I have used pain meds and muscle relaxer for years I don't take them everyday. But when I need them they help it may not get all the pain gone, but a least I can live a half good life on those day. I don't understand doc the will not give pain meds I wish they could walk in my shoes when I am in a bad flare up then they might understand Good Lick

I would have quit a long time ago if it weren't for Tramadol. I take two or three 50mg tablets a day. Two in the morning with my coffee lights a fire under my butt and gets me moving. I may also take one a bedtime with a muscle relaxer and drink my rooibis tea to help me sleep better.

My doctor is the best and he said he will give me whatever works to see my pain go down other than medical marijuana that you smoke. I have been on OxyContin for years cause it's the only thing that gives me some relief! He tells me it shouldn't work for Fibro but it does for me so I stick with it. I'm not pain free by any means but I do get 1-1 1/2 hours of relief after I take each set four times daily. I have gone off of it a few times over the years so I know that is definitely what helps as we have tried so many other things. I can almost tell exactly what time of day it is by my pain level because I take them at almost the same time everyday. I do not abuse them and have never ran out early so although I'm sure I would have withdrawals if I quit taking them, I don't consider myself addicted. We have cut back one a week to get down to one a day and I was fine doing it other than being in excruciating pain so again I don't consider myself addicted. I have always told myself I would keep to a schedule with them and if they don't give me any relief I will be honest and tell my doctor as I have always been paranoid of becoming totally dependant on them! I hear of so many horror stories with people being addicted to them and abusing them so I am always aware of keeping to a strict schedule with them. If they ever stop helping me, I will definitely go off them but my doctor has assured me that the amount I take per day is acceptable for my liver. We actually changed the dosage from 8/5mg per day to 2/20mg per day, which is the exact same amount but it didn't work for me so we went back to the 8/5's! Sorry I wrote a book, lol, but if I ask a question on here, I want someone's complete answer and as much detail as possible! I hope you get some relief soon!

Janiegirl - Ultram is an opiate analgesic medication Ultram is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995 as an analgesic (pain reliever) for moderate to moderately severe pain. In people with fibromyalgia, Ultram can help reduce pain and improve function and quality of life. Ultram is also known by its drug name, Tramadol. I copied this from clicking on the highlighted word Tramadol in your reply. I just learned something new! LOL

My daughter had gotten me a TENS device before I knew I had Fibro and it helped me enormously with the shoulder and neck pain. I get no relief there from typical pain meds. (My doc said the same thing and it's seemed to be true in my experience) It has little electrodes that you place on the area and it sends small painless jolts. I believe it works on the idea that it overstimulates the nerves so that they finally just say "screw this crap!" and stop sending those pain signals. They can be gotten at Walgreens and places and are relatively inexpensive. Like anything, you can spend a ton if you really want to, but it's not necessary. I have since read that a lot of people use them for neuropathy pain.