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Hi all. My pain I can generally manage, but the fatigue, concentration struggles, and related sleep issues are killer. I'm not on any medications for my fibro right now because my doctor indicated that most of the meds to help with fibro (gabapentin, lyrica, cymbalta, etc) generally lead to MORE fatigue and brain fog. I was also afraid to experiment with these medications because you apparently have to taper off of them and can't just stop suddenly. I know it's different for everyone, but has… read more
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Members shared mixed experiences with fibromyalgia medications for fatigue and sleep, with many finding that drugs like Lyrica, Cymbalta, and... Read more
I gave up on the Gabapentin. It made my brain fog much much worse. I could not think rationally. I have given up on Lyrica and Cymbalta. I think they worked a little in the beginning, but the effects work off over a few years. I was fooling myself that they were working for me. I use a small dose of Xanax during the day and 1/2 dose of ambien to sleep. I do not like to take large doses of medications. I also take vitamin D3 supplements. I know they work for me and you might want to consider it. It is amazing how much better you feel when you get a full 8 hours of undisturbed sleep. I think it is one of the best remedies for my discomfort.
@A MyFibroTeam Member - It's not that I can't take Gabapentin or Cymbalta, I'm just afraid to because my doctors have told me they increase fatigue and (to me at least) fatigue is more bothersome than pain levels.
Welcome to the club. If you are not on any pain meds or anti-depressants then talk to them about trying a sleep med. I've taken Lunesta and had great results but then they felt that Cymbalta would help me with the pain and depression so they took me off the Lunesta. Grrr. I have also been on a very low dose of amitriptyline. I took it an hour before bed and I was out but it gave me a sleep hangover. If it is sleep you want I would see about a low dose sleep med. OR try Melatonin. It is an OTC herb to that helps with sleep. Valerian root is also very helpful for sleep and anxiety.
I was taking 150 mg of Lyrica and after two years was feeling too "hung over" in the morning, so the dr backed it off. Anyway 75 mg has been working just right for some years. So far so good: I hope I never develop a tolerance.
I have and am taking gabapentin now,cymbalta after 7 weeks I had bad reactions, hallucinating and severe memory loss, Dr thought I had a stroke Cat scan was ok.Stopped immediately and it took 7, 8 weeks to recover, bad news and Lyrics helped but I put on 50 lbs bad for my whole body and symptoms.
Have you ever had a sleep test done most of us have Sleep Apnea and need a CPAP machine for better sleep and feel much better in am.
Best of luck, Kim
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