[davelikesfish]

Hi,

I'm new here. I didn't know where to start so I started this thread. I hope that's OK for a newbie.

I started having problems about 12 years ago and the last 5 have been awful. The worst is not knowing what the hell is wrong with me or what causes it. I've had problems with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, stiffness and severe fatigue. After all these years I'm fairly sure it's Fibromyalgia. I've suspected Lupos, Arthritus, or just being crazy amongst other things in the past. I was in the Army and eventually was kicked out in 2004 after 13 years because of my medical problems. I do receive benefits.

Anyway, I have been taking Gabapentin for about 2 years. I just got a persciption for Lyrica today. I'm supposed to stop my 1200mg 3xday and start my Lyrica (don't have my dosage available now) tomorrow. I hope it helps. I never noticed much improvement with the Gabapentin, only some mild but bad side effects.

I also take Tramadol 50mg 3xday, Celebrex 200mg 1xday, Hydrocodone 10mg 3xday, and Cymbalta 60mg 2xday.

I would like to talk to other people who have had similar problems and to people with advise. I understand that Fibromyalgia is more common amoung women than men. That's good for me because I like to talk to women more than men anyway.

I have also been reading about Low Dose Naltrexon (LDN) and it's benefits for my symptoms. Has anyone tried it or know anything about it?

[ChristineElena]

im christine i was taking gapaptin for 3 yrs then it was swelling my feet and lower legs so my dr, stopped lycria did the same thing so now im on 2 new one to try to stop the pain and the buring in my arms they haave had buring and pain for 4 4 months now and nothing is working cant sleep it like my feet and arms are on fire and the pain is like some is shocking me so bad i cant stand the pain

[Leesa]

Hi Christine ~ Has your doctor tried Topamax on you yet? This works MUCH better than neurontin or the other one you were on and it does NOT make you swell. Most people lose a little weight on it too.

I've been on Topamax for 9 years now, and it takes away ALL THE BURNING and stinging & zapping pain that I have had for 25 years! I'm on 400mg per day - you have to start low, but you might be able to start higher since you've already been on a similar dose. I would think you could start at the same dosage as you're taking of Gabapentin.

Please ask you doc about Topamax and see what he says. It really works great for me!!! god bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

[PegMeerkatz]

Hi I'm new here also, just posted in the new member introductions so I won't bore you with my story again. But I have secondary progressive MS that is progressing rapidly. If the pain scale went from 1 to 20 instead of 1 to 10 it still WOULD NOT be HIGH ENOUGH to measure the level of pain I experience on pretty much a daily basis. The way I explain this to "amatuers" (people with no personal experience with this) is I FEEL LIKE I AM LYING IN A VAT OF HOT OIL 24/7 THEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE "SOMEONE" STABS ME IN A LIMB, MY FACE, MY STOMACH, MY BUTT (it can be anywhere) WITH A RED HOT POKER! Since Sunday the pain is BEYOND DESCRIPTION it is MOSTLY ON MY LEFT SIDE. I have a CONTRACTURE in my LEFT HAND (dominant hand) & THAT IS WHERE THE PAIN IS THE WORST. I CANNOT even sit here & enjoy a favorite TV Program because that DAMN HOT POKER WILL NOT STAY OUT OF MY LEFT HAND!

I have been the gammet of medications & NOTHING HAS HELPED. I am OFTEN IRRITABLE & ANGRY; I get MAD @ the WRONG PEOPLE because I am so ON EDGE because of the pain.

If ANYONE knows how to STOP IT then PLEASE PASS IT ON!

Some days I am ready to put my head thru a wall because THE PAIN IS SO BAD!