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.

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LadyDeb 01/19/2015

Hi...I've been taking lyrica since August. Lately I'm wondering if I should check with my rheumatologist about how I'm feeling. But I don't know if I want to go off of it.

I have a history of depression but have been doing okay. But lately very depressed. Could it be the lyrica? But a lot going on here at home right now. Long story...have custody of our grandchildren, ages 11, 14 & 15. Issues there. So you can see why I'm not sure about the lyrica. I've also been taking Cymbalta for about a year.

Anyway...just sharing.

dkmama 01/19/2015

Hi Lady, I also take both Lyrica and Cymbalta (and Tramadol). The most depressed I have gotten was when I took Gabapentin. Lyrica has not made me depressed, and possibly has helped with my tendency for depression (as a result of the fibro, etc.). What dose of Cymbalta are you on. I know in times of stress you may need to up your dose of Cymbalta. How are your pain levels?

dkmama 01/19/2015

And I forgot to say...kudos to you for raising those kids. I am probably your age (old enough to be a grandparent), but my kids are 11 and 14. Quite a challenge there. Some days the stress levels are out the roof!

LadyDeb 01/20/2015

Good morning dkmama...I take 75 grams of lyrica in the morning and 75 at bedtime. I take 60 of the Cymbalta in the morning. I've been taking Cymbalta for over a year. I've been taking lyrica since August of this past summer.

I'm 56 years old. The kids are quite a challenge, aren't they! I'm setting up an appointment for the 15-yr-old (Hayli) to talk to a counselor. Hoping it can help.

I hope you have a good day.

dkmama 01/20/2015

Hi Lady...I am 56 also! Call me a late bloomer with the kids.

I would hang in there to see if your depression lifts. I am on 150mg Lyrica morning and night and 60mg Cymbalta in the morning. Last year I stopped the Lyrica for a few months (insurance change put price out of range) and found my pain levels come back like gangbusters. That is when I tried Gabapentin which did absolutely nothing for my pain and I found myself really depressed. Not sure if it was the Gabapentin or the increased pain. I could barely function and this was at the start of the school year when my son was entering high school...a lot of changes to manage.

Did the lyrica help you much? Lyrica basically made me able to function again. I wish I felt better but now am looking into the thyroid disorder (Hashimoto's disease) that I have. Trying to find an endocrinologist to listen and treat appropriately.

I hope your depression lifts. I'm not sure how high a dose one can go to with the Cymbalta. Maybe talk to your doctor about increasing that...though I know how we don't like taking more meds. :(

Take care & I hope you have a good day also.

LadyDeb 01/21/2015

Good morning dkmama, I plan on leaving things as is with meds for now. It's frustrating to me not knowing what causes what, you know? Oh and pain levels are probably 3,4 & sometimes 5.

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