Dear Tilly: I managed to raise two children (boys, no less,), work a full time and one or two Part-Time job for many years after being diagnosed with Fibro, with only Amyltriptilene ( Elavil). 75 mgs. approximately 1 - 2 hours before bedtime. It takes a little while to begin to work. It gets you sleeping better and that helps relieve the Fibro Pain. I also had permission from my doctor, to take a smaller dosage even earlier, like around 3 Pm if I was having a flare up of symptoms. That and over the counter tylenol kept me active for the first eight or so years after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Then I was in a motor vehicle collision and now, due to that, I have to take prescript
ion Tylenol. However, many folks on this forum take Tramadol, a prescript
ion medicine for pain relief with a fair ammt. of success. I think your doctor might be more inclined to prescribe that, as it isn't a "narcotic pain reliever". However, once you start taking it stick to exactly what the doctor says. I broke my hand once while taking it, and instead of going to see a doctor I took a slightly higher dose of the Tramadol. Boy was that ever a bad idea. I ended up running out early and as I suffered withdrawl, I had the worst case of restless leg syndrome I've ever had. When I have really bad pain days, I take a little Amyltriptilene, early in the day and lie down with my "bed buddy" a rice bag, plus a heating pad, until I can face the world. If you want, you can make your own "bed buddy". I used to use a wool sock and fill it with dried beans, peas, rice, whatever you have on hand. Kidney beans worked really well. Like everyone else here said, don't lie around to much or you'll stiffen up like a board. Has Reumatoid Arthritis been ruled out? Given your age, I would be inclined to consider that possibility, from the start. I certainly am sorry you're having these problems at 15. I was pretty depressed at 15, but didn't have very much wrong with me, physically. I hope you find a doctor who supports and believes in you. Keep searching untill you find one. During an initial interview, with a parent present, of course, ask him or her directly, "How do you treat Fibromyalgia?" If they hum and haw and look away, and try to change the subject, they're not going to help you. Try the next one on your list. Generally, your local hospital can give you an idea of who in your area is taking new patients. Or call the Physicians referral line in the telephone book (probably, yellow pages). I personally just drove around to several offices where a group of doctors were listed on the door. I would just go in and ask, äre any doctors here taking new patients? This worked for my last two primary Care Physicians. I found them by knocking on doors. Hang in there girl. This is very hard but you will be stronger for having gone through it.