Anti-depressants for Fibro?

I'm actually asking this question for my 24-daughter who was diagnosed with "chronic mono" at age 16 and has suffered from CFS and fibro symptoms every since. She has been in denial of my suggestion that she, too, suffers from CFS and fibro. However, she is finally accepting the fact that her "chronic mono" has lasted too long, and is now seeking medical intervention.

The doctor she is presently seeing is not convinced she has CFS and fibro, even though all her blood tests were normal and she presents with many of the symptoms. This doctor is convinced that her symptoms are related to her depression/anxiety disorder. Of course, she is depressed-- she's 24 and has been robbed of her young life due to this insidious disorder!!

Anyway, she finally did get the doctor to prescribe an anti-depressant that would be effective for CFS and fibro. She has had major side effects with Effexor and is currently on Lexapro, but it is ineffective in treating her anxiety and depression.

I suggested that she try Cymbalta, but I think her doctor told her that Effexor and Cymbalta are in the same class of drugs and if she had side effects from Effexor, she would have them with Cymbalta.

She goes to the doctor on Friday. What anti-depressants have you all tried that have been effective with treating depression/anxiety plus CFS and fibromyalgia?

Any suggestions you all have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bev in Ky.

I have tried Effexor in the past and did not like it at all. It made me jittery, hyper, agitated and more anxious, so I had to be weaned off of it. I can now take a low dose of Cymbalta, even though it is in the same class, with no problem or adverse effects. Drugs in the same class can have subtle differences, and what works for one may not work for another. People have different side effects from the various anti-depressants, and ALL medications, for that matter...Like you, I will not try the Lyrica as I have decided the side effects are not worth it. You will see if you go back through the forum topics that Lyrica is frequently discussed. Some have been helped greatly by it with few side effects, or decide to tolerate the side effects because the pain relief is so effective, while others could not tolerate the side effects for even a week or two and were miserable while on this drug and had to discontinue taking it. Some people have NO reaction, no pain relief and few side effects.

I hope that you are able to find some help for your daughter.

I have also struggled with depression and anxiety since my twenties. I have taken Paxil (made me fall asleep at my desk - don't recommend), Welbutrin (this helped my mood swings, but not my pain), Cymbalta (this helped my pain, but my mood swings worsened), and now I take Lexapro (helps my mood swings more than the pain). In addition, I take 50 mgs of Mobic and 150 mgs of Lyrica daily.

I hope your daughter finds the right treatment for her.