Hello! Service Member with Fibro checking-in

Could be sciatica (which I also have), could "just be Fibro", could be something else. I wouldn't worry much until the MRI comes back, but it's good that they are checking.

Can I ask if you served in the gulf at all? There have been a lot of connections made (lots of overlap) between Gulf War Syndrome and Fibro.

Have they tried you on any muscle relaxers? that is a common treatment for both and I know they really help me.

Hello. Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing your story!

A lot of people with fibro, like myself have a hard time with medications. I've been on gabapentine for almost 3 years now it's the only thing that kind of helps, but I was wondering if your doctor warned you about the side effects? It has potential to cause a great deal of memory problems and I think seizures if you don't take it right, but I may be wrong about that last one. So please be careful with that. My doctor didn't tell me at first and I was worried I might be getting stupid lol but it's mostly the medication.

I hope you get some relief soon. Ice packs help me with aches and pains a lot. Gentle massage is great for the neck and back I find, but everyone is different. Feel better and keep as active as you can.

Hi. ArmyFibro, and welcome! Before I begin I want to thank you for your service to this country. It takes a very strong, caring person to put their life on the line for others. Thank you!

Now about fibro. It sure sounds like you have fibro and possibly sacroiliitis or sciatica. I'm not a doctor but I will tell you my story. I have had fibro for 27 years but two years ago my back and shoulders were progressively getting worse. I started getting raw nerve pain running from my hips down the inside of my legs. Lifting my feet about an inch to try to take a teeny step caused me to see stars. I was walking with two canes and my steps were in inches. Fibro is not considered a progressive illness so I went to see a rheumatologist. After much blood work, many x-rays, and two MRI's I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and sacroiliitis.

I was put on ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, and given a muscle relaxer called Robaxin that made a significant difference in my overall pain. I only take half of what was prescribed but now I don't have the raw nerve pain and am walking just fine! I was amazed at such a simple answer to handle such a horrible amount of pain.

Along with the above I take magnesium malate and vitamin D3 to help with pain and fatigue of fibro. I also do stretching exercises and walk daily. I'm sure you get plenty of exercise being in the military but all of the above has given me control over the pain and fatigue of fibro.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. There are links about the supplements that I mentioned above and how these work in your body. Quite a few members have gotten help using these...including me. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it when you get a chance.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine

It's trial and error for the right meds. Pain pills notoriously do not work on fibromyalgia. Cymbalta helps me busperone and a muscle relaxant at night. Keep moving. Keep your mind busy and off the ache in your arms, legs, etc. Don't lay around, it'll make you worse.
It sucks but you will learn to live with it and feel better.

Thank you for your service!

barb

ArmyFibro,

You've gotten lots of great advice already...just wanted to add my hello (and thanks) to everyone else's.

I have a big Sciatica problem, so I hope that's not what's plaguing you. Let us know what the MRI finds....we do care.

Debbie

Thank you for all the replies and warm welcomes.

I wrote that last night in my Ambien induced haze..lol

Some more details:

Prior to arriving in Japan and working with the incompetent medics at my last assignment, I had tried just about every basic muscle relaxer for pain relief. None of them provided me with any relief.

Upon my DR here on base in Japan suspecting Fibro, he began my treatment with Trazadone for pain and Ambien for an as-needed sleep aid. After about 2 months of no evident relief, He switched me to Effexor. At this same appointment I switched to Effexor, at my request, I switched to Flexeril for a sleep aid. The Ambien begin to not work for me at 5mg, and then stopped providing fatigue at 10mg after only using for 2 months. I remembered back in the states I had attempted Flexeril for pain but it only provided fatigue!

about this time I decided on something else. My pain was causing my mind to lose it's focus at work and I had no motivation to do anything unless I absolutely had to due it do to consequences of not. Such as going to work lol. I made an appointment to see a Psychiatrist with the medical facility. The only Psychiatrists available are located in the states and require a video conference from the medical facility. I told him how I had been prescribed Adderall from about 3rd grade through my first year of college and that the only reason I had stopped was because the Army didn't allow you to join with ADD/ADHD. I spent my first 4 years of my career without Adderall and trained myself to focus. All that self focusing went right out the window when my fibro pain began to increase. The doctor prescribed me 20mg of Adderall XR. The Adderall not only provided me with better focus, but because being a stimulant also provided me with the energy to get up and do things without regard for my average fibro pain. I began doing things that my wife and I wanted to do again, instead of just what I had to do!


I continued the Effexor and Flexeril regiment for about 4-5 months if I recall. Effexor did nothing but provide me with the most horrible withdrawal symptoms if I missed even one single dose! The Flexeril was amazing at putting me to sleep as I assumed it would, although I had a terrible time waking up in the morning. The Flexeril would want me to sleep for way to many hours (8-14!).

Finally, I had enough. I re-visited my DR and asked to switch medications. He prescribed me gabapentin and it has been about 3 months since I have switched. I also decided to go back to Ambien as it occasionally allowed me to be drowsy enough to fall asleep with no residual fatigue in the morning. about a month ago during a follow up, I was seen by a different MD as my regular DR was on vacation. It was her recommendation to try Cymbalta while maintaining the Gabapentin as well. Today is about 30 days on Cymbalta and 3 months on Gabapentin. I don't really feel either is providing any relief, but as mentioned above, I like to give it at least 2 months since most medications need to build up in your system.

Have no worries, I maintain a decent amount of physical activity. My DR has limited me to no running and no jumping activities, aside from those limitations, I try to keep up with my soldiers and the rest of the unit during our daily (M-F) morning hour long PT (Physical Training).

With the Adderall, I am able to go about my day pretty normally. The pain is there, but I have so much energy from the stimulant I work through it. I still have flare-ups in which my back really hurts and is quite bothersome.

Hopefully the MRI will help me determine the root cause of my issues. Part of me hopes there is something notable on the MRI in order to at least be able to have a more absolute diagnosis. As we all know, Fibromyalgia is sometimes one of those "Well we don't know what else it could be" diagnosis by Doctors.

I will give a run down of my other side effects I have besides the insomnia and pain when I get a chance.

Take care and again, Thank you for the welcome and the responses. I joined two other boards but I received maybe one reply on each. This forum is definitely very active and knowledgeable.