Have you found anything to successfully treat fibromyalgia pain?

I have lived with fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions for over 20 years now. I currently go to a rheumatologist that I've been going to the duration of that time. I am currently taking a regiment of gabapentin, duloxetine, muscle relaxers, antidepressants and sleeping pills. I am unable to take any kind of NSAIDs due to being a gastric bypass recipient. Therefore over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol do absolutely nothing for me. So I currently take a 30 mg slow release morphine in the morning and one in the evening. I also have 10 mg of hydrocodone pills that I can take for breakthrough pain. There's a lot of people that say that the narcotics do not work for fibromyalgia and I just wanted to stay here that for me they do. I have been off of them several times and tried other avenues in hopes I would find alternative relief and nothing worked for me. This current regiment that I'm on is the closest I'm going to get to being pain-free. I want to point out that I am not an addict I've been taking them for years. I cross all my "T's" and dot all my "I's" to make sure that I meet the states guidelines and regulations and see my doctor every 3 months. So I just wanted to state that it's very individualized it is a conversation between you and your doctor and what works for you. If you're not happy with your current regiment I would suggest finding a new doctor. But don't stop fighting for what works for you.

I have been taking Cymbalta for years. It helps me manage the pain. When I over do it physically however, only rest and hot bath/showers for a few days is needed. Sometimes certain foods I hear triggers fibro pain for some people so if you haven’t looked into that it might be something to consider as well.

@whattodo hello. I was on Gabapentin & Cymbalta for years. One day I said this is enough. I don’t know who I am and I want to stop all meds and find me. I learned I am in a lot of pain. So much pain. I also learned that I’m a crier and not because of the pain but because I was watching a commercial and I cried. I don’t cry. Nothing makes me cry. Then I learned I cry at happy things. I investigated why I have all these emotions all of a sudden. Cymbalta stunts your emotions when you are on it long term. I never cried on commercials or even television shows or movies. I just don’t cry. Well I do now. I love having feelings. It all made sense. Cymbalta blocks the pain so of course it will block emotions. I refuse to go back on Cymbalta and it put 40lbs on me. I got off of Cymbalta and I lost 40lbs. Gabapentin I do not like. It affects my memory seriously. I was known for my impeccable memory. Now I forget words and have to describe what it is and then they will say the word and I yell that’s it. Thank you. It happened today with my eye doc. I wanted to ask a question about a disease that makes you blind. I could not think of it. After me describing more and more she says, you mean Glaucoma? Yes, that’s it. It really does take care of the Fibro pain. Another issue I have with Gabapentin. When I sit to read a book or watch tv or play a game, my husband will look over at me and I’m sleeping. He would yell my name. All the time falling asleep. Well I just told my doc I am stopping gabapentin but not 100%. I want to test how I am. My husband had bought me CBD Gummies called Hemp Gummies. They are non addicting. No THC in them. I take one in the morning with my other vitamins with my breakfast. I have to wait 6 hours before I take anymore. So I decided I will take the second between lunch and dinner or wait and take it at dinner. When I go to bed at night I take the gabapentin. During the day I am literally pain free and I’m awake and I have energy and I can read my book and I don’t fall asleep. I’m not hurting and I’m awake. I decided to take the gabapentin at bedtime because all of a sudden I have restless leg. It’s a brand new issue prior to me getting off of gabapentin. So I will take it until I tell my doc and ask if there is another med I can take or even try the gummies and see if that works. I am so very happy. I am not on medication during the day an I’m not crying in pain and running for the gabapentin. I’m praying my memory issue will go away and I can be more of me. Many have told me they got off those meds. Most of them say they take the CBD gummies and some say they actually smoke weed. I don’t want to do that. I’m not looking to get high. I’m looking to be pain free and so far I am winning. Some days I do hurt but not so bad. It really is working for me. I want to see what she says when I tell her it is working. Let’s take care of this restless leg. Someone on here mentioned sensitive skin. Oh yes! Very sensitive. Well, I’m thinking it is the meds because now I do not have sensitive skin. When I do sit and relax I feel like I have been riding in a car all day. Then I concentrate and it is my nerve endings. They are numbed with Gabapentin and where I don’t take it during the day, I am feeling my nerve endings. It isn’t hurting but I feel a driving buzz if you can call it that? It doesn't keep me awake nor uncomfortable. I’m going to continue on this road and if I can’t get off of it at night I will try the lowest dosage and work it to where it works for the restless leg. That is a brand new problem for me. I don’t encourage anyone to stop there meds. You have to ween off of them. I also don’t push the gummies. He asked me to try it at least. My doc said ok but not to take gabapentin with it. I said no. I only take them during the day. Just 2 of them. Talk to your doctor about all your concerns. If you have a memory issue like me, write it down. I promise you that you will forget what you wanted to talk about. I pray for everyone to be less pain instead of more and I pray they find what works for them and try to push for a better way to mange or even heal. It is possible. I was nervous but I am feeling so happy I am not on heavy meds all day long anymore. Let’s see if I can get off completely. I’m so excited.

@lizzietish56 for your restless leg try tying a longer sock around your foot when you go to bed. it works for me also have no leg cramps then.

@whattodo hello. I was on Gabapentin & Cymbalta for years. One day I said this is enough. I don’t know who I am and I want to stop all meds and find me. I learned I am in a lot of pain. So much pain. I also learned that I’m a crier and not because of the pain but because I was watching a commercial and I cried. I don’t cry. Nothing makes me cry. Then I learned I cry at happy things. I investigated why I have all these emotions all of a sudden. Cymbalta stunts your emotions when you are on it long term. I never cried on commercials or even television shows or movies. I just don’t cry. Well I do now. I love having feelings. It all made sense. Cymbalta blocks the pain so of course it will block emotions. I refuse to go back on Cymbalta and it put 40lbs on me. I got off of Cymbalta and I lost 40lbs. Gabapentin I do not like. It affects my memory seriously. I was known for my impeccable memory. Now I forget words and have to describe what it is and then they will say the word and I yell that’s it. Thank you. It happened today with my eye doc. I wanted to ask a question about a disease that makes you blind. I could not think of it. After me describing more and more she says, you mean Glaucoma? Yes, that’s it. It really does take care of the Fibro pain. Another issue I have with Gabapentin. When I sit to read a book or watch tv or play a game, my husband will look over at me and I’m sleeping. He would yell my name. All the time falling asleep. Well I just told my doc I am stopping gabapentin but not 100%. I want to test how I am. My husband had bought me CBD Gummies called Hemp Gummies. They are non addicting. No THC in them. I take one in the morning with my other vitamins with my breakfast. I have to wait 6 hours before I take anymore. So I decided I will take the second between lunch and dinner or wait and take it at dinner. When I go to bed at night I take the gabapentin. During the day I am literally pain free and I’m awake and I have energy and I can read my book and I don’t fall asleep. I’m not hurting and I’m awake. I decided to take the gabapentin at bedtime because all of a sudden I have restless leg. It’s a brand new issue prior to me getting off of gabapentin. So I will take it until I tell my doc and ask if there is another med I can take or even try the gummies and see if that works. I am so very happy. I am not on medication during the day an I’m not crying in pain and running for the gabapentin. I’m praying my memory issue will go away and I can be more of me. Many have told me they got off those meds. Most of them say they take the CBD gummies and some say they actually smoke weed. I don’t want to do that. I’m not looking to get high. I’m looking to be pain free and so far I am winning. Some days I do hurt but not so bad. It really is working for me. I want to see what she says when I tell her it is working. Let’s take care of this restless leg. Someone on here mentioned sensitive skin. Oh yes! Very sensitive. Well, I’m thinking it is the meds because now I do not have sensitive skin. When I do sit and relax I feel like I have been riding in a car all day. Then I concentrate and it is my nerve endings. They are numbed with Gabapentin and where I don’t take it during the day, I am feeling my nerve endings. It isn’t hurting but I feel a driving buzz if you can call it that? It doesn't keep me awake nor uncomfortable. I’m going to continue on this road and if I can’t get off of it at night I will try the lowest dosage and work it to where it works for the restless leg. That is a brand new problem for me. I don’t encourage anyone to stop there meds. You have to ween off of them. I also don’t push the gummies. He asked me to try it at least. My doc said ok but not to take gabapentin with it. I said no. I only take them during the day. Just 2 of them. Talk to your doctor about all your concerns. If you have a memory issue like me, write it down. I promise you that you will forget what you wanted to talk about. I pray for everyone to be less pain instead of more and I pray they find what works for them and try to push for a better way to mange or even heal. It is possible. I was nervous but I am feeling so happy I am not on heavy meds all day long anymore. Let’s see if I can get off completely. I’m so excited.

@whattodo hello. I was on Gabapentin & Cymbalta for years. One day I said this is enough. I don’t know who I am and I want to stop all meds and find me. I learned I am in a lot of pain. So much pain. I also learned that I’m a crier and not because of the pain but because I was watching a commercial and I cried. I don’t cry. Nothing makes me cry. Then I learned I cry at happy things. I investigated why I have all these emotions all of a sudden. Cymbalta stunts your emotions when you are on it long term. I never cried on commercials or even television shows or movies. I just don’t cry. Well I do now. I love having feelings. It all made sense. Cymbalta blocks the pain so of course it will block emotions. I refuse to go back on Cymbalta and it put 40lbs on me. I got off of Cymbalta and I lost 40lbs. Gabapentin I do not like. It affects my memory seriously. I was known for my impeccable memory. Now I forget words and have to describe what it is and then they will say the word and I yell that’s it. Thank you. It happened today with my eye doc. I wanted to ask a question about a disease that makes you blind. I could not think of it. After me describing more and more she says, you mean Glaucoma? Yes, that’s it. It really does take care of the Fibro pain. Another issue I have with Gabapentin. When I sit to read a book or watch tv or play a game, my husband will look over at me and I’m sleeping. He would yell my name. All the time falling asleep. Well I just told my doc I am stopping gabapentin but not 100%. I want to test how I am. My husband had bought me CBD Gummies called Hemp Gummies. They are non addicting. No THC in them. I take one in the morning with my other vitamins with my breakfast. I have to wait 6 hours before I take anymore. So I decided I will take the second between lunch and dinner or wait and take it at dinner. When I go to bed at night I take the gabapentin. During the day I am literally pain free and I’m awake and I have energy and I can read my book and I don’t fall asleep. I’m not hurting and I’m awake. I decided to take the gabapentin at bedtime because all of a sudden I have restless leg. It’s a brand new issue prior to me getting off of gabapentin. So I will take it until I tell my doc and ask if there is another med I can take or even try the gummies and see if that works. I am so very happy. I am not on medication during the day an I’m not crying in pain and running for the gabapentin. I’m praying my memory issue will go away and I can be more of me. Many have told me they got off those meds. Most of them say they take the CBD gummies and some say they actually smoke weed. I don’t want to do that. I’m not looking to get high. I’m looking to be pain free and so far I am winning. Some days I do hurt but not so bad. It really is working for me. I want to see what she says when I tell her it is working. Let’s take care of this restless leg. Someone on here mentioned sensitive skin. Oh yes! Very sensitive. Well, I’m thinking it is the meds because now I do not have sensitive skin. When I do sit and relax I feel like I have been riding in a car all day. Then I concentrate and it is my nerve endings. They are numbed with Gabapentin and where I don’t take it during the day, I am feeling my nerve endings. It isn’t hurting but I feel a driving buzz if you can call it that? It doesn't keep me awake nor uncomfortable. I’m going to continue on this road and if I can’t get off of it at night I will try the lowest dosage and work it to where it works for the restless leg. That is a brand new problem for me. I don’t encourage anyone to stop there meds. You have to ween off of them. I also don’t push the gummies. He asked me to try it at least. My doc said ok but not to take gabapentin with it. I said no. I only take them during the day. Just 2 of them. Talk to your doctor about all your concerns. If you have a memory issue like me, write it down. I promise you that you will forget what you wanted to talk about. I pray for everyone to be less pain instead of more and I pray they find what works for them and try to push for a better way to mange or even heal. It is possible. I was nervous but I am feeling so happy I am not on heavy meds all day long anymore. Let’s see if I can get off completely. I’m so excited.

@lizzietish56 would you mind sharing what type of gummy… the dosage? I’m not sure what to ask for. I’ve tried one in the past and it just made me hungry. Did they work right away? I’m in awful pain. I can’t take it anymore…. willing to try anything. Thank you. I’m happy for you.

@lizzietish56 I can’t believe the similarities! I was on Cymbalta and Gabapentin for over 18 years and Gabapentin 2000 mg. I have had memory problems asked to get weaned off the Gabapentin. Went off completely but got back on 800 mg due to pain and sleep. Right now taking 400 as weaning myself off due to memory (bad) problems. Like you I had amazing memory before. Like you I’m left with crying all the time. But to me, it’s debilitating. There’s things I won’t do cause I cry so easily. I can’t have a conversation a lot of times because Bam, all of a sudden something triggered crying. I’m embarrassed. It’s too much. I feel it has undermined my authenticity about what really is deserving of such emotion. Example: Saw a smashed worm on the walkway (they give me the creeps) BUT I cried because it didn’t have a chance. I avoid socializing more because anything I talk about will make me cry. I will never take Cymbalta again. The withdrawals for 6 weeks were absolutely horrendous mentally. Extreme Crying (it’s less now but was worse during withdrawal), nightmares, anxiety attacks, scared of normal shadows, waking up panic attacks, scared of what seemed like everything. But I did feel like I wanted to get out of bed! For that alone I can’t take it again. Aside from pain I have cognitive issues, major depression, anxiety, brain fog, vision problems, IBS, kidney stones, fatty liver disease , high blood pressure, high triglycerides. So I’m having painful flare ups but it’s not continuously, go to chiropractor (specializes in fibromyalgia too), heating pad, biofreeze, Advil when I can’t take it anymore and it usually helps. I started taking low dose naltrexone and waiting to see if it will help me. Walking (going to groceries) since continuing without stopping, lifting, any exercise for more than 8 minutes, even stretching sets off a flare. I’ve gained at least 20 lbs I haven’t been able to lose. Fibromyalgia changed my life. I was so active energetic smart capable hard working very social and happy. So as I’m writing this yes I’m crying because that’s what I do. I know for a fact that the Cymbalta caused this crying thing because I’ve had diagnosed major depression for over 12 years and did not cry like I do now. It’s simply ridiculous (for me the extent of the crying). I appreciate your post! I’d like to look into the hemp gummies. I’d like to know what you think in particular has made you happy, do you think the gummies have something to do with it? Of course you may just have a better disposition. Like you, I don’t want to get high. I want to get off as much of the medications as possible. Knowing that someone else has this crying thing makes me feel like I’m not crazy. God bless you. You made my day!