Opinions please?????

[kim]

Hi there.  Just a couple of questions to follow up on what's going on.

I have been diagnosed (2 years ago) with probable Fibromyalgia.  Symptoms are all over the body, from feet to scalp and consist of joint stiffness, muscle pain/soreness, twitching, burning, tingling, numbness and occasional stinging.  Skin usually feels raw, like a sunburn, and sensations of cold feel a lot more pronounced.  Had all neurological testing done about 2 years ago and I just repeated a brain MRI, EMG and now had a lumbar spine MRI.  All were fine.  A Rheumatologist and an Allergist also tested me for all types of disorders.

Right now, things have not changed a lot in 2 years.  The twitching part has gone on for about a year now (it's all over and varies from area to area all day long).  I am worse at night than when I first wake up in the AM.  And I hurt more at rest than when I'm moving around.

My Neuro just perscribed Celebrex and Zanaflex.  I also take Loestrin birth control pills.  I tried Elavil for about a year and decided to stop it, wasn't doing a lot and I don't like the idea of being on anti-depressants.  Celebrex seems to help with the joint pain, but not much else.

What do you think of that combo (Celebrex and Zanaflex with birth control)?  I've read that taking Zanaflex with birth control pills can be a problem.  I had to cut the dose of Zanaflex in half already becuase I felt "bombed" when I took it.  My Neuro says not to worry about it.

I worry about taking drugs.  But, of course, I don't want to be in pain.  How safe is what I'm taking?  Any other ideas for someone like me.  I took Diflucan for a yeast infection five days before the onset of my problem.  Any new news that that can cause these types of problems?

Thanks so very much for your time.

[CCF neuro MD MM]

I think that the conbination of Zanaflex with Celebrex is reasonable, the combination with birth control should be supervised.
You should bring the concern regarding drug interactions   to the attention of your prescribing doctor and discuss the potential problems with in detail him, if he is not worried he should tell you why and put your mind at rest. You should also remenber that with birth control pills the concern is not only with regard to side effects but also the possibility that the birth control effect will be inadaquete.
I think that by not taking antidepressants simply because you do not like the idea is probably depriving you of one of the most effective classes of drugs in this condition. You could consider trying one of the newer antidepressant drugs whch have fewer side effects than Elavil and have proven very effective in fibromyalgia.
It is of course your call as to whether you wish to take them or not, but the fact remains that you are not getting the benefit of one very effective class of drug.
So far nobody has ever proven a link between Diclufan therapy and fibromyalgia.

[kim]

Thanks for your answer very much.

My problem is that I plan to have children in the next 2-3 years and am afraid of the possibility of birth defects from me taking medications.  My fear is more for the kids I plan to have than myself.  My thought is after that's done, put me on anything you want!  My Neuro keeps suggesting Zoloft.

Could you please give me an idea of what other antidepressants are out there now besides Elavil as you stated?  How safe are they really?  I recently heard a story of a woman on an antidepressant for 2 years whose doctor told her not to become pregnant until six months after she stopped her medication.  She got pregnant after only two, and had to abort twins that were attached at the heart.  Obviously she didn't listen, but the idea that perhaps the antidepressant caused the defect scares me.

Please if you could, ease my mind?  And what are the other antidepressants?  I want to do what's most beneficial and safe.

Thanks so much.

[nancy]

Kim,

I cant believe that I have finaly found someone who seems to have the same symptoms that I have!!!!!  Ive had numerous tests done from a brain mri, nerve conduction study, blood work galour and am currently being tested for arthritis and Autimmune deficiencys.  Do you get burning sensations on your chest and abdomen area as well?  I get it everywhere-face, arms, legs, back, head, you name it!  My muscles cramp at times and so do my hands--feels like they are "stiffening" up on me.  I am currently on Elavil and have found it to be of some relief at a 50mg dose.  Im like you, I dont like the idea of being on antidepressents, but if this helps, im willing to try it!  Do your symptoms get worse when you are laying down?  I know that for me the burning sensations are worse when I lay down and the elavil really helps with that because it helps me sleep.  How did your symptoms start out in the first place?  Sorry if I am asking too many questions, but im just so glad to find someone who shares similar symptoms to mine.   I agree with the neuro's answer, you might want to try an antidepressent again and see if you get better relief.  Hope to stay in touch and best of luck to you.

[Elizabeth]

Hi!  There are so many websites on Fibromyalgia.net with so many different symptoms for each person...My symptoms are different from yours and I have been dx as having Fibro..No burning, extreme fatigue and muscle aches re: activity!  A feelingof "I must stop now" as I experience a form of vertigo and just out of it!  So many symptoms from this Fibromyalgia with the government now investigating this disorder, perhaps, an answer will be forth coming in order for all fb persons to feel normal again!  I was on elavil with made me dose off while driving,a few others which did nothing but I finally tried voltaren which helped me with the pain and helped me look "normal" while I was walking, or other activities with my friends! New symptoms are lower leg/foot cramping, imbalance while walking (weaving), visual problems, etc.these problems might be separate from fb as a wait and see
diagnosis. Good luck with your difficulties and decisions..a child should come into the world free from any drugs that might hurt them...Inquire from your Ob! I hope you find the right formula besides adjusting  to your limitations as they are now!!!
Elizabeth/***@****

[Carol]

Please go to the site Carbon Monoxide HQ on the net.  Read carefully, especially about the symptoms & misdiagnosis.

[robyn]

After reading your posting I felt as I should have written it. I have the exact same situation. I have the twitching all day in all parts of my body and also have had a probably fibromylagia (fibromyalgia) diagnosis. The other symptoms I experience are exactly the same and I also take loestrin. My rheumatologist gave me flexiril to help me sleep better. I tried taking Zoloft and I too wasn't happy on antidepressents. I also take ibruprofen a lot to help with the pain.

[robyn]

One more thing, I was told by my dr. not to take antidepressents while thinking of having children. When he put me on Zoloft he stressed that if I was to have children any time soon to get off. Since I too am thinking about having kids soon this concerned me. I looked into it and as far as I can see you just can't take it while you are pregnant. I haven't heard of any long term effects.

[bill]

Kim:

I couldn't believe your symptoms in that I have had the EXACT same symptoms for the past four years.  Two EMG's ruled out the life threatening diseases but it sure feels like something other than fibromyalgia.  Sorry you live with these symptoms.  I know how they feel!

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