Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, and RLS any med suggestions?

[3labs]

Does anyone have a suggestion for meds to help fibromyalgia? I weaned off ropinirole and am not currently taking any meds for RLS. I tried Wellbutrin for anxiety/depression but had horrible nightmares. I am now taking Lexapro which I know is on the do not take with RLS list, but I felt I had no other option. I was on cymbalta for fibromyalgia but my doc who is wonderful by the way, said cymbalta and Lexapro can't be taken together. Therefore anxiety is better but all over body pain and RLS are both worse. Any suggestions? I live in New Jersey in the US. Thanks so much for your help.

[Joolsg]

Lyrica helps RLS and nerve pain so might help your fibromyalgia as well.

It also makes you sleepy.

A combination of Lyrica and opioids in low doses is effective but if you’re in USA you’ll need to find a doctor familiar with RLS and who’s willing to prescribe them.

Also get serum ferritin checked and if below 100 take gentle iron (ferrous bisglycinate) every other night to increase levels.

[Joolsg in reply to Joolsg]

I remember your serum ferritin was 6 so get levels up and you’ll find your RLS improves and you might not need meds.

[3labs in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks so much for your help. I appreciate the advice. I am due for a recheck of the ferritin levels. I have been feeling better since taking iron. Symptoms came on stronger this past (stressful) week. Hopefully they will subside as stress gets reduced!

[Eryl]

If you're not getting a lot of sun you may be low in vit d3, which is good for mood. if you've got fibromyalgia and rls they're probably caused by the same thing. The most likely cause it too much refined sugar in your diet, or to many high carb foods.

[3labs in reply to Eryl]

Thanks. I will do some research about cutting those things from my diet. I have noticed a weight gain and increase in sugar/carb cravings since I stopped the cymbalta and started Lexapro. I will reasearch to see if there is a connection.

[Demelz]

I have just tried pregabalin with good results. Also, 30mg codeine phosphate as a back up if pregabalin not enough to help me sleep. Beware codeine though because addictive. Only use if necessary. Good luck! Xx

[TaraJR]

Have you had full thyroid tests done? If so post them on the Thyroid Health Unlocked page. Many people have been told they have fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome, but when they've had really good advice from HU about thyroid tests, and decent treatment, their pain has eased and sometimes gone completely.

[3labs in reply to TaraJR]

Thanks so much for your help!

[Milefulano]

Trazodone is an anxiety med that is ok to take and helps with sleep.

[3labs in reply to Milefulano]

Thanks for the info!

[Birdman70]

I take Celebrex for my osteoarthritis, which is similar to fibro and Lupus. Its an anti imflammation med and is helping with pain. Also, have you had a sleep study done? Sleep apnea can reek havoc on the body aswell.

[3labs in reply to Birdman70]

Thanks for getting back to me!

[Levick]

I live in Philadelphia. I've had fibromyalgia for 20 years. I have the perfect combination because it works great for me. I take two 75 mg capsules of Lyrica when I wake up, I take one capsule, two before I go to sleep. I also take .5 mg of Klonopin which I split in half and take one in the a.m. and one in the p.m. There is one more pill I take which you really have to adjust to slowly... and I mean it took me many months to get up to the amount that is supposed to work for fibromyalgia. This medication is called Savella. I take 50 mg in the a.m. and 12 hours later take 50 mg. Klonopin works for my anxiety. The small amount I'm on, takes the edge off. If your anxiety is stronger than mild, you need to increase the amount. But once you're on Klonopin, it is really difficult to get totally off of it. I'm okay with not getting off of it. I am happy with my dosage.

[3labs in reply to Levick]

Thanks for the information! I appreciate your help and support.

[rynldss]

I've had fibro for a LONG time. I was having these " flares", very strange and incredibly painful and miserable! There were 4 specific symptoms, one of which was restless arms, really bad restless arms. This flare could last a couple of days and would keep me from sleeping.

I first tried some homeopathy for RLS, which you can get at Walmart. It did seem to help some, but not enough.

Then the flares became more frequent and longer in duration, I couldnt handle it. I tried talking to Dr's, but they looked at me like I was crazy because I refuse to go on Cymbalta or Lyrica. So I did my own research.

I saw an article about the anti-seizure drug Topamax, and that it is being used more now for fibromyalgia. The good thing about this drug is that it causes weight loss, the bad thing is that many people call Dopa-max, because of the brain issues it causes. I have to say, it's almost completely eliminated my RLS! Now, if I can find a good pain medicine!