Fibromyalgia Support Group

Thanks reality world... Good advice... Better to play it safe!

LIVEWITHHOPE......I've tried a lot, and for me, there is nothing that works better for breakthrough pain than oxycodone. Oxy and Hydro are similar and sometimes one does not help while the other does......Weird! Also, some people say that neither helps. I do not care one bit that people say narcotics don't help fibrous, nor do I have any shame for taking narcotics.

FIBROCFS......I've also read that Cymbalta detox can be hard. Not too long ago, I was out of town and forgot my Cymbalta. I thoght "no big deal", it's only 2 Days. I started feeling icky right away. It helps me more than any antidepressant ever has and it has the added benefit of targeting fibromyalgia, so I'll stick with it for awhile.

JULZY....... If you have a good rapport with your doc, you can bring up the subject of needing additional meds for pain BREAKTHROUGH . If the Cymbalta is working for you, let the doc know that it helps to keep you on an even keel BUT when you have a flareup, the efficacy stops. Realityworld has a point about "red flags" but I am sure you will handle the conversation without it seeming like you are a druggie. I don't know what level of pain you deal with, or how bad your FMS is, but if you are only taking Cymbalta, I don't know how you do it. PM me if you want to discuss further. Geri

It is a shame that we have to be so careful about what we say when it comes to asking for help. If you come right out and ask for something they assume that you are looking to "score" These drs that say that narcotics do nothing for the pain and try to push OTC drugs at you just kill me, as they obviously have no idea what this pain is, and how badly it affects us. Don't ever say the word "narcotic" or call a med by name. You have to act like you know nothing about these meds to get the help you need. good luck, I hope they give you something that will actually help you. HUGS

Yesterday I cut a lot of the tip of my finger off while preparing veggies for juicing.....a half later I finally got it stopped, no point in going to the ER cuz there's no chunk of meat to put back in there, what I did do was take a vicodin out of my first aid kit....couldn't believe how much better I felt....so yeah how to broached the subject with a doc without looking like a seeker.....sigh.....

On the other hand.....my finger still hurts and at some point my vicodin wore off cuz I woke up in massive....did ya get the license number of the truck....pain....I think the stress on my body from the cut, the stress of a phone convo with my doc that had me taking lorazepam....is all too much....now I'm working on a massive headache...

So yeah......a narcotic now and again kills the pain and reminds me what I live with daily as 'normal'.

My normal sucks....

Thanks everyone for the tips on the issue of narcotics for pain. Currently I am on patch which I really want to get off... My liver levels were up! Plus the patch area itches like crazy.....I just have NO IDEA at this point how I really feel without any meds in my system???

Every time I try to back off one or let the patch expire, the pain level definitely increases but everyone tells me that'll what happens as part of withdrawl! It's so confusing!

I used to use Percocet for my endometriosis and it was a lifesaver!!. I used it only when I needed to. Once a month. Now I have narcotocs running through my body round the clock (patch) and I still feel pain.

I often wonder what it would be like to not have any more meds in my system. It terrifies me to take them and it terrifies me to think of stopping. Of course, I could never just stop. I wonder what my pain level would be like without them and if I would be able to get any relief with just making changes in diet, exercise, lifestyle, etc. How did this all evolve and where is it going?? when I talk like that to my doctor or my husband they quickly remind me that I am doing fairly well on my current "program". For as understanding as they are, they just don't get what it is like to live like this. At least I have figured out which meds make me totally lethargic and have removed them from my life.

Geri

I am currently taking Cymbalta. I take it more for my depression and anxiety. I take Lyrica for the Fibro pain. I have been really happy with the Cymbalta. But it take a little bit to get into your system. For me it took about 2 months to get the full effect. But everyone is different. Just don't stop taking it all at once. You do have to slowly get off.

I'm so glad I ran into this discussion... I was told to take Cymbalta as well... I have had it for a little over a week and I am scared to start it. If my doctor knew she'd shoot me:/ I am suppose to try it for 4-6 weeks and get back to her. Part of the reason I have not started it is because I am moving and I need every bit of me to be "normal" (HA as normal as I can be)so that I am not too tired to continue with the things I need done. I don't need matters made worse. And because I hear a lot about suicidal thoughts on this med. After having post-partum depression with my kids I never want to feel those things again or have those thoughts EVER! I need some relief and at this point am willing to try anything... soon :/

I hate to tell people they should be taking more meds, but I truly believe that Cymbalta has helped me. Yes, I've read all the warnings and the stories of people trying to stop taking it and having a problem, but we all know that we are all different. I do have to chuckle at your doc saying to "try" it for 4 to 6 weeks.........like if it doesn't work, you'll stop it immediately and try something else. 4 to 6 weeks of cymbalta in your system is enough to give you a problem stopping. I hope you make the right decision for you.