Fibromyalgia - Does anything help relieve severe pain during flares?

Posted by ripley @ripley, Mar 7 11:16am

I was officially diagnosed with Fibro two years ago. I don't take any medications except for 5mg Flexeril (muscle relaxer) at night during flares, and some supplements recommended by my functional medicine Nurse Practitioner that don't seem to be helping. A hot bath before bed helps a little.
I'm now in the middle of a flare and in extreme pain all day. I try to stay busy to take my mind off it, but it's very hard to cope.
I'm very reluctant to go on meds such as Cymbalta, Lyrica or Gabapentin. I've read they often don't help and have bad withdrawal issues if you want to stop taking them. Most doctors don't offer much help except for offering drugs, with little knowledge about their effectiveness and side effects.
I'm looking for support or help with how to continue living with this. What works for others with Fibro to lessen the pain?

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@daisy17

Did your vision improve or go back to normal after you quit taking it? I have been prescribed a low dose for my fibromyalgia, but haven't started taking it yet. Thanks.

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My vision did get better according to the optometrist exams it is back to where it was but it does get blurry, jumps up and down and still is a problem.

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@jmenassaka

I switch back and forth between the gabapentin and lyrica about every other year with flexeril twice a day and it helps with the chronic pain and lowering the amount of flares that I have.

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Could you share your dosage of Lyrica and Flexeril every day? I take 5mg of flexeril at night and my dr just prescribed 25mg of Lyrica twice a day, which she said I could take "as needed" (I haven't started it yet). Thanks.

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Hi. I’m 5 years into my pain journey so I take 200mg of lyrica 2 times a day and 10mg of flexeril 3 times a day.

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@jmenassaka

Hi. I’m 5 years into my pain journey so I take 200mg of lyrica 2 times a day and 10mg of flexeril 3 times a day.

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@thenazareneshul

Yes, I'd say the cyclobenzaprine deals with muscle pain. At least, on me it does. I have muscle spasms. Also, lot of muscle pain comes from muscles being too tight, for whatever reason. Some people talk about muscle cramping. To me, that's the same thing as spasms. Maybe not, but I certainly have both. One problem I have is severe lordosis now in my lower lumbar spine. And of course, my whole left leg. A supposed scientific study was done about the use of cyclobenzaprine (I've read it, but can't find it again) just sounded like garbage to me. To be fairer, I think it was a study on the use of it for people with new injuries, not for those of us with what appears to be permanent literal spasms, constantly. Another term for that is spasticity. That study said there's no real reason to use it past the first 10 or 14 days, something like that. So, we sometimes get Pharmacists who forget there's whole huge segments of the population (like those born with cerebral palsy) that sometimes have to live with spastic (as in spasms) body parts. I wish I could find out what is being used for them. Those medicines might be useful for me, but it takes a whole visit just to ask my PCP to refer me to someone else, about that subject. Right now, I've got a relatively new one, and other major issues that I need to see specialists about (prominent epidural lipomatosis, avascular necrosis in both hips, etc). When there are also other important physical problems, it's really not appropriate to take away a medication that's dealing well with a problem. Who knows? Maybe when my spine is dealt with properly, the spasms might go away. Something caused it in the first place. It's not like I've ever asked for the cyclobenzaprine to be increased. If I get a doctor that gets in my face about the cyclobenzaprine, I dump them and go find a new one. Life's too short to be treated like a drug that's not even labelled a "controlled" substance is addictive. If it was, they'd have classified it so. If that convenient non-basis of putting down their own patients was true, some of them would go to the trouble of getting it classified as a Controlled Substance. Otherwise, I just consider it to be harmful gossip. I've not found it hard to stop taking Cyclobenzaprine. What is hard to deal with is my whole left leg and hip in contracture 24/7, which is why I started taking it in the first place.

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I find that BENTYL….. really works well for spasms (or cramps), takes away the constant spasms..there by stops the constant cramping, thereby controls overaction of the bowels……and in the process reduces my pain from arthritis and all other ailments I have…..see if your doctor will prescribe them for you….!!!!! God Bless and good luck…!!!!!

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@gloriaadieu

Any "Rx or Drug" is toxic to one's entire system including our brains. Popping a pill is an easy solution, but carries with it severe if not deadly side effects. The reality is that Nothing takes all pain away. It is a constant, and with FM flairs, it is a extremely painful ordeal.
All the research I have done points to a combination of 1 or 2 Rx's (the effortless part). I found that keeping prescribed medications kept me from many severe side effects.
As for me, Yoga (can be chair Yoga), Meditation, Heat, Heat, and more Heat (IFR Sauna at my gym)
Daily Stretching, Pool exercises, Walking, Tai Chi, Qi Gong (increases stretching and increases energy) all in moderation so as to not trigger a flair, all are important.
Messages, good nutrition (gluten free because gluten creates fibrin which creates the continuance of pain).
Also, dedicated efforts at Sleep to heal mind, body and soul is important.
I do use 10%menthol, 4-5% Lidocaine cream and Magnesium lotion in combination and it does help with pain after my morning and evening hot shower.
A lot of credit goes to taking our mind off our pain and busying oneself with housework, gardening, art, music, developing spiritual/meditative and positive mindset,and helping others.
Pain control is not easy. We each have to invest time and effort to self-care because we each have other things to do and we Can Overcome this obstacle called chronic pain.
I am wishing all of us FM humans a peaceful, happy and calm inner life as we travel through whatever we have to travel through. Many blessings.

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I totally agree with your focus on non medication strategies. My last visit to Mayo Fibro clinic came away with recommendation to use a system called Lin that focuses on the brain pathways that are hyper activated causes pain
It has been a tremendous tool.

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@lbair1

I totally agree with your focus on non medication strategies. My last visit to Mayo Fibro clinic came away with recommendation to use a system called Lin that focuses on the brain pathways that are hyper activated causes pain
It has been a tremendous tool.

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I found some information about Lin on-line. Their website says it's covered by insurance. Have you enrolled in the program? If so, what is the cost and is it covered by insurance? Do you need a dr referral for that? Thanks.

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@lbair1

I totally agree with your focus on non medication strategies. My last visit to Mayo Fibro clinic came away with recommendation to use a system called Lin that focuses on the brain pathways that are hyper activated causes pain
It has been a tremendous tool.

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Interesting!

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@lbair1

I totally agree with your focus on non medication strategies. My last visit to Mayo Fibro clinic came away with recommendation to use a system called Lin that focuses on the brain pathways that are hyper activated causes pain
It has been a tremendous tool.

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What is the Lin system?

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@ripley

I found some information about Lin on-line. Their website says it's covered by insurance. Have you enrolled in the program? If so, what is the cost and is it covered by insurance? Do you need a dr referral for that? Thanks.

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I originally paid for it out of pocket. there was an Mayo Clinic very reduced monthly fee. I was referred by Mayo Doctor but don't think you have to be referred. Best to just call them for direct information. Lin Health (970)598-0523. I have found it to be the best possible option to the actual Mayo Clinic 21 day on site program which was also wonderful.
My insurance has now authorized paying for this. But you have to be ready to do the work. It is not like popping pills. If you want recovery - its there.

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