Help! What pain meds. work for Fibromyalgia/CFS?

[Jayjay342]

Hi, I´m new here. I´m suffering from Fibromyalgia and CFS, and I´m desperately trying to find the right medication to manage my pain. My doctor started me taking Tramadol 50 mg three times a day together with Panodil and Ibubrofen maximun daily dose.
Though Tramadol worked slightly for me, the effect diminished, and I´m now taking 300 mg daily, still with no maximim effect. Has anyone experienced the same effect of taking Tramadol?
My medication today is: Tramadol 300 mg, Cymbalta 30 mg, Panodil 500 mgx2, Ibuprofen 400 mgx2. Before my illness I was a busy and active person, always wary about taking medication at all. Now I´m dependant on all this pain medication, and still I´m in so much pain that I´m unable to manage simple daily activities. Have had to stop working, need help to almost everything, and need a wheelchair to get around outside my home.
My doctor suggests that I try Norspan/Transtec plasters, does anyone have experience using that for Fib/CFS?
I would be very happy to hear from others :)
Springtime greetings from Jayjay.

[holmes1981]

Forgot to mention the Aderal. It has made a hugh impact on the fatique and inability to consintrate. Concerta helps with this too but is more expensive and has worse side effects.

[holmes1981]

I was diagnosed about 7 years ago, i went to 6 different doctors and tried every anti depressent anti convulsant anti inflamatory there is as well as accupunture and Physical therepy. It took my carrer my marage and almost my self worth. Recently i went to a new doctor who did my blood work when i first went and of coarse all was good as usual. after 3 more visits she seamed kind of puzzled but then insisted i get blood drawn every other day for about 10 days. I didnt even care enough to ask why at that point. Then she called me in. For some reason i canot remember enough to explain, My T4 cells looked fine apon first glance so it was dismissed. After getting it checked for a couple of days all the other tests showed that my T4 count was extremely low. I started taking the thyroid meds about 2 months ago and am just now feeling a big difference. Alot of the wide spread chronic ach is MUCH less, i can stand cold weather better, i sleep better and i can think clearer with less memory loss. I still have a ways to go, but after 7 years i have made a hugh leap. About a week ago i started waking up in the morning and actually was able to walk right away instead of putting pressure on my feet and legs slowly until i could handle my own wieght. It may be something to consider. My doctor still thinks i have FMS but now i can live with it instead of just exsist with it.

[Jayjay342]

Hi Dusty,
Great to hear from you.Here in Denmark where I live, I haven´t been able to find very much info about FMS and CFS, as these conditions are only just being accepted here as `not being all in the mind´ conditions. Luckily my GP sent me to a reumatologist who was involved with FM/CFS research in USA, and he diagnosed me recently.
Looking back, I´ve had FMS since 2000, and as you say, I´ve had many physical problems that my doctor dealt with seperately, which I can see now fits FMS. Heart and stomach problems, dizziness and `Fibro fog´ just to mention some. CFS started 1½ years ago after a bad flu, and from that point my pain and muscle problems accelerated. My doctor started my pain med with Tramadol 50mg three times a day, but before long I was on the pain med list above.
Yesterday I started using Norspan patches 20mkg, put it on at 9 o´clock last night, and I feel it´s close to knocking me out! At the same time I´m having to slowly back down on Tramadol. I´m a chicken when it comes to trying new medication, but I really hope that I´ll get used to this new med, and that it will be able to ease my pain enough to give me more mobility.
You also have some challenges to deal with..what is DDD?
Take care :)

[Jayjay342]

Hi, and thanks for your welcome :) Sorry for taking so long to respond, but I´m pretty much `down´ these days, where everything just seems to require an enormous effort. I really appreciate hearing from you all.  
My doctor has put me on the waiting list to attend a pain management course, where the doctors there are pain specialists, but it´s several months to a year before there´s a vacancy. Until then, I´m seeing a pysiotherapist who has a great deal of experience with pain management, but even slight excercise worsens my pain.
Are you managing without pain medication? I feel with you, and yes, a life with constant pain changes ones priorities...not so sad about not being able to work any more..it´s the good moments with ones family, friends and loved ones that matter.
Take care :)  

[MEFMJanet]

But how do you know what's working and what isn't?  When you're on so many meds?  That's my problem...I take so many different things I couldn't tell you if the Lyrica is working or if the Cymbalta isn't.

Very frustrating.

To the original poster:  I have Fibro and CFS and I take Lyrica/Cymbalta/Meloxicam/Vitamin D/Clonazepam/Propranolol (for Migraines)/Oxycontin/Prevacid plus a daily muti-vitamin and a bunch of Vitamin C.  

What works and what doesn't?  Who the heck knows???  Not me.  Sorry.

[dustybrown]

Hello,
I have DDD, spinal nerve damage OA, Fibro and a number of other issues. It usually takes about six months to find the right "medication cocktail" that is right for your body to help you feel better and to keep you functioning. The issue is that most people with FMS have co-occurring illnesses, so it is important to treat each one of those problems separately, such as insomnia or tendinitis. You may require NSAIDS or anti-seizure meds or anti-depressants. It just depends on your case. I have to take anti-seizure meds, muscle relaxants and pain meds to get me through most days, but everyone is different. Talk to your doctor if something isn't working. It's all about communication here. Fibromyalgia is a disease you will have forever, so it's best to find a doctor you can openly discuss your concerns with. Good luck and keep us updated.
-Dusty

[dontundertand]

I do not have fibromyalgia but I do know that some here have it. What kind of doctor are you going to? I know where I live PCPs are very wary about pain meds. In fact, my PCP has a sign up next to the reception are that says they do NOT prescribe pain medication. Maybe you should look into going to a pain management doctor? They have a lot of experience treating pain and they may be able to put together a regimen that may help more than what you are currently feeling.
I feel your pain. I used to be very active and always running around but since this pain started my happiest days are those that I feel good enough to play play with my kids and get stuff done around the house.
Hang in there. Like I said I know there are several people here that suffer from fibromyalgia and I'm sure they can provide more help.
Welcome to the forum!