Anyone with Fibromyalgia tried

**Jeanna** · 10-18-2007, 03:30 PM

the new drug that has came out? It is Lyrica. I am going to the dr on the 23rd and seeing about it. I called Walmart and just picked out a random dosage --300mg and 30 pills--the cost was $70. I don't have insurance, but if it works it will well be worth it. I have opened up an inhome daycare and if I can't get something to help I am going to have to quit. I have tried so many jobs and I end up having to quit them all. I really need to keep working because we are in our 40's and I am not wanting my husband to have to work until he is 70 years old for us to make it.

**pita1213** · 10-18-2007, 05:16 PM

i tried it not to long ago. can't remember which doc put me on it, but it was before it was a approved to FMS. i have heard that some that have been put on it have had great results. i ended up with bad side effects. i got VERY dizzy and had chest pain. i am very sensitive to a lot of meds now and didn't get to take it very long. the dizziness was so bad that ifi barely turned my head, it felt like the room was spinning. the chest pain was a concern as well so i had to stop it.
i'd still give it a try though. it didn't help me but it could help you. ask the doc if he has samples for you to try first just in case you have a bad reaction to it. maybe a weeks worth of sample and an rx to be filled at the end of the week if it doesn't give you a bad reaction.

i was on 50 mg three times a day. and at that time, 90 pills (30 day supply) was a retail of 46.49. i think my copay was $30. usually they start you out at a lower dose and after you've been on it a while, slowly increase until you are at a level where the pain is better managed. good luck.

**rainbowgc** · 10-19-2007, 09:13 AM

What's helping me right now is taking B12 and folic acid.
Try whether you try the new drug or not. I am taking 4000 mcg's

**Opal** · 10-20-2007, 02:36 AM

Some of the symptoms I have, are very similar to Fibromyalgia. I am fairly certain I don't have it, but who knows, I can't afford to go to a doctor and have a lot of expensive tests. But, this isn't to say I am not working on treating my symptoms. A couple of things I have been doing is, trying to drink more water, seemed a little nutty to me, but it seems to help. I cut out corn syrup and reduced corn products in general. I am taking a lot of vitamin and mineral suppliments, vit C, b vitamins, caynenne, vitamin E, omega 3, calcium, brewers yeast, and a multivitamin.

I have muscle aches, I haven't done this yet, but I have read that ginger tea is good for muscle pain. I am taking garlic for energy that seems to be helping my pain as well, so hence the not going for the ginger.

I went from being nearly bed ridden to taking long walks and being able to work for a half hour at a time, which is a big improvement from nothing for months. My concentration is improving and my mood is much improved. Hope this helps.

**mom2three** · 10-21-2007, 02:29 PM

Opal,

You are definitely on the right track. Garlic is a natural antimicrobial and water will flush toxins from your system decreasing pain.

To everyone,

You have probably seen my posts and thing I am a bit off, but we are doing natural therapies for joint pain, asthma,depression, etc. My joint pain was eliminated by avoiding dairy (I was already off wheat). I try garlic and while it helps hubby, I haven't been good about it. My favourite supplement is biotin - it has a number of very good benefits and no toxicity even at very high doses (studies have been done up to 100 mg orally). I was just taking 2 mg (2000 micrograms/day) and it was clearing up my psoriasis and other issues. I felt a bit off for a few days (feet and back hurt - all symptoms I have had in the past) and then had lots of energy. I ran out and psoriasis was coming back. I have now started on a 5 mg/day dosage. Other benefits included helping my greastfeeding toddler to eat (she is wheat and dairy intolerant and has a hard time eating due to constant stomach problems) and helping her constipation. Given the research I have been doing lately, I believe biotin (like garlic) can help a lot of people. My recommendation for fibromyalgia is to drink lots of water (8-12 glasses/day) and to try biotin (I pay 10.99 Cdn in Canada for 100 capsules (both the 1000 micrograms and teh 5000 micrograms) - thus I now have about 3 months supply at this dosage. I plan on taking the 5 mg for 3 months and see how things go.

**favesis37** · 10-21-2007, 07:16 PM

i was on lyrica, loved it but my insurance would not cover it, so dr switched me to nurottin, it works great also.

**catzz64** · 11-16-2007, 01:53 AM

I have just started Lyrica, am still titrating the dose up so am uncertain how it will work. I am also on numerous other meds Cymbalta, Celebrex, Ambien, Humira, Ultracet, Flexeril, and Topamax for issues with migraines, osteoarthritis, RA, and muscle spasms, oh and sleepless nights from the pain. The lyrica helps with the sleep as well. I was told the dose can go as high as 300 mg twice per day. I have a little dizziness at 150 twice per day, but all in all can't say it's making me ready for a marathon yet (or ready to go back to work) Definately give it a try...everyone's system is different and what works for one person may not work for another. I never hope for full recovery from a pill any longer because I know that is not where it will come from. I accept whatever relief I get as a blessing for that time and if there is no blessing, then that time usually provided me with alone time that I needed anyway resting my body. Lessons I've learned after years of chronic unrelenting pain.

Best of luck with your trial and please keep us posted!

**powerfm1** · 11-16-2007, 07:34 AM

I just started taking lyrica and I love it. I don't take it everyday. My pain seems to be worse on days that it is going to rain. Once it raining my fibro is fine and my osteoarthritis kicks in. I do take daypro for the osteo.

I would recommend that you try the lyrica. I was taking zanaflex for the pain but it was too strong. I now take the zanaflex at night so I can sleep and the lyrica during the day - it does not make me drowsy. Of course I've been on pain meds for a long time and am immune to some drugs drowsiness side effect. But, I do try and nap for a short time twice a day. It helps.

**VindiPlum** · 12-08-2007, 01:55 AM

I have been using Lyrica (450mgs a day) for about four months! I have to say that it is working very well for me taking care of the bigger aches and pains of FMS. No longer do I feel that my arms and legs are being pulled off!

It doesn't do much for the "life sucking" body ache...

I hate that ache more than I can say!!

I do not experience many side effects, unusual for me because I tend to have strange reactions to medications! The only thing I do not like about Lyrica is that I have gained back the 30 pounds I worked so hard to get rid of last year... C'est La Vie!

**dolphin** · 12-11-2007, 12:10 PM

My little sister is trying it. This is her first week on it. She had mild dizzyness the first day of taking it but none since. She has to call her doctor every week with a progress report.

She is loving it and says she can now 'stretch' and it's a fantastic feeling. When I strech, my muscles go into spasm. blah!

I may try it but I'm so allergic to so many meds that I'm afraid to try it.

**Jeanna** · 12-11-2007, 04:23 PM

I haven't been on much because I am having a very hard time right now with my health. Well I tried Lycria and I can not take it. I did not have the dizziness that a lot of people have had but my pain increased dramaticly on it. I have been in a very major flare ever since. I really couldn't recommend it to anyone. I am happy for the ones it helped. Unfortunately it didn't help me.

**catzz64** · 12-17-2007, 05:51 AM

Jeanna, I'm also having a flare right now, though I don't believe it to be from the Lyrica, we'll see if it lets up at all. I'm still able to function somewhat, though only for a few minutes at a time. At least I'm not curled up in bed, which makes the rest of the family happy

I also have Ankylosing Spondylosis so I'm not sure if that is what is causing this flare at the moment as the pain is so focused in my back. Usually my fibro flares are more widespread, though I am having trouble typing and my ankles are bothering me too.

I wish you the best as this is a horrible time to have a bad flare (not that there is EVER a good time!)

Heres to hoping you feel better soon,

Gentle hugs,
Cathi