Medication sensitivities and Fibro

I was reading in another thread that people with fibromyalgia tend to have medication (and other chemical) sensitivities. How common is this, and is it typically the same type of reaction? I ask because doctors have had to be very careful with me and what medications they give me. I either have to take double doses, or the medications react in ways it won't with most people. I was on Zanaflex earlier this year, and it gave me temporal lobe seizures. It is listed as a side effect, but my neurologist said that it was so rare, she doubted that it was an actual side effect. It wasn't until trial and error that we discovered that it was the medication. I also have to be on a special cocktail of medications if have to be put into twilight sleep. It is really frustrating when a doctor tries to sedate you and you are not sedated when they do the procedure. The first time I even had an upper GI, I was not fully in the effects of the twilight drug. I remembered everything, and cried during the whole thing. It hurt, and I gagged the whole time. It took a well seasoned gastro doctor to realize that I needed more than most people.

This has been a common theme with me. My family doctor knows enough about me to know that she has to be very careful with medications. I have side effects most people have not heard of, and I am overly sensitive to some, and under for others. To me, it seems hit or miss. It took years to fond a depression medication that works - that did not give me side effects as well. I hope I never have to switch. I am just wondering if most people have this type of an issue.

I also have unpredictable reactions to medication.  Anyphlaxis to morphine and demerol...rashes from antibiotics.  I took a quarter of a Dramamine pill when flying and had to be taken off the plane in a wheel chair...so doped I couldn't feel my legs.  When I got shingles last year, I took the first anti-viral dose in the doctors office to make sure I didn't have a reaction.  It's really frustrating and frightening.  Don't know if this is a fibro-thing...some of these reactions came long before I was diagnosed.

Donna

I am also highly sensitive to drugs. I have to have the lowest dose possible and sometimes have to cut those in halfs to. Most meds make me sleepy or downright ill to my stomach. It's very frustrating and makes needing meds such a chore..

Deepwell, I have had suicidal on medications as well. I think the last medication was Depacote. Whatever med it was left me in a deep depression. It just hit me. I hated it, but at least I knew it was bring caused by the meds. They had to wean me off of it, and make a huge note in my chart about it.

And no, I am not a redhead, but I always wanted to be. :)

Oh, and Percocet and morphine make me itch. I just take a Benedryl with it and I am fine.

With these sensitivities you need an AMplichip or Gelelex pharmacogenetics test. 15% of the USA has missing genetic pathways for drug processing

As a medical researcher I sent 6 test samples all from me and all collected at the same time to 3 of the top rated prophyria labs. I sent them under different names. I received 4 positives and two negatives and even within the same lab and testing the same specimens they came to different conclusions.

So I waited two weeks and did it again – totally different conclusions than the first round. The test is worthless

When I spoke to my neurologist today, she said she would write me a different dose script of Vicodin. She did the 10-325. I was on between 5-525 and 7-750 and taking two for just pain relief. She was afraid of the larger amounts of Tylenol, so she went ahead and just gave me the double dose of Hydrocodone while keeping the acetaminophen lower. She said that there is doubt among some that the two really work together anyway.

I remember taking Fentanyl in the past, but I have not taken it in years. I don't remember how I do on it. I have a friend who is on a Fentanyl patch. She has to wear it every day.

My rheumatologist declared I was medication sensative after trying me on several types of meds to help with my fibro conditions.

Do I do all I can naturally through stretching, walking short distances, diet, and trying to keep my stress to a minimum.

Good luck to you.