I take Lyrica for the Fibro and since I started it, I can actually walk better without all that stiffness. It was so bad before I took it, I couldn't make it down my stairs. Nearly was to the point I needed to crawl down! So, I take the Lyrica and Sevella. Now I'm on tramodol also. Tramodol makes me "space out". But it helps too.

tramadol triggers bad migraines for me and wiped me out. I dont need anymore fatigue thank you! I didn't noticed that it did anything for pain...

Provigil is a drug that is "commonly prescribed" for fatigue. Look it up.

Look up provigil and fibromylgia, print it out, and take it with you.

Lorrie

The best piece of advice I can give you is to contact Fibromyalgia Network, www.fmnetnews.com, or better yet, 800-853-2929 and ask them to email you studies on pain and fibromyalgia. Take these to your doctor's appointment. They will back you up and he will be less likely to give you the brush off for being an emotional female. You will need to join Fibromyalgia Network, which you can do over the internet. It costs $28 per year and is the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself. I always recommend that people order back packages, six back issues for $17 and a godsend to us who need to convince doctors that our illness deserves pain control. Do NOT give up. If you don't get what you need from this doctor, Fibromyalgia Network will send you a list of fibro doctors in your area. Keep trying until they take you seriously. If you have these studies as backup, they will have to get up to snuff on the disease. They give you "power" in a situation where we all feel powerless.

Hope this helps,

Mizroze

I'm wondering how long you've been on tramadol (Ultram) and how long you've been on your current dose. I was EXTREMELY tired when I first began Ultram and then as I was titrating to my current dose (300 mg per day). That side effect is no longer there for me (nor is the drunk-like dizziness).

I also take Neurontin for pain but, am now hoping to switch to Topamax. The Neurontin (1800 mg per day) is the most effective medication I've taken to deal with my intense Fibro pain but, the side effects aren't that easy for me to cope with anymore.

I've been at my current Neurontin dose since mid-2003. For seven years, I've put up with weight gain and dental problems. The Neurontin allows me to get out of bed, leave the house, function...the pain was literally a 10 out of 10 before Neurontin (ergo the reason I was willing to put up with the side effects). Now I want to see if Topamax will work at least as well as Neurontin and allow for some of that weight to come off.

Also very effective in dealing with Fibro pain is Elavil. It's a first generation anti-depressant and prescribed at a very low dose for Fibro pain. It allowed me to sleep which reduced my pain (proper sleep raises your pain threshold). The least pain I had since my Fibro began was when I was taking Neurontin, Ultram and Elavil.

Unfortunately, I put on 10 pounds due to the Elavil (ironically, I became depressed while taking the anti-depressant as a result of the weight gain).

The good news is that you can take the Elavil as needed. My doctor said I can take it a couple of times a week to get solid sleep at least a few nights each week - that keeps weight gain at bay.

I hope some of my experiences are helpful and I hope you feel better.

I would advise you to find a really good doctor that knows about Fibro and is willing to help you through the process of finding the right combination of perscription drugs. we are all so different that what works for me may not work for you. It takes a while to get the right combination. Ask the doctor to write perscriptions for just enough meds to see if they work or not. I have wasted hundreds of dollars on new meds only to find I can't tolerate them. Ther is no point in buying more than necessary.
Good Luck