constant pain is everywhere, like being squeezed into a ball. But it gets worse in local area's. Hoping the Tens will help for these. Yes bath helps for a few minutes, I am also lucky that we have showers at work that I have access to.

Mine started about 5 years ago also. Was diagnosed with thyroid disease which rapidly cleared up and then the aches started, 1 out 10 on the pain scale which is now about 5 out 10. Still manage work most days but definitely getting worse overtime. Thanks for your medication hint. Something else to try.

How did yours start?

Regards

[Babydior1 in reply to laundryman]

I had an accident which caused damage to my back and gave severe sciatica, which is bad enough. Then it started quite mild at first, they thought it to be arthritis. But got worse over time, the only way I can describe it is someone is drilling every bone in my body, and get like a fever to all joints as well as severe swelling. I'm a body piercer and beautician and it has stopped me working a lot. As never know how much pain I'm going to be in.

Regards

[cyberbarn]

Have you looked at all the non-pharmaceutical options? The Pain Toolkit is a good place to start: paintoolkit.org

[kenster1]

hi do you know healthunlocked has a page for fibro sufferers?.fibromyalgia uk I think it is.

[laundryman in reply to kenster1]

No! Thanks will have a look.

[jilly-124]

Hi there. I have had a stroke and left with severe burning pain down the whole one side of my body. When I left hospital I was on Gabapentin, Ibuprofen, . Then I did not think Gabapentin was working (think I was just frightened that I was going to have another Stroke) so they put me on Pregabalin. This did not work on own so put me on amatrlptylin as well. These both together gave me hallucinations but took at night and I also put on weight pregabalin. Have just seen a new doctor that has come to practice and she has told me that Pregabalin and amatriptylin do not go together and that she will probably take me off the pregabalin and up my amatryptolen .

Think you should look into this

[laundryman in reply to jilly-124]

All new stuff to me and never heard that before, yes will ask the doc

Thanks

[elvis67]

Hi I've tried gabapentin didn't do anything for me never new were I was coming or going had brain fog all the time as for pregablin I think there a very dangerous drug tried these after gabapentin became withdrawan and suicidel have friends in similar situation there not good at all I use tramadol modified release 200 mg morning and 200mg evenings and top up with paracetamol so in my opinion try tens machine and come of pregablin and gabapentin if you can found it difficult to come off pregablin but that's my opinion bad drugs they are hope this helps

[laundryman in reply to elvis67]

Hi, Yes, I have to agree that these meds are not ideal and they have some unpleasant side effects. My moods change constantly and it seems the Gabapentin is the cause. Hopefully the Tens will help.

Thanks

[Violetta70]

I take 50mg of Nortriptyline every evening and a mixture of co-codamol and paracetamol (so that I don't get constipated) during the day. I often use an ibuprofen gel as well. I do still have bad nights when I can't sleep and days when I feel as though I've been hit by a truck, like today. I'm sure I could see about more medication, but I try to cope on the minimum. I also try not to overdo things and pace myself - easier said than done, I know. Overdoing things can definitely make me feel worse. I hope things improve for you. Good luck.

[laundryman in reply to Violetta70]

Hi, I have used the gel but don't seem to do much. Same co-codamol and paracetamol and symptoms for me. I know what you mean about doing too much. Certainly worse several hour later if you over do it. There are so many treatments and medications that its impossible for me to get my head around them all. Had acupuncture several times and thought it really did help to start with but last time had very little effect apart from lowering my bank balance.

Good luck to you too.

[Babydior1 in reply to laundryman]

Hi

Try using voltarol gel, but be careful as contains declafenac which is a strong anti inflammatory, my friend has real bad arthritis and nerve damage and he swears by it better than the ibuprofen gel.

Good luck all