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Posted 2/19/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
So it has been about 3 weeks since I started on a new treatment plan with my specialist. He started me on Cymbalta and Gabapentin. I was warned by my brother who is a clinical nurse specialist about both (because of the fact that your body/mind becomes dependent and it's very hard to come off.

The Cymbalta made me sweat bullets and horribly dizzy just in the first week, so I quickly put an end to that, since I definitely cannot work like that. And as for the Gapapentin, I wouldn't say it worked per say, but the first week I would only have to take 1 capsule (300 mg) and I would be out cold in 15 minutes. The following week, I had to double my dose, then the next week the same thing. I had read that a tolerance is built, but that fast?!

Anyways I really fought to not be put on a bunch of different meds but I really didn't want to face the pain anymore. I still take the Gabapentin at night but it doesn't do much for me. My insomnia is way too powerful. The cold weather makes it almost unbearable and I spent this past weekend in bed, barely able to move. I know he's going to want to try Lyrica, which I cannot afford or another anti-depressant. I am super leary about any types of anti-depressants, as I have never responded well to them in the past.

Anyways, I am always curious to know everyone's experiences with these meds and what treatments are currently working for them. Thanks!!

BB
Posted 2/19/2013 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on gabapentin. I do feel a slight difference from being on it. I take 300mg at bedtime. It did help my arm shakes I'd experienced every morning and through out the day, but the morning arm shakes are coming back.
The last few mornings I've been waking up dizzy. I don't know if this normal or not from it.

I take paxil for my depression. It seems to help my aches some too.
Posted 2/19/2013 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Amen! When I take the Gaba, the next morning I notice I feel like I have a major hangover. It's better than nothing but, I hope there are better meds on the horizon! I am curious to find out what my second treatment plan will be. Frankly, the first time I didn't have any options which was kind of sad. I said well doc, what are my options besides Cymbalta and Neurontin, and he said.... "Well do you not want to be in pain? This is your only option for now, along with pain killers." Meh, had me a little distraught, but I think doctor's are frustrated themselves at lack of treatment options and the fact that almost always everyone has a different treatment.
Posted 2/19/2013 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
I could not tolerate the Cymbalta...it made me dizzy and nauseas. Rheumy put me on Savella and he gave me 2, 2-week titration packs so that my body slowly became used to the medication. In a month's time I was up to full dosage...50mg, 2x daily. It took about 10 weeks from the start that I noticed any differance. It does help some...it is a SNRI but it isn't a miracle med. I also take Flexeril for fibro, but use it mainly for flares.

I practice deep breathing and meditation and it helps keeps my stress down...less stress= less pain. Walking helps with the stiffness and gives me some energy.

Insomnia is something that many of us deal with, mine tends to come in waves. A warm bath before bedtime helps and so does meditation.

Keeping busy doing things I love does help distract the pain. I find it is a combination of things that help me. Attitude is high on the list. You have to believe it is possible to feel better.

hoping you find some relief :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 2/19/2013 10:07 PM (GMT 0)

crazykitty said...
I could not tolerate the Cymbalta...it made me dizzy and nauseas. Rheumy put me on Savella and he gave me 2, 2-week titration packs so that my body slowly became used to the medication. In a month's time I was up to full dosage...50mg, 2x daily. It took about 10 weeks from the start that I noticed any differance. It does help some...it is a SNRI but it isn't a miracle med. I also take Flexeril for fibro, but use it mainly for flares.

I practice deep breathing and meditation and it helps keeps my stress down...less stress= less pain. Walking helps with the stiffness and gives me some energy.

Insomnia is something that many of us deal with, mine tends to come in waves. A warm bath before bedtime helps and so does meditation.

Keeping busy doing things I love does help distract the pain. I find it is a combination of things that help me. Attitude is high on the list. You have to believe it is possible to feel better.

hoping you find some relief :)

Hugs, Robin

Thanks for your input Robin! I am thinking he will probably move to Savella next. With Savella did you notice affects of just pain relief or also a lift in mood and or anxiety? I have never been one to have major depression or anxiety, but for the past year or so I have had anxiety due to PTSD.

I am working on meditating more and doing yoga more. I have a friend that is a yoga teacher and she suggested I try the "legs up the wall" pose, sorry not very technical! It is said to be the healer of all ailments, especially stress and anxiety. I struggle with terrible RLS and back pain so I know it will help. I notice I am not as stiff or sore the next day when I do this, and I think it also has something to do with blood flow.
Posted 2/19/2013 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Bettie- I had terrible reaction to Cymbalta and neurontin. I guess you can call them side effects. Lol I try to keep my treatment plan very simple.

I do take remron for antidepressent. It works very well for me. It helps me sleep also. It has something in it to calm your racing thoughts. It's an old drug and cheap. I take subutex for pain control. I love this drug. I rarely have a flare anymore. I take magnesium for muscle spasms daily, vitamin D and calcium daily. I use lots of heat and do things in moderation.

I know you hurt, but the best medicine I found out is exercise. If I stay in bed I will hurt so bad. I would of never believe this myself about exercise makes your fibro better. Try to stay as postive as you can. I try to stay way from unwanted stress. It's easy for me to pick up someone bad day and let it affect me. Things like this add stress in our lives.

It takes time to find the right treatment plan. Just don't give up and just take one day at a time.
Posted 2/19/2013 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

ak angel said...
Bettie- I had terrible reaction to Cymbalta and neurontin. I guess you can call them side effects. Lol I try to keep my treatment plan very simple.

I do take remron for antidepressent. It works very well for me. It helps me sleep also. It has something in it to calm your racing thoughts. It's an old drug and cheap. I take subutex for pain control. I love this drug. I rarely have a flare anymore. I take magnesium for muscle spasms daily, vitamin D and calcium daily. I use lots of heat and do things in moderation.

I know you hurt, but the best medicine I found out is exercise. If I stay in bed I will hurt so bad. I would of never believe this myself about exercise makes your fibro better. Try to stay as postive as you can. I try to stay way from unwanted stress. It's easy for me to pick up someone bad day and let it affect me. Things like this add stress in our lives.

It takes time to find the right treatment plan. Just don't give up and just take one day at a time.

Thank you sooo much for your input, it is greatly appreciated! I will have to look into remron, I haven't heard of it, but usually the older the better! Do you take it at night since it makes you sleepy? That is something I have been long frustrated with, most meds make me sleepy but I am ALWAYS tired, but can NEVER sleep! Such a weird quirk of the condition.

I have heard magnesium is a must for fibro. My I ask which kind you take? I saw several different supplement variations, taurate, citrate, etc! Very confusing, although I am sure they all have the same effect.

As for the subutex, are there any side effects? Did it take you a few different types of pain meds to find the right one? I have tried quite a few, and the only thing that works to an extent is Percocet. It's the only one I don't get sick on! My doctor told me to use the pain killers to exercise. I looked at him like have you ever tried to exercise after taking pain meds??? 2 minutes in you're sweating profusely, dizzy, feeling like your legs are going to give out! It is so difficult to get past the vicious cycle of not being in pain, and starting to exercise more since exercise is what contributes to lessening your pain.

I know we all have those days where mentally we'd love to be swinging from the tree tops, but physically the complete opposite!
Posted 2/19/2013 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
BB, I've had situational depression in the past due to loss of loved ones but do not suffer with clinical depression. I've had problems with anxiety on and off since childhood. Taking Savella, I may be less anxious...but that could also be due to relaxation therapy, doing deep breathing exercise and meditation. I also do cognitive behavioral therapy to help with anxiety...countering negative thoughts with positive ones.

Savella is quite expensive, A month supply at my pharmacy, retail is $177.99. With my insurance, I pay $25.00 a month. In June, it will be 4 years that I have been on it. At some point, I may be thinking of weaning off of it. It is hard to tell how much benefit I am getting from it anymore.

Wishing you the best of luck!

hugs, Robin
Posted 2/22/2013 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Robin, did you doctor ever discuss with you the difficulties in trying to come off Savella or any other medicines like it? This is my biggest fear! I know it's something I don't want to be on forever, but I almost would rather learn to deal with it than to suffer the crazy effects of coming off an anti-depressant because I heard it is challenging, and I don't think doctor's understand how challenging it might be. I don't think my doctor wants to try anything alternative to antidepressants and anti-epileptic medicine, which kind of bothers me because I feel trapped. It's the first specialist I've been to, so I know regular doctors aren't any more help either!
Posted 2/23/2013 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Bettie, I did ask my rheumy many questions before starting Savella. He did inform me of the possible side effects. I was on Cymbalta for only a few days and couldn't tolerate it. I was not on it long enough to have problems when I stopped taking it.

Being on the forum, I have heard stories of brain zaps when others were weaning off differant meds. At one time I was on vicodin, and had decided to quit without weaning and went through some terrible flu like symptoms....you should always taper down or it can be very dangerous.

Making a decision to start a med should be an informed one. Talking to your doctor and getting as much info as possible is a good thing to do.

If when I do quit the Savella, I trust that my rheumy will put me on a very slow taper. He was very cautious about taking a full month to get me up to a full dose. I feel comfortable to voice my concerns with my rheumy and tell him if I am anxious about something. Don't be nervous about voicing your concerns with your doctor. Tell your doctor how you are feeling, let him know your opinions. You are the patient and deserve to be heard. I have found that for me, meds are trial and error. It may take a few trys to find what helps. I also take over the counter supplements that rheumy suggested for me....Vitamin D3, Vitamin B-12, a good multi vitamin and calcium. I don't take over the counter without consulting the doc first because I'm on other meds for differant conditions.

We are all so differant when it comes to meds. I don't rely on medication alone to help me. Exercise, eating healthy, taking time for relaxation, deep breathing, meditation and using heat also help me. Each day I try to have an attitude of gratitude and that helps me focus on the good things in life.

Wishing you the best :)

Robin
Posted 2/23/2013 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Betie- answers to your question. I take the remron at night. Yes it helps me sleep. I take the over counter regular magnesium 500 mg. I know others take different kinds of magnesium. I use this for my muscle cramps and I tend to be low in magnesium. The subutex was given to me after I got off my percocet. Many Dr's are trying this out for chronic pain. I have no side effects from it. I have been on it for 4 years. It works better then my Percocet did. If you don't have medical insurance the subutex is expensive. To this day I still shop around for the cheapest meds and test. I have turned down many test because I couldn't afford them and I knew it wasn't really necessary for them.
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