Newbee who has FM

Hello to all,

I also have Fibormayalgia had gastric bypass surgery in October have lost 79 pounds to date and of course nobody mentioned to me that surgery could cause a flare.  I am currently taking Lyrica 75mg twice a day and Cymbalta 60mg at night as well as Coloazepam 1mg at night to help me sleep.  Also i take 5/325mg Vicodin 1 to 2 every six hours.  I just started taking the Lyrica and Cymbalta and have found the side effects to be to much to handle.  My vision has drastically changed letter and numbers seem to blear together and cant seem to make them out.  I have increase aggression and increased anxiety attacks.  As well has having trouble urinating.  Does anyone out there have any of these symptoms relating to these two drugs?   As well as does anyone have any thoughts on if our body is actually able to absorb enough of these drugs to actually help seeing as they are time released caps?  I was wondering if there is anyone out there from the Port Angeles WA area that might know of a doctor who knows a lot about FM?


Thanks

Terri

Well I had a different surgery so not sure how that affects it. I have taken lyrica and cymbalta but not at the same time. You are on the strongest dose of cymbalta and I found I had to take mine in the morning otherwise it kept me awake because it acts like an amphetamine for me. I also had to open my capsule and pour a bit out because I'm on the lowest dose and it was too strong at first, had to work up to it over a week or so. My vision is a little bit more blurry but not too bad. If you are feeling aggressive and anxious you may need a lower dose. I didn't really have any side effects from the lyrica except weight gain so I stopped that. I can gain just fine without help.lol
You are very lucky to live in PA it's the most beautiful area. I had relatives that lived there and spent many happy summers visiting the area.

That's not the stongest dose. I take 300 mg Lyrica and 90 Cymbalta.  Yes, together... with 12 other blasted medications.  The only side effect I've had so far is the vision blurrines and.. oh yes, WEIGHT GAIN!  How interesting is that?

Hi Terri,
I am new to the Fibro Forum, but not new to Fibro or WLS.  I had RNY done 1-3-06 and did great, I lost 90 lbs.  Then long story short, my doctor figured I had Fibro after years of complaining about pain that he would do nothing about except he said to take 1 Vicodin every 12 hrs.  What is that gonna do, right?  So I found a pain clinic that is wonderful.  It is through Kaiser in Calif.  I take Cymbalta.  I think you can take one or the other.  You are probably having a drug interaction, combinding the Lyrica and Cymbalta.  I also asked my pain management Dr. to put me on the Durgesic Fentanyl patches 25 mcg and as a break through med I use Norco.  You might be over medicated.  I feel so much better since starting this new drug plan.  I can actually get out of bed now and move around, I don't have to wait 3 hrs to get moving on a Sat.    Any kind of trama can cause a flare although I don't call it  flare because I have it all the time but, it could be the death of a loved one, stress, it doesn't have to be a physical event to cause Fibro.  You are taking very high doses for taking these twice a day and then another one at night.  I take my Cymbalta in the morning with my vitamins, put a new patch on after the 72 hrs and if I still have a little pain, I take a Norco, which is double the Vicodin.  So I am good to go.  I hope this helps.  Ask your doctor to taper you off of some of these and stop on some of them.  I like the Cymbalta because it is for depression as well.  I was getting depressed because I couldn't do a lot of things I wanted to.  Now it just keeps me even and steady.  Best wishes to you. 

Hi there!

I have FM like you. I am pre-surery as of yet.  You are NOT on high doses yet.  I take 300 mg of Lyrica (100 when I wake up and 200 at night).  I also take 90 (!!) of Cymbalta for depression and such.  Yes, there are vision side effects. I have no other side effectst hat you describe.  I'm not sure how Vicodin fits into all this. There might be an undesired interaction. Have you tried Percocet? It's a bit better.

However, watch out for Lyrica.  While being a WONDERDRUG for FM, it causes weight gain!  That's why I will be having this surgery in a first place.

Good luck!

I have just been on lyrica for two weeks.  It is helping alot...but we've had some rainy days and my pain is worse with the rain.  I have noticed that I want to eat constantly lately, but no significant wt gain yet.  Still waiting on my follow up appt with the rheumy so Im not officially on a regime yet

Hi Terri,
I am on 600 mgs of Lyrica(300mgs x2 aday) that is the highest dose you can get up to without having a seizure disorder (which the medication was origianlly intended for)
I am also on the highest dose of Cymbalta and Wellbutrin xl.
I do not take pain medication as I am a paramedic and had issues even taking the Lyrica with OSHA becuse it is a controlled substance!  I had to plead my case and won for that.
My vision has also changed, I had to renew my script for new glasses when I drive the ambulance (per dept of transpertations request for paramedics)
I have not gained weight on the Lyrica, as a matter of fact I have issues keeping weight on.
As far as SR pain meds, my mind on this is that we prolly are not getting the amount as say someone who has not had WLS would.
I've asked for patch at off duty times with my PCP and he won't give in with it.
So...I plod on.
I don't have any agression attacks, but I certainly have anxiety.
Keep up with your doctor on every symptom, write it down as you have it, dates and times of the issue and take it to him/her.
Best thing you can do at this time hun.
Good luck..
Donna