I'm currently unable to take any fms specific meds due to side effects - what had worked in the past was a tricyclic antidepressant for alpha/delta sleep disturbance. Diet and supplements are key for me. I also have narcolepsy, uncontrolled high blood pressure and severe spine problems and am not working currently - was just turned down for SSD and am appealing. I am taking percoset and skelaxin for the nerve pain in my spine. Lyrica, Lexapro, Cymbalta and others cause suicidal thoughts constantly. I was taking Ritalin for fatigue and narcolepsy until the HBP acted up - was taking Provigil but my doctor left the practice and his replacement wants another sleep lab - which is physically grueling with an MSLT portion, I have to go off all pain meds for 2 weeks prior, I am not sleeping anyway due to high pain from herniated disks, and I've had 7 in the past so feel it is a waste of time. I hope to find a doctor versed in FMS and narcolepsy in this area but have been unsuccesful. I've had FMS for 20 years (diagnosed). I was diagnosed by a doctor who had done a lot of research into the area and ran a clinic in
Charlotte, NC. He put me into an intensive 30 day outpatient program there which helped for years in managing the condition. I was able to work at a successful career and raise 2 children as a single mom with a short bad spell each winter. But with the new health problems those techniques are no longer sufficient.

I take 25 mg of Savella at night - that's 1/4 the normal daily dosage but I couldn't tolerate the nausea so we started over to see at what level things were tolerable but I still got enough pain relief to make it worth doing, and this is where we ended up.

I also take Vicodin (hydrocodone) for breakthrough pain, and generic Ambien for sleep.

In addition I take good quality multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplemenets, Vitamin D (I tested low), and a pharmaceutical-grade probiotic.

I take alot of medications for various types of pain issues and depression. I'm replying because I also take Lyrica at 150 mg twice daily. I started out on 75 twice daily about a year and half ago and increased last July. It does make you feel dizzy and wierd at first but that will decrease in time. I was quite drowsy at first but it passed in a few weeks. I hope it gives you the relief you need but that is a very low dose, don't be surprised if you have to increase it to get adequate relief. Hugs,
Lisa

The first few days I was on Lyrica I felt completely wired, but eventually my body became accustomed to it. I was on Lyrica for two years, at 75 mg per day - 50 in the am and 25 in the pm. I've also tried amitryptilene, nortryptilene, desipramine, Celexa, Skelaxin, Flexeril, Cymbalta and Savella. All have their good and bad points.

Then there is my old standby, Tramadol and it's friend Tramadol ER. The nsaids finally destroyed my stomach after 20 years of daily use, so now I mostly use Tramadol. Can't take narcotics, and when I try all I do is sleep so it's not worth it.

I also take multivitamins, calcium/magnesium, fish oil, vitamin B complex, and 4000 iu of vitamin D daily. I'm not sure how much good it does. I tried the DRibose and saw no noticable improvement.

I still go to bed in pain and wake up in pain every day. I struggle through the day, take hot baths, use creams and heating pads, and mourn the loss of my old life. I try to exercise, but when I do it means more pain and less sleep, which means more pain and less sleep.

I hope you find the combination that will work for you. It won't happen overnight, but keep trying. We all have different body chemistry and you have to just keep trying until you find what works for you. Good luck.

Hi, also..there are work at home companies where you can work from home on your own pc instead of going to work somewhere. I work for Hilton at home...hrccjobs.com Look for those kind of things..I think Medco also has jobs online. Good luck..
A lot of me too's..had to work from home just to manage my pain/treatments/ Dr's etc..I work 4 hours a day in the morning. Love it

I currently take 300mg Tramadol/Ultram ER, Cymbalta 60mg, and Baclofen 20mg 2x/day as my muscle relaxer. Bacolfen works both as muscle relaxer AND with nerve pain. Oxycodone for breakthrough pain for my pelvic floor pain which is what puts me over the edge pain wise.

* Vitamin D 2,000 IU daily,
* Vit D 50,000IU booster weekly 8wks severe deficit
* Vitamin B-12 1,500 daily - severe deficit
* Deplin - B/Folic Acid reformulated for better absorptions related to MTHFR gene mutation (linked to both chronic pain conditions & chronic depression)

Lyrica I couldn't make it past the threshold apparently but tried it for 5 weeks. Neurontin made me too groggy and kept stumbling. Took a big risk swapping my anti-depressant to Savella to try for fibro relief - lasted 6 weeks, horrible paranoia, crying, increased "bad" thoughts. Imiprimine wasn't enough for my depression; nortiptaline and the others in that class made me drowsy with no beneficial effect.

I used to take Vicoden for breakthru pain, but tummy issues like others mentioned.

I watch very closely what I say on the internet, because even with security settings, I have found my posts out on google, etc. Anything by email or internet is out there. That said, LOL

When was your surgery? If it was fairly recent, I read that our bodies take a bazillion times longer to heal and repair itself after surgeries, injuries, etc. Maybe you should wait a bit before making med changes right now? Just my thoughts :0

This may not make much sense but I have kasier as insurance and these meds are not on the approved list. I have been taking Amitriptaline 50mg at night it doesn't make the flare up go away but it helps lessen the pain plus its also helps how often the flare ups occur one more thing Im also on Gabpentin ( neurotin) for the nerve pain if you keep these meds bulit up in ya system can can help. I am just recently tring to get into classes that teach stress reduction ( which cause flare ups) Chronic pain classes, meditation and bio feed back. If I find this has taught me to help myself I will be happy to share what I have learned Take care my friend and I hope you find something that helps you If anyone wants to e-mail me with questions, or want to share your story with me plz email me at katyvanover@yahoo.com MAY GOD BLESS YOUR SOULS