I realized we haven't talked about this yet but since we are all different and dealing with different aspects of FM what meds help you with your particular symptoms?
For me, its bi-weekly shots of depo-medrol in my shoulder and back, 750mg of robaxin x 6 a day, and Trazodone.
So what are you on?

Hi Wendy! Thanks for starting this thread. I take .50 mg Clonazepam and 50 mg of Trazadone at bedtime. In the morning, I take 75 mg of Effexor XR.

I also have Ultram as needed. BUT, I am very interested in the depo medrol that you take. I have terrible shoulder/neck pain and the Ultram does nothing for it... Do you go to a pain spec???
Thanks for any info.

Did I mention that FM stinks??? Guess you already know that.

I'm in a flare up right now.

I have an assortment of ailments in addition to the fibro, so I'll just list the most fibro-specific meds:

1. Zolpidem 10mg (generic Ambien) for sleep. I had much better success with Lunesta and Sonata, but my new insurance won't cover them.

2. Skelaxin 800mg as needed. It's a non-sedating muscle relaxant, but it upsets my stomach, so I only take it prior to a massage or dental appointment where I need to be alert enough to drive.

3. Diazepam 5mg as needed as a muscle relaxant. It isn't terribly sedating, but I avoid taking it when I'm going to be driving just to be safe.

4. Baclofen 20mg as needed for muscle stiffness and spasms. I only take this at bedtime, and only when I have nothing important to do the next day as it gives me a terrible hangover.

Unfortunately, I cannot tolerate any narcotics, Ultram, any anti-depressants, Flexeril, Trazodone or Klonopin. I had limited success with Lyrica, Neurontin and Topamax; all three worked for a few months and then suddenly didn't help at all at any dose, like I had suddenly developed an immunity to them. I take my muscle relaxants very sparingly as I'm afraid they'll stop working too, and then I'll have nothing to help me with muscle pain/spasms.

Good topic.

fanfaire

Hi, I moved and saw a new cps last week. He said because I don't have insurance, there is no need to write me scripts for the good meds. He gave me triazolam to sleep and norco. I lost the best insurance when my son got in a wreck and I had to quite work to take of him. I fell so all alone. I don't expect something for nothing, oh well. The Dr. said I need blood test, a mri, x-rays and so on, but all he can do is write paine scripts. If I get a serious disease I won't know and just die. Any way at onetime I had a upper cervical epidural and pin point injections, they both helped. Oh I also take Zloft. Good Luck

Yes I go to a pain specialist for my shoulder shots. Without these shots my left shoulder would be in intense pain and spread throughout my back. Happiness is a happy shoulder!
I should mention I have other meds I take, but I wanted to center on the meds we take for FM.
My dosages for my meds are:
Robaxin: 750mg x 6 a day
Trazodone: 150mg at night
Depo-Medrol shots: average 10 shots per session of 40mg along with Marcaine to help numb up the area.

Hi everyone,the meds question is a good one. I am taking fentynal duragesic patch every 60 hours,percocet for breakthrough pain,flexeril for muscle spasms and myofascial pain disorder,xanax,and phenergan in case fo stomach upset. I was recently put on rozeram for sleep. It actually has helped alot it works differently than most sleeping pills because this adjusts your sleep patterns as well as helping with sleep,and I'm sure everyone with FMS has sleep problems. I have never heard of the shot you get can you tell me a little bit about that? Thank you!

Thanks Wendy... I know I'm coming back to this late, but your pain spec info is very helpful. If my neck/back starts in again, I already have a pain spec. lined up. I will NOT go thru that ordeal of suffering thru the pain all winter, like I did last yr. Thanks again......

Oh no problem. The shots are my saving grace as I may have said before. I would not be able to work without them.
Anne, the shot is a injectable steroid called depo-medrol and it helps breakup the stiffness in my shoulder/back. When I am really bad you can actually her my muscle crackle like rice krispies. Unfortunately it only lasts 2 weeks for me and its back to the doc for more shots.

I think it is really important to see what works for other people. I haven't really found a medicine that works for me continually. I really like the idea of the depo-medrol shots. My rheumy has never suggested this.

Currently I am taking Lyrica 200mg x 2 times daily...so in all 400mg. For muscle relaxants I have been given tizavidine...generic for Zanaflex...4mg tablets.
No one else has mentioned this drug. Has anyone else had experience with it and if so how has it worked/not worked for you. I received this medication when my whole body was in a spasm. I was literally lifted off the bed about an inch. It hurt so bad. Has anyone had that happen as well?

Any input/advice/experiences are greatly appreciated and a sincere thanks to you.

M

I did try Zanaflex five years ago, but I had what would be considered a paradoxical reaction to it. Instead of relaxing my muscles, it caused them to twitch violently. Probably something that only happens in one percent or less of patients.

Hope you have better luck with it. Most people tolerate it much better than I did.

fanfaire