Need help with med sensitivity

For a friend who has fibro, cannot take narcotics, the Lyrica's or other anti-epileptic meds, antidepressants (Celexa, etc) or NSAIDs.  Doesn't know what to do, docs are not much help.  She's saving up for a wholistic doc, but in the meantime, needs help.

Anyone out there managing their pain well without any of these meds?  I appreciate any advice!

(Not me, I was taking Lyrica, it stopped working, and the best relief for me is from tramadol, roxicet and soma.  Oh, and Klonopin (less anxiety, less pain).   I can't tolerate SSRI, SNRI, or MAO inhibitors -any antidepressant, or most anit-epileptics).  Just started gabapentin yesterday, with doubts.. ).  Keep on truckin...

Rose

I don't take pain meds. I worked in a pharmacy for years and saw way to many addicts; I think it scarred me for life. My doctor prescribed Req 49+ which is a prescription strength vitamin. I had my doubts about it, but tried it anyway. It helps with the fog and the fatigue. I love it. The pain is sometimes there, but I have found that it is easier to deal with when I don't have fatigue and fog to contend with.

Hi Rosecron! Please give the Gabapentin a chance to work. I took Lyrica with little relief. For a momth I have been taking Savella. My dr. also added Gabapentin 3-300 mg/day. Two weeks ago he upped the Gabapentin to 4-600 mg/daily. The results have been GREAT! I have had 7 days with small amt of pain. I started this pm with some pain...not surprising-it's very cloudy and we expect rain tomorrow. So that explains it. aS FOR YOUR FRIEND, i CAN'T REALLY THINK OF WHAT SHE COULD TAKE. i DO HAVE ONE SUGGESTION THOUGH. i WAS SEEING A pAIN mGT. DR AND CHANGED TO AN iNTERNIST. i AM SO GLAD i CHANGED. i HOPE MAYBE i'VE HELPED A LITTLE. tAKE CARE-YOU AND YOUR FRIEND WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS AS ARE MY FRIENDS HERE AT hw AND AT mdjUNCTION. dONNA

 I have had some luck with vitamin D3.  I just increased it to 5000iu from 2000iu and have noticed a difference after about three weeks. Someone this evening said I had that look in my eye like I used to have.  That was the nicest complement to say to me.  It also made me realize that I did feel better.   We live in a world of  pain, fog and ourlives are so selfcentered that we will even take for granted the times that we do feel better.  I realize that it can be short lived because with fibro it can change from day to day. 

Different medications work for different people and  day to day is different.  Everyday you need to stretch and do something that gets you moving.  I feel the worse when I lay around.  But again,  it is easier is write this that to do it all the time.  When you know there is going to be a weather change prepare yourself by either stretching more, exersize or take something for your discomfort before it gets bad.   I had been taking Lyrica but stopped it because of the side effects and the fact that it was not helping me with the pain.  I really hoped it would work.  Thankfully for some people it does. Cymbalta has so far been the best.

Good luck

 

I tried lyrica, among other meds and pain meds and none seem to help much with my Fibro, But one day I went to see my Dr and I normally seen one, but on this day I seen the other Dr as mine was away. He told me he had a theory that alot of ppl with Fibromyalgia tend to have low to low normal thyroid tests, So he gave me a script for Pig thyroid as it closely matches humans, I was willing to give it a try, well not only did it give me ample energy, i found I didn't hurt much after taking it awhile, and on the days I forgot to take it, I felt it. However with that being said.. The good ole FDA took it off the market, But maybe there is something that will compare to it out there, I haven't got to see that Dr again, since they stopped making them, but I have apt next week to go talk to him

Tink-You can get the pig Thyroid from a compounding pharmacy (Wellness Pharmacy is where I get mine).
To everyone else thanks for the advice! I always know I can come here and get great ideas that are pretty easy!
RoseCrone

Rose,
I'm glad to see someone else going herbal. Other than the occasional darvacet I'm off dr drugs now. I got so sick and tired
of taking them. One time I had a flare so bad I took 4 darvies and 3 flexoril and it didn't touch the pain. Now I'm on herbals
I don't have most of the problems. I've had arthritis for 49 years (I was 7 when it started) and was diagnosed with fibro about
10 years ago. I've done the gambit of meds for both problems. I have knee and sciatic issues from falling once at work and the
other on ice but I keep on trucking. I've only been to the drs twice in the last year and a half but need to go with the knee thing
soon and it's getting hard to drive my stick shift. If you need any herbal advice get in touch.....
Nana Monster

It is amazing how much I learn everytime I get on healingwell! And I am really thrilled to be able to help my friend with suggestions from here :)
NANA I will be in touch!
I should update my signature, I am also up to my elbows in vitamins, minerals and other supplements (some herbal), aside from the prescriptions. Trying to get more exercise but between being hard to just do it, I do not feel better after and I can only keep up something that does not seem to help for a little while! I am gardening a little (cleaning up, that is).
By the way, my friend can't take NSAIDs either HTG.
Don't know if she tried the malic acid thing yet.
Tink I goofed. It is Women's International Pharmacy (WIP) that compounds the pig thyroid. (I use Wellness for something else). I just had a refill sent to me about 2 weeks ago from WIP. They call it P-thyroid. Of course you need a prescription.

The tramdol/gabapentin relationship makes sense, in the AM I take them together. I am happy to say so far side effects are manageable. I don't think I am at a therapeutic dose though. My doc may have me increase next time I see her so we'll see about getting to a dose that does something. Something good, that is!
Again, thanks and hugs to all who are helping!
Rose