I was diagnosed with fibro almost two years ago now and after confirming that's what was going on the Dr. gave me no direction nor help besides go see a psychiatrist to get something like Cymbalta , Neurontin etc..I can NOT take any of these meds as they make me feel like im drunk, hostile, and like im on another planet, I am full with frustration have no idea what to do or where to go and my family is suffering from me having this and not getting any help to treat the symptoms. I don't know what to do to better my quality of life . ive tried eating better which I do great with drinking lots of water try to exercise as much as possible with the amount of pain im in. im 32 with 5 children and can not imagine how the rest of my life will go on like this. any help info will be greatly appreciated
Anyone have fibro and have no luck with all the meds they claim work?
- Asked
- 5 Mar 2014 by hopefulemm
- Active
- 25 Mar 2014
- Topics
- cymbalta, depression, anxiety, back pain, fibromyalgia, generalized anxiety disorder, chronic pain, psychiatry, diagnosis
Responses (8)
I am going through exactly the same thing. I have had this condition for 5 years now with intense pain the last 12 months. I have been to every doctor/specialist in my HMO and they all have given up. I was sent to psych as well no triggers or issues there... don't you love when there is no answer they turn to "you must have psych issue"
My blood work is good , arthritis moderate, fibro pain through the roof. I have tried every drug Cymbalta Gabapentin Lyrica Celebrex
Treating fibro takes time and patience. I just had my gabapentin increased again. If you girls aren't giving your bodies time to get used to these drugs, you're going to feel bad and you're going to think they're useless. I started out with only 100 mg of gabapentin 3 times a day until I got used to that. Some drs start you out too high on it and then you do feel rotten. Things like cymbalta take up to 4-6 weeks to start working. If you don't give it the time for that, you'll think it doesn't work and you'll feel bad from it.
Also it takes a cocktail of meds. I take gabapentin, now up to 900 mg a day until I'm used to that then up up to 1800. I still have room to go on that. I also take effexor, because cymbalta was too expensive and norco for pain. I'm not on allot of that tho. I also see a pain dr who injects the trigger points in my back and neck and this makes a world of difference. I have never seen a psychiatrist, they aren't the ones that treat fibro.
Hello kasismomma your so right on I'm taking 3200 mg gabbys but like u said traveling up the ladder was taking hydro max through through the normal steps up to the max 10/325 for a year then switched to oxycodone/ percocett
7.5/325 up to 10/325 4 x a day for about 6 months till they stopped working now on MS Contin started out on 15 mg 2x a day then 3x a day now taking 60 mg a day. Same thing with celexa and zoloft now taking cymbalta 60 mg a day I'm fixing to increase my lorzone musel relaxer to 750 from 500mg 3x a day this is just for pain and anxiety I also have type2 diabetes 4 stents in my heart as well so yes it takes time for any meds to work but after aleast the 5th week no change talk to your doc keep up with side affects and allergy info as well who ever reads this hope it helps and good luck on your journeys .
You are a wise woman and it is always helpful to read your educated responses. I just wanted to send you on the gabapentin, they put me directly on 3600mg daily and my edema was so terrible, with a new trusted doc, I'm doimv the same from 100mg at bed now to 300mg at bed and 1-200mg during the day. Slowly, I'm seeing a bit of help which makes waiting far more worth the immediate expectation of relief.
Also, having tried Lyrica and Cymbalta I truly feel you know what your body can tolerate(horrible mental hyperactivity, locked up jaw, tense pained muscles, and I was so grumpy when typically I am not) Those feelings after 2wks were out of the question, especially the second time around. We know our limits but ic were voing with conventional medicine for our Fibromyalgia and other issues, we need to listen and ask question at the pharmacy. In other words, give it a chance and for long enough, change the approach or get to know what your body tolerates. My best to all of us with this ugly invisible syndrome.
Hello Hopefulemm and Lauriecharlie a warm welcome to DC - KM raises good points in her response. It does take time to find a drug regime that works for you and as KM said you should be started on a low dose drug and be increased when and if necessary. Unfortunately some Dr think that ALL people with Fibromyalgia (FM) need to see a psychiatrist or have Cognitive behavioural therapy. This is NOT the case. Whilst some may find some benefit from it (I have yet to come across someone who has), it will do nothing to help you. And if it does help then it is only one small part of a much wider treatment plan. You medication regime should include a drug for your FM. Drugs used to treat FM fall in to 2 categories Antidepressants such as Cymbalta and Anticonvulsants such as Gabapentin (Neurontin) and Lyrica, which seem to be the most commonly used. A muscle relaxant (or more than one. Personally I have 3 different ones) if you suffer from muscle spasms which is common with FM.
Thanks for your info but a question ... Why no tramadol and cymbalta? I am on tramadol and have been for years it's the only constant that works for me and my docs have tried to Add the others with it to no avail BUT now I am trying Savella with the tramadol should there be a concern taking the two together?
It's not working yet I am only 30 days in and on a very low dose ... Actually have has some concerning side effects I am ignoring for now... But your comment was the first I have seen stating mixing tramadol is not good...
Thanks
Hello - Savella is Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) antidepressant. Serotonin and norepinephrine work together in the brain and spinal cord to tone down pain-related messages. Tramodol also does the same thing. The issue here is the amount of Serotonin boost when one takes both drugs. There is a risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome; which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. Cymbalta is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) antidepressant thus the same risk of serotonin syndrome can happen if taken with Tramadol. Regarding side effects. If you have any concerns you should discuss them with your Dr.
Hello and welcome to DC! KM is wise as always. I have been through a host of meds to deal with fibro. I've tried them all. My Neuronton was just increased to 3300mg per day. It seems to be the only thing that helps me. You must have patience and find the right combination. Good luck with your endeavors.
Seeking peace,
Tee
Hi Tee6759
be careful take in Neurontin it will make your blood sugar elevate. Check you blood glucose ever no and then.
I have to add that I tried the SSRI antidepressants and they were not for me. Didn't help with the pain and really caused mental issues for me.
Hi hopefulemm
Welcome to our world of Fibro and Dr's. I'm on Oxycodone 15 mg, Cymbalta 60 mg 2 tabs at bedtime and Gralise ER 600 mg 2 tabs at dinner, after trying many other medications. This combination I take each day for now and pray each day. You can vent on this website and hear others with similar stories. Here you are not alone. We are all looking for relief and medication that works. Welcome to our family. So if you need to talk to to someone you can talk with everyone or private. Mary
Thank you . i am happy to have some where to go to vent .
having you tried physical therapy? do you have a pain management dr?
Further Information
- Cymbalta Information for Consumers
- Cymbalta Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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it is ridiculous that we have to go through such struggle. i too am on disability and my diagnosis has been confirmed by Primary care , Neurologist , and Rhumetologist but have been told to see a physc dr which i think i already have said ive been seeing a physc dr since early teen years and now that dr is writing to my primary dr telling her my physc issues are bc of pain issues that arent being taken care of . i am really praying pain management will help. like i said i had tramadol for two weeks for hurting my arm and it was amazing how it helped i still had some symptoms but it was managed and was able to complete so much more than normal. im praying they will listen to me and not treat me poorly . ive lost my faith in doctors .