What meds are you all on?

[fiberowendy2000]

I realized we haven't talked about this yet but since we are all different and dealing with different aspects of FM what meds help you with your particular symptoms?
For me, its bi-weekly shots of depo-medrol in my shoulder and back, 750mg of robaxin x 6 a day, and Trazodone.
So what are you on?

[DM]

Hi Wendy! Thanks for starting this thread. I take .50 mg Clonazepam and 50 mg of Trazadone at bedtime. In the morning, I take 75 mg of Effexor XR.

I also have Ultram as needed. BUT, I am very interested in the depo medrol that you take. I have terrible shoulder/neck pain and the Ultram does nothing for it... Do you go to a pain spec???
Thanks for any info.

Did I mention that FM stinks??? Guess you already know that.

I'm in a flare up right now. :(

[fanfaire]

I have an assortment of ailments in addition to the fibro, so I'll just list the most fibro-specific meds:

1. Zolpidem 10mg (generic Ambien) for sleep. I had much better success with Lunesta and Sonata, but my new insurance won't cover them.

2. Skelaxin 800mg as needed. It's a non-sedating muscle relaxant, but it upsets my stomach, so I only take it prior to a massage or dental appointment where I need to be alert enough to drive.

3. Diazepam 5mg as needed as a muscle relaxant. It isn't terribly sedating, but I avoid taking it when I'm going to be driving just to be safe.

4. Baclofen 20mg as needed for muscle stiffness and spasms. I only take this at bedtime, and only when I have nothing important to do the next day as it gives me a terrible hangover.

Unfortunately, I cannot tolerate any narcotics, Ultram, any anti-depressants, Flexeril, Trazodone or Klonopin. I had limited success with Lyrica, Neurontin and Topamax; all three worked for a few months and then suddenly didn't help at all at any dose, like I had suddenly developed an immunity to them. I take my muscle relaxants very sparingly as I'm afraid they'll stop working too, and then I'll have nothing to help me with muscle pain/spasms.

Good topic.

fanfaire
:cool:

[rashelle]

Hi, I moved and saw a new cps last week. He said because I don't have insurance, there is no need to write me scripts for the good meds. He gave me triazolam to sleep and norco. I lost the best insurance when my son got in a wreck and I had to quite work to take of him. I fell so all alone. I don't expect something for nothing, oh well. The Dr. said I need blood test, a mri, x-rays and so on, but all he can do is write paine scripts. If I get a serious disease I won't know and just die. Any way at onetime I had a upper cervical epidural and pin point injections, they both helped. Oh I also take Zloft. Good Luck

[fiberowendy2000]

Hi Wendy! Thanks for starting this thread. I take .50 mg Clonazepam and 50 mg of Trazadone at bedtime. In the morning, I take 75 mg of Effexor XR.

I also have Ultram as needed. BUT, I am very interested in the depo medrol that you take. I have terrible shoulder/neck pain and the Ultram does nothing for it... Do you go to a pain spec???
Thanks for any info.

Did I mention that FM stinks??? Guess you already know that.

I'm in a flare up right now. :(

Yes I go to a pain specialist for my shoulder shots. Without these shots my left shoulder would be in intense pain and spread throughout my back. Happiness is a happy shoulder!:D
I should mention I have other meds I take, but I wanted to center on the meds we take for FM.
My dosages for my meds are:
Robaxin: 750mg x 6 a day
Trazodone: 150mg at night
Depo-Medrol shots: average 10 shots per session of 40mg along with Marcaine to help numb up the area.

[tinkieanne]

Hi everyone,the meds question is a good one. I am taking fentynal duragesic patch every 60 hours,percocet for breakthrough pain,flexeril for muscle spasms and myofascial pain disorder,xanax,and phenergan in case fo stomach upset. I was recently put on rozeram for sleep. It actually has helped alot it works differently than most sleeping pills because this adjusts your sleep patterns as well as helping with sleep,and I'm sure everyone with FMS has sleep problems. I have never heard of the shot you get can you tell me a little bit about that? Thank you!:)

[DM]

Yes I go to a pain specialist for my shoulder shots. Without these shots my left shoulder would be in intense pain and spread throughout my back. Happiness is a happy shoulder!:D
I should mention I have other meds I take, but I wanted to center on the meds we take for FM.
My dosages for my meds are:
Robaxin: 750mg x 6 a day
Trazodone: 150mg at night
Depo-Medrol shots: average 10 shots per session of 40mg along with Marcaine to help numb up the area.

Thanks Wendy... I know I'm coming back to this late, but your pain spec info is very helpful. If my neck/back starts in again, I already have a pain spec. lined up. I will NOT go thru that ordeal of suffering thru the pain all winter, like I did last yr. Thanks again......

[fiberowendy2000]

Oh no problem. The shots are my saving grace as I may have said before. I would not be able to work without them.
Anne, the shot is a injectable steroid called depo-medrol and it helps breakup the stiffness in my shoulder/back. When I am really bad you can actually her my muscle crackle like rice krispies. Unfortunately it only lasts 2 weeks for me and its back to the doc for more shots.

[hurtsobad73]

I think it is really important to see what works for other people. I haven't really found a medicine that works for me continually. I really like the idea of the depo-medrol shots. My rheumy has never suggested this.

Currently I am taking Lyrica 200mg x 2 times daily...so in all 400mg. For muscle relaxants I have been given tizavidine...generic for Zanaflex...4mg tablets.
No one else has mentioned this drug. Has anyone else had experience with it and if so how has it worked/not worked for you. I received this medication when my whole body was in a spasm. I was literally lifted off the bed about an inch. It hurt so bad. Has anyone had that happen as well?

Any input/advice/experiences are greatly appreciated and a sincere thanks to you.

M

[fanfaire]

I did try Zanaflex five years ago, but I had what would be considered a paradoxical reaction to it. Instead of relaxing my muscles, it caused them to twitch violently. Probably something that only happens in one percent or less of patients.

Hope you have better luck with it. Most people tolerate it much better than I did.

fanfaire
:cool:

[sharky]

I use natural / homeopathic medicine... and some oriental

right now Pinnapple juice , Arnica montana and stop pain spray,...

[sharky]

opps and epsom salt baths with aromatherepy

[Anne at FibroFix]

Decongestant + Guaifenesin (expectorant) to clear bodywide congestion.

Treat drinking water by adding alkali solution (comp pharm makes it for me) to keep it neutral - 7.4 ph.

Test and monitor saliva pH to keep it as close as possible to 7.0.

Paxil - at night. Have serotonin problems - depression, panic/anxiety, obsessive/compulsive and procrastination - and they came with the Fibro.

Don't eat any acid food or drink. From grapefruit to even raisins.
No soft drinks.
No tomatoes in any form.

Eat a small amount of protein (cheese works) before bed to eliminate night sweats.

Wear eye mask and ear plugs to block out all light and all sound at the head for deep restorative sleep.

Annie

[ppinkow]

I have fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder with anxiety, degenerative disk disease, sciatica, arthritis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. For those, I take Lyrica, Lamictal, Celexa, Trazadone, Klonopin, Procardia XL, Univasc, Potassium, and Hydrodiuril. I just started on the Lyrica a few days ago and notice only slight relief. Hopefully, it will become more effective. Except for the sciatica and disk disease, everything is controlled well by my meds. However, the pain from the sciatica and fibro is debilitating at times. Do you have any tips for pain control/management? I've read a lot of stuff but never communicated with anyone about it. Does the depo-medrol help? I had one trigger point injection that helped for a week. Should I ask my doctor to give my the bi-weekly ones that you take? I am in agony. Thanks for any info. :o

[fiberowendy2000]

I think it is really important to see what works for other people. I haven't really found a medicine that works for me continually. I really like the idea of the depo-medrol shots. My rheumy has never suggested this.

Currently I am taking Lyrica 200mg x 2 times daily...so in all 400mg. For muscle relaxants I have been given tizavidine...generic for Zanaflex...4mg tablets.
No one else has mentioned this drug. Has anyone else had experience with it and if so how has it worked/not worked for you. I received this medication when my whole body was in a spasm. I was literally lifted off the bed about an inch. It hurt so bad. Has anyone had that happen as well?

Any input/advice/experiences are greatly appreciated and a sincere thanks to you.

M
Zanaflex did nothing for me.....which lead me to the Robaxin!

[fiberowendy2000]

I have fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder with anxiety, degenerative disk disease, sciatica, arthritis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. For those, I take Lyrica, Lamictal, Celexa, Trazadone, Klonopin, Procardia XL, Univasc, Potassium, and Hydrodiuril. I just started on the Lyrica a few days ago and notice only slight relief. Hopefully, it will become more effective. Except for the sciatica and disk disease, everything is controlled well by my meds. However, the pain from the sciatica and fibro is debilitating at times. Do you have any tips for pain control/management? I've read a lot of stuff but never communicated with anyone about it. Does the depo-medrol help? I had one trigger point injection that helped for a week. Should I ask my doctor to give my the bi-weekly ones that you take? I am in agony. Thanks for any info. :o
If you tell the doc that they only last for a week....then she/he should be able to help you. I think that steroids can only be given every 2 weeks though. Something about brittle bones.
I tell you if I didn't go every 2 weeks I would be a hurting soldier.

[Happygeek]

I have an assortment of ailments in addition to the fibro, so I'll just list the most fibro-specific meds:

1. Zolpidem 10mg (generic Ambien) for sleep. I had much better success with Lunesta and Sonata, but my new insurance won't cover them.

2. Skelaxin 800mg as needed. It's a non-sedating muscle relaxant, but it upsets my stomach, so I only take it prior to a massage or dental appointment where I need to be alert enough to drive.

3. Diazepam 5mg as needed as a muscle relaxant. It isn't terribly sedating, but I avoid taking it when I'm going to be driving just to be safe.

4. Baclofen 20mg as needed for muscle stiffness and spasms. I only take this at bedtime, and only when I have nothing important to do the next day as it gives me a terrible hangover.

Unfortunately, I cannot tolerate any narcotics, Ultram, any anti-depressants, Flexeril, Trazodone or Klonopin. I had limited success with Lyrica, Neurontin and Topamax; all three worked for a few months and then suddenly didn't help at all at any dose, like I had suddenly developed an immunity to them. I take my muscle relaxants very sparingly as I'm afraid they'll stop working too, and then I'll have nothing to help me with muscle pain/spasms.

Good topic.

fanfaire
:cool:
Did you take the Topamax for your fibro pain? I take it for migraine prevention...I am up to 200mg a day and it is not helping head or fibro pain...so thinking about changing to another med just for the fibro pain...thoughts?
Lisa

[finz]

Hi Happygeek,

This thread is 4 years old (the other one you bumped was about 2 years old). Oftentimes, posters move on from the forum and won't see your replies.

While there is a lot of sage advice in old threads, if you have current questions, you'll usually get more responses by starting a new thread about the issue.

Sorry, I have no experience with Topamax. Good luck !

[-JR-]

Did you take the Topamax for your fibro pain? I take it for migraine prevention...I am up to 200mg a day and it is not helping head or fibro pain...so thinking about changing to another med just for the fibro pain...thoughts?
Lisa

I seem to have my FM pain and sleep problems under control witn zanax and vicodin (now oxycodone). Before I got on this combination my sleep deprivation was extreme. It was so bad one of my employees asked me to accompany her to her neurologist's appointment and explain what I had found on her (I am a chiropractor). When we got in the room the neuro (a good friend of mine) turned to me and said this appointment is for you. Your staff is having a hard time working with you due to your severe sleep disorder and unsociable behavior.

We tried vicodin and zanax and it worked. I went fron several years of one to four hours sleep a night to a restful all night sleep on the first day.

Since I first started this we have made minor increases in strength and now ten years later I am still sleeping through the night almost every night 95%+.

Before trying this my GP (also a godd friend of mine) had put me on every thing he could think of to stop restless legs (except any narcotic pain reliever. I don't know if I would still be alive if the neurologist had not been brave enough to step up and try this even though it is definitely not considered an appropriate treatment for restless legs.

I am now taking 1mg of zanax and 1 oxycodone-acetaminophen (7.5-3.25) about 30 minutes before I want to go to sleep. I would suggest trying this if you are also suffering from restless leg (mine was very severe).

[joydow]

I take topomax and lamictil both for bipolar disorder but topomaxhas been known to help fibro
I take tinazadine 1 Mg a muscle relaxer cymbalta60 mg just started 2 weeks ago.
Nambutone 750 Mg antiflammatory. Oxycontin20 Mg twice daily Percocet 10 Mg twicedaily
With all these Meds I am still in pain.
Do yoga 3 times week pool. Aerobics twice a week

[Rndawn10]

I realized we haven't talked about this yet but since we are all different and dealing with different aspects of FM what meds help you with your particular symptoms?
For me, its bi-weekly shots of depo-medrol in my shoulder and back, 750mg of robaxin x 6 a day, and Trazodone.
So what are you on?

If you are looking to treat your symptoms, you are doing that but if you want to "treat" the potential, underlying cause of fibromyalgia, then seek a biomedical doctor and be evaluated for yeast(typically candida albicans).


Yours in health,

Rndawn10

[lemac259]

I realized we haven't talked about this yet but since we are all different and dealing with different aspects of FM what meds help you with your particular symptoms?
For me, its bi-weekly shots of depo-medrol in my shoulder and back, 750mg of robaxin x 6 a day, and Trazodone.
So what are you on?

New to this site, great info. I've had fibro for about 25 years. I'm very sensitive to meds. I am on Lunesta 3mg and Ultram 25mg both at night for sleep. This has been my cocktail for the last year or so and usually helps me sleep. During acute pain episodes, I can take a whole ultram 50mg, but it makes my brain fog so bad that I can't function and have to wait until I'm home from work.

Lately the muscle twitches, tremors have been much worse, constant. I have tried Lyrica and Cymbalta in the past but could not tolerate the side effects. Am looking into Neurontin, looks like a lot of you have had success with it. Also am going to try Amitriptyline low dose for the chronic headaches that have begun.

So thankful for this thread and to see what works and what doesn't. I do know it is not a one size fits all disease so we each may have our own formula for what works, but thankful for everyone sharing their victories as well as their failures so we can learn of the possibilities.