Fibromyalgia and Medications?

Question

Right now, I'm taking Elavil at night which doesn't seem to be working like my Trazadone used to and we are probably going to change my antidepressant (Prozac) which I've been on for years. I also have Soma and 50mg tabs of Vicodin. They don't seem to even take the edge off the pain. Will you please fill me in on what other meds I might try for pain, tiredness? I'm going to meet with my doctor within the next couple of weeks.

Answer 1

I too have fibro and have traded in all of my regular medications for Mona Vie Active. It's an amazing product that uses the Acai Berry among other fruits. I've been taking 4 ounces per day since August and have been virtually pain free! If I forget to take it I feel it right away. Great stuff!

Answer 2

I have had fibro for over 12 yrs. I have been taking Guaifenesin for app. 8 yrs. It is not a pain killer but it will help you to get off of pain meds. It is not a cure. For the med to work you must follow a specific protocol.
Before I took guaifenesin I was taking Darvacet and 600mg of Ibuprophen every 6-8 hrs everyday for pain. This is not a very strong pain med but one cannot take extremely strong pain meds when you have to take it all the time. I took Flexerel for the burning sensations in my muscles. I attended 2 local support groups for several years and I have met a lot of people with fibro. They all agree that there is no pain med that will kill the pain of fibro.
Here are some websites to learn about Guaifenesin.

www.guaidoc.com
www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com \

Also get this book: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia by Dr. Paul St. Amand

I was able to completely stop taking prescription pain meds within 3 yrs of starting guai.

Answer 3

Hi. I also have fibromyalgia. I took Elavil for a while and it seemed to help but had to be increased all the time. I found for me (and fibro is VERY individual, so that doesn't mean this will work for you) that my focus needed to be on my sleep. For me, taking Ambien CR at night was very helpful. Eventually I was able to get off all meds altogether with attention to diet, exercise and especially sleep. Also, make sure that your bedroom is a sanctuary. No T.V. to overstimulate, get good window treatments, etc. Try to stay on a regular sleep schedule. Also, I would seek help from a Rehab doctor and get a prescription for physical therapy to help manage pain. More drugs are not always the answer. Usually just a vicous cycle. Start taking walks to get some exercise. Hope this helps some.

Answer 4

I take Tramadol for pain. It takes the edge off my pain and makes my life more livable.Tramadol isn't for everyone because it lowers the level of seizures. So those who have had a seizure(regardless of cause) shouldn't be prescribed this medication.
I also tried Ambien and had adverse reaction from it consisting of hallucinations and panic attacks.

I have had great improvement in my pain levels by using a combination of dietary changes, vitamins and supplements, and lifestyle changes .
The one supplement I would recommend trying is DRibose. It has helped a large number of the fibro/cfs patients who have tried it (69%). It is ok for most people, except those with diabetes , pregnant women and those with uric acid problems. It can be found in some nutritional health stores. Its worth a trial.

In the next couple of years there is going to be a new medication coming out on the market that will have a big impact on those of us with fibromyalgia. Its a new class of antidepressant that works on both depression and insomnia . It does not appear to have any of the problems we are experiencing with the meds we take now. It has no sexual side effects , no morning after lethargy and no carb cravings. Keep your eyes out for it. It is called, Agomelatin. It is in final trials now.

Answer 5

Cymbalta kicks ***. It cut my pain level in half, plus it works well as an antidepressant since it works on norephinephrine and dopamine as well as serotonine. The lidoderm patch is another thing I adore. Its topical and up to three can be used at a time. Its great for those extra bad areas. During the day I like baclofen for muscle relaxer- its less drowsy. For fatigue I also like provigil. I'm also narcoleptic so I know all about fatigue. I also recently started on xyrem, a narcolepsy medication that more and more people with fibromyalgia are on because it helps one get restoritive sleep. For pain, vicoden hasn't ever really impressed me. I prefer darvocet. Lyrica, I had a very bad reaction to. Topamax helps me out with my migraines and maybe a little bit with other stuff. I also strength train and that helps me out with my trigger points. the stronger I can get them, the less suceptible they are. I was in physical therapy for nearly a year and then hand weights and then slowly started on machines. Just remember to not overdo it and work slowly at a pace that is right for you. I also like ginger for digestive stuff.

Answer 6

Hi,
good question,
i posted a bit about my fibromyalgia and what the doctors did to me, take a read and learn.
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-flMskTY8eryVcPY4xZP8Ng--?cq=1&p=2

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-flMskTY8eryVcPY4xZP8Ng--?cq=1&p=26

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-flMskTY8eryVcPY4xZP8Ng--?cq=1&p=39

i have much more medical data to share with you a sample of it is below i have more data on other drug therapies for fibromyalgia so message me if u want more serious info.
do your home work and read up, dont just ask!
ENJOY YOUR PARTIAL READING LIST BELOW
BTW there are other suspected causes for fibromyalgia and thyroid hormone tests (13 blood tests not only TSH) are in order for any one with FMS & CFS, so as to rule out any thyroid and pituitary gland influences in the FMS and other symptoms.

So says all my research

Answer 7

I am very interested in the details of SallyBea...'s answer: for instance, what dietary changes, excercise and how much sleep. My husband doesn't have any trouble sleeping but he has reached the limit on pain meds and is completely debilitated by this disease.

I would really like to know more about your cure, I do work quite a bit with vitamins and diet. Thanks

Answer 8

Hi, my sister has fibromyalgia also and she takes cymbalta.S he said that it is the best she has ever felt. good luck

Answer 9

My mom has fibro and cannot live without Lyrica. My aunt also has it and she's on Cymbalta. They are new drugs recommended for fibro. They also have to take prescription painkillers.

Answer 10

ask about lyrica/pregabilin- when it works- its worth every penny....my mom and i both have fibro - it worked for me for 2 years and moms going on her 3rd year and it still works....do not take tramadol/ultram/ultracet- they do nothing but damage the liver and increase risk of stroke- idk why its on the market.....time to up the vic....i became intolerant to soma - ask about flexeril and botox injections as well--- feel better n good luck