The following article can be found:

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/modalities.cfm?B1=CHWEBO


Pharmaceutical
Two pharmaceutical drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia: Lyrica and Cymbalta. Lyrica is an anticonvulsant that binds to a specific protein within overexcited nerve cells and works to calm damaged nerves. This is thought to reduce the level of pain in FM patients. Cymbalta is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. It is thought to work by increasing the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system. These are two neurochemicals known to be low in FM patients.

Other medications may be prescribed off-label to treat FM symptoms. Some of these include:

* Anticonvulsants – for pain, sleep and mood stabilization

* Antidepressants (SSRI, SNRI or tricyclic) – for depression, sleep and pain

* Sleep initiators and sustainers

* Analgesics (NSAID, Cox II inhibitor, opioid, topical) – for pain

* Stimulants – for energy improvement and mental acuity

* Muscle Relaxants – for pain and sleep

People with fibromyalgia are often highly sensitive to medications, therefore, dosages should usually started at low levels and gradually adjusted to a level that is both well-tolerated and therapeutic.

Every patient is different. What works for one may not work for another. Physicians and patients need to work together to discover which drug, or combination of drugs, works best.


Supplements & Herbs
Many fibromyalgia patients take a variety of supplements and herbs along with, or sometimes instead of, pharmaceutical drugs. Because FM patients are often sensitive to medications, supplements and herbs can provide a healthy, helpful alternative.

Recent research has shown vitamin D to be particularly effective for the musculoskeletal pain of fibromyalgia. (See “Vitamin D – A Neglected ‘Analgesic’ for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain” )

Other supplements often used for various FM symptoms include:

* Sleep – melatonin, valerian root, calcium/magnesium, GABA, 5-HTP

* Energy – B12, DHEA, NADH, magnesium malate, D-ribose, CoQ10

* Pain – Vitamin D, magnesium malate, white willow bark, bromelain, thiamin

* Memory – DMAE, Ginkgo Biloba, vinpocetine, Methylcobalamin (a form of B12)


Acupuncture
Acupuncture can help improve a number of fibromyalgia symptoms including pain, sleep, irritable bowel syndrome and depression. Research has shown acupuncture to be especially effective for relieving pain.

Acupuncture is one component of the 5,000-year-old practice of Chinese medicine. According to Chinese medicine, there are energetic pathways, or channels, throughout the body that influence associated internal organs and structures. Energy from these pathways surfaces at various points on the body, identified as acupuncture points. Each of these acupuncture points serves as a tunnel, or access route, to the deeper circulatory channels within. Acupuncture stimulates a selection of specific points, thereby activating the body’s natural healing abilities.

Acupuncture is safe and usually painless. The needles used are made from extremely fine gauge, flexible surgical stainless steel. (Five acupuncture needles fit inside the hole of one hypodermic needle.) Unlike hypodermic needles that cut the skin, acupuncture needles slide through the skin without cutting. Only sterile, single-use needles are used.


Bodywork
Bodywork is a term used to describe alternative/complementary therapies involving touch, physical manipulation or energetic work. There are several types of bodywork that may be used to treat fibromyalgia. Like any treatment for this illness, effectiveness varies with the individual. While some report great success with a particular method, others say that same method caused a severe relapse.

Before beginning any type of bodywork, make sure the practitioner is certified in her field and knowledgeable about FM. Talk with the practitioner prior to beginning treatment and ask questions so you know what to expect. Be sure to ask how many treatments it should take before you begin to have noticeable improvement.

A few of the most frequently used bodywork therapies include:

* Myofascial Release Therapy – Often considered a type of massage, myofascial release therapy consists of very gentle manipulation of the fascia (connective tissue located between the skin and underlying structure of muscle and bone). Fascia can become tight and restricted in response to injury, inflammation, stress or even poor posture. Over time, the tightness in one area can spread throughout the whole body, which can be quite painful. The goal of myofascial release is to release the restricted fascia, which in turn eases the pain, increases the patient’s range of motion, and brings the body into balance. Most FM patients who get regular myofascial release therapy treatments report significant improvement in pain levels, energy and sleep.

* Therapeutic Massage – Therapeutic massage involves the manual manipulation of the body’s soft tissue. There are as many as 80 different types of massage, each with its own purpose. While the primary goal of some massage techniques is relaxation, the aim of therapeutic massage is to help the body function better. In addition to relaxation, it can help improve circulation, reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease muscle aches and pains, and improve sleep problems and immune system function.

* Energy Medicine – There are numerous practices that claim to promote or maintain the balance of vital energy fields in the body. Some examples include: therapeutic touch, healing touch, Reiki, Johrei, vortex healing, and polarity therapy. All of these modalities involve movement of the practitioner's hands over the patient's body to become attuned to the condition of the patient and identify energy imbalances, with the idea that by so doing, the practitioner is able to use their own perceived healing energy to strengthen and reorient the patient's energies, thereby promoting health. Often these therapies report impressive anecdotal evidence, but little scientific research has been done to verify their effectiveness.


Exercise
Exercise can be a touchy subject for fibromyalgia patients. When it hurts to move, the idea of exercising seems unfathomable. But multiple studies have shown that exercise is an important component of any FM treatment plan. Part of the problem is that most people think of exercise as jogging, aerobics and other strenuous activities. FM and ME/CFS specialist Dr. Charles Lapp suggests redefining “exercise” for FM patients. Perhaps a better word would be “movement” or “activity.” He says the main thing is to avoid strict bed rest, which causes deconditioning, which in turn makes symptoms worse.

Important FM “exercise” tips:

* Move your body as much and as often as you are able – even if it’s just walking to the kitchen for a glass of water.

* Deep breathing exercises – learning to breathe from the lower part of the diaphragm – is essential. Shallow breathing increases neck and shoulder pain and can cause chest tightness, shortness of breath and spasms in the postural muscles. Deep breathing eases tension and improves the circulation of oxygen in your body.

* Stretch your muscles periodically throughout the day. Begin slowly with seated stretches. After several weeks, if you are able, progress to standing stretches.

* When you first begin any new type of exercise, begin very slowly. Depending on the severity of your illness, start with as little as one minute and build up very gradually (i.e., spend several weeks at each level).

* Take frequent rest breaks. Try resting three minutes for each minute of exercise. Once you’ve moved into strength training or cardiovascular exercise, it’s a good idea to only exercise every other day, allowing yourself a day of rest between workouts.

* Break up your exercise sessions. Five three-minute sessions are better for FM patients than one fifteen-minute session.

* For those who are able to tolerate a longer period of exertion, water exercise may be a good option. Water’s buoyancy decreases the effects of gravity, displacing 85 percent of your weight. As a result, it takes less effort to move because you don’t have to support your whole weight. Also, immersion in water promotes relaxation, reduces muscle fatigue and lessens pain perception.


Lifestyle
Every fibromyalgia patient is forced to make certain lifestyle changes and adaptations. The key is to make the changes that will help you develop an environment that allows you to function at the best level possible and gives you the best opportunity to improve both physically and emotionally.

One of the most important changes any FM patient can make is learning to live within your “energy envelope.” Each day evaluate your energy level and imagine putting that allotment of energy into an envelope. Each time you expend energy, mentally remove that portion of energy from your envelope. When your envelope is empty, it’s time to stop. It’s often tempting to keep going, especially if you’re having a good day. But if you try to push beyond your energy envelope one day, you’re likely to crash and feel worse for several days. Learn to separate what needs to be done from what you would like to get done, and focus on the necessities first.

Other important lifestyle changes include:

* Practicing good sleep hygiene. Poor sleep is one of the biggest problems for fibromyalgia patients, but unfortunately most do not have good sleep habits. In fact, Dr. Lucinda Bateman says 80 percent of her patients actually make their sleep worse. To learn more about good sleep hygiene, read: “Sleeping Without Pills”

* Improving your diet. If possible, consult a nutritionist or dietician to determine which foods are best for you. When energy levels are low, it’s easy to fall back on fast food or frozen dinners, which seldom have the best nutritional value. On the days you cook, make extra and freeze your own nutritional meals to have on hand for the days you have no energy. Or if you’re not able to cook at all, maybe a friend or family member would make extra and freeze it to share with you. (See “The Fibromyalgia Diet: Eating for a Better Quality of Life” )

* Organizing your home to conserve energy. For example, keep a set of items you need regularly next to the chair, sofa or bed where you spend most of your time (i.e., phone, pencil, paper, nail file) so you don’t have to keep getting up to get them. Or always put your keys in the same place so you don’t have to search the house every time you need to go somewhere.


Mental Health
Living with a chronic illness like fibromyalgia is difficult at best. The physical distress and hormonal imbalances coupled with drastic lifestyle changes can easily result in depression and anxiety. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication and/or refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist, who can help you learn to cope with all the changes.

If your insurance doesn’t cover mental health treatment and you cannot afford it, check with your local mental health center. They usually offer treatment on a sliding scale based on your income.

Many FM patients find that support groups offer them the encouragement and support they need. Search for a support group in your area in ProHealth’s Support Group Listing. If you don’t find a group there, try calling local hospitals and your local newspaper to see if they know of any groups in your area.

If you’re not able to physically attend a support group, there are lots of online groups available. In fact, you can start interacting with other FM patients right now in ProHealth’s FM Chat Room or the FM Message Board.


Other
A vast number of different modalities are used in the treatment of FM. Some are quite traditional, while others are somewhat unusual. Many are controversial. It’s impossible to predict which treatment is best for you because what works for one person may or may not work for another. Study the various options and be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment.

A few other treatment modalities you’ve probably heard about include:

* Physical Therapy – Carefully supervised physical therapy may be helpful for fibromyalgia, but it is essential that the therapist be very knowledgeable about the illness and care be taken to avoid doing too much at one time.

* Biofeedback – This mind-body therapy designed to teach you to use your thoughts and will to control your body. It is based on the idea that people have the innate ability to influence many of the automatic functions of their bodies and has been confirmed by scientific studies. A biofeedback specialist uses special monitoring equipment to measure responses, such as heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, skin temperature and brain activity. Using these measurements, he teaches you to recognize your reactions to thoughts so you can learn to control those reactions.

* Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – CBT is one of the more controversial fibromyalgia treatment modalities because it is basically a psychological technique and is strongly supported by those who still insist on believing that FM is primarily a psychological problem. The treatment focuses on maladaptive patterns of thinking and the underlying beliefs. For example, a person who is depressed may have the underlying belief that he is worthless. While CBT is certainly not a cure for the physical illness fibromyalgia, it can be a helpful tool for treating symptoms like depression and anxiety.

Perhaps we can discuss what has worked on this list for us.

I think talking about what works for us is a great idea.

I can't get a regular massage. They hit those trigger points and I am running toward the door. I have started having those hot stone treatments. Those are great, but usually very expensive at a spa. The college I go to offers a therapeutic massage certificate, which means they do therapeutic massage and other spa treatments for pennies on the dollar. A one hour hot stone treatment is $30.

I also take flexeril three times a day along with ibuprofen 800. But lets face it, that just doesn't cut it somedays. Now that my back is screwed up again I am back on the hydros.

I have always had problems with sleep. They have tried just about everything with me. All the low-dose anti-depressents and such. I have even tried Ambien. None of these worked for me. They either were too weak, or in the case of Ambien, made me act like a crazy person. One kind old doctor put me on xanax for sleep, and god bless him, it actually worked. I know most people don't agree with using benzos for sleep, but sometimes you just have to go with what works.

I never go to someone for a massage without asking if they have experience working with Fibromyalgia patients. The myofascial release is the only thing someone can do for me - it's a gentle form of massage and works wonderfully. Otherwise, a massage just aggravates my condition more.

I take Trazodone for sleep. Right now it works for me. But I have to go on breaks from it because it will stop working at one point, and 150mg is just too high for me to go to without being groggy half the next day.

I do a LOT of stretching. I have to stretch or I'm a mess. Yoga is nice when I'm using slow, fluid movements. I've also had Reiki done on me a few times which was very nice. I've also had accupuncture which is very nice - wish I could afford it all the time. Chiropractors are iffy - sometimes I can get one that will release some pain in my ribcage area, and sometimes they make me worse. So right now, I avoid them altogether.

I don't take any muscle relaxers, and if I didn't have my knee issue going on right now, I wouldn't be taking pain meds either. I need to function the best I can during the day and just can't function on either meds. I tried working on vicodin one day and kept nodding off at my computer!

Finally, we have a dual showerhead in our shower, one of them is detachable and has a massage function. That was the best investment we've made in a long time.

Sports message works for me, on my legs at least.

I could probably tolerate that on my legs. Sooo not in my back or shoulders though! The fibro is worst around my arms and ribcage. I think mine stems from a car accident I was in where I was pinned in the car - the worst places of pain feel like invisible bruising left over from that. But I don't need to tell any of you what it feels like

Has anyone here tried the "electro-regenesis" therapy?

It is suppose to be really good for cleansing the lymphatic system,which is something usually clogged up in FM(and other chronic pain) disorders.
It's rather expensive,so anyone that has experience is appreciated.

I know I have posted these links before but I find them interesting reading so am posting them again. Both of these groups feel that many inflammatory illnesses including CF/FM, rheumatoid arthris, sarcoidosis, and lupus are the result of chronic mycobacterial infections which set off a series of events causing the multiple symptoms. There are a few differences with the treatment of these conditions between the two groups however the basic antibiotic treatments are the same.

I have been ill since the early 90s and have not found any treatment which consistently helps me. I am not able to try either of these treatments at this point since I have also developed cardiac issues in the past year and there are some conflicts between some of the cardiac meds and the antibiotic therapies. Since I was not in a high risk group to develop the heart problems I started doing some research and there is quite a bit of research being done looking at the relationship between heart disease and chronic inflammation.

I do however know 2 people using the Marshall Protocol, one for sarcoidosis, the other for CF/FM. It is still to early to tell how effective it may be but if I ever get off some of the meds I am now on I may very well try the antibiotic therapy out.


http://www.immed.org/index.htm

http://www.marshallprotocol.com/

Bluefairy,

hiya! well.. I have to say in several years of trial and error, pretty much none of the treatments 'listed up there' have worked for me. Maybe for very short duration but nothing substantial. Some things, I do anyway: stretching, light excerise... all for better mobility and coordination. I actually have been at my worst (didnt no it could get worse) *Im a tough case*

tache,

hi to you too!.. it is funny, I had just heard of some antiboitic treatment, but at the same time my local doctor was still pushing Nerontin-after several discussions where I made it clear Im just not interested in another seizure med.
I had intended to research the antibiotic thing, but...was sidetracked. Then, I was researching in my FMS book, and came across this:

The Guaifenesin Protocol
http://www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com/GuaiProtocol.htm
http://www.vulvarpainfoundation.org/guaifenesin_treatment.htm
Like so many treatments out there, of course it is somewhat experimental, but I actually grasp the concept! I have only just begun using the 'guaifenesin' and do note some expected' results. Im very impressed with the online support groups and the practicing doctors always write in with upated info. They answer all questions like immediately! I hope to see good results in time, I am a patient 'trooper'. If after a good few months of this-and I am not impressed at all, I will look back at the other one.

Hi Sarahte, I think the most comprehensive research on mycoplasma bacteria and chronic diseases has been done on RA. Since then it has been extended to other inflammatory illnesses. One of the things that strikes me about this theory is that if in fact they are caused by chronic infections than any short of antibiotics only treat symptoms whereas antibiotics may actually get rid of he problem. Both of these groups discuss the difficulties in treatment, mycoplasma bacteria are notoriously difficult to culture and the course of treatment is long.

My interest in the antibiotic treatment stems from the fact that after 15 yrs of being sick I still have no firm diagnosis. I have been diagnosed with a number of different illnesses including RA, Lupus, Ankylosing Spondylitis and CF/FM. Everyone agrees that I have "something" but tend to throw their hands up in the air because I have atypical symptoms and test results. To date the most effective treatment I have had was a year long course of prednisone. Within the first 36 hrs. my pain level was almost gone completely and the fatigue disappeared. I had tried nerontin with no effect. For about 1 1/2 yrs after I came off the prednisone I felt pretty good, the pain was tolerable and I didn't have much fatigue. I have noticed that over the past couple of months the pain is increasing and the fatigue is returning so I think that shortly I will need to start the whole treatment process again. I am sure it won't be prednisone so I am actively beginning to research other treatments. I have heard of the Guaifenesin Protocol but will have to refresh my memory, thanks for the link.

wow..sounds familiar. my test finding for Lupus, Adisons, etc.. were 'inconclusive' so what is that, maybe I do maybe I dont? but I was stamped with the FMS of course.

Why prednisone (I am ignorant ) and.. why if you go for other treatments, why NOT prednisone?

sincerely

I have come to hate the word inconclusive. I know that my doctors never understood why I would get upset when tests came back negative/inconclusive. I was supposed to be happy about that but I always knew that the next statement from them was that I would have to learn how to live with it and that the fatigue and pain wasn't serious. I have spent years worrying about how long I would be able to work or take care of my kids. I am sure this is a common story for many out there.

One of my periodic symptoms was inflammation in my carotid arteries. This would decrease the blood flow to the brain and increase the risk of a stroke. Initially they would put me on a "pulse" treatment of prednisone which is simply a high dose of prednisone for a very short period of time (typically days). Prednisone is a steroid that supresses your immune system therefore decreasing inflammation. It is both the best and the worst of medications. Because it is a steroid there are some very serious side effects particularly for long term use. It decreases your ability to fight off simple things like colds/flus. It can decrease bone density, cause great weight increases and a myriad of other side effects including mood changes. Sometimes after a pulse treatment I would get a rebound effect so my flare-up post treatment would be even worse than it was initially. But for the time I was on it I felt pretty quickly I felt much better.

My flare ups of the carotid inflammation became more frequent so the rhematologist decided that a longer term lower dose schedule of prednisone was better for me. The thing about it is that your decrease the ability of your adrenal glads to function while using prednisone so you cannot simply stop it if you have been on it for any length of time. The weaning off period can take months depending on the dose you have been on. It is not a med to play with. One of the first times I took it my doctor told me to just finish my last dose with no weaning. I did and was very ill. I never simply stopped it again but always did a weaning off period. In the first few months I gained over 30 lbs and developed the typical moon face. Friends who hadn't seen me in awhile did not recognize me when they saw me again. I was starving all the time. Even when I was so full my stomach hurt my body was telling me it was starving. But for a period of time the side effects were worth the improvement I felt overall. My flare-ups have been bearable in the past year but are getting worse and more frequent. I dread the thought of having to do the whole doctor/testing routine again. That is why I have been looking at alternative treatments, in particular the antibiotic treatment. I figure if the docs wouldn't do the leg work on treatments I would have to do it for them. After my last bout of prednisone I was determined to find a treatment and a doctor willing to treat me if or when the flare ups really began to impact my ability to manage. I think I am getting to that point pretty quickly, unfortunately it has all been complicated by the CAD.

Maybe more information than you needed Sarahte and I am certain there are others here that could give you a better description of prednisone. LOL

After several years and many doctors fibro seems to be my main diagnosis now with some ruptured/bulging discs and other stuff thrown in to boot. I,too, after alot of trial and error (pysical therapy, nerve blocks, etc...)have found a great massage therapist who has managed to tone down the pain and really works with me to stay flexible and most importantly she keeps me moving. Unfortunately my ins. will only let this go on for so long before they cut massage therapy out. Alot of the meds I've tried don't really seem to make alot of difference. Motrin and pain meds work the best and for those nights that I can't sleep it's OTC sleeping pills. A hot shower in the morning warms everything up and definately helps with the stretching.

I have found the most important thing for me was the right doctor. I have finally found one that actually listens and doesn't poo-poo me or blow off what I say. He thinks acupunture is a valid treatment as well as massage, hot stones etc.... and even gave me referals for the services I just mentioned. At the pain clinic I was going to before I found this guy all they wanted to do was stick needles in my back and call the other aches and pains "rebound pains". I went through alot of anti-inflammatory meds and a whole bunch of others, sometimes several at a time, that didn't really do much but give me stomach problems.

The best thing you can do for yourself,and your body, is to find a doctor that listens.

I had never heard of this treatment.
I looked it up and found this: http://www.atlantisconsult.com.au/assets/BOOKLET.pdf

Electro-regenesis Therapy can be used to aid the healing of wounds and fractured bones, and to help deal with pain. The process works similarly to antioxidants: fighting free radicals, promoting tissue regeneration and improving overall health.
How does it work?
Electro-regenesis machines are connected to a patient’s body via tiny electrodes. They emit a steady, constant stream of low-powered electrons, which helps to replace the energy taken from biological cells by free radicals.
This device has the ability to
donate electrons to neutralize
free radicals protecting the body
from the harm of stress

It appears to have attributes similar to that of cranio sacral, accupunture or Lymphatic massage. Though I have to say for me - those are all very temporary helps' if they work at all. Maybe it will work terrifically for someone though.

tache,

Thank you,, that is information I truly wanted, and no.. no too much.
I vaguely recall hearing about steroid treatment for FMS. Actually the couple times I used any
steroid - it was for a bad case of poison ivy ? *previous bad allergic hives or something*
I actually felt pretty good - less pain and fatigue, but I also recall the Nurse warning me about its use longterm use.

What a terrible bummer for you that your condition is further complicated by the CAD. How did you learn you had that condition to begin with? That really puts you in a corner for now, it seems. All the more so, I hope you lean toward some treatment not so toxic or invasive. Thats one reason Im leaning toward guaifenesin for now, no side affects and its cheap. (not promoting)

I have known for myself, for some years that times of *fasting/cleansing the digestive track and lymph system is very good. My experience anyway- is that lets my body rest and heal for short periods of time. If I could survive just juice fasting I would do it for very long stretches as in the past- each time I did, I felt so wonderful.

We each have our histories, failures and hopes of treatment, I find it quite interesting! Please continue to share your experience.

How wonderful if you have 'ever' found a good doctor! That has been the elusive factor with me.

I should** but have not really done much with massage. I hurt sooo very much, my whole organism seems to be one big tender spot, trigger point.

My very best friends offer to give me light' massage for Free, and I turn them down. Maybe I could handle the 'stone' therapy.

Staying flexible, I agree is really important! Long ago now, I spent about 1 year letting my mucsles get weak and THAT was a bad thing. When I let that happen I began to lose much coordination and ended up needing to push through alot of pain in therapy to retrain my muscles.

Whenever possible, 1 to 3x week I get in the warm therapy pool and stretch. Too bad the chlorine is so strong and its quite a hassle going through the whole 'gym locker/shower experience. lol.. yes having real bad fatigue on top of it just makes every thing I do such a painful chore. It bites remembering what a very athletic dynamo I was - and having become the wimpy nancy princess I am .. *puke*

Thanks for that link sarahte.I've been reading about it for a while and it sounds similar to some other treatments,but it is VERY expensive.I would love to know if anyone has tried it.

Just regarding the steroid therapy,it often does give some relief in the short term,but in the long term it may prove to be one of the worst things for FM.Not so much because of the side-effects but because of the immune suppression.I think that is why so many 'experts' say opiates aren't the best for long term FM therapy.Opiates may help relieve the symptoms(pain) but make it more and more difficult for the body to cleanse and repair itself.

Buprenorphine is suppose to have less suppressing actions than the other opiates.I have never tried it though.It is patented for FM,so it must help to some degree.

ok, thats another one I dont really know and cant see on the drug list here. can anyone give me a run down?
is it supposed to be a pain med/anti-depressant?

and you say its patented for FM and I never heard of it?
Doctors make me so angey

Buprenorphine is known as Temgesic,Subutex and Suboxone(with naltrexone added) to name a few well known brands.There are a number of threads on it if you do a search.

It is known as a opioid agonist/antagonist,but new research is showing it has less antagonist properties than was first thought.It's often used for opiate withdrawal and or maintainance therapy.

I haven't seen much feedback from people using it for FM.

Here's a link to the patent: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5900420.html

Hi Sarahte, I learned I had CAD after I had one heart attack at work which I ignored, then one later that evening and subsequently went into cardiac arrest minutes after arriving by ambulance at the hospital. After I was stabilized I was transferred to a bigger hospital and had angioplasty. I ended up having a second round of angioplasty about two months later for a total of three stents implanted.

Like many women I didn't have a clue that the generic symptoms I was having pre heart attack were the warning signs of a impending crisis. Between the lack of symptoms and my age it was not my first guess when I had the first one at work. So I will be very careful about the treatments I try for my inflammatory illness, prednisone will not be one of them.

Has anyone been prescribed Lyrica? I just started taking it today, figured I'd give it a shot since it could also be helpful in controlling my anxiety. I am going to be having surgery and will be exercising afterwards, and didn't want to put myself into more pain. Since I have this plan, I didn't think the possible weight gain would be an issue so I dived right in.

Wow - my first dose made me so sleepy! Any other experiences with this, please share!!

I take 75mg twice a day. I definitely gained some weight, but I think if you exercise and eat right you can keep it off. The only thing that worries me about taking Lyrica is that my eyesight is getting worse but that may be just getting older. Also, once you get on a schedule, do not ever run out, the headache that follows is awful or that was my experience. The lyrica helped a lot in the beginning but it seems to wear off quickly and the dosage has to be increased. Maybe that will not be the case for you. I still have back pain but the stiffness doesn't seem to be as bad while taking lyrica. It also calms me down a bit. Hope that helps a little.

First time with 75mg of Lyrica it helped relieve the pain but made me REALLY sleepy and 'drunk'.
Second time a week or so later didn't help pain but still 'drunk'.
Third time days after second,nothing but a headache on it,and an even worse headache after it.
Fourth time it really helped the pain and helped me sleep,no side-effects.Next two times,nothing,didn't feel anything.
Last time trying it,it made the pain WORSE and I had a killer headache the next day.

Conclusion: too inconsistant for me,and didn't help the pain enough especially considering the side-effects.

I tried Lyrica. I thought it helped with Fibro pain in an interesting way, but the side effects were very strong for me so my doctor said to stop taking it.

My second dose completely kicked my [censored]. I woke up this morning thinking, "Oh man, I should NOT have drank last night" and then remembered I had nothing to drink! I had an incredible headache and threw up most of the day like I had the stomach flu. This stuff was NOT kind to me and I won't be taking it again. It also made me so weak and shaky, I would collapse onto my bed shaking like I was cold. Horrible, nasty stuff and not going back. I think this was meant for other people and other problems, but definitely NOT for me!

Yeah,I found it a strange med too.
There were warnings about Neurontin possibly causing seizures and epilepsy in people who had never had those problems before.That was permanent too,in other words, even after stopping the med they continued to have seizures.Since Lyrica is related to Neurontin,it's possible the same thing may occur.
IMO,if it doesn't feel like it's helping,stop as quickly as possible.That being said,some of the side-effects are suppose to ease over time.In my case they got worse.

Yeah, Neurontin, Lyrica, Depakote - I'm staying the hell away from all of them. Nothing but bad experiences!! I was so sick all day today as well, but finally feeling half alive again. Back to the drawing board.

yep yep yep..same ole story. I have found very few persons who will say 'lyrica or neurontin are great'. more often it is the reverse, thats why i never bothered to try it.

i also quit* taking anti-depressants years ago after they switched me to yet another series, and I got instant suicidal thoughts! ... where i never had them to begin with...

my pain flare is back so strong, i am almost tempted to try the anti-depressant thing again,(as it did help a little bit for a short time) then stop myself, as i am in the middle of finding a new doctor.

does anyone else have bad reaction to anti-depressants?

My sister in law and I were just talking about this yesterday. I am on 300mg of Effexor XR and LOVE IT. It's made such a huge difference in my life, especially after being on Paxil for years and years and it must have stopped working I don't know how long ago. My sister in law told me she was violently ill after taking Effexor and felt like she was going crazy. I tried taking Lexapro, and I tried something else before I went on Paxil (Serzone maybe?) but both of those did not work for me. The Effexor though, what a miracle. I guess it really does all end up being about an individuals body chemistry.

There is a problem with the idea of taking Lyrica for a short time and if it does not work stopping immediately. When you are scripted it they usually tell you it will take several weeks before you learn if it is going to help you. That time is also necessary for some of the sides to even out.

If you stop it before a month or two you will not know if it will help you in the long run. This is true not just of Lyrica in regards to Fibro but also other chronic pain conditions such as adhesions or diabetic nerve pain.

I take Neurontin and I find it helps....! I tried Lyrica for awhile, however it did not help as much. I have read all the negative/ scarey stuff about Neurontin, but Lyrica has been on the market about 3 seconds.....so I think you have to take what you are more comfortable with. I absolutely get more relief with Neurontin!

do you think antidepressants really work? i mean, theres no evidence that they perform any better than a placebo. they certainly didnt work for me.

Many of the tri-cyclics work very well for FM.The biggest problem is the side-efects that come with them.Some of the side-effects do reduce and the effectiveness of the tri-cyclics is well proven.
They help with pain,energy and sleep.In some people they may lose effectiveness over time.
Something like a low dose impramine with say a low dose opiate is a good combo for FM pain.The imipramine(tri-cyclic anti-depressant) also helps reduce tolerance to the opiate as well.

I agree with what JokerOwling said, but would just add that tri-cyclics may not be good for people who have both fibromyalgia and RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome), because they will likely make the RLS worse. Same goes to some extent for flexeril.

Trying the Sinatra Solution protocol ((D-ribose, magnesium, Vitamin B3, co-enzyme Q10 and acetyl L-carnitine))http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=388

I am not comfortable with the info put about Lyrica. I took it for a while and it did some good. Although it caused eyesight problems, weight gain, heart palpatations. Was tough to get off of. Headaches, extreme stomach distress.

I briefly tried Cymbalta. Does anyone experience any sexual side affects with it?

I had the most severe withdrawals I have ever experienced with Lyrica as well. I was shocked as I only took it for 1 month. I do not like these designer drugs.

I was a little surprised you had a similar side effect, well a little anyway

Tm

Has anyone been on both cymbalta and lyrica? I have been on cymbalta for 2 yrs..now was given lyrica to try for nerve pain any thoughts on this?

Sorry, can't answer the above question as I haven't tried those drugs. I take Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline. I also use Valium occasionally and Dihydrocodeine for pain, sometimes up to four times a week.
Can anyone tell me if they find Hydrocodone or Dihydrocodeine better for pain. Are they the same strength?

I found hydrocodone better. I just started taking a drug called Deplin too.

I take Immune Booster tablets. The make is System Well, Nature's Way. They work on 7 different areas of the body's different systems. I buy them on ebay. I think they help a bit.
As well as:
opoid pain killers
tricyclic anti-d
paracetemol
stretching
exercise
and massage

Vitamins have never done anything for me but since I've been taking these immune boosters I haven't had a cold in 3 years.

I miss massage....Insurance doesn't cover it.

has anyone tried milnacipran? brand name Savella

It's a newer pain treatment for Fibro, unless I'm reading this wrong.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/milnacipran/AN02019

Sorry, haven't tried above drug either. But I am seriously thinking of trying Soma. I have read that it is a good potentiator for opiates as well.

You didn't read it wrong . It seems to me if Cymbalta helped someone even a little bit than this drug might be a bigger help.
I assume the commericals for this medication will start soon .
K

I know your question was from a little while back, but I saw it and thought I would respond. I was just diagnosed with FM and my doctor started me on Savella. I have only been on it four days, so I am not sure if it will work or not. I have a horrific headache, nausea, sweating, and itching. These are all normal effects of getting used to the med, but I have to tell you, if it doesn't get better soon, I won't be able to keep trying. I have high hopes and am willing to keep trying as long as I can stand it, though! I will keep updated if I see improvement! He also has me on flexeril and lortab. In addition to the FM I have chronic back issues.

I was reading about "Cats Claw" capsules for inflammation...anyone ever try these?

Is Savella one of those drugs that you can't afford w/o insurance?

I am not sure. I was given a one month sample "Titration Pack". I have insurance, so I guess if I get a regular script, I will have to see how expensive it will be.

It is one you cant even afford WITH insurance. My Dr. rxed it and my insurance said that they had to have a pre authorization. That was two months ago and they still have not done anything. The pharmacy keeps prodding them but it doesnt seem to help.

Did you ever get to try via the sample route? If so, did it work for you?

thanks BryansFan for popping in here.

Youre the first person I've heard mention it.

Guess I'd like to know how far you make it on the stuff before I urge my doc to pre authorize.
(he does that pretty easily for me)

The side affects have been pretty brutal. Severe headache, night sweats, flushing, itching and nausea. After I got over the nausea this morning, though, I actually feel a little better than I have in a long time. I feel less "fogged" than normal and more alert and I did not sleep well at all last night, so that is a big plus in my book. If I can get my body used to it, maybe it will work out! I am new to the FM diagonsis, so like many others of you, I have not tried tons of different meds yet. My hope is that I find one that works first try out!!!! That would be lovely, huh???

I am only on day 5, so I will keep my progress updated!

Well, the trial ended badly for me. The Savella raised my blood pressure to 198/98 at it's highest. Needless to say, that was not good! I have discontinued it and now they want me to try Lyrica.....here we go again!!!