HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

meds forever??????

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/10/2008 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,  I have only been dx with FMS/CFS for afew months and have been on increasing amounts of Nortriptyline. I am currently levelled with 40 mg and my symptoms seem to be do-able.  I am feeling more rested, less pain and stiffness, etc but nowhere near where I think I should be, but hey, I'll take it.  My question is............will I have to take these meds forever now or will I start to come off of them????  I never thought to ask my Dr about this.

Thanks in advance, Nrthngrl

Post Edited (nrthngrl) : 1/26/2012 8:01:40 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 8/10/2008 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there! Girl, can I relate to what you are saying! I have asked myself this question for years- well, 5 years now. I have resolved that I am going to need some of these meds for life- if I want a life of less pain, better health, a better and more positive outlook and attitude, "chemo- therapy" is necessary. I have fought the meds over the years, but I know now that this was a tactic that would only keep me from fully accepting two things that I needed to move forward with my life- 1] what I can not do with this health condition, and more importantly, 2] what I CAN do in spite of it. I hope you can try and come to terms of why you are concerned with the meds as they relate to your future. Keep talking and questioning here, there are some awesome people who have extended experiences and knowledge that I find invaluable. Good luck!
Peace!
Posted 8/10/2008 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
:-)  Hello,

I would like to say you might be off your pills someday and everybody is different but with fibro and no cure we can only hope. I am glad to hear that they are helping you right now and hope that it stays that way.

Everytime i go to the doctor they find another problem and so another pill, i ask my one doc. if i could cut down on any of my pills and he said don`t count on it.  I think that was one of the hardest thing to think about as i take so many a day.I take 11 pills one day and 13 the next and 11 the next etc. my cupboard looks like a pharmacy.

Well nrthgrl i hope and pray for the best for you and that we will get to know each other  day by day.

Posted 8/10/2008 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
Actually the med thing is up to you. It is what you chose. Some people wont take prescription medications. They go with herbals and supplements. Some people go with exercise. So that choice is up to you. But if they are helping you, you will most likely want to continue that way. But you do have options. And that is good.

Good luck to you,

hugs, Karen
Posted 8/10/2008 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sera Smiles,  I am on a number of different drugs for various things going on so afew more pills a day doesn't really make a difference.  eyes

I guess I am just wondering if i will go into a remission of sorts and be able to come off of them or i get to that point because of taking the drugs and continuing them.  I am in a remission of sorts with my IBD and get silly thoughts of discontinuing those pills, forgetting that the pills are what got me into the remission in the first place and keep me there. LOL.  I just get so tired of having to take them sometimes.  I guess we have all been there tho. :-)   Thanks for the reply.

Posted 8/10/2008 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen and Mamakitty, it took me so long to write my post you guys snuck in there. Yup I am up to anywhere from 11 to 14 pills (if I remember my vitamins)
Posted 8/10/2008 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joanna, nortriptyline is in the same class of anti-depressants as amitriptyline which I take. I've been on 100 mg a day for 10 years and don't see me getting off of it. We do not produce enough of certain brain chemicals like seratonin.

 

But who knows what the future brings they may come up with new meds to replace what we are on now. I'm sure not giving up hope that there will someday be a better way to control fibro or even a cure. I hate taking meds too but I do think we will have to be on something the rest of our lives.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 8/10/2008 2:06 PM (GMT 0)

Nrthngrl,

I am also taking the same drug as you but a lower dose (I have resisted an increase because of a weight gain). My initial reaction was I would find a way to get off the drugs but it has been 2 years and I don't think I could do without them.  I have never slept as well as I do since starting the meds.  I see my doctor in a week and I no that he is going to insist I increase the meds.  I don't want to but I think I'm going to increase them.  I feel so much better with them.  Hopefully I don't gain anymore weight.

I have come to terms with being medicated :-) .

Meggie

Posted 8/10/2008 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!  Well, I haven't had a day without pills, for my various health issues, since I was 30 years old...and I'm 61 now.  But, I am so thankful for that medication because it makes my life better and helps me.  I do not take prescription medication for fibromyalgia.  I do have Vicodin in my medicine cabinet as my little "security blanket" if I just can't tolerate the discomfort.  But, I've never taken one yet.  I use ibuprofen and Tylenol and malic acid/magnesium supplements for my fibromyalgia.  I also try to eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.  I do not eat fast foods.   I think what you put in your body does help it either function better or function worse.

 

I do light stretching exercises, which I put on the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread from the top of the forum...and I walk.  I continue to do what I would do without fibro, but I have to pace myself.  I don't accomplish what I used to in a day.  Everything gets done eventually though.  :-)

 

Keeping a positive attitude and a good sense of humor is so very helpful with fibromyalgia and the fibro fog!  You definitely are not alone and you could have something far worse wrong with  you.  Chronic pain is not a picnic in the park, but you can live a full and enjoyable life with it!  We are here to help so just ask and read, read, read, posts.  There is a world of information in them.  Have a great day!

 

Sherrine

Posted 8/10/2008 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your replies, I guess I should just get used to taking lots of meds. ; ) I still remember how bad it was before the Nortriptyline, so I will gladly stick with it.
I was taking alot of valium, demerol, tramacet, codiene prior to the Nortriptyline so I have traded one for the others. I still have to turn to them on really bad days but it is not nearly as often as before. I cannot take ibuprophen I have developed an allergy agaianst it and also it is bad for IBD's. (you know that right Sherrine ; )) My diet isn't the best right now as I have been in and out of IBD flares for the last year and a half, but I am working on it. I finally feel like I could do some walking on a regular basis without too much repercussions (sp?). Thank again everyone.
Posted 8/10/2008 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have Crohn's and the ibuprofen has never bothered me.  I was concerned about ulcers but I take Prilosec to help protect my stomach from ulcers.  Prilosec will protect against ulcers 70% of the time.  Those were pretty good odds for me.  I also always take it with food.  Just so you know....

 

Sherrine

Posted 8/10/2008 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sherrine, I figured you must know that. I am glad that you are able to take Ibu for the aches and pains without extra problems caused by it.
Posted 8/12/2008 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
I use to be one 9 pills at one stage and are happy to say after two years have halved it.  Occasionally myself I try just to see if I am able.  But if you need the pills then you do need them, we all hate being reliant, but things do change slowly but I think we will always need some meds always. :-) :-) :-)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply