HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

I'm new here - does treatment work? at the end of my rope.. please help!

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/27/2012 1:05 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone,

My fm was confirmed yesterday which was good news for me because I now have a name for the black cloud that has destroyed my life over the past 6 years. I'm a 36 yr female, married with 4 children and my husband and bestfriend for the past 4 years has 2 children total of 6! :) Trying to work 40 hours a week and raise 6 children, keep our home, and deal with the everyday weakness, pain, memory loss depression and many more symtoms that comes along with fm has gotten the best of me, my family, and my carreer. I recently resigned from work and my marriage is heading in the wrong direction. I'm fearing the worst and if my husband does walk out the door I really cant say that I blame him. He is a wonderfull man and father and it breaks my heart to look back at all I've put him through this past year. I started treatment yesterday and just would really like to know if it works and how long does it take? Thanks so much for your help.

Hi Bbn, I added to your subject line so you wouldn't fall through the cracks.

Debbie

Post Edited By Moderator (Acheybody) : 6/27/2012 1:42:19 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/27/2012 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there-
WOW, you have a lot on your plate!

I understand about the husband part. My husband is truly a blessing, however, for all the good that I am inside, my heart, my soul etc., it can't be easy to live with me. Not because Im difficult, but because almost everyday it's something with my body. I started taking him to Dr. appointments with me and I think that gave him a really good understanding of just what I am going through. My Dr. has told him to be patient with me, to keep the stress as far away as possible and that if they knew the pain that we feel inside, many wouldn't be able to handle it.

What treatment as you starting? I guess I'm not sure what you're doing. Managing Fibro is an ongoing process. Are you on medication?

You're not alone - remember that!

Jacey
Posted 6/27/2012 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your responce! and yes... alone is how I've felt for a very long time. My dr prescribed Cymbalta 2x daily 30mg and at night 300mg Neurotin. I'm now waiting on a call back for the appointment with a rheumatoligist in a near by city as my regular Dr stated that a specialist would be better for on going treament and pain management. I also have fibroid issues in breast and other female locations that was just found until yesterday which i was told was not linked to fm so I'm now waiting on my insurance to approve furthur testing and possible removel of a 3cm lump in my right breast for biopsy. Can you advise on the meds I'm taking and how effective they are?
Posted 6/27/2012 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have never taken Cymbalta or Neurotin myself, but I have heard that they are both good meds for managing Fibromyalgia. I take Lyrica, and occasionally Trazodone (for my sleep). I have occasionally questioned how much the Lyrica actually helps-that is, until I accidentally forgot to get the prescription filled on a couple of occasions. When I was without it for a couple of days, I knew just how much I was really benefitting from it.
I have heard that with cymbalta, it is very important to not miss doses or go off it without doctors supervision. There can be very bad withdrawals if the dose is not tapered off over a period of time.

I have found that medication is only a small part of managing fibro. Stress management is a very important part of managing it. I am a child care provider, and I have had to cut way back on the number of children that I watch and have drastically decreased the number of hours that I work. It has taken a large chunk of our income, and it has meant that we have had to make some sacrifices in other weys. However, I have reached the decision that my health is more important. Sleep is also very important, as it is very difficult to deal with pain effectively if you are not well rested. Exercise has probably been the most important part for me. The less active that I am, it seems, the more I hurt. What is difficult, sometimes, is finding a balance between activity and resting. I find that if I sit for more than a half hour, I am in pain. The hospital in our town has a therapeutic pool ( the water temp is maintained between 90 and 93 degrees at all times) . They offer water exercise classes, or people can go there on their own to do water walking or exercise in the water. I try to make time to go at least 2-3 times per week for at least an hour. If I go for more than a few days without this, I find that my back pain worsens. Walking is also good exercise for fibro, and I usually try to do this for at least an hour on the days when I do not go to the pool.
Posted 6/27/2012 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Stepping,

My husband and I love the outdoors, baseball, tennis, golf etc but this past year it has been very hard for to keep up with him. Example: played tennis last weekend and couldnt get out of bed for 3 days :( Is there a medicine for this? I hope I dont sound dumb I'm just new to this. I never even heard of fm until yesterday.
Posted 6/27/2012 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bb and welcome

Sorry for your diagnosis...this is the place I came 7 yrs ago and this forum/people have taught me so much! So education is critical...read whatever you can.
The number of treatments equals the # of people with fibro. Everyione of us has to find our best possible combos for fibro. I really hope those meds help. And good for you going to a rheumatologist...

I just wanted to say hello and keep posting

Maggie
Posted 6/27/2012 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bbn, and welcome!

I'm so glad you found us...we really help eachother, in so many ways. If you get a chance, read through Fibro 101, 2nd thread on the forum. It's got links to what doctors have found about fibro, coping mechanisms, similar conditions, even humor!

Now that you know that fibro is responsible for at least some of what you're feeling, you're on the road to, maybe not recovery, but some relief, anyway. Hopefully, your husband will bear with you on this journey. (No, it's not easy for our spouses, but it's harder for us! We're not making this stuff up, after all! What have YOU gone through in the past year?)

I hope to get to know you better....

Debbie
Posted 6/27/2012 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
THANKS ALL! It feels so great to finally not feel so alone in all of this. God Bless You All!
Posted 6/28/2012 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
I can't speak to Cymbalta, but I've had good luck with Savella. It took several months to get up to full strength in my body, so give your medicines time. I've also had good luck with Malic Acid.

As for the active part of your life, exercise is good for you. Don't push it though. You may have to play only 9 holes of golf and use a golf cart between the holes. You may have to play doubles tennis to reduce the amount of running around you are doing. Do what you are able. Hopefully if you are willing to do some stuff your husband will be understanding about the rest. I agree with the others. Bring your husband to your doctors appointments.

Men deal with this stuff differently. They want to 'fix' it and get frustrated when they can't.

Joy
Posted 6/28/2012 6:05 AM (GMT 0)
I've never taken cymbalta but I take Neurontin 600mg 2x/day and it really helps me with the pain. I may have to stop taking it soon as it is messing with my blood sugar levels.
Posted 6/28/2012 7:26 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry for your pain and everything you are dealing with...sometimes it can be overwhelming. You are never alone here...there are people here who care and understand.

Along the way, you may have to make some lifestyle changes and give up some things that you once did...but never give up. If you need to give up one hobby, find another. Doing what you enjoy does help distract the pain.

When it comes to meds, we are all so differant as to what helps...what helps one may not help another. I'm on Savella (SNRI) and use flexeril, a muscle relaxer for Fibro. I tried Cymbalta but had difficulty tolerating it...many do well on Cymbalta but can't tolerate Savella...like I said...we are all differant.

Finding ways to deal with stress is so important. Stress only adds to our pain. Doing gentle stretches throughout the day and going for a walk helps me. You might want to try relaxation therapy...I do deep breathing exercise along with meditation and visualization, and fins I can bting my pain levels down.

Remember to be gentle with yourself and make time just for you...you are worth it :) With six kids, you must be busy but you are important too. Your family will learn to work together to do what they can to help, but you must lbe sure to communicate your needs...it's OK to say no when you aren't feeling well.

Wishing you the very best...I'm glad you joined the family :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 6/28/2012 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thannks Robin,

Just knowing that I now have an entire web community of support is a blessing. It's so hard for family and friends to understand that every day is a challenge to do what everyone else does normally. I think back to 10 yrs ago and see how much of even the smallest task I took for granted. I do not feel well this morning at all. The pain in my neck and shoulders is a 10 1/2 on a scale of 10. I'm on day 3 of cymbalta and although I do often have tremors, this morning they seem to be different. "normal" tremors for me are fast steady impulses in the legs, face or hands. Today it is slow jerks in my hands and arms. They have never done this before. Could this be from the Cymbalta?
Posted 6/28/2012 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
bbn, ...from what I read, tremors and shakiness can be side effects from Cymbalta, although they are not common ones. I would give your doc a call and let him know what is going on...perhaps he will lower the dose.

Have you tried using moist heat on your neck and shoulder area? That area is also a prime location for tension to sit in. If you have time soak in the tub or take a shower and direct warm water to that area. Hope you find some pain relief?

Hugs, Robin
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply