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Posted 11/25/2008 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
 

  I have been dealing with a very bad flare for the last 3 weeks, and Tramado, vicodin , tylenol and advil not helping. I am no longer able to sllep because of the constant aching and I can't find a comfortable spot to lay in because my tender points are killing me. I have tried warm baths, yoga stretches, heat, walking and trying projects to get my mind off of it. I just can't tolerate it anymore. I scheduled an appt today (a week early) with my doctor and I was wondering what everyone has found that helps them through these times. I have come to accept that I will have some degree of pain and fatigue, but thisis a level I just can't tolerate anymore. I find myself slipping into that saddness I felt before I was better controlled over the summer. Could you tell me how you get through this? what meds do you take that help? I was thinking about asking for a TENS unit or apatch to give me more constant relief, but I know the TENS unit may take a while. My appt is at 1:30 today. Thanks all, Hope yo are having a good day.

      

  

Posted 11/25/2008 5:37 PM (GMT 0)

Sheri,

I have found my tens unit to be a lifesaver on the days I am really hurting. My sister(who also has fibro) just bought one at her local pharmacy and loves it!

I was taking Vicodin and Tramadol before for pain, but it was not helping my pain level at all. I now take Methadone and Vicodin in between. I wish there was another way for me to get relief, but I have tried so many things and nothing helps when I am having the bad flares.

The Methadone does help more. Some docs will not prescribe it though. As for the tens unit...if you have the money, you can pick one up today. I know there are alot of pharmacies who carry them. You can also get them online, but will take longer to get. I don't know if a doc can write a prescription for one and maybe your insurance will pay for it? Not sure, but it is nice to have.

Others will be along to give advice. Good luck & hope you get to feeling better!

Hugs!!   Margie

Posted 11/25/2008 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Sheri I can't take narcotics so I also use the TENS unit. I didn't know you could buy them at a pharmacy. I got mine online and it only took 24 hrs to get it. I put it as close to the base of the skull as possible to help with all over pain. Mine has four leads.

 

I hope you get relief soon.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 11/25/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Sherri: I too am in a horrific flare today. It started last evening.There seems to be a line between achyness and tenderness and full out neurological pain that gets crossed when these flares spring up. For the day to day Fibro stiffness, aching joints and sore muscles, I find muscle relaxers and Tylenol 3 will keep me going. Then after a series of heavy duty stressors the whole body seems like one big raw nerve ending. For this the mild narcotics and the muscle relaxers don't work. It's wasting them, there are not enough in the world to even begin to help this level of pain. For this I take 25mgs. of Amyltriptilene, a muscle relaxer and go to bed with moist heat packs and an electric blanket. I don't know if it's just me, but I didn't get enough of a benefit from my tens unit to even bother hooking it up. i gotta run. Take care. 

Posted 11/26/2008 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi sherri,

When nothing works I just try to relax and basically give in to the pain. What I mean is I do not fight it and I accept that I am in agony.

this is so hard to d but I have to realize that nothing is working. After that I use a heating pad on the worse spots and eventually I lie down with a book.

A Few weeks ago I was given zanaflex. It made me loopy and tired the first several days but I soon realized, it helped ease the pain. Now I take 2 - 4 mg about 3 times a day during flares. I can even exercise under the drug's influence. In addition, I can now sleep without awakening due to pain every time I turn over.

It is so nice to get out of bed and not have the usual fibro stiffness.

Maybe your doctor can presecribe this for you. Zanaflex is a muscle relaxant that influences the cetral nervous system. It is now used for some fibromyalgia patients.

Donnaeil
Posted 11/26/2008 2:58 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for all your input everyone! I went to the doctor today, and he has changed my treatment to something a little more aggresive. I am now taking 375mg of Lyrica instead of the cymbalta and he has also added Mirepex every day. I am also supposed to take Dexamethosone 3x per day along with my Tramamadol. I was also started on Flexeril which is a muscle relaxer and I take that 3x per day.I have worked really hard and lost 55 pounds so I hope the Lyrica doesn't make me gain weight, but I wil do anything in order not to be in pain. If anyone can tell me how they are doing on any of these meds, I would appreciate it. I had a little melt down when I got home and was talking to my husband. He was so supportive and understanding so I again today, Thank God for him. Thanks again, and I hope everyone wakes up and has a good day tomorrow. I am also going to check into getting a TENS unit. I had no idea you could get them at the pharmacy. Take care, Sheri   

Posted 11/26/2008 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Lyrica has worked really well for me and I haven't gained any weight on it! I'm on 300 mg/day now. At first it made me a little woozy, but now I don't have any side effects from it at all. Good luck with it!
Posted 11/26/2008 4:58 AM (GMT 0)

Sheri,

So glad your doc is trying some different meds. I have heard good things about Lyrica, although I stopped taking it after 6 months because they didn't help me much and I gained too much weight while taking them. I've heard others say they didn't gain weight, so guess it is different for everyone.

My sister got her tens unit at her local pharmacy in town. The one she got looks almost like mine. I didn't know you could get them there either. Maybe only certain places. You might want to call around. I hope the tens helps you. It really has helped me.

Good luck with the new meds. Let us know how you do.

Hugs!!   Margie

Posted 11/26/2008 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear of your constant flare. I'm on 300 mgs of Lyria and when I get a bad flare I take percocet. It doesn't make it go away but I feel a little more comfortable during the flare. Hang in there!

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