Sleep is definitely something we need. Along with a constant schedule. They both go hand-in-hand. If you don't follow a set schedule, you can end up in a flare up with no relief in site. I have been in a flare up for a year now and I'm still fighting with doctors over medications. By the end of April, I was taking 18 pills a day and all I felt was constantly tired. The medications I was talking kept constantly drowsy with no relief for the pain. By the beginning of May, I had run out of the majority of the medication and quit taking everything but my effexor. I still hurt, but at least I am not walking around in a daze and trying to sleep 10-14hrs. At times, I may only get 2-4 hrs of sleep, but I can function better.

The reason I am in the flare up is because I was forced to change jobs over a year ago and I started working different shifts. I am in the military and too close to retirement (less than 3 years) to quit. I bounce between 12 hr days and nights. It takes me about 2 weeks for the pain to ease up after I get back on days. When I work nights, I can't get away from the pain because I have various appointments and training during the days on my days off. I have tried explaining my situation to my supervisor, but I just get a schedule that bounces more. I have another doctor appointment at the end of June and I am hoping I can convince my doctor to put me in for a medical board to get permission to retrain into a job that is primarily a day shift.

I have given up on lifting my arms over my head. I no longer use my left arm for driving unless I am on a staight road. There are times I wake up with so much pain in my hips, I have problems moving. If anyone has any idea how to deal with shift work, I would love to hear them.

I would really consider melatonin if you are switching shift work cycles. All the new research into it is showing promise for many diseases. Type II diabetes, cluster headache, are just two that are getting attention now. Melatonin cannot be synthesized without MethylB12. So if you are low in B12 you cannot make enough melatonin. Many pilots and shift workers now use it, with success.

To ease the aches and pains from FM and RSD, I often take very, very warm Epsom Salts baths. It does calm the muscle spasms down. Meditation exercises also ease my stress levels.

I see a Pain Mgt. doc, and a psychologist on a regular basis.

My medications are as follows:
Tramadol x2 every 6 hrs (50 mg ea tablet)Break through pain
Cymbalta x3 (60 mg ea. capsules)
OpanaER x2 (20 mg. every 12 hrs) Long term chronic pain* RSD/CRPS & FM
High Blood Pressure Diovan/HCT x 1(160/25 mg. tablet)
Mobic x1 (15 mg.) Anti-Inflammatory
Xanex x 3 to 4 (.25 mg) Anxiety
Tens Unit
Neurontin 2400 mg. per day
Flector Pain Patch
Lidoderm Pain Patches
Heating Pad

I have taken Lyrica;however, it made me experience a drunk feeling and trouble with my vocabulary. I prefer Neurontin, as it does calm the intense burning,jabbing chronic pain I live with 24/7.

I have a sleeping disorder, and I have taken AmbienCR..does not work for me anymore, so I stopped taking it. Melatonin is ok, but I was not able to stay asleep( maybe 2 hrs).

Before the two WC injuries to my right knee, followed by the RSD/CRPS dx, my PCP prescribed Cymbalta, HBP med, Lortab, and 600 mg. Lyrica. Then, I was switched to 1200 mg. Neurontin ,because of bad effects/affects that I experienced from the Lyrica.

My dx of multiple syndromes/diseases overlap each other, and the meds I have to take for RSD also work for FM, Major Depression/Anxiety, and Insomnia. I try to stay positive, and stay away from situations/people that induce stress. WC is a real pain in itself, so I have an atty. to deal with that mess.

I hope I have assisted you in some way.

Interesting thread.

I have a combination of meds that is very weird and not all are
for fibro.

But here goes.


Neurotine 1200mg
xanax 3 at .25 a day
zanaflex 3 a day
cymbalta 60mg 2 a day
topamax 50 mg 2 a day
verapamil 240 mg 1 a day
veramist 2 squirts 2 times a day
advair 2 squirts 2 times a day
singular 10 mg 1 time a day
ferrous sulfate (iron) 2 a day
magnesium 250 mg 2 a day
nexium 40 mg 3 a day

500 mg of metformn er 2 a evening meal

And a couple prn's

Donna

a friend of mine does cardio,,she say;s it lessens the pain,,,bobber

I wish I could move around enough to do cardio

Dew...

The blood pressure medication you use has a diuretic in it.
Over time it depletes magnesium from the body. When magnesium gets low, you get muscle cramping, twitching and risk of cardiac arrhythmias. People with poor magnesium levels, often are tense and have trouble sleeping.

I'd suggest you check out my magnesium thread to help choose a supplement that works and dosing. I'd start at 1/2 the RDA or 200mg elemental:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

The reference I use also lists these nutrients that can be lost when using your blood pressure med:

potassium
sodium
magnesium
CoQ-10
zinc
phosphorus (one typically does not need to supplement this since it is so common in foods).

Chronic use of NSAIDs like Mobic can deplete folic acid

Long term use of Cymbalta may cause muscle spasms too.
This is from the SSRI part, which over time may cause the brain to lower dopamine levels, when that happens, there may be movement disorders, RLS or cramping. It may start in the face, tongue, neck area first. But some posters on these boards have reported RLS symptoms in the legs while taking SSRI drugs.

I'd suggest you get a B12 and Vit D blood test. Low B12 (anything below 500) results in the failure of melatonin manufacture and hence you may be having insomnia from that. methylB12 is a cofactor in the synthesis of melatonin from serotonin.
Many people with chronic pain issues are being found to have low Vit D levels. Correcting this one nutrient is showing that some people can reduce their pain medication as a result. It is very inexpensive to supplement this, so I'd really check it out.

There are studies out there that found that Fibro patients have lower B12 levels in the spinal fluid. The reason for this has not be explained however. It also occurs in MS patients.

I was just wondering... do you have tos and fibromyalgia? or just tos?

Back again, I've added magnesium too my medications. And I take cinnamon on a irregular bases. I need to make sure I take it more correctly I think.

I'm getting ready to switch from cymbalta to a different medicine, but not sure
which one. The pain medicine office didn't give me the samples. So I have
to go back for them. But if it doesn't work back to cymbalta I go.

I am guessing from the sound of it its the savella. I'm a little nervous from
what others have said, but it makes sense what my doctor said.

So we will see.

Donna

What do you mean about taking cinnamon more correctly? Do you just eat it- or take the pill?I've never been quite sure about how to take it myself...