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Posted 10/2/2014 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Being a newbie on here and recently diagnosed I feel better reading all these posts. Today has not been a good day. I had such sharp shooting pains yesterday I had to leave work. I hate doing this because I worry that they are going to fire me because I cannot qualify for FMLA because I have not been with the company for a year. So today I am forcing myself to be here I hurt so bad I couldn't believe how hard it was for me to get dressed even for work. First time I am experiencing this. I have a question can the medicines we are prescribed make it worse? I have dealt with many of my symptoms for years before I finally found a doctor to actually diagnose me with Fibro. But it seems its just getting worse instead of better.
shakehead

Heathera
Posted 10/2/2014 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure about the medicine, i take only tramadol and anti inflammatory...sounds like maybe its not helping ?

Did they rule out other things? Sounds like it could be good to see your dr again and let him know how much worse you are now.

It is often difficult to find just the right treatment plan, as we all respond differently.

Hope your day gets better
Posted 10/2/2014 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I see the dr on Tuesday. A month ago he adjusted my medicine. Took me off Soma and put me on the Robaxin. I have RA and DDD as well. I know stress has a lot to do with it but I just want to feel better. Doctors tend to intimidate me but I want him to give me Gabapentin as I was on this years ago for the nerve pain (I know lately I feel like I have bugs crawling on me) I still don't think that the Efexxor (not sure if that is spelled right) is not really helping as I am still having anxiety attacks. But I think that there has to be something to cut down my pain. I try to walk for exercise and right now I'm only up to a couple of blocks in our community. I try to take the stairs at work for exercise but some days it feels like my muscles in my legs are about to rip apart. Sorry to vent but just feeling overwhelmed with this right now.
Posted 10/2/2014 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I've had success with Neurontin (gabapentin), also. Helps with nerve pain and it seems to 'take the edge off' of pain, in general.

At first I was given 300 mg tablets. Then, my doctor gave me 100 mg tablets, which I like much better, because sometimes 200 mg or even as low as 100 mg helps, without the side effects being a big problem. I still get a little groggy, but nothing like on the higher dosage.

Have you tried over-the-counter muscle rub creams? Even some of the generic ones help me. Also, warm baths or showers, heating pads, and microwavable 'bed buddies.' Some people prefer ice, but to me, heat helps more.

Regarding meds: It's so true: You have to find the med that works best for you. Some here have suggested seeing a board-certified rheumatologist, which sounds like a great idea. Since I live in such a rural area, I haven't taken that approach, at least yet.

Hope you're feeling better soon! Also, welcome to the forum! People here really do seem to understand what we're going through. I sometimes use the search box (above)--just another way to look for help. Feel free to ask any questions about fibro here---we're here for you. :-)
Posted 10/2/2014 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Heather:

I am sorry to read of your health challenges.

The DDD is not really a disease, it is a condition. Many people have arthritis but have no symptoms. People can have Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. In myself, I have Osteoarthritis, DDD, Fibromyalgia, chronic headaches - Neuralgia and I.B. I have nerve damage. I have symptoms.

Medications are quite individual. What works for one may not in another. Your nerves have to be working for your muscles to work. Pain is a huge problem. Being in pain is stressful.

Are you on medication for your RA? There are a number of meds that are available for RA. You have two complex illnesses. Don't ever feel intimidated by Doctors. They are working for you. They are making a living by helping people to be healthy and helping people to cope with the ever so many illnesses that can inflict people. Make a list of your symptoms and tell your Doctors. Tell them how it impairs your work and life in general. Try to be brief. I have read that Doctors truly carefully listen to the first couple minutes only. It is not true for all but I have been to Doctors where they wanted a time limit and if you can't fit it all in, you have to come back.

Why did you come off Gabapentin? I was on Lyrica for a couple years. Off mostly due to weight gain. I realized when off Lyrica and Arthritis Tylenol that they were helping some. I will never be totally pain free.

I am on disability. My Employer had disability insurance, many do not and even if they do, you often need a lawyer. It is so hard to work when you are ill. I used to work with colds but the Fibromyalgia is over the top for me. I tried to keep my job but the pain and stiffness did not allow me to do the tasks of my work. Yes, it is overwhelming.

I do hope you get some help from your Health Care providers.

Loring
Posted 10/2/2014 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
The gabenpentin was given by another doctor at the time supposedly because I kept having so many issues with my back and sharp shooting pains. I am not currently on anything for my RA but you are right about having both a doctor I seen in TN when I lived there did some testing and diagnosed me with both along with DDD. I suffer from chronic headaches (migraines and tension) I have Imatrex and use a generic brand of tension headache that wards off some of my headaches. Luvz...I practically live with a tube of Icy Hot because it does give some relief. Heat works sometimes but other times I find it makes the pain worse. Has anyone had this happen? Loring..thanks for the encouragement about not being intimidated by the doctor. I think part of it has to do with the anxiety. I have found the one I am currently seeing falls into the category of he listens intently about the first five minutes. So I am going to try your suggestion and make a list prior to my appointment on Tuesday. Thank you everyone for listening and helping me I think having the diagnosis and trying to find something to work has been very stressful. I only hope it gets at least a bit more tolerable.
Posted 10/2/2014 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Heather, when they find the right medicines for you personally. You will be better...

My docs wife has fibro, so i got lucky with a decent program early.
Just tell him you need him to work with you til you find what works.

I will say that my doctor does listen very well.. And he knows i do not like to go in...so if i am there, something is really wrong. At one point he referred me to a pain specialist but , he really only wanted to write for meds too strong for me to take... So i only go to my primary..i was originally diagnosed be a rhuemy , but he saw my mother who also had fibro, as well as my older sister
Posted 10/3/2014 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
The side effects of some of the meds can make you feel worse. Just be cautious and research them fully before you try them to know what to expect. Unfortunately, the meds affect different people different ways. I will say that if I could go back in time I'd try changing my diet before I ever tried any of the meds. In the long run doing that helped me more than any meds ever did.
Posted 10/3/2014 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hear ya counting spoons, my summer diet is not as healthy as my fall and winter diet..and i am feeling that...get back to my mega healthy soups soon and i know that will help.
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