Severe Stiffness

[Barb925]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia approximately 3 years ago.  I have become worse in the past 6 months. My dr recently placed me on Lyrica.  It makes me very drowsy, but it helps with my pain and I hopefully can start a part-time job again.

The reason for coming into this forum is the fact that as of the last month, I have had an increase in stiffness all day long. Even with the Lyrica it has increased.  I'm not quite sure of what to think of all these changes.  I know for a fact that my depression has increased considerably in the last month. Also I have been having so much pain, and with the drowsiness, I am having trouble exercising, which does not help the stiffness.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know

[Barb925]

Thank you for your advice.  I am presently on Celexa.  I tried Effexor XR and the mood swings were horrible.  I have be diagnosed with Bipolar depression, which I believe may have startedn the fibro. I am so tired on being on 10 different meds.  I have only 4 that are for my bipolas. The rest is for my fibro. I am really considering going on herbal meds, however I need to lose about 50 lbs first.  Wish me luck and if anyone knows of any herbal meds let me know.

[MoesQueen]

Hi Barb925
I'm sorry that you are in pain,
  
I found this forum about one month ago, and  found it to be very encouraging to me. Not to hear that others are in pain, but to read that other people have felt some of the same burning, tingling, itching, twitching, brain foggness, stiffness, irritablility, sensitivity, mode swings, at times wanting to die feeling, that I am feeling as I write.

I had to stop working a fulltime job in '03 due to the pain, with 3 small children that was a very tuff decision.
(I was dx with fms in '00)
I was also prescribed Lyrica, and within a week I had to stop taking it because of migraine. I'm sure glad that it has help you for awhile.
It seems like you've been on lyrica for awhile, maybe it's time to implement a new stratergie . One things for sure with fms things constantly change.

Oh, did I mention the pain! I've experience many different kinds of pain.

Stiffness is one of those nasty things that come with fibro I've noticed especially when it's cold in or outside! I have to keep my body warm. I have to keep on moving around to avoid stiffness, and cramps.

I've also noticed that depression comes in like a flood when I'm at my worst. Because I'd rather be working, going to school, doing something rather than catering to useless/worthless pain!
Sometime I walk and talk like a robot, and to make light of the situation I'll start to doing the robot dance. LOL

I know you know this, but journal your changes this can be very helpful while at the dr.'s office and a good way for you to be able to remember and connect symptoms. (I tend to forget things).

Unfortunately most of us with fibro deal with depression, because of my pride it took a long time before I even went to the dr. and let him know what I was thinking about doing to myself, I was very suicidal and just could not come to grips with all the changes/pain that I was going through.

He prescribe effexor XR and it has been very helpful. Barb925 I deal with a lot of guilt because of the fibro, I still think of and can name a gazillion other things I need to, and would rather be doing than dealing with pain ALL DAY LONG!

Did I mention the pain!

It sounds like you may have a dr. that's working with you, maybe you can get something to help with the depression.

I know that they say (reports, dr.'s etc.) that we should excerise even through the pain. So to you I commend you, because I as of yet have not been able to incorporate excercise into my daily routine due to much pain. Keep on fighting, because that's what we do.

I wish you a good day,
MoesQueen