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Fibromyalgia and Xanax.

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Posted 10/23/2008 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
I finally found out in Jan 07 that I had Fibro.I tried the Vicodin darvocet just about everything else including anti depressents,nothing helped.All I ever got was a screwed up head and sick.

In May,me and my now ex split up and I went through hell.We have 2 kids and I fought like mad to get them,which I was done.But during that time,the doctor put me on Xanax and Zoloft.I was taking Darvocet at the time and after I started taking the Xanax,I didn't and still refuse to take the zoloft all ADs make me sick,the muscle pain started to ease up alot.I was sleeping much better then I have in the past 2 years.It is now Oct and I am now only taking the Xanax and Ibuprofen and get around better then I ever did when I was taking the Vicodin,Oxycodone or Darvocet and muscle relaxers.

  I have talked to a few people who have Fibro and are taking Xanax as well and they have noticed the same thing I have,that it helps relieve the symptoms better then anything they have tried before.My only problem is,the doctor doesn't want to believe me.Has anyone else here had an experience with Xanax and it helping with FMS?I'm not saying this is a fix all,I still have pain,but it is not near as bad as it was before.

Posted 10/23/2008 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shawn and welcome to our fibro family!

Many members have tried and are still taking Xanax with good results. Others have tried it and didn't like it. Just as people's reactions to prescriptions differs, so fibro differs from person to person. It would be easy if one 'pill' would work for everyone, but as you noted it doesn't work for every person with fibro.

It's a shame your doctor is giving you problems with prescribing Xanax for you. I'm going to assume you're younger than I...but then some rocks are younger than I am...lol... and often doctors hesitate prescribing anything long term that's addicting when patients are younger. It's a huge responsibility for the doc to decide when they know these meds are addicting. If you are still having pain issues and your doc isn't willing to help with prescriptions meds you may want to ask about referring you to a pain specialist. It's their job to work with you for some quality of life. They aren't as restricted in prescribing meds are doctors are in some states. It's a shame a few have screwed things up for those of us who truly need pain relief on a regular basis.

BTW, I took Zoloft for quite a while with great results. But as with all AD meds they tend not to work after a while and I had to change. I do wish you the best and feel free to email me if you want to chat. My email address is under the envelope below my name <---.

Chutzie
Posted 10/23/2008 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
I am in my early 30s.He gives me some hell about it but like I told him.I don't want to be on vicodin or strong pain meds and that the xanax does much better for me.
I think he should know I can control myself and not get addicted to meds.I stopped on my own taking the vicodin,Oxy and darvocet.I made that choice and when I told him he looked back on my records and was a bit surprised I done it on my own.I was taking alot of vicodin.
He prescibes me .5mg of Xanax,90 a month and I just use them when I absolutly have to during the day,at night,I take it to sleep.If I don't have it,I don't sleep.I have had sleep issues for the last few years.I sleep but wake up feeling as though I never went to bed.The xanax has really helped in that area.Raising 2 kids,I have to be alert,not so tired,I should not be driving.Every once in awhile,I'll not take it at night,just to see if I can sleep and it always turns out to be a disaster the next day.
The problem with doctors giving out meds that help but are addictive is because of those who abused them and would be taking the meds to get stoned.My doctor flat out told me that.It is a shame it has to be that way and hopefuly he doesn't cut me off for that reason.I do everything I can to show I am not gtting addicted,even waiting a few days after the 30 day supply is suppose to run out to go back and get refills.
Posted 10/23/2008 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
hi shawn1

im on xanax for panic disorder, not for my fibromyalgia, (which i have as well) however i do strongly believe it assists with muscular pain- it gives me relief on many levels. the big drawback is its so addictive- im on a high daily dose (4mgs) and have been for the last 6 years. i hope you can find something to give you the relief you need.

Maz XX

Posted 10/23/2008 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am having a similar experience with valium rather than xanax. When I take the valium at bedtime, I awoke with far less pain and stiffness. For the past week or so I noticed a significant decrease in my pain, generally. I also slept straight through the night, without awakening between 3 and 5 AM unable to get back to sleep. The only problem is, the doctor is eager to wean me off of them, altogether. Why is it, just when you find something that works, and has been on the market for ages (Valium, 1963, no negative side effects) the doctors just have to try to replace it with something brand new, tested only by the company that manufactures it, who also stands to make money once it is released. Then a year or three later, it gets pulled from the market because of life threatening side effects. I don't think my doctor believes in Fibromyalgia. He is treating me for BiPolar, wants me on Topamax, which can cause kidney stones if you don't drink a gallon of water a day. Ever try drinking a gallon of water. Our water, I fear is probably somewhat toxic anyway, but due to being on disability, I sure can't afford bottled water. Help!

Posted 10/23/2008 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking 2 mgs of Xanax a day for nearly 15 years. I have extreme anxiety and panic disorder, and it helps tremendously with the Fibro. My dr said I shouldn't worry about becoming addicted, even though Xanax is very addictive.
Its those who dont worry about it, that want the meds for a high. I fought him years ago about taking the xanax but he said he wanted me to live as normal life as possible, and xanax was the answer. I am not afraid of getting addicted, as I never
UP my dose. I dont have any side effects from it, and am living without the tremendous fear and panic I once had.
Hope this helps
Posted 10/23/2008 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Shawn and welcome. I have been on xanax for 10 yrs for anxiety and was on it when I got fibro. The max I take is 3 mg a day and half of that is at night to sleep. I have been on higher dose but even though I have been on it that long and have shown I'm not addicted and have been going to the same doc for 15 yrs they seem to be getting stricter in what they rx. I don't know if laws have changed or what. I use to get 6 mg a day and then I wouldn't have to have it filled as often but he stopped doing that. I know it's all in a data bank when you get xanax refilled and they know the last time you got it filled no matter what drug store you go to cause we get most of our meds through the Army and all they have to do is put my name in the computer and they know when and where I got it filled last. Do they think an addict is going to use their real name if they are trying to get drugs duh. Sadly some ruin good things for us that need it. I do think sticking with the same doc helps a lot as long as your happy with them when it comes to forming trust. Addicts go from doc to doc to try and get drugs.

 

Since I was on xanax when I got fibro I don't know how much it helps me. With the amitriptyline and xanax I don't seem to have as much pain as many.

 

Don't ask for an increase keep a diary of pain and everything like how you sleep better on nights you take xanax and maybe over time they will increase it some.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 10/23/2008 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Xanax helps me with whatever my problem is. I am in so much pain. I have a lot
of diagnoses but I don't really know what's wrong with me.
Maybe if I read this board I'll get some ideas. I hope. It would be good to know.
Every day. I mean every day something hurts so gosh darn bad that I don't know
if I'm going to make it through the day, night, afternoon ... whatever.

I have read a little about Fibromyalgia. I have been diagnosed with it. I have not
believed the diagnoses but I'm beginning to.

Hope to get to know you all.
Posted 10/24/2008 12:23 AM (GMT 0)

Pamela Neckpain said...
Xanax helps me with whatever my problem is. I am in so much pain. I have a lot
of diagnoses but I don't really know what's wrong with me.
Maybe if I read this board I'll get some ideas. I hope. It would be good to know.
Every day. I mean every day something hurts so gosh darn bad that I don't know
if I'm going to make it through the day, night, afternoon ... whatever.

I have read a little about Fibromyalgia. I have been diagnosed with it. I have not
believed the diagnoses but I'm beginning to.

Hope to get to know you all.

I Know how you feel.I didn't want to believe it at first and it took me almost a year to come to terms with it.I am glad to see I am not the only one who thinks that Xanax has helped with Fibro.

Posted 10/24/2008 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
I too believe that the xanax helps us to relax and that helps with tense muscles which tend to get tense when we are in pain, furthermore causing more pain. So I think it really helps that bad pain cycle.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/30/2008 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Xanax is great, but don't take it for sleep. I used to take it at bedtime and sleep like a baby, even though my psychiatrist warned me not to do that. I thought it was great because I had no hangover the next morning. But what happens is that eventually it doesn't put you to sleep any more and you get a condition called rebound insomnia. If you thought you couldn't sleep before, this is 1,000 times worse! It took me almost 2 weeks to be able to sleep without it again - and during those 2 weeks I only slept an hour or two at night and not at all during the day. So, take it during the day if you need it, but be careful if you take it at night. nono
Posted 6/13/2012 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
smhair

I just woke up and began googling fibromyalgia and xanax....I got out of bed carefully as I always do. Stood up to shuffle my way to the restroom as I always do because it hurts to walk...I had no pain! I began to bend around move my ankles and knees and back and my left shoulder that hurts soo much...NOTHING!!

I'm shocked!!! The night before I couldn't sleep as usual. I sleep maybe 2 hrs at a time and I got to bed at about 4am and wake up at 1am feeling exhausted...I have fibromyalgia and my journey has been a horrible one for about 2 yrs....

I'm in shock right now. I took 1mg of xanax last night just because I was feeling very anxious and overwhelmed and I couldn't sleep....

These are all the meds I've tried that DO NOT WORK for me. Amitryptyline for sleep, Trazadone for sleep, Ambien for sleep, Hydrocodone, Ultram, and Celebrex.

So I cant sleep and I'm always in pain. I've been on med leave from my job for 4 months without pay. I am loosing my house because of all my medical problems. Bills got the best of me...

So I got to bed last night taking xanax. Wake up REFRESHED AND with NO PAIN!?!!?!?!?!? Whattttt???? Are you SERIOUS?

I called my dr and of course they have to call me back. I have to tell them about this. It worked!? Oh my gosh! I'm in shock and am afraid to jinx this but after seeing this forum I'm a little convinced....This works? This really works?

(shocked) I have so many mixed emotions right now....I'm afraid to be happy that I feel so good right now...I feel like ME again.
Posted 6/13/2012 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi gp4e777,

I am very happy for you. Xanax is in the benzo family. It fights anxiety and relaxes you. I take it too. Though I still have pain. I am right now starting to wean off of it because I have been on it for so many years. But I am so happy that it worked for you. It probably gave you a better sleep. Keep us posted on how you are doing. And welcome to the forum.

By the way, if you get a chance, we have a thread called "fibro 101". It is the second thread on the forum. It is very interesting and I think you would enjoy reading some things on it. I hope that the xanax continues to work for you. Take care, keep posting. IF you are interested, please do start a thread of your own. This one is from 2008 and is very old. You will get more responses that way.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/14/2012 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I also take xanax at bedtime and I sleep very well with it. You know I haven't paid attention to my pain level on the nights I take it so I will be sure to do that. I switch off some nights its xanax, some nights its melatonin and some nights its flexeril. I can sleep with all three and occasionally a benadryl helps me sleep. I only use one pill of those choices per night. If I don't take anything, then I am up all night long tossing and turning so I must take something for sleep.
Posted 6/14/2012 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I've found that narcotic painkillers don't do much for my Fibro pain. Gabapentin is doing wonders for it. Flexeril is a godsend for me. My doctor previously has prescribed Flexeril and Valium (not at the same time) and both have worked really wonderfully for me. Right now I'm on Gabapentin and Flexeril and 90% of my Fibro pain is gone.
Posted 4/1/2015 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken xanax for almost 15 years now as solo drug for my fibromialgia. You will actually laugh at the dosage. 0.25mg x2. IT WORKS. I'm functional and almost "normal". Pain in never been an issue. I deal with it, but all the rest is. I managed to get xanax prescription whilst living in Italy and Brazil. No problem supporting doctors. I'm in UK now and I'm texting bedridden. I'm off the xanax as its black flagged in England and no doctor will prescribe it. I'm having all the neurological issues of fibro. I don't react to other drugs such as lyrica or cymbalta. So I have ordered it in India and eventually next week I'll be back to life. From what I understand xanax works on the production of Gaba. I tell people it's like a switch that cuts out my over sensitivity. Technically it only works on 5% of patients but that 5% has major improvements. I'm one of them
Posted 4/1/2015 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
HI Marina,

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum. Your post may get moved to a new thread as this is an old one.

I took Xanax for many years. I use to take 4 mg a day, went down to 1-.25 a day and then went off of it. I do notice I have some more pain than I did, but I changed pain medications also. I never thought about the Xanax until now. And it stands to reason as it relaxes us.

I hope that yours arrives. The one thing I did learn from one of my doctors was that if you take it before bed (which I did for years) it interrupts the 3rd or 4th stage sleep that you need so much. I was told to take my last one about 6:00 pm.

I hope you feel well today.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/1/2015 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank all for sharing. I have never tried Xanax but after reading this I'm adding it to my list to ask my doctor . I have been taking more and more oxy to relieve pain and it doesn't always work . I tried cymbalta, lyrica, muscle relaxers. I'm sorry you are having troubles with your doctor but I appreciate the information being shared!
Posted 4/2/2015 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
This is an interesting thread and I wanted to add my little piece on xanax and fibro. I have sleep apnea and have fought it (my cpap machine) for five years. Both ambien and lunesta caused fibro like symptoms for me so I started taking xanax 1 mg at bedtime for over two years. Guess what, during that time I was diagnosed with fibro.

Anyway, recently I stopped taking xanax at bedtime, and my fibro is much, much better.

My sleep doctor a long time ago didn't want to prescribe xanax for sleep as it interrupts your sleep patterns, but it was the only thing that worked for me. So, my contribution is be careful as I'm on the side that xanax might cause fibro symptoms not the other way around.
Posted 8/4/2015 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
I was put on Xanax for anxiety about 5 years ago for temporary use for severe insets. I was going thru lots of test and doctor appts and in a lot of unexplained pain for the last 5+ years after two rounds of rheumatologists and all the chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, tries of anti depressants , finally got a confirmed diagnosis of fibro. Not happy at all. But I'm grateful for the continuous efforts for more research and info on it. Started using Xanax more often...found it worked better than any pain med, muscle relaxer, antidepressants , etc. I am currently averaging 1/2 mg twice a day sometimes more at night for sleep because no hung over effect. I'm going to start a wean process because I'm becoming tolerant , (I'm a pharmacy tech...I know all about it and what to look for) but I'm wondering if it works if that's necessary. I know improbably dependant but not addicted. Any long time users good or bad experience of long time usage? My doctor trusts me with a generous rx that j don't abusee just curious. Also fibro really sucks and I'm greatful to find others in the same boat although I wish this on no one.
Posted 8/5/2015 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
XANAX AND BENZO WARNING !!

I took Xanax for 9 months at .25 mg a day and then chose to get off it as I had done my other meds 6 months before - I went through 26 months of severe benzo withdrawals that made me beg for "just" fibromyalgia pain - total insanity and I was 100% disabled and could not work

No doubt Xanax and other benzodiazepines should help fibro - fibro has roots in the GABA system...the problem is that these drugs make the CNS more dysfunctional over time.

I have been off benzos for 24 years and my nervous system has never been the same. There are literally millions of people on forums that have been severely harmed by these drugs

( see: http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/)

PLEASE, PLEASE be careful - I thought I had found Jesus when I started Xanax and over time it took my life and my sanity.

Does not matter if it is Xanax - clonopin - valium - Ativan or any other benzo they all by design alter the CNS and not for the good
Posted 8/5/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have never been through such a Hellish nightmare as that of benzo withdrawal. Never. It makes me ill to just think of it. I have read many articles of celebrity drug addicts who have gone clean...every one claim Benzo withdrawal is the worst...worse than heroin.

Never again.
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