is it my meds or my life?

Hi there,

So I'm new to this site and am basically looking for advice/support. I've had fibro for about 6 six years and I started taking Lyrica about 18 months ago. I also see a chiropractor, physical therapist, and massage therapist regularly for pain management. In the last 3 months my life has undergone a major upheaval. Not necessarily in a bad way, just a new job in a new city. Some of my friends moved away. And although I wasn't overjoyed with these changes I didn't think they were that big of a deal.

Well, the last couple weeks I feel like I've been going into a tailspin depression wise. My mom thinks the Lyrica is making any sad feelings I may be having 10x worse. In desperation I backed off the Lyrica down to 150mg once a day. But all my little aches and pains came back. Maybe not full force but stronger than I've felt them in 18 months. Then a few days later I hit rock bottom.

I thought it might be my hormones making things worse too so I decided to start taking birth control again to get a handle on my emotions.

So anyway, I'm feeling better emotionally but since I'm still at only 150mgs of the Lyrica (half my old dose) I'm still feeling all those random pains and I'm not sleeping well. So now I'm thinking about going back to my regular Lyrica routine and am just hoping that the birth control will help settle my feelings?

But I'm scared that going back up will just make the depression come back (or come back stronger as it's not totally left me). I haven't gotten to the root of the problem yet with why I'm unhappy. And even if I did, I don't know how to fix my situation so I feel better.

Anyway, I guess just some advice or encouragement would be appreciated. I hate thinking that the Lyrica will lower my pain but it might make me depressed. I was doing so well on it for so long I really hate for that to be the case.

Hi Fibrohelp and Peach Angel,

Welcome both of you to the forum...

I have to take antidepressants along with pain medication to get by.

I totally understand the probiotic route. Well, kind of. I had a dog that had food allergies and we went on probiotics and enzymes. It helped her a lot.

I hope you both stick around, this is an awesome forum. Many good members. So caring and supportive.

When you get the chance, check out the first thread on the forum called "fibro 101". It is an awesome thread and has a lot of information there.

I hope you both have a good day.

Hugs, Karen...

Yes, we have to keep our doctors in the loop. That's the only way they can help us. I can't help thinking that if you were on the Lyrica for 18 months with no problem, that's probably not why you suddenly got more depressed (but of course, I'm no expert.)

Anyway, keep us informed on how you're doing. Good luck.

Debbie

Hi, fibrohelp, and welcome! Yes, Lyrica can cause depression to get worse. If you google "Lyrica cause depression" you will find it there. But, Lyrica isn't the only medication out there. Some have success with Savella or Cymbalta. You need to sit down with your doctor with a list of your symptoms and questions you want answered. This will not only be good for you but also good for the doctor. As others have said, don't try to regulate your medications. You really can run into difficulties that way.

There are a couple of supplements that have helped quite a few members on this forum, including me. They are magnesium malate and vitamin D3. Many can be deficient in these and that will cause more pain. There are links in Fibro 101 about these and how they work in your body.

Speaking of Fibro 101, be sure to read it. It's the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.

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

I'm glad to hear you're doing better! Yeah, that's got to be tough, getting treatment in a foreign country.

Good luck!

Debbie