If you have Fibromyalgia, what medicines do you take if any and what do you do to help with the pain?

I have fibromyalgia and I take Amitriptyline (generic Elavil). I tried some other medications, but they didn't work for me at all.

I used to take 25mg, but I tried to go off of it and couldn't (too much physical pain) and now take 10mg. I only take it at night because it makes me verrrrry sleeeeeepy. zzzzzzzz...

Hope that helps-
Laurana

Thanks Laurana. Do you get out everyday, like go to work, school or whatever? I am currently on Cymbalta antidepressant that helps with pain and Klonopin antianxiety which also helps with pain. I still have to push myself to go to work and by the time I get home I want to get in the bed because I am sooo tired.

Hi , I also was told I have fibromyalgia I was diagnosed in 2001 , I also was told I have Chronic fatique syndrome ibs , I take Amitriptyline 25 mgs at bedtime and also baclofen 30 mgs , I have been taking them for about 4 yrs now , I was on other meds before but stopped taking them since they did not help me, I have alot of pain and other medical issues besides the fm
Dee

Do you think that fb is related to anxiety? I think me having the aches and pains causes me anxiety and depression too. Sometimes, like today,I hurt in my right arm/elbow area and especially in my right hip that I have a hard time concetrating on what I need to do.

Hi Everyone - I'm new to this. I am working throug the program, though. It's GREAT! ~~ About the pain you feel. Before I began recognizing the link (for me, your story may be different) between my stress/anxiety/depression and how my body felt, I was extremely tense, body-wise. I'd be so stiff in the morning, that I'd have to sit in my hot tub for 20 minutes, just to be able to be limber enough to take a shower. I'd get dressed for work, then find I was still so stiff that I couldn't bend over to tie my shoes. Sometimes my husband would tie my shoes for me, sometimes I just didn't go into work. I switched from laced shoes to velcro closures, and I still couldn't do it. ~~ Another thing about body pain - I clamp my jaws. I wear a guard at night now, but years ago I actually clamped so hard that I "gave myself" what appeared to be two abscessed teeth. I couldn't close my mouth entirely, because the wisdom tooth and molar next to it were so swollen, they prevented it. The dentist found no infection, but did two root canals. ~~ My point is that stress/anxiety not only takes over your thoughts, it can take over your body. ~~ I'm not dismissing your pain, I just want to share that when I began to think differently about the pain (that it was another way my anxiety was expressing itself), it has almost completely disappeared. And I have to mention that Linda's breathing exercise and positive "replacement" talk (that's what I call it) has helped me tremendously. ~~

Hey klrskyz,
Thanks for your input. Hope you get to feeling better. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1996. I am now off of Cymbalta, switched to Elavil and take Klonopin as needed with my doctor's guidance. My anxiety and depression is much better now. My stiffness and pain however is still with me. When my stress is high, or I eat certain things, I get flare ups bad. I have a sheet that I started filling out that rates my pain throughout the day and keep track of what I eat, and what activities I do. Thanks again for everybody's input.

Joy -
I've learned so much from you! Tell me, which type of food gives you flare-ups? Stress can cause so many things, but food - I don't know a thing about that (except that caffiene isn't good for you).
Thanks!

Actually I don't believe fibromyalgia is anxiety. I believe people with FMS have more anxiety due to being ill every single day. There are many physiciological studies being done that show we have more substance p in our spines than those without FMS. I have many friends with FMS that do not have an anxiety disorder nor are they depressed. It is a real disease with scientific and medical proof of what is off in our bodies that can be contributing to our disease. Also, many with FMS which is a rheumatological disease also have lupus and or other diseases. FMS can mimic lupus and MS at its worst. I have tried everything including the oxycontins and now currently am doing 120mg of cymbalta and it has helped the neuropathic pain tremendously. With FMS it is imperative to learn to manage stress/anxiety as it makes flare ups and every day living so much worse.

To bring you all up to date, I am currently on Elavil, Klonopin and Guaifenesin Protocol. Cymbalta does not agree with my chemistry. I have been on Guaifenesin anyway because of sinus and allergy problems. I have found that it has been very helpful and gets me through the day as I have to work full time. Also, I have found that if I cut back on any sweets before bedtime, which is my weakness, that I don't wake up as stiff and swollen in the mornings. I do believe, however, that anxiety and depression comes into the picture because of having to deal with the pain and symptoms everyday. It's not fun when you have to call the boss once or twice a week and tell them u can't come in because of the pain and flare ups.

I have talked with a lot of people with fibromyalgia and some of them have it so bad that they have to go on disability.

I have learned that with anything I have struggled with that writing and talking about it is a big plus. I know that it is easier said than done but when you change your negative thoughts to positive ones it is another big plus. It works for me. My heart goes out to anyone that has to struggle with anything that they have to face everyday. God bless.

I have had FMS since 2000. I worked on a hay ranch and also was a produce manager at same time. So, I was healthy and in good shape.But,in 1999 I had a terrible 4-wheeling accident. The doc's. said I was fortunate to be alive. Anyways, around the new year I noticed my energy level was changing for the worse and I also started aching. By the time I got home from work I was in tears. Plus I started sleeping a couple of hours a night and then I'd wake up off & on all night. So, I was exhausted all day. Anyways, I was diagnosed w/FMS. I found out an accident or something traumatic happpening in your life can bring on FMS. I had to quit my job and eventually had to go on disibility because I was in bed for months. But, I got a book called "The Fibromyalgia Advocate" by Devin J. Starlanyl, M.D. She is a Dr. who has FMS & also something I was diagnosed with Chronic Myofascial Pain. Anyways 8 years later I am doing so much better. But, I learned there are many things that make up FMS. Flu-like aching, anxiety, depression, IBS and that stress mental & physical, when we push ourselves is the worst thing for us w/FMS. After many med's they finally put me on a small dose of methodone 5 m.g. 3 times a day. It stopped my pain! To help with sleep/pain I take Elavil, for anxiety Librium and for Depression I recently was put on Cymbalta what a blessing it also helps anxiety and FMS pain! But, my goal is to work hard with this program and get off these meds. If anybody has any questions about anything I mentioned or just needs to talk. I'm here. We're all in this together!

Hi Joy, I have the fibro along with some other junk. Anyways a year ago along with other pain meds my doc had me try Lyrica. It has helped SOOOOO much with the over all aches and pains. I take a dose in the am and in pm and it truly has helped me. I hope this helps you and others, Bruce

Hi - this is the first time i've participated in any chat groups, but i wanted to reply regarding fibromyalgia. I have been diagnosed since 1989, when it wasn't even considered a real "disease". I have been through multiple doctors and medical protocols.

The medications that are currently helping me the most are Lyrica, 150 bid, Cymbalta 30 mg in the morning and 120 in the evening (this also helps take care of the sleep issue) and i take good old fashioned Salsalate (prescription strength aspirin).

I have a very long list of medical issues and keep a shoebox for my meds, but found that for fibro, that medical protocol helped me the most.

I have found that stress aggravates the fibro and the pain from the fibro alternatively aggravates the stress.

I refuse to be taken down by this disease and I believe that keeps me going. There have been many, many times that i have wanted to just lay down and die. Including most recently, but that just doesn't seem to be God's plan.

Bless you all.