I don't take an anti-depressant so I can't help you there.

When I have severe fatigue I just rest and don't force my body to do something or I can make it worse.

I sleep. A lot. Sometimes 12 hours at a time. Nothing else works. Certainly never any meds have. wish I could help more.

Smiles,
Leo

Hey, Peg....I take prozac. I've been taking an antidepressant for about 10 years! I've switched around, but I do best in the SSRI group, so I can't take cymbalta and savella.

I also take a good multi vitamin and super B complex, which I think gives me some energy. Have you had your B-12 checked? When I was super fatigued 3 years ago, I found out I was very low in it, so now I get shots. They make a big difference.

I hope you find something to help! Take care....ELizabeth

Thank you all for your replies. I do get B-12 shots and I will start taking vit B. Maybe that will help some. I think the stress of my job is pulling me down. Stress is the enemy for sure.
Thank you again and God Bless

I wish I knew - fatigue is my biggest issue. I've found ways to manage the pain but never found anything to help the fatigue.

I am having a significant amount of work stress too - and that definitely plays a part. My fatigue has gotten much worse since things have gone downhill at work.

Hope someone else has some suggestions that help.

I can totally relate about the fatigue...but honestly, there's nothing we can really do. It's all part of the wonderful FM. The latest research shows it's because when we fall asleep, we can't get into that deep REM sleep. When we finally do, our brains fire off signals and it knocks us out of it causing us to start te cycle all over. Without that DEEP REM sleep, our body can't heal or cope with the stress of daily life, which is also why our immune systems can suck lol. So even if you're sleeping for 12 hours straight, you're really not. You're not in that deep sleep long enough to really rest. I don't think there's a cure for the fatigue, but you have to play with things that work for you. I have a high stress job. I've found that taking 15 minutes at night to unwind and read for pleasure (even a stupid old magazine) helps relax my mind and calm the thoughts. Taking a hot shower and using aromatherapy have also helped me alot lately the past few weeks. I've also closed my blinds so light can't come in (light triggers neurotransmitters that send off signals to keep you up). I made my bed every morning so at night it's "more appealing" and looks comfy-doing this also releases neurotransmitters that can ignite relaxation and sleepiness. Try to take 15 minutes for YOU at night-wether it be petting your cat/dog, reading, taking a hot bubble bath, whatever floats your boat :). Try that for 2 weeks and see if you notice even an improvement :). Oh forgot to mention-aromatherapy takes some practice to find out what YOU respond to and what works for YOU. alot of people say that mint perks them up and gives them energy, but I've found that mint actually relaxes me and makes me a little sleepy. Be patient, but remember that even the smallest victory is worth celebrating :)

I found that decent sleep with a prescription med for a full year FINALLY made me feel better, less pain, more energy. I now only sleep 7-8 hours nightly but I don't sleep a wink w/o the med. For me, it makes all the difference. I don't take an anti-depressant because I'm not prone to depression. I think too many doctors thing that people with fibro are depressed. My doc's attitude is that I am not depressed, I have pain and sleep issues. He treats the pain and sleep issues I feel great most days now!

Just recently, I started taking a med called NuVigil, which is supposed to help with sleepiness and energy. It's used for people with narcolepsy and sleap apnea. My doctor gave me the med and then, he ordered a sleep study. The results of the sleep study show mild sleep apnea and some stuff called upper respiratory resistance or something like that which is basicaly snoring causing brief arousals throuhout the night, so you don't get enough restful sleep due to waking up all the time. I'm seeing a sleep specialist next month.
The pill helps some, but I still feel very tired and sleepy all the time. Last weekend, I was off for four days, and I slept a lot, still felt exhausted when I got up today, as if I'd never slept. I'm just so tired and weak all the time. Rest does help a little, I've been also trying to exercise and eat better, as well as have a better sleep schedule and stuff, but all that is very difficult.

As for anti-depressants, I'm on Savella, which in the U.S. is only used for treatment of fibromyalgia, not approved for treatment of depression, but it's in the same class as some of the anti-depressant and in Europe it's used for depression. I'm not deppressed, as in clinically depressed, but of course I do get sad and angry because of this pain, and fatigue and not being who I used to be.

Sorry, for this long response, I didn't mean to hijack your post. LOL
Take care

Amen to all these replies. Without quality sleep how are we suppose to feel okay. I would like to feel OKAY! Feeling great has left my goals. It's been so long now since I have felt OKAY that I will settle for that as I'm sure most of you would too.
Thank you for your input. I go to the rheumy on Monday and I am going to talk to her about all of this and see what she suggest. However, I do not put a lot of faith in doctors. She wanted me to take a drug that the first side effect is that it CAN effect your vision and if it does it is permanent. Now tell me, who would do that? Not only would I have all the problems I have now but I would be legally blind. So, I take what the dr says with a grain of salt and I research everything they tell me to take. Be careful! The pharmacy's are making a load of money on people like us who will do just about anything to feel good.
Have a great day!