I have fibromyalgia, I am taking Cymbalta, sleeping pills and pain pills. At first the Cymbalta seemed to help but not any more. The pain pills help somewhat but not with my muscles cramps / spasams. My feet hurt so bad I limp ( hobble ) from the pain when I walk. When I get up from a break or lunch I can hardly move.

I have never felt so bad in my life. It is really acting up more and more lately. My feet and legs bother me the most.( with my neck, shoulders and arms running a close second) It is to the point of affecting my job. I am a costudian in a elementary school. I am on my feet at least 6.5 - 7hrs. of the day. I have a 4 month old grandson that I can only hold for a short time because of the pain in my hands, shoulders and neck. I am afraid of dropping him when I get the muscle spasams/cramps

I am in the cafeteria from 11 - 12:30 take a 15 minute break then head back to spend the next hour or so cleaning up the cafeteria. I hurt so bad at this time that I just want to cry. I am thinking of going out on sick leave for a while to see if the rest helps but with the job cuts at the school I am afraid I will be cut when I try to return. I am also afraid that when I go back I will feel just as bad, then I won't be able to take more time off.

Is anyone else here affected with it, if so what meds do you take? Do you have any other helpful advice for me?

Anyone on disability from it?

thank you for any help you can offer

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·´`·.(*·.¸(`·.¸ ¸.·´)¸.·*).·´`·
«·´¨*·.¸¸Jackie ¸¸.·*¨`·»
«·´`·.(¸.·´(¸.·* *·.¸)`·.¸).·´`·»





email me at
tjbault@smithville.net

Sounds like you need to be re-evaluated by your dr. Are you seeing someone who specializes in this? Usuallyl the arthritis specialists handle this as well. I know it is hard to manage. (though I don't have it) Hopefully there is a new medicine that can be tried. Wishing you well.....

Jackie:

I'm an old member. Haven't been here in quite some time on a regular basis. I wanted to share with you the name of a patient advocate and author: Mary Shomon. She has several books out that you may be able to find at the library or second hand on amazon.com. I'm aware she does have a book out on fibromyalgia, as well as other autoimmune disorders.

She can also be followed on facebook.

She has been a great help to many people, and perhaps her work can help you too.

bsrs

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"Dance like no one is watching."

Another opinion that you need to be re-evaluated by your MD. And if you are not seeing a rheumatologist then you probably need to at least have a consult with one.

Cymbalta is an anti-depressant, and it works in conjuction with narcotic pain meds. However, I would think that a medicine designed for nerve pain would be better for you: Lyrica or Neurontin (Gabapentin is the generic of Neurontin).
There are different families of sleeping medications--which one are you taking?

As with any autoimmune disorder/disease: Stress and lifestyle can play a huge role in managing your disease.

I was diagnosed w/ polymyositis in August 2009. It's like rheumatoid arthritis, except it attacks the muscles. I currently am taking methotrexate (immune suppressant), prednisone (steroid) and Neurontin. I was already on Sonata for sleep (I have horrible insomnia), and Effexor and Remeron for depression and anxiety.
I don't feel too bad, but my muscle enzymes (blood work) are pretty high---which indicates that my muscles are being damaged and/or destroyed. Kind of scary when you consider that your heart is a huge muscle! But I digress....

You need to get back in to the doctor!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Try googling Fibromyalgia and dairy and gluten. Clean up your diet from these things and see if that helps. I don't have fibromyalgia, but I was starting to get pains in my joints and muscles and it's greatly improved since eliminating dairy and wheat/gluten from my diet.
What you eat plays a huge role in how you feel.

Hope you feel better soon.

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Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have!

If Vegetarians eat Vegetables. Do Humanitarians eat Humans?

'Vegetarian' is an old Native American word for bad hunter.

I have it and am on total SSI disability. I suggest that you talk to your dr about going to a pain management clinic. They will find the right treatment for you. I feel for you because most days i want to cry the pain in my legs and feet are so bad. I also have RA and RSD and im on a strong pain patch. I`ve had this for 10 years. Feel free to PM me at any time.

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When you don`t know what to do-Walk fast and look worried.

My sister has this and has tried different meds but with no luck. The thing she does now and is such little pain compared to before is the gluten free diet. She still has her bad days but didn't like the way the drugs made her feel.

I have a double diagnosis of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue IDS. I don't take Cymbalta or any of the new drugs they've just released - my doctor strongly suggested that I don't due to their side effects and other issues. I also don't take any narcotic pain killers, in part because I was diagnosed when I was a teenager and it would have been impossible to get them then anyway. Despite being 35 now, I don't really see any point in starting the narcotics despite the pain - not enough reward for the risk imo. I'm also allergic to codeine/morphine so that rather puts a crimp in things in that regard anyway.

They've tried a few of the antidepressants over the years - all off label use (pre Cymbalta), and I always ended up with too many side effects and not enough benefits. My doctor and I have decided that it is in part because I'm not depressed and by the time we find a dose thats low enough I don't get side effects it also has no effect that we want it to have like helping me to sleep, getting rid of migraines etc. I'm sure they work for some people, but not for me.

The only things I've found that help at all are getting enough sleep if at all possible (7.5 hours of true sleep for me, not including time to fall asleep etc), and acupuncture. I wish my insurance covered it, but most don't and medicaid really doesn't - but its the only thing that keeps me going. I go once a week and we work on whatever is bothering me most that week - ie vertigo, fatigue, immune system issues, pain in a particular place, tremors in my hands, stomach problems etc.

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Meddle ye not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crispy, and taste good with Ketchup!

Yes, I do...I feel your pain...I am currently on Lyrica and Oxycotin as well as a pain patch...It seems to work ok if I take them at the same time, if not I am in trouble...
The bad thing with The Lyrica I have noticed it takes me over an hour to get out of bed because I am unable to move, everything is stiff and can't bend anything...Hubby has had to carry me to the bathroom at time because I was unable to walk....If there was ever a fire and had to get out fast I would be in trouble...I wouldn't be able to move...but other than that it gets me threw the day...
I am a student and have to carry books from class to class...by the end of the day it takes a toll on my body..
I am currently not employed outside of the home, I work from home so now need to collect disability at this time...have hubby's pension and SS...
This has really deterated my lifestyle..I used to be a dancer and was able to do anything..now I am limited to what I do...I used to be all over the place..now I am lucky if I go to school...I get to the point I just cry from pain and say what happened to my life...
I don't have much help for you..except join a support group with other who have it...it can be an outlet to vent and information from other who have it...
You have to do whats best for you..I have heard of people being able to collect disbility who have Fibromyalgia...I think it is a case by case basis...It doesn't hurt to try the worst they can say is no...
Good Luck..I hope you find out what you need...

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¨¨*•✰ It's gonna take an ACT OF FAITH to stand up and face the day✰•*¨¨~ Rick Springfield~

I was sick for years and saw many drs. until I found one that had any idea what was going on. Have you had your epstein barr tested? Mine was very high as was my clamydia pneumonia. I took doxycycline for months and valtrex off label. I also saw a chiropractor and after about a year of treatment I would say I'm 90% better, and have been for about 3 years now. I work part time and have little pain, although I do have flare ups from time to time.

I really belive mine was from an underlying long term viral infection.

There is a wonderful message board at immunesupport.com with many people who helped me understand what was going on and find a good doctor. (Go to "community" and then "message boards".

I do have to say though that alternative type drs. don't take insurance, and I probably spent about 3K. It was worth it to have answers though.