Fibromyalgia: How do you cope?

Thank you Ethan. I wasn’t aware there was a private message functionality. I will look for it.

@sandymom....used to be easy figuring out what's going on with all the pain....fibro, of course. Now, 28 years later I have a hard time differentiating between RA, Trigeminal, and other issues. But, pain is pain is pain, huh? I was diagnosed back when I believe they checked for 12 points. They now know there are many more, and apparently a person may have points no one else shares. Like me. I have points on the outside of knees. I know they are fibro because when I've pressed and released, the pain continues for a minute or two, feels like a deep bruise and I clearly feel these spots simply leaning against something. Do others have off the chart points?

Fibro set in shortly after the trauma of a ruptured uterus, bleed out, and paddles to restore heartbeat after a few minutes of trying. Trauma is a well know catalyst for the onset of fibro. Stress, too, but harder to pinpoint the onset of this insidious condition.

They tried methotrexate, gabapentin, prozac, Cymbalta, Lyrica. First 4 ineffective. Last one, flat out dangerous reactions, including amnesia, confusion. One night I left the back step to get my dog. Found myself back in my house, in bed with swollen left side of face and black eye. Eye took long time to unswell and return to normal. Never knew what happened. No recall. Lyrica was definitely a danger to me. That was just one event on the drug. Anti seizure meds just don't work, along with nerve treatment meds...which is a shame considering my trigeminal neuralgia.

What caused job loss? Pain? Brain fog? Too many sick days? I was fortunate, because I had so many kids, leaving home for work was not an option. But then, kids running wild while mom is limping along wasn't so good either, lol. I'd make them entertain me! Read to me, color with me. Do puzzles, etc. Kept them close. 🙂 Having to go out to work would have been terribly hard. So, how are you now? Can people with fibro get disability? Blessings 🙂

Hi All!
I got this article today about Fibro and Cymbalta.
FYI....I am also involved in a thread for people who are trying to come off Effexor, which is used for anxiety, depression and other ailments.
Those trying to come off of the drug or lowering the dosage, are having terrible withdrawal because no one ever said how addicting this drug is and that withdrawal is a part of the deal.
I am glad to see that this information is available for those who are using or thinking of using Cymbalta for their Fibro.
It is important to become informed.
Please let me know if you cannot open the link. You might have to copy it and then past it in the address box.

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
https://www.healthline.com/health/cymbalta-for-fibromyalgia

@sandymom Hi I have had fibromyalgia for along time I was like you tried them all Cymbalta was the worse med 1took and it effected me right away with confusion Savella and Lyrica not much better Do your own research and listen to your body as you are A Fibro group I'm with suggest we need more magnesium then other people Have Dr.check your labs I take 600 mg lab ct within normal limits

@sandymom
Hi!
I just posted a link that I got today regarding the use of Cymbalta for Fibro.
It does discuss all the drawbacks.

Here is the link:
You may have to copy the link and paste it into the address bar.
Hope this helps...
https://www.healthline.com/health/cymbalta-for-fibromyalgia
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Question for all y'all experts: I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2007 at the age of 21 (to complement my rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis at 19). I've had every drug anyone can seem to think of: Lyrica, gabapentin, pretty much every single antidepressant of every category, SSRIs and tricyclics, lithium, etc, and every version of painkillers: NSAIDs, opiates, plus prednisone and flexeril. I currently take Lyrica, gabapentin for breakthrough pain, flexeril, prednisone, and, uh, I think 4 SSRIs. Keeps me balanced and the pain managed most of the time.

The problem I have is that one type of pain has NEVER responded to ANY treatment, not even heavy opiates. It feels like: my long bones in my arms and legs, from the inside radiating out, have an excruciating migraine. The attacks are transient and last 5-20 minutes, and they are totally debilitating, They're close to a 9 on the pain scale. It'll just be one bone at a time usually, but sometimes both my thigh bones at the same time, and I'm worrying I might have an aneurysm from trying so hard not to scream. Doctors sort of weakly tried vitamin D and magnesium (which helped the regular fibro!) and nothing has changed. They don't have an answer, so they brush it off.

Has anyone experienced something like this? If so, have you found a treatment that works?

@eburning Fibromyalgia has many sides to it so we aren't experts only in what that person has What other problems do you have besides fibro @r.a. if I might ask

Fibro, RA, chronic migraine, anxiety.

@eburning With everything that you have had you tried other love nds of Dr,s ? let me chiropractor for headache,fibro .Do you use ice,heat other tools for your problems Do you exercise not sttenois but stretching ,water aerobics are easier on your joints and warm water pool for fibro That's hard for me to fine .I don't know where you live but Ability First is warm water These are just some of my experiences I have. Being your own advicate knowing your own body is necessary hope some of this helps Be keep nd to yourself

Lyrica. The worst, for me. Side effects were very dangerous and having read large quantity of testimonials, I was not the only one afretted neurologically. Plus, many many state a connection between Lyrica and tooth loss. Teeth breaking off at gumline. Guess it causes rot from inside out. I did not experience that, but I did suffer falling, injuries, and amnesia. Many use it with no ill effects. But, many do have them. If I were new to this med, testimonials alone would dissuade me from using it. So. There's my 2 cents, lol.