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Jr64 Posts: 2
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I'm new to this site and hope to get some help from it. I was diagnosed with Fibro about 5 years ago. At first I thought the doctor thought I was nuts and didn't know what to tell me so gave me this "blanket diagnosis." Then I started researching and I'm amazed. I STILL have not found a medication that really helps me enough. My neck, base of my skull, and shoulders and arms are the worst. I'd appreciate any suggestions for meds that have worked for any of you. My anxiety and depression have really worsened the most in the last year. I'm at the point now where I really don't want to be around any people other than my wife and kids. That's hard to deal with because I've always been a "People Person." My friends always considered me the "Life of the party." Anyway, I'm glad I found this site and I'll be around. Thanks in advance for advice and friendship.
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Auntie3285 Posts: 9086
VIP Member
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Hello, Jr64, Welcome to our group ~~~ we re glad you found us and hope we can be of help and support to you . I can only tell you what helps me cope with Fibro at this point in time but I m sure the others will be by soon and give their input as well. I take Lyrica for the pain and it works for me now that the weight gain (side effect from it) has evened out, I am satisfied with the results. For the soreness across shoulders, neck and base of skull, I use Voltaren Gel occasionally. ('script only tho' ...not OTC). I DID once have to have shots by my Rhuemy to relieve the neck/shoulder pain and that was a one-time ordeal. He injected 4 small needles (2 on each side of the base of my neck); said ""if no relief, we ll do it again in a few months"". That was a year ago and it has never been bad enough to have it done again  . Again, we re glad you re here for advice, information and support !!! Marilyn |
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emendoza23 Posts: 2221
Senior Member
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Marilyn, I did not know you had the injections in your neck/shoulder for pain. That is interesting. Welcome Jr, so glad you have found this group of people. I think you are going to be really impressed at the loyalty and compassion you find here. I have tried Lyrica and Savella with tremendous side effects, but I can say the Lyrica stopped my neck pain all the way. I have since weaned from the Lyrica and I am currently on the Cymbalta. Since weaning from the Lyrica, my neck and shoulders are hurting once again, but Lyrica just had me all scrambled up as far as fluid retention and the pain seemed to migrate to my legs and feet. Others will be by shortly and you will see what works for some of us does not always work for others. There are a lot of choices in medications, we just have to find what works for us as individuals.I can honestly say though, the Cymbalta has helped my depression tremendously and it eases my anxiety a little. Welcome to the family. I hope you stick around and learn who everyone is, you will be amazed what a wonderful group of people we have here. Elizabeth The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
I am just like you and I am on MDJ for support and true friendship. Please, always consult with your doctor about medical advice and medication, never take one's opinion regarding your most precious asset which is your life.
~Elizabeth~ :) |
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hatbox121 Posts: 10500
Group Leader
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I've had the shots too. Bunch of them mostly in the knee/back areas. Depo-Medrol.  Amy~ “When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” ~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Current dxes-Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Mitral Valve Prolapse w/regurg, 2 other heart valves with regurg, POTS, DDD, scoliosis, various OA, polyneuropathy of unknown origin, SI joint dysfunction/fusion/collapse, chronic rotar cuff tendonitis, impingement syndrome of the shoulder, chronic bursitis in various locations, degeneration of the sternum, vertigo, GERD, FM, CFS, CPS, various bone marrow lesions, brain lesions of unknown cause, migraines, TMJ, vertically bulging discs, Raynaud's, anemia, tinnitus, high copper levels, borderline glaucoma, colon polyps, intermittent RLS, Vit D deficiency, depression, Eye accomodation disorder, Essential tremor, recurrent kidney stones, sacral spine disorder, inflammed tendons, and inflammation of spinal nerves(no specific dx).
I'm am not a dr. I am not a substitute for a dr. All advice I give is based on research and my personal experiences. |
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River Posts: 3465
VIP Member
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Hello Jr, I am so happpy you found our group. HUGS River  Life, Love, Laughter
What I say here is in no way intended to be medical advice. Please see your doctor.
God put me on earth to do a certain number of things...right now I am so far behind I will never die |
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stillhopeful Posts: 4722
VIP Member
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Welcome Jr! I thought I welcomed you but I don't see it here. Fibro Fog!!!!!!!!! I have it big time!! I too don't feel much like seeing people anymore, except for maybe a few good friends. I was never like that. I don't really understand it. I have a few ideas why I am like that, they are not all directly related to illness. One of them being my weight. I was always a really tiny thing and then I had to go on steriods for my Lupus. I gained a lot of weight and I know some people that are "weight" predudiced. (sp) and that hurts me. I really want to lose weight but just can't get it off. I just weaned off my steriods and my weight is not dropping off. My mohter in law whom I love dearly is really against heavy people. She is a tiny thing and she constantly criticizes her grandaughter about her weight, she is really very large and I know she is concerned about her, mostly that she will never have a date. Anyway, here I go rambling which I tend to do sometimes. sorry! Getting back to you, what kind of meds have you taken?? Do you go to a rheumatologist or neurologist?? If not, I would suggest that you get one and mention only your symptoms of fibromyalgia. Otherwise they may try to blame it on anxiety or something of that nature. Good Luck and I know you will like it here. I am a little "off" today. Sorry about that. I found out my doctor is moving out of state and I am just sick. I already made an appointment with another doctor and I pray she is as good as the one I am losing. Take care, sorry if I don't make a lot of sense today. Welcome Hugs~ Christine ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christine
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I am not a doctor, but I sure do make a lot of visits to them. Any information discussed with you, is just my personal experience or information givn to me. I am not your doctor, please call him/her if you are having problems.
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When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot in iit and hold on tightly. You will get through your problems, because we are all here for you. |
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aTinaL  Posts: 11832
VIP Member
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Jr! Welcome to the group- it's a pleasure to meet you. You're now officially a mighty fibromite! I'm sure all of us can relate to everything you say. Chronic pain and chronic illness ARE depressing. It colors every aspect of your life. I do think that just being here will help you. Talking to other people that understand everything you're going through can make a world of difference. We do seem to be on a trend here with a medication. Currently there are 5, possibly 6 of us on it. I've been on it for three months and I've been pain free since the first dose. It's called suboxone. It can be very difficult to get, but it's worth everything to get a chance to try it. Two of our members just started it yesterday, our head group leader, Lori, has been on it for 11 days and she's pain free. Her doctor has four other patients doing well on it. For me it has proved an absolute miracle. I've had fibro for 5 years to, and most of that time I just got worse and worse. I was bed ridden for part of 2007 and most of 2008. Then they dx'd me and I got some treatment and it was a little better. It wasn't good enough, though. My average pain level was a 7-8. Then I started some supplements that helped. They took my pain level down to an average 2-3, but of course I still had flares. Anyway, let me know if you want more info on it. We've got a couple of good sized threads on it. Oh, it's the only med I take now, too. Although my doctor left me on all my other stuff when I started it, within about three weeks I quit taking everything else because didn't need it Make yourself at home and if you need anything, just ask! Newbie hugs!  Tina
"Calm down! Let's cook some carrots!"
- Jim, Hell's Kitchen
"All aboard the suboxone train!"
- Tina
I'm not a doctor, but I play one on tv!
-Tina |
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courseygal
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First, welcome!! Second, forgive yourself! You cannot be all things to all people. To move through the waves of this disease you have to come to accept what you have and all that it means, all that it changes. I have suffered with Fibro for 18 years. Believe me, it takes time. My condition has constantly changed over all these years. It has been easier at times and the worst time in the world at others. That's why I call it a roller coaster. I have been on everything in the world over all this time. Nothing ever helped. I'm now on Lyrica and Voltaren gel to rub on the areas that hurt. This is the best combo yet. I wish you the best of luck finding just the right meds and working out the changes in your life. We will always be here for you!!! Melanye |
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greentree Posts: 24
Member
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Welcome Jr and hello! The best advice I can give is to not fight the fibro, I have and probably for a long time. It just makes me sicker when I do and more depressed. I had to stop thinking about what I can't do and focus on what I can, and what makes me happy. To surround yourself with supportive people in your life. I have also had to learn to ask for help with things, I am prideful and well this has also just gotten me sicker. I have been learning to let go. I'm hear if you ever need someone to chat with. Greentree |
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julieleaps Posts: 9
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Hi Jr, I'm new here as well. I am on 1800 mg a day of Neurontin. I have some neuropathy issues, due to spinal cord compression. I believe it was my neck surgery that was the "trigger" for my fibro. I also take some vicodin as needed. I have a script for Tramadol, but found it upset my stomach too much. I also take a vitamin D supplement, by prescription, as my level was WAY low. We moved recently, and I am starting the process of finding all new docs - a family doc, a rheumy, and a cardio guy for my husband, who is 61 and has had 2 heart attacks already. We simply cannot afford to be without doctors! I hope you find some relief soon. |
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"MD Junction has been a lifeline to me. The support and information I receive from group members is so important for me to maintain a good quality of life. I struggled with a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency and did not know where to turn, but then I found MD and it has been one of the most important tools to help me to enjoy my life and stay as healthy as possible. We really are stronger together than we could ever be alone." (ITeach91)
