Fibromyalgia

[nursie]

I am new to this and fairly new to fibro.....45 year old nurse working full time with 2 kids and a wonderful husband. Weekends seem to be my "fibro" time. I have tried Lyrica and Cymbalta for the last month. Not sure if they are helping or my life is de-stressing.....can't afford to be on both for much longer..

[Candace]

I have been on it for a few months now 300 mg daily. It has helped but not to the degree that I can return to normal duties. I have been out of work with this since feb07 at which time I was put on cymbalta 60. I can not cook a small meal and do the dishes at the same time... sad but true. Most days cant event cook the small meal...when I do I have a small chair in front of the stove to sit on. :( At least the lyrica has helped me to get out of the bed most days. Docs -- phych, neuro and counceling, pain mgmt and I have worked continuously - switching meds etc but no luck with finding my previous life yet....I am now 44 and have battled 15 yrs with complicated migraines and also take depakote 500 since all this began....
Best of luck to you.
Candace

[bevie]

Oh dear, won't your insurance pay for it??? I have been on Cymbalta for over a year and what a wonderful drug to help with depression and pain of Fibro. Lyrica was just introduced a couple weeks ago, and I'm amazed at how it's helping the pain. I was beginning to think I would have to live on Percocets daily for the rest of my live or something even stronger as that was becoming less effective!~ Now I've only had one Percocet in 4 days!!! Yahhhhooooo. I'm almost afraid to say I'm better, but I feel more like I did several years ago at least. Soooo...since this post was written sometime ago, how are you doing now??? Did you continue with both meds??? Being on Medicare now with secondary ins I still have to pay a price for the Cymbalta and probably will for the Lyrica don't know yet...but $78.00 for 3 mos supply for the Cymbalta sure beat what I was paying without ins before Medicare...I was paying over $155. a mo!~!! I can't believe they can't make a quick generic for it..eheheheh!!!
Take care and let me know how you are doing hon....I know working full time with Fibro and the host of other bothersome things that go along with is very difficult...(((gentle hugs)))) Bevie

[nursie]

Since my posting I went off most all my meds and quit drinking Diet Coke. Didn't see any change. I am now on Trazadone at night for sleep (I call it my "dumb" pill) and just last night I started back on Lyrica twice a day. I have had a flare for so long...............I have a really understanding family but it doesn't make the pain go away!! My doctor told me to exercise (ha,ha) and gave me a sheet of psychiatrists names and told me I need to talk to somebody. (frustrating)

Thank God for websites and friends like you to help me throught this!!!

Happy Fibromyalgia Awareness Day!!!!!!!!!!!

[searain]

I am new to this and fairly new to fibro.....45 year old nurse working full time with 2 kids and a wonderful husband. Weekends seem to be my "fibro" time. I have tried Lyrica and Cymbalta for the last month. Not sure if they are helping or my life is de-stressing.....can't afford to be on both for much longer..

I have been on Lyrica for two months now and am a different person. Please try to stay on it if you can. If your insurance co cannot pay for it, you can try going straight to the company that makes it, I have heard that medications can be bought for $1.00 from the company. Ask your dr about getting samples until you can get it cheaper.

good luck and gentle hugs

[liquidman]

You mentioned that you quit drinking Diet Coke. Is there a connection?

[Candace]

I am spending $100 per month on this med. How do I contact them directly to get fast results. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. I am currently filing bankruptcy due to being out of work for over a year and the mental part that comes along with this. Thanks for mentioning this in your post.
Candace

[Unicorn71]

I was diagnosed with fibro in 2000 and my doctor has had me on anything and everything imaginable and I have been on Lyrica and Cymbalta for over a year and and they haven't helped with the pain. I am on the Fentynol patch now and for about 4 months it helped with the pain but now it doesn't and I'm going to see the doctor tomorrow to see if she can up my dosage to 75 micrograms. I haven't been able to work in about 6 years. I have been to see psychologists and been through pain management and even aquatic therapy and I haven't been able to find anything to give me a happy medium with the pain. I am a 36 year old male and a recovering alcoholic and drug addict and I have been clean and sober for a little over 7 years. I am hoping that someone here can be of some help as to what to try to eleviate some of this pain that we live with day to day. My wife is so wonderful because she has essential tremors and she also deals with my fibro everyday. She tells me that she understands and I honestly think she does because she has been by my side for a long time. I couldn't ask for a more wonderfully helping woman. So if there is anyone that can help I'd appreciate it
Thanks to all
Scott

[sammy157]

Hi Scott,
I was Dx. with Fibro. little over two years ago. I get Lido. infusions, and I find it Very helpfull. I am going once a month, but just started doing that (1-a-month) in Nov.2008. Now starting this month, Jan 2009 I'll be going every month. It helps so many people, that it is hard to get an appt. for one. I'll keep you posted on how it's working. I am also on Lyrica, but had some problems with that drug, so now my dose is lowered, and we are going to watch it closer. Please let me know how you are doing, as your post was awhile ago (: I will Pray for you, as I do for all here. Be Well and I hope this New Year brings you better health, and less pain!!!!
Sammy157

[lindacarlson]

Hello, this is my first time in this web site. Good luck. I have been totally disabled with Chronic Fatigue Syndrom & Fibro for over 6 years. Tried Lyrica-had hallucinations,bad dreams-really scary. not much relief from pain. Stopped after 1 week. See my doctor monthly. Very incapicated,but living with it. Keep on trucking.Be your best advocate for your own symptoms.Try to not over-do,pace yourself. Do not suffer. I take opiates.They work fine for me. No addictive behavior-just good pain control. Wish to hear from you. Isolation is my greatest issue.Started a support group locally-we met for over 3.5 yrs--very good idea,very good.Took chronic conditions workshop-also helped me. Learn to ask for help. Excercise may not help.Massage works for me. Internet may help me now.Best wishes. whatever your symptoms, they are real.I did receive SSDI benefits after 2 years of horrible suffering-those days are past.I am not getting any worse. Bye, now. Linda Carlson