Hi friends, I have been battling fibromyalgia (FmS) & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS/ME for a number years now and feel i need some alternative for the Pregabalin I am on for nerve pains & aches along with other meds such as BuTrans pain patch & Celecoxib!
Thanks for any info...
God bless you all
Hugh
Am looking for an alternative for Pregabalin 225mg twice a day???
Question posted by Hughbromyalgia on 27 April 2016
Last updated on 26 October 2021
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6 Answers
Srr1111
29 Oct 2016
I'd be careful with pain patches and narcotic pain meds for extended periods in general, as studies show this worsens pain over time, especially for people with fibromyalgia.
If Lyrica worked well, then you may try gabapentin (it's similar but better efficacy rate with fewer side effects). It's also important to include a minimum of 15 minutes of gentle stretching so your body continues getting necessary movement - this really helps the fatigue too as long as you keep it gentle and at your pace.
Windchimes123
20 Oct 2016
Hi Hugh,
I'm fairly new with Fibro and CFS. New meaning finally being diagnosed after being humiliated,misdiagnosed,years going by. I'm sure you understand.
Why do you want to change with the risk of exacerbating your symptoms?
Or are the drugs becoming ineffective because you have become tolerant?
My big issue is trying to get pain control without the meds making the CFS worse.
My only way is to go on the max dose of Ritalin. It really doesn't improve my energy but makes me more alert. If I'd tried this before I'd have the housekeeping and Gardening done in one day! Now getting out of bed is an issue.
Also insomnia is a major issue.
How have you balanced the two all these years?
Thank you...
Hughbromyalgia
29 Oct 2016
Hi Windchimes...
Yeah, with the lyrica I've just been going up an up with little effect although it does help with the restless legs.
Insomnia is also a big issue as I can't sleep more than 2 hours at a time no matter what and spend most of my time like a zombie with little or no energy and never reach stage 4 sleep, any ideas for a good nights sleep would be most welcome!
Hope you are getting some ease...
Blessings
Hugh, Belfast.
Windchimes123
31 Oct 2016
Hi Hugh in Belfast,
I may have THE answer for you !
trazodone !!!
trazodone is used as an antipsychotic.
But...
It is also used for INSOMNIA and RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME!
I started on 50mg at HS
3 mo later was up to 100mg.
I've had no adverse reactions either !
It's the kind of drug you stay on until you don't think it's working anymore.
A good piece of advice for these meds, be fair to them.
Just because your getting good results you should not go back to any bad sleep hygiene patterns. Ex... Staying up late at night knowing you will be able to sleep by
For better recollection at doc apts keep a sleep diary to refer to. At times, you feel really good about yourself and don't keep notes. However, sleep deprivation goes out the window along with your memory. Many docs use these logs to calculate your next dosage when increasing .
Side Note : I used to have RLS very bad.
I was put on. trazodone but had to come off. A few years later after breast cancer treatment , I developed Chronic a liver disease Fatigue severe. They asked me if I had RLS to which I proudly stated ... I've outgrown it. A few months later I noticed my toes moving uncontrollably. It took me another 2 months before I realized this is what RLS is when you have CFS. You are too fatigued to use the whole leg. So now I guess I have RTS :-)
tabih4
3 Nov 2016
Oh Windchimes... How familiar your story sounds. I too have struggled all my life with the CFS and began seeking help from doctors over 10 years before finally finding one that believed me and knew exactly what was going on. Before that I had been told I was simply anemic and just needed to take my iron and vitamins, or I was just depressed; well of course I was, you would be too if you lived my life! I was told it was simply part of being a busy mom, I have 4 kids but my mom had 8 and she still managed to do everything that needed to be done. Of course when I finally got my diagnosis it was joy forward immediately by heartache when she told me that there just wasn't very much that could be done. I've been with my current doctor now for a year and a half and he has tried everything imaginable with little success in treating the fatigue. I have to take Ambien and muscle relaxers in order to sleep and sleep without pain.
Obviously this is not the answer for everyone but it's the only thing that works for me. I have also recently begun to try some light yoga and meditation before bed to help me relax my mind and stretch some of the knots out of my muscles. I also see a counselor as part of my total treatment plan to help me deal with some of the frustration and stress that only compound my other symptoms. If you prefer less pharmaceuticals and a more natural approach, these are great options. You can also try melatonin for sleep and hylands products for the restlessness. Hylands is completely natural and they work great. I have started to use essential oils in my house for everyone and everything. I love having an alternative to taking more pills. I hope this gives you some options to consider. Best of luck on your journey!
tabih4
20 Oct 2016
I just realized that you said you take celecoxib. This is also just a generic name. Celecoxib is Cymbalta. If this works well for then stay on it. I know all too well how difficult it is to find something that works. If you feel you need to change though, please be extremely cautious and discuss it thoroughly with your Dr first. Coming off of any medication especially antidepressants can have intense withdrawal effects. Antidepressants and cymbalta in particular, will cause terrible dizziness and headaches among other things when you stop taking them. This can happen even if you wean yourself slowly off them. I have personally tried just about every antidepressant out there for my depression, pain and fatigue. My current antidepressant is Pristiq which I love and my Dr just started me on Nuvigil for the fatigue.
Tdarr143
14 Oct 2020
Celecoxib is Celebrex. It is an NSAID & a very expensive one. I hope you are doing better. Take care and please stay safe and healthy.
tabih4
20 Oct 2016
Pregabalin is just a generic name for Lyrica. Lyrics has been a life saver for many people. Unfortunately, I am not one of those. I also have suffered all my life with CFS and recently with fibromyalgia among a myriad other issues. Most of my symptoms have been well controlled with various medications. For the nerve pain that I have stemming from a herniated disc in my lower back, I was originally put on Lyrica (pregabalin) with no relief. Then my Dr. Put me on Neurontin (gabapentin). This has worked wonders for my sciatica! I also take tramadol for the pain in the rest of my body. Cymbalta is also an option, but and several people I know have had bad side effects and little to no relief with it. You have to take extra precautions with CFS though as many medications that may help with your pain or other symptoms can increase your fatigue. For me it has been a long road of a lot of trial and error.
Trying to find the right medication to relieve my fatigue along with my other symptoms has been an uphill battle that thankfully my Dr has been willing to continue fighting with me. Hope this helps best of luck!
masso
3 May 2016
Have you considered Cymbalta?
Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an antidepressant used for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
"Researchers think that Cymbalta helps calm down the pain signals by increasing the level of two naturally occurring substances called serotonin and norepinephrine. These substances, which are found in the brain and other parts of the nervous system, can affect mood and are believed to help control and suppress feelings of pain. Cymbalta and other SNRIs block serotonin and norepinephrine from re-entering cells, and therefore increase the levels of these substances. This process is thought to improve mood and relieve pain in patients with fibromyalgia."
Talk to your Dr. about it , perhaps Cymbalta may be of help.
bobsy
26 Oct 2021
This is good for neurologic pain. Opioids are the drug of choice for nociceptive pain. Taking the drugs mentioned for nociceptive pain will not work.
Indig
3 May 2016
I am on Tramadol which is fabulous for pain. Also Lyrica for pain in my hands
Related topics
pain, fibromyalgia, neuralgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs), pregabalin, fatigue, chronic, nerve, neuropathic pain, syndrome
Further information
- Pregabalin uses and safety info
- Pregabalin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Pregabalin (detailed)
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