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Fibromyalgia -- Need help on how to handle severe pain
Fibromyalgia | Last Active: Oct 29, 2023 | Replies (156)Comment receiving replies
I am 73, diagnosed with Fibro almost 2 years ago. I believe it was triggered when I got Covid. I don't want to take Cymbalta or Lyrica because I heard they don't help that much, have bad side effects, and have terrible withdrawals. How much Gabapentin do you take and how much does it cut your pain? My PCP is very reluctant to prescribe any pain meds. Cyclobenzaprine helps me get to sleep but he only allows a few pills, last time only 6 doses. I've read some Fibro patients take Tramadol but I am sure he won't consider that. I saw a pain specialist who wouldn't even prescribe it for me, or any other pain meds. My flares have gotten so very painful it's hard to function at all, and they last about two months.
Replies to "I am 73, diagnosed with Fibro almost 2 years ago. I believe it was triggered when..."
Hello and I'm sorry you've found so little help with the flares! My dosage of gabapentin is 1200 mg daily and I've never had any problems with side effects, other than sleepiness, but even that regulated pretty soon once I became used to the medication. Much better results with the pain without the dreadful side effects I had with Cymbalta. I'd say it cuts my pain on most days by about 75% but not always, especially during the Minnesota winter. But I've talked to plenty of people who had very little luck with gabapentin so if it doesn't work it would be one more disappointment for you to have to contend with, but I guess how do we know until we try. Oh, and the gabapentin really helped me to sleep better too, as I see you've mentioned sleep. What was your pain specialist willing to do for you to help address your pain?
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I really am baffled by your doctor allowing just six doses of the cyclobenzeprine. What is he afraid will happen if you were to be given a prescription for a nightly dose? That's what was prescribed to me when diagnosed a millennium ago, and I have take the cyclo along with the three other prescribed meds (for other medical reasons), along with the alpha lipoic acid and magnesium supplements. When first diagnosed, I was also prescribed amitriptyline but had to drop that, continued with just the cyclo. BE AWARE: Tramadol is a pretty strong medication, which is contraindicated for patients on cyclobenzeprine. I know, because as I reported elsewhere here, the rheumatologist who had diagnosed the fibromyalgia prescribed the combined Tylenol-Tramadol, telling me it would help with the painful flares. What hallucinations! After just ONE dose! So please keep that in mind. No tramadol along with cyclobenzeprine. As for for the other "doctors" who won't address your pain situation: All I can think of is that they are put off by the specter of possible lawsuits. But they don't have to prescribe opioids or other addictive drugs. I really feel for you, that your doctors lack compassion and education on the dynamics of pain and how to address it. I so wish I could help you locate a competent medical team...🙏🏽💖