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Posted 1/1/2015 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello to all! I was "officially" diagnosed with Fibro back in November, but have been fighting against the diagnosis for at least 5yrs. My aches and pains started probably 10yrs ago in my hips and has gotten progressively worse and is now all over my body. I started taking a regiment of meds after seeing a doc who specializes in Fibro (he wrote the book "Healing Fibro...the book helped me accept my diagnosis and not be so shamed by it. Very good book) I was already on Cymbalta, occasional Ativan, Bystolic (Cymbalta causes my blood pressure to be high), Prevacid (was on Plaquinal that caused raging reflux). The new doc added the following: Amrix, Tramadol, Myo-Malate and Adenrial Plus supplement. I feel like that is an awful lot of stuff to be taking. What medications do most of you take? I just turned 40 and feel like I am taking more medication than my 80year father!
Posted 1/1/2015 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Seb.
I try to limit my meds because of multiple drug allergies. I do take Tramadol, tylenol, gabapentin, and magnesium for my fibro.
Posted 1/2/2015 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
I don't take any drugs - Tylenol or Advil when the headaches and aches and pains get too bad. I have been lucky enough to control it with diet, massages and limiting my physical activity. But, having said that, I know that everyone is different.
Posted 1/2/2015 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Seb74 and welcome!

My meds are in my signature line. It is currently working fairly well. I am enjoying a temporary winter vacation from my arthritis due to a 1 week steroid pack for a rotator cuff issue. However, that will go away. (Overall good as steroids make me hungry all the time).

I am 50, although I dont always feel like it. I take 47 pills per day. Many are supplements to boost my system for things. I want to reduce the amount of drugs, but right now I am trying to work on sleep. Once they fix my shoulder and I can sleep more soundly with less help, I want to look at reducing the meds.

It is one step at a time. I have been working on a toolkit of sorts of non-drug therapies. I want to buy the bed buddy and a mat for your back that someone recommended (it is on the forum, but I dont remember the name). I use Arnica cream as recommended by my massage therapist and my pain doc gives me a cream with ketamine (currently am out of) that helps. She also prescrbes Lidocaine patches. I dont use any one thing regularly. I split them up to help. I take Tramadol, but mostly only one dose when I first wake up for the day. Lyrica was a god send to me. I felt like someone had put my nervous system on the outside of my body. One hour after my first dose I had an amazing moment where it felt like someone had turned down the volume on my nerves. It was a rough few weeks getting settled with it, but right now it is working well. I still get small dizzy patches and have to remember to keep snack bars with me. It also killed my interest in Chocolate, lol. Not sure if that was good or bad. ;)

I just found this site about invisible illness. There is a list of items that describe what you deal with. That is what led to me counting my pills. The one thing I can say about them is that I have built them up over time, can generally recognize them all by sight and know why they are there. I look up the properties so I have an idea of what to expect. I recommend this to anyone who doesnt do it. Even the most helpful medical professional can make mistakes or mix things up. I had a wonderful primary for years who got ill and is dying. I wish it were otherwise. He is a terrific doc and a really nice guy. I could always count on him for straight talk. It has made me get better about taking control for myself as I dont have him to help and explain anymore.

We were diagnosed the same month with Fibro. November 12 for me. I had other things before, but that is the diagnosis that got me help I desparately needed.
Posted 1/2/2015 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
HI, Seb, and welcome! I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and a muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has helped me significantly. I also walk one mile+ daily, do daily stretching exercises, pace myself when doing things, and have a monthly gentle massage. All of the above has helped me be in contol of the pain and I've lived a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness.

Do be careful with the Prevacid. It is PPI and these have been shown to cause osteoporosis. I was on Prilosec, another PPI, and did end up with a moderate case of osteoporosis. So do talk to your doctor about this. I'm now taking a prescription strength Pepcid AC. I still produce some stomach acid with this but it really helps with reflux.

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 I mentioned above and how these work in the body. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.

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
Posted 1/3/2015 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Sherrine,

I have heard about the PPIs causing osteoporosis. I am already in osteopenia due to my Celiac's disease. The osteopenia as improved since going gluten free but has not completely reversed. I started the Prevacid after having raging reflux from the generic form of Plaquinal. The sad thing is, the two months I was on it, I felt so good. I had more energy and my hips and shoulder weren't bothering me. Once the reflux started, I came off of the generic form for about a month and started PPI, the pain started coming back. Started taking the brand name form of Plaquinal and nothing. Didn't help on bit. Starting hurting more and I still had the reflux. Now I am off the Plaquinal all together and started the other meds and am having some decent days. My reflux is much better and I will come off the Prevacid in March.

I read the Fibro 101 and it was very interesting and helpful. I know I need to make more time for myself and ask for help from my DH and family members. At home, I try to do everything and put everyone else before me. My DH, sister and mom were always encouraging me to get massages but I would say no or put if off because of money and time. Now, I need to put myself first and take care of my needs.

Thank you for your comments and the support!
Posted 1/3/2015 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Seb to the forum! I hope you find this forum helpful. I have learned so much over the years. My health has improved so much because I believe knowledge is very helpful. Having a greater knowledge about fibro gives you a greater control over your fibro. I developed a good treatment plan for myself. It does take time to perfect a good treatment plan. It's mainly done by trial and error method. I wish it could be so easy to have all the same treatment plan for fibro. But of course we are all have different medical conditions and needs so it just doesn't work that way.

I do the following for my treatment for fibro. Magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, remron, subutex for pain, muscle relaxer, limit stress, heat, exercise and eat healthy. I try to keep mine as simple as possible. I am very sensitive to drugs these days.

I hope we continue to see you around the forum. Please feel free to ask questions or if you just need to vent the day away. We encourage each other here which goes along ways in healing.
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