knightsaber and other suffering Fibro

[apple]

My doctor put me on a pain med called Gabapentin 100mg twice a day.  This is a miracle drug!!  It took about 3 days to notice the effect but I am living with no pain, or a little pain now.  Sometimes I can feel my legs being very stiff (like swollen) but there is no pain with it. 

My 6 year old is bragging to everyone that Mom has been happy.  All day!!  With little pain my anxiety is hardly there now.

I don't know if you would have the same results but it is promising.  It is used for people with chronic pain like cancer patients etc..

I had to tell you about this but am unable to PM for some reason.

Please let me know if you try it and how it works

[2anxious]

Hi Apple!  My Dr. recently told me he truly believes that I am suffering from Fibromyalgia.  How did you get a diagnosis, did you see a rheumatologist?  I have had chronic widespread pain for over 2 years.  Tons of tests, all normal.  I take 800 motirn on occasion, but it doesn't really help much.  What kind of side effects does that medicine have?  I am going to talk to my Dr about it!  This whole Fibro thing is all new to me, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!

[apple]

A Reumatologist will do an 18 point pressure point test.  Altho mine didnt, he may even do other tests to confirm what you may already know. 

I have NO side effects to the Gabapentin at all !!  There are days like today where I am in some pain, but judging from the stiffness and swelling it could be much worse today.  Thank God for this drug.  Not everyone with Fibro has had luck with this med, but some of us have and thats worth a try.

I also see a chiropractor and it has helped relieve a lot of back pain.  I'd like to try massage therapy but the finances are tight right now.  Maybe soon tho.

Let me know how things go.    This is still relatively new for me as well, and I didnt know that there are a few people here with it as well.  I guess another way this forum helps us not feel alone.

I'm sorry you have fibro...but it is nice to know whats wrong.

[2anxious]

Thanks so much Apple!  It is good to know there are other people out there going through the same stuff you are!  My Dr. did suggest massage therapy, but of course money is a consideration!  Take Care and I hope you keep fellin' good! 

[apple]

At the moment I am feeling wierd.

My legs are extremely stiff (like swollen) and I'm walkin around like an old gramma.     Whats up with that? I know its that I am havin a bad fibro day, thank god the pain meds ar doing their thing!!       They feel like the skin in stretched or cold. It does hurt if I put pressure on them.

Just a wierd feeling. I guess this may be sort of what its like for older people who have trouble walkin maybe? Your brain says Go but the legs say No...

[2anxious]

My legs were bothering me today too.....Weird!  Cause mine usually don't.  I know exactly what you mean about the Grandma thing!  My legs felt so stiff, and I felt like I was walking on stilits or something!  Gotta love it!  Anyway, hope you are feeling better!

[sarahgotsissues]

I got diagnosed with Fibro about 4 days ago.

I guess the process of elimination pointed to Fibro.

I have dealt with it ok so far. I have been in loads of pain, but I refuse to take meds.
It's not that I am scared of meds, it's just I feel like if I deal with the pain it makes me a stronger person (not saying that you aren't by any means).

How often do you get "outbreaks" of it? 

[apple]

Before the meds...I hurt everyday.  Whenever I did anything like excersise or cleaning or even being intamite with my husband made for the next day to be very very painful.  Cold weather hurts me too.  and this winter was very cold and long.  Spring has just arrived and I am doing better.

I'm sorry you have this.  Its not easy to live with.

[Knightsaber]

I'm gonna have to ask about this.  How'd I miss this topic? :)

[gloomy]

Your hardly ever around these days Knightsaber I hope thats a sign you are dealing with the whole anxiety thing better and not because you are bored of us LOL.

Some of us appreciate your views

[Knightsaber]

Oh no no I'm here a lot, I rarely post though. 

[apple]

I wish I could take more Gabapantin.  I was a moron and decided to paint my room to make it more comfortable there for when I need to relax.  Now I hurt so bad I took my gabapantin and am feeling lots better...but I still hurt to much to paint the second coat.  ERRRR 

This Fibro really sucks......

[itsmeesindee]

Apple,

I take Neurontin (Gabapentin) as well for neck pain and internal vibrations (who knows) anyway I wanted to let you know that 100 mg is a very, very low dose.  I take 300 mg before bed but doses go up to 1800mg or more.  Talk to your doc if you are still in pain about increasing the dose.

Feel better,

Cin

[apple]

I have asked him before and he said no.  I am going in to see him in a couple of hours and see if he will up me....I cant live like this...I need to be able to do things and not pay for it.  This is why I would like codeine, but he worries i would get addicted to them.  I probably would.   

Lovin your encouragement cin.  I needed to see your post and I imediately called my doc.   

[itsmeesindee]

Apple,

Aw thanks.  I hope he ups the dose for you, give he heck if he doesn't your paying him  .  It makes me a little tired so that is why I take it before bed.

Good luck. 
Cin

[apple]

My doc DID up my dose to 400mg a day!   

I hope I feel better soon.  I think I may have to get my hard workin man to finish the room.    I hate starting something and havin to get him to finish it for me.

I guess I should have paced myself and did a little at a time...I always get so excited and overdo it then pay...hmmph.

later

[itsmeesindee]

Apple,

Hey that's great!

Yes I tend to over do it myself.  I can quit until something is finished or I die tryin : )

Cin

[apple]

Well my wonderful hubby finished the room and we are moved back in.  Wow what a great idea!!  I love my room now and have a place to retreat to when feeling anxious or out of it.   

OK...it was worth the pain...next time I get a great idea    I will MAKE myself take it slow....Ok I'll TRY to.

[itsmeesindee]

Apple,

How are you feeling with the increased dose?

Cin

[apple]

hundred cement!!  No I feel alot better.  I picked up some tylonal 1's to aid when I feel that much pain.  I am at a reasonable amount of pain now.  I dont think I'll ever be pain free all the time but I'm managing right now.  Thanks for asking. 

Knightsaber    Have you talked to the doc about pain meds?  Wondering how you are coping? 

[Knightsaber]

I have talked with him about it, he and I would both like to get my anxiety under control before trying anything new. :)

It's not a big deal to me, I'm long used to the fibro pain now.  (Not that I wouldn't be happy if it was lessened). :)

[gloomy]

Apple, I just wanted to add that my husband is on gabapentin/neurontin and takes 1800mg per day, split into three lots of 2x300mg.  he was on 900mg 1x 300mg per day, which worked fine for a year, but the pain started coming through, he has arthritis/disc degeneration or spondylosis as some doctors name it in his lower spine caused intially by an industrial accident and then progressively worsening over the last 10 years.  He too said it was a wonderdrug, if I am right it doesnt work the same way as a general painkiller although I couldnt tell you how it does work lol!! 

Anyway just wanted to say I can tell in the tone of your posts you are feeling much better, sometimes I notice you dont post as much for a short period and then often you post that you have been suffering with the fibro.

I hope you are feeling much better now

PS King if you read this how does the gabapentin work?

[King]

Gabapentin (Neurontin) has been around a while (since 90s) and started out as an anti-epileptic/seizure drug.

It works by mimicking the activity of GABA (its structurally similar to GABA) in the brain to stabilise electrical activity in the brain. Pain and other conditions (epilepsy, GAD, migraine, neuropathic pain, shingles) cause repetitive and abnormal electrial activity in the brain so gabapentin works by stabilising this effect. But its not known how it works specifically. The drug has been found to work on various types of pain, bipolar (although many believe it doesnt), insomnia and OCD.

BTW - most drugs that work on pain, i.e. nerves, arent very well understood. Its the same with anesthetics - no-one knows how they work either. Just that they do.

Pfizer has only recently released the follow up drug to gabapentin - pregabalin (Lyrica) . This drug is said to be more potent than Neurontin vs. pain but is a more controlled substance. Its also used in fibromyalgia and generalised anxiety alot.

Again, it works like gabapentin and again its exact mode of action isnt known (mimicks the activity of GABA, stabilises excess electical activity in the brain).

Hope this helps.

[Knightsaber]

If anyone is still around from this topic :) ...

Just like to toss out an update that my pain has greatly lessened since spring.  Myself and my doctors are all puzzled severely but I try not to ask too many questions!

(I bought a motorcycle and have been occupying myself with learning to not get killed on it, ever since, I've been much better, coincidence?)

Also, Apple, if you're still around and still having issues with Fibro pain, my dad swears sandalwood incense makes him feel better (but he's crazy)

[apple]

I'm so happy to hear how well your doing!!    Has it affected your anxiety levels not being in pain?

My hubby also recently bought me a dirt bik for my Bday and it is awesome.  I was sore after my first wipeout but it was worth it!!  My fibro pain has been under control for many months now, in part thanks to my meds, but who knows...I'm too scared to go off them right now because its comming winter soon and the cold really hurt me in the past.

Thanks for the little tip.  Anything to help out.   

I hope you continue to live as pain free as you have been!!  You sooo deserve the break.  Oh kick it with your bike...I know I will!!