Fibromyalgia Support Group

my doc put me on lyrica for my chronic horrible horrible pain. she guessed, (doesn't know for sure) that I fibromyalgia. Have been to a rheumy and g.p. for a year and complained and they've given me NOTHING. finally my g.p.'s physiciann assistant is the one who came to this idea of fibro. also have cirrhosis of liver that for the time being is managed. well, long story short, (too late for that!) lyrica is working prety pretyy good. BUT, I AM STARVING! cannot afford to gain weight. Does anyone have any suggestions? besides snack on carrots. I need to lose a few pounds and this is a disaster. I am back totally depressed because i thought i finally found a drug i could live with. do i have dabilitating pain 24/7 or do i get fat as a pig? thanks for listening. love and blessings to all sufferers of all diseases! GiGi50

Hi GiGi! Welcome to the group! I found relief through combining Cymbalta and Lyrica. However, I did gain weight (at first) but it's like a side effect that goes away. You will be able to manage it especially if you're aware of it. Just be conscious of what you are eating...don't go grab a bag of chips or a 1/2 gallon of ice cream. Stick to the healthy stuff and try to eat a little at a time all throughout the day.

If that doesn't work....learn to love the new curvacious you! As far as I'm concerned, it's worth the extra 20 lbs!

{Hugs}

Hi GIGI

I also use Cymbalta and Lyrica and it does a pretty good job controlling muscle pain. Cource it doesn't do diddly squat for bone and spine pain, but hey! whats a little bone and spine pain if the muscles are under control?

One of the key things is to keep stretching your muscles, even when they hurt, because if you dont you cant eventually...also walk, even if that is all you can do, walk out the front door to the street and back...anything is better than nothing, even when we hurt, because not moving and stretching will cause us sooo much trouble down the road. Please try....for your self. And about the weight thing? I gained too but lost it and trying to loose more, I figure the more I can loose, to the point of being skinny, because if you have fibro and any kind of bone problems the less you have to haul around the easier life will be to you.

I haven't given up chocolate. Now I still have chocolate, 1 piece, but to make up for it I only have the best chocolate we can get....Right now thats Lindt.

and for low cal chocolate fixes Stashe's makes a chocolate hazelnut black tea-to die for.

Welcome, I am so so sorry for all your pain and trouble

it will get better, it will, you have to make up your mind that you are going to learn everything you can and be in charge of your body, as much as humanly possible.

Welcome

natty

thank you sweet friends for the support on my lyrica weight gain journey. I'll have to say that I am not in near as much pain since I started Lyrica. I cannot take cymbalta due to my liver disease. So, lyrica is my only hope. I do exercise, Zumba is my favorite and I walk regularly. I am active, but lately i've been on the eating/doing nothing binge. I will get a hold of myself. Again, thanks for the support. It helps more than you know.

Hello Gigi,

Welcome to our group ~~~

I have taken Lyrica for 5 years now (150mg at bedtime) and have taken Cymbalta for about 6 months. The combo seems to work for me most of the time so I am thankful for that.

Lyrica did cause me a bit of weight gain (about 15#) right at first but it leveled out within the first couple of months and I haven t gained anything since.

Cymbalta gave me a bit more energy but I still get the feeling (early afternoon) that I need a power nap, especially immediately after eating lunch.

Being active continuously is the best thing we with Fibro can do ~~~ It is worse if one allows themselves to become more sedintary (sp) ~~~

I look forward to getting to know you better very soon ~~~~

Marilyn