Fibromyalgia Medication and treatment

Posted by Sundance(RB) @sundance6, Jun 1, 2019

I have been on the Mayo Connect for over six months. My symptoms point to the umbrella of things, Lyme disease, West Nile, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, and Chronice Fatigue. I have seen every doctor in my hospital system. Had every test and scans done. JUST MADE MORE $$ FOR THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM!

Yesterday I finally went to a Rheumatologist for a consultation on a blood test. When I expalined what I had been going through the last ten months he finally gave me a diagnoses. (First one after 10 months and 10 doctors.)There is a small chance I may have Lyme Disease, but to late to tell. He said he was sure it is Fibromyalgia. He said I should have been directed to him when it first started. (Again as many of you agree they put you through unecessay test and perscribe pills to make $$ for the industry.

So now that I finally have some direction to move, I need some advice, information, what helps, what causes it and such. He said he feels mine is in the area of sleep. Does this make sense to anyone? He is sending me to a sleep clinic for evaluation.

I know I have seen many postings about Fibromyalgia, but I guess it is the "Fibro Fog" that dosen't remember all.

I had been on Gabretentian but the side effects were worse than my pain! We are tryng Cymbalta. Can anyone let me know how it has worked for them. Anything to watch for?
As always this site is the Best! People are so honest and open about helping.
Thanks,
Sundance 🙂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Fibromyalgia Support Group.

@sundance6

Thanks Ginger! Sounds like our symptoms are very similiar. The last blood test showed up in an autoimune condition that they are researching now. Interesting you bring up the streching and Tai Chi. That is what the Rheumotoligist reconmended Friday. He said Tai Chi or Yoga. Can anyone chirp in if they have tried both and which works for them. We're all different! Being a senior, my YMCA has the Silver Sneakers program that I am going to look into this week. Funny thing is I don't want to embarass myself in front of others! Does that give you a clue of deep issues I have! LOL!

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I do yoga with the aid of a yoga trapeze. It definitely helps to counteract the fibro pain. The trapeze helps steady you for those poses requiring more balance. It was less than a physical therapy session too! It is hard to relax around new people in a class at the Y. Your feelings are valid with that, but most people will be welcoming. Give it a shot, see what it does for you physically and mentally, then make a choice to continue or try something new. Sending my best,
SARAH

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Tramadol 50mg x 2 per day helps my mood and pain. Most doctors won't prescribe it bc it's an "opiate" but the truth is that it's very different than an opiate. It doesn't cause drowsiness. It doesn't make me feel like I shouldn't drive. It is not a true opiate - it's synthetic. It works for me. I've also been told LDN (look up low dose naltrexone) is extremely helpful for pain and fibromyalgia fatigue.

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Hi. I have fibromyalgia and understand what you are going through. I've tried/been on Cymbalta in the past and I had horrible side effects. I started researching supplements and deficiencies that cause the symptoms fibro suffers have. Right now I am reading about B12 deficiency. There are approximately 10 symptoms and I have most of them, yet having the traditional B12 blood serum test does not give you a true definition. I recently read an article by a gastroenterologist in Mayo clinic about this very subject. He stated if a patient has been on proton inhibiting pumps, meds for gerd, it can affect B12 and magnesium stores. Because the stomach absorbs most meds and anyone who has digestive issues this can affect these vitamins from being beneficial. This is just a small amt of info I've found on B12 deficiency. I also follow all social media on FB, Twitter etc of fibromyalgia groups that encompasses international as well as U.S. fibro sufferers. One fibro sufferer suggested I be tested for a genetic mutation gene that prevents you from absorbing B12 and most B vitamins that most fibro sufferers have. MTHFR is the genetic mutation. Her doctor put her on Methylated B-sublingual supplement. She said her pain and fatigue was reduced. So my next quest is to find not just a doctor but a lab that can run these tests. However I'm not having much luck where I live. I have to look outside of the box. If you research how important B12 is to the creation of Red blood cells and other very critical factors in the human body. Remember 10 years ago when vit D was looked upon as unimportant. Well today we now know it's not. That is what, I believe, is happening to B12 today. I know this post is long but I hope I opened some more possibilities in helping fibromyalgia patients. Best of luck to you.

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I don't have fibro but other autoimmunes that involve pain and I agree Cymbalta does have some nasty side effects. I had less pain but I didn't care. I mean I didn't care about anything! Please keep us informed on your search.

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@rufusisgolden57

Hi. I have fibromyalgia and understand what you are going through. I've tried/been on Cymbalta in the past and I had horrible side effects. I started researching supplements and deficiencies that cause the symptoms fibro suffers have. Right now I am reading about B12 deficiency. There are approximately 10 symptoms and I have most of them, yet having the traditional B12 blood serum test does not give you a true definition. I recently read an article by a gastroenterologist in Mayo clinic about this very subject. He stated if a patient has been on proton inhibiting pumps, meds for gerd, it can affect B12 and magnesium stores. Because the stomach absorbs most meds and anyone who has digestive issues this can affect these vitamins from being beneficial. This is just a small amt of info I've found on B12 deficiency. I also follow all social media on FB, Twitter etc of fibromyalgia groups that encompasses international as well as U.S. fibro sufferers. One fibro sufferer suggested I be tested for a genetic mutation gene that prevents you from absorbing B12 and most B vitamins that most fibro sufferers have. MTHFR is the genetic mutation. Her doctor put her on Methylated B-sublingual supplement. She said her pain and fatigue was reduced. So my next quest is to find not just a doctor but a lab that can run these tests. However I'm not having much luck where I live. I have to look outside of the box. If you research how important B12 is to the creation of Red blood cells and other very critical factors in the human body. Remember 10 years ago when vit D was looked upon as unimportant. Well today we now know it's not. That is what, I believe, is happening to B12 today. I know this post is long but I hope I opened some more possibilities in helping fibromyalgia patients. Best of luck to you.

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I read your note with great interest. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am told this is caused by the covering of a nerve in my jaw deteriating.. While at my orthopedic doctors office, he was testing my ankles. He picked my ankle up and I nearly jumped off the table. He tried several other pressure points with the same reaction. He asked if I had Fibromyalgia? This is the first I have heard about this to be a possible problem for me. The Neurologist, told me Pregabapenten is a medicine used to treat Fibromyalgia and I am already taking this for the Trigemeninal Neuralgia. This makes me wonder, if this medication might be helpful for you

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@gina5009

I read your note with great interest. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am told this is caused by the covering of a nerve in my jaw deteriating.. While at my orthopedic doctors office, he was testing my ankles. He picked my ankle up and I nearly jumped off the table. He tried several other pressure points with the same reaction. He asked if I had Fibromyalgia? This is the first I have heard about this to be a possible problem for me. The Neurologist, told me Pregabapenten is a medicine used to treat Fibromyalgia and I am already taking this for the Trigemeninal Neuralgia. This makes me wonder, if this medication might be helpful for you

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I have an appointment with my orthopedic on the 3rd. I'm going to mention it to him. I have numbness and tingling in my left hand. Comes and goes. He is a hand specialist and he's done surgery on me b4 so he is a good start. Is your neuropathy doc also fibromyalgia specialist? This is what I need to find. I currently take pain meds and want to get off of them. I have multiple problems like severe lumbar stenosis. I can hardly walk. With fibromyalgia and this I feel like a time bomb. But thanks for the recommendation. I will ask.

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@rufusisgolden57 I sounds like you are concerned about fibromyalgia. Finding a knowledgeable doctor can sometimes be a frustrating journey. Please try this link which takes you to the website of Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD). It is a great source of information and they can help you find a doctor!
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/contact/. You’ve been helpful in your other postings; now it’s time to help yourself.
Can you call GARD this week?

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I see a Neurologist for Trigeminal Neuralgia. The Orthopedic doctor I saw was following surgery for my hip. I have never had any complains regarding Fibromyalgia, that was why I was so surprised when the doctor said I probably had it.
GINA5009

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I have found that Cymbalta wasn’t any help for my pain. Good luck!

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@gina5009

I read your note with great interest. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am told this is caused by the covering of a nerve in my jaw deteriating.. While at my orthopedic doctors office, he was testing my ankles. He picked my ankle up and I nearly jumped off the table. He tried several other pressure points with the same reaction. He asked if I had Fibromyalgia? This is the first I have heard about this to be a possible problem for me. The Neurologist, told me Pregabapenten is a medicine used to treat Fibromyalgia and I am already taking this for the Trigemeninal Neuralgia. This makes me wonder, if this medication might be helpful for you

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Pregablin is Lyrica specifically made for Fibromyalgia

Similar to Gabapentin
Treats neuropathy
Causes weight gain is downside of drug

Cymbalta 60 mgms helps with depression and pain

Amytriptoline 10-20 mgms at bedtime also may help pain and depression

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