Hello. Have you been checked for low Vit D? I would start taking b12, vit D. calcium. etc etc and see if that helps.

Please try the Vit D 3 that might help you alot. I take it and it helps me.

Hi (:
thank you for your response. I have been checked for Vitamin D. Normal. I get B-12 shots approx every 2 weeks. I will try Vitamin D3 and Calcium and see if it helps. Do you also take Cymbalta, or anything similar? If not, do you mind sharing what you do take if an rx? Honestly, i'd love to just go the natural route. Seems like Cymbalta side effects are harsh.

Welcome, Shawna....I'm so sorry you've got the dreaded fibro, and that cymbalta isn't really helping you. Unfortunately most antidepressants have the sexual side effect, except I don't think wellbutrin does.

I know several people on here go the natural route, and hopefully they'll be along to offer suggestions. Or you may look over some of the older discussions and find topics about supplements and things.

Personally the SSRI antidepressants help me, and I really need it for my mood. It also helps my pain, anxiety, and sleep. I also take a muscle relaxer at night to relax me more and pain pills (lortab) during the day. I tried cymbalta and savella, but that family of meds don't agree with me.

Unfortunately it's such a trial and error process. I'd suggest getting back with your doctor and telling him how you're feeling on the cymbalta and should you try something else?

Good luck to you. It's so hard, I know. It took me a while to find what helps me, and I'm still not completely pain free or free from fatigue. Just maybe better.

Welcome to the board! I'm sorry that you are having such a difficult time. Are you taking a sleep medication? If not, you should be. Here's why - Fibromyalgia interrupts the deep sleep cycle with short bursts of high intensity brain activity. Your muscles require deep sleep in order to repair themselves from the days activities. No deep sleep means higher levels of pain and even more exhaustion. Amitriptyline is one of many medications that can be used to treat this issue. Managing sleep/rest is a critical part of dealing with this nasty syndrome.

If you are taking a sleep medication than maybe it is time for a sleep study to see what else may be going on. There is always going to be be some level of tiredness no matter how much sleep you get. Continuing to push yourself is only to create a cascade of other problems.

I'd like to suggest that you order the book "Fibromyalgia for Dummies" online at Amazon. It will give you a good overview of Fibromyalgia and ways to better manage it.

You are not alone. Take care of yourself and keep in touch.

Hi, and welcome. So sorry for the trouble you and we all have, there is tons of ifo here!

Leo

Hi Shawna and welcome to the group here.

I am not on any meds for FM .... have problems with meds and the ones could take did not help... so just not taking anything.

I had terrible nightmares with amitriptyline myself.... was one of the 1st meds tried.

I am happy that U did have the Vit D tested and it was normal for you. Allot of us did have deficientcy with the Vit D..... If it is normal maybe would be a good idea to talk to your doctor before adding it as a supplement.

Sorry your going through all this... hope U will find what works best for U so can feel better.

take care
gentle hugs

Try a suppliment called D-ribose.Its a great help for me and hubby even takes it occasionally.I tried capsules at first and now i buy it in powder form in bulk from ebay.Apart from the b12 its the best thing for my fatigue/exhaustion.

Hi I'm sorry for your diagnoses. For me, I have to go the natural route since most medications I have side effects. Also diet is important, I have removed wheat/gluten completely out of my diet, and eat fresh foods and try to stay away form preservatives, chemicals and artificial sweetners. I would recommend reading the book Wheat Belly, and Fatigue to Fantastic. Knowledge is power. And if your doctor isn't working with you then do research and find the one that will work with you and is very knowledgeable. Take care and I hope your symptoms get better.

*sigh* not every treatment works for everyone... I truly wish it did. I've had to do a combo of diet and meds and it's taken my pain/fatigue from about a 7 or 8 most days to a 2 or 3 unless i'm in a flare. I do b-12 shots daily (small doses and I feel it when I forget them) I'm on 250 mg keppra 2x/ daily, that helps with fatigue and brain fog and muscle spasms, zolpidem 10 mg to sleep and 90 mg cymbalta (I've also noticed the giddy up and go isn't getting up and going, but I'm menpausal too). I also had to go gluten, dairy and sugar free. Some people it doens't help, but it did help with some of the joint pain and ibs. I also take 5 mg flexiril only when I don't have a choice, mainly when hot baths, epsoms salt and tylenol doens't help with spasms (it causes depression). i have underactive thyroid so I have to be extra careful what I take. It took about a month to get used to the coctail I'm on, but it's helped me so far. Unfortunatly my dr thinks I have ms too, so I'm waiting on a dx for that. Plus side is I'm on most of the meds I'd be on if it were ms.

thank you all for your advice and encouragement. I'm so blessed to have discovered this site