Anything else we can try for pain?

I tried Lyrica, Cymbalta, they are not working.

I am on Celexa still as an antidepressant right now.

I am allergic to codeine and NSAIDS are out; I can't take anti-inflammatory drugs I react to them too.

Is there anything else to try?  My doctor is stumped and so am I.  I have resorted to walking with a cane now, which is crazy.  I've lost all this weight and I don't feel any better energy or physically fit wise. 

What kind of a doctor specializes in this.  I  am going to my PCP, but would a rhumatologist be better, maybe?

Hi! I can only tell you my experience with Fibro, and the horrible pain it causes. I would absolutely visit a Rheumatologist! Fibromyalgia is something that they specialize in, so they are almost alwasy up to date in the latest treatments, etc. related to it. I would also try to find a local type message board or support group, and ask around there, to find out who the compassionate doctors are, sometimes you have to do a little searching before finding one that will work with you, you know?

There are a TON of other pain meds that your doctor can try, I'm surprised that they haven't tried more actually. I can't believe that a doctor would let their patient get to the point that their pain was so bad that they have to depend on a cane, because they are unwilling to try other pain meds! Of course, I can't give medical advice, but I would ask your doctor about a long acting form of pain reliever, sometimes called "timed release". These are available in pill form, and patch form (although personally, and in several people I've known, this option has been found to be less effective). If they don't want to go with a long acting type medication, then there are even more options! Normally they can start you out on one of the less powerful drugs, at a low dose, to see how you tolerate it, and how effective it is on your pain. Then, the medication and dose can be adjusted accordingly.

Years ago, when my symptoms first started, I took Darvocet with good results. I was also given Percocet, which worked well, but eventually the dosages increased to where my doctors and I became concerned about the amount of acetaminophen (tylenol) in those meds.
 
At that point, I was switched to a long acting form of morphine, called MS Contin, that contained no tylenol, and only used Percocet for breakthrough pain occasionally. I continued this treatment plan, with only very occasional dosage adjustments, for years.......until my recent bypass surgery actually, when I had to be switched off the MS Contin, since it is a long acting med, and cannot be crushed, and had to find another med! That's a whole 'nother story though!

I hope you have gotten some good ideas to discuss with your doctor from reading about my history.  It's a terrible thing to live with pain every single day, and even worse to not have any tools to use against it! Good luck, and message me anytime if you have any questioins about what I have posted. I'm in post op recovery right now, but hopefully will be back to normal soon?? :) Good Luck, and I wish pain free days ahead for you!!!

I agree 100% with the OP! There is no reason for you to be in that much pain. If you can't find a rheumy you can also try a pain clinic as they too often specialize in fibro pain. Best of luck to you as this is a really nasty disease to live with even when you take it one day at a time.

Hi,
Try the Duragesic Fentanyl patch and Norco.  Start off with 12mcg on the patch.  And 10/325 on the Norco.  This is a good combo.  I like the patch because you get 72 hrs of continuous medication. The Norco is the breakthrough med.  I use the Norco for my hips and knees.  They hurt real bad when I bend down, but my arms don't have the "flu" like feeling anymore from the patch.  After being on the 12mcg, ask to be bumped up to 25mcg.  That is what I was on for a long time.  But since my hips and knees still hurt, I am going to the 50mcg, so I can take less of the Norco.  I know everyone has their combo, but maybe you haven't tried this one yet, and perhaps it will work for you.  Getting into a pain clinic is the best move you could make for getting relief.  They understand what we are going through.  Let me know what you think about the combo of meds I just spoke about.  I remember the first day I put the patch on, I was excited.  I didn't have the flu feeling and I could move around and bend and I felt normal.  Hope you get the right meds.  I know you don't need to see a Rheumy regarding this but you should tell whom ever you see what you want.  Don't ask; tell them, say look, this is the combo I want to try.  I know my body and what it can handle. I always tell the docs that is why I pay you the big bucks.  I say, you are here to help me.  So help me.  Let me know.  thanks and take care and I hope you can throw your cane out the window.  LOL
Kristy

Hi,

I've been living with fibro for over 5 years now.  I find that sitting in a sauna helps me feel more revitalized on a daily basis.  There are plenty of health benefits to regular sauna and heat therapy and for me, nothing makes me feel better than that feeling of heat sinking deep into my skin, muscles and joints. It gives me great temporary relief.

After much research and talking with fellow fibro sufferers regarding infrared therapy, I decided to throw in the towel and buy an infrared sauna from eloofaimports.com/sauna. It is the best purchase I have made.  I'd suggest Googe'ling to learn more about the health benefits in infrared therapy.

Maggie

 

Hi
I am new to this forum, and was going over some posts.  I work with a Rheumatologist, and a Neurologist.  The rheumatologist i also see as a patient, and in my opinion he is not that knowledgable with Fibro, the nurses i work with thinks the neurologist is more familiar.  I am going to try and see a pain specialist that seems to know about fibro from the website.  Bottom line,  it is all individual.  Like i said, Rheum's are suppose to be the authority on Fibro, but the one i work with is not at all.  Let me know what you find out.  I am sorry you are feeling so bad.  Get better :)

 

I have just started to see my rhuemy last month. Before that I was being treated by PCM at the Naval Hospital in Beaufort SC. SHe had placed me on Elavil which is an antidepressant but helps with muscle pain. When I went to my rhuemy he told me to stay on the Elavil but also gave me a perscription for Savella which is also an antidepressant but he said that is works better for fibro patients than the Elavil does. So now I am taking both, it seems to help. The rhuemy that I am seeing specializes in fibromyalgia so I am hoping that he will be able to help. Talk to your doctors and see what they can do for you. I am just glad that after five years that they are finally starting to take me serious.