Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
Hello all my DS friends. I was recently put on Lyrica. This is in addition to my other meds which are: Cymbalta (120 mg), synthroid & cytomel (due to my lack of thyroid due to cancer), welbutrin, and ms contin 90mg which I will be starting to be taken off of this week...
Since I got to the dosage I was supposed to of the lyrica I am (way more than normal) dizzy, super light headed, having balance problems, and increased headache intensity. I kind of feel like i'm drunk without the fun part, if that makes any sense. All of that but heres the kicker, it has made me more able to "function" even though it has not reduced my pain at all.
I am nervous about being taken off of my pain meds...I have been on them for over a year, longer than I have had my diagnosis. Before the pain meds I was having to be taken to the ER on a nearly weekly basis because I was in a puddle from pain. The most recent specialist that I saw is the one who recommended both adding the Lyrica (to the Cymbalta I have already been on) and taking me off of the pain meds ASAP. I DO NOT want to have to go back to living like that!!! The pain meds in no way make me pain free or functional but they have kept me out of the emergency room. Has anyone had experience with this type of treatment plan for fibro- the adding lyrica or cymbalta but taking you off of the pain meds?
And what have your experiences been with Lyrica?
Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer, gentle hugs to all.
Melanie
Since I got to the dosage I was supposed to of the lyrica I am (way more than normal) dizzy, super light headed, having balance problems, and increased headache intensity. I kind of feel like i'm drunk without the fun part, if that makes any sense. All of that but heres the kicker, it has made me more able to "function" even though it has not reduced my pain at all.
I am nervous about being taken off of my pain meds...I have been on them for over a year, longer than I have had my diagnosis. Before the pain meds I was having to be taken to the ER on a nearly weekly basis because I was in a puddle from pain. The most recent specialist that I saw is the one who recommended both adding the Lyrica (to the Cymbalta I have already been on) and taking me off of the pain meds ASAP. I DO NOT want to have to go back to living like that!!! The pain meds in no way make me pain free or functional but they have kept me out of the emergency room. Has anyone had experience with this type of treatment plan for fibro- the adding lyrica or cymbalta but taking you off of the pain meds?
And what have your experiences been with Lyrica?
Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer, gentle hugs to all.
Melanie
I have little to no side effects with pain meds, and couldn't take Lyrica or Cymbalta at all.
I'm glad they're helping you, but I wish they wouldn't insist on taking that other "tool" from your toolbox of pain management. I only take pain meds for "breakthrough pain" - pain severe enough to make me non-functional - but having the meds available is what allows me to live my life without fear. I know if the pain comes - and it does come when I choose to behave like a "normal" human from time to time - I know I can manage it.
I hope the side effects from the Lyrica and Cymbalta subside, and that your withdrawal from the pain meds goes without too much pain.
All I have is support - but we're here for you.
Could you go back to the other doctor? Maybe you were doing ok with cymbalta and mscontin. Just a thought....
I also have no side effects with my pain meds, but the other alternatives (cymbalta, savella, and an anti-seizure med) messed with my head too much. I don't understand doctors at all!
Good luck and keep us posted.
My primary is who prescribed me the mscontin and cymbalta. The pain meds before my diagnosis and the cymbalta after. The trouble is that it isn't really working...It keeps me out of the ER but that's about it. I cant work and i'm not functional. Doctors, including my primary, think more is going on so we keep looking. That is how I got to the latest doctor. My primary sent me to her, she is a pain/medication specialist. She believes my fibro is extreme and also there is something we have yet to find as well. She is who recommended the Lyrica in addition to the cymbalta. She also thinks that my pain meds are making my pain worse...??? That is where she lost me and I don't understand.
Lizzy- the lyrica is messing with my head big time, but I am hoping maybe it will level off enough to be tolerable and that its this bad because of the quickly escalating up to the dosage, maybe.
I go in for a brain MRI and to see my primary on Wednesday, hopefully he will have some more thoughts and ideas after I speak with him.
Thank you both for your response and support. It means so much during this frustrating and scary time to have any and all support I can get. Gentle hugs to you both.
Melanie
We all have the right to live pain free in every way possible. There are many ways that work but you have to find yours and theb be assertiv when visiting your doctor and ask him to travel the journey with you.
Because i really liked my current doc and this is chronic and painful I wanted to make sure she was willing to go thru this with me and she told me in general she does not treat chronic pain as she a few screw her over, but since Ive been going to her 2 years and she knows my struggles and how i hate the meds, she agreed to. I feel very blessed to have her but I also think that sitting down with her for an hour and setting a goal of its managabilty was very helpful. She is the one whodxed me prior to the rhumey and the rhumey confirmed Best of luck to you, anything would be hard to get out of your system after that long so will say a prayer.
Drs. are scared about the bad press on pain meds. You need a brave one. My psychiatrist is my sleep dr. and has taken over as my pain dr. She had wanted me to take morphine and I didn't like the feelings. So I fired her and my sleep dr. takes her place. It's all good.
Be honest and intelligent. We have to fight for what we need in this life. Here's to this new year giving you what you need to have a life.