In my case, it got got better.  I have both lupus and fibro.  I am 4 years out with a DS.

It makes things a bit easier in terms of mobility, because at over 400 lbs before, there was just some pain I wasn't going to push through. 

The meds work better at a lower weight, and other preventive and relief measures, like exercise, or sitting in a warm bath, get easier at a lower weight.

I also have a narcotic pain releiver for really bad pain. 

My weight loss has made fibro and lupus a little easier to deal with, but there are still moments from Hades! 

Well knowing a patch is out there, is something new for me to look into.  Nobody has mentioned it to us before.  I just keep searching and searching hoping SOMETHING will help.  Thanks for replying!

Hello all,

My hubby has fibro and is 400+lbs.  We went to 4 rheumatologist before a diagnosis of fibro.  One would say RA, then we would go to an RA specialist and they would say Fibro.  Go to a Fibro specialist and they say RA...  We are now at a Arthritis center that deals with both.  But they don't really seem to be doing anything.  And have "Suggested" that he sees a psychiatrist because they aren't comfortable mixing or going on high doses of cymbalta, lyrica etc. because they affect the brain.  His psychiatrist has him on Nortriptlyline, and tramadol for pain (2x/day), Skelexton for a muscle relaxer, and trazadone for sleep.  He gained 40 lbs in 2 months on the lyricL.  Cymbalta made him anxious.  Its been a big mess.  He hasn't worked for 2 years, and is now on Social Security disability.  The only time he is semi-active is when he takes a bunch of the tramadol.  Then of course after 2 weeks, he has none left and is miserable. 

Does anyone live in the Columbus area who can recommend a good doctor.  We went to a neurologist, and she basically said theres nothing she can do.  Our rheumatologist is useless, I guess i'll look into a pain specialist next...  

Any thoughts anyone??  I saw posts about patches.  Never heard of those, what are the results on that?  I'm basically looking for anything.  I miss my husband :(

 

Thanks for any help,

Kim

Actually have noticed an improvement with the double dose, now at 60 mg
. The headache also went away like first time when I tried half that dose.
I have broken sleep, so take my Synthroid at about 3 am, then at about 6 am I take my Cymbalta and sleep for another hour or two, and find some stiffness and pain I had at 6 am is gone, especially welcome as lower legs and ankles otherwise would be very painful, and I can get out of bed quite easily. Hot shower helps ease the stiffness and residual pain as well. Forgot to mention I take a Flexoryl at bedtime (muscle relaxant) which makes me sleepy and helps with the pain.

One thing I have noticed after being all these months on Cymbalta: I dream a lot and in colour...not exactly nightmares, but real long adventures, and I remember scraps of them on waking, and I am quite tired from my dreams....Anyone else notice this?

.

My FMS seems to have lessened.  I attribute it to the weight loss and the way I eat now.  I have always noticed that it flares with more sugar and white carbs such as rice, pasta, etc.  I eat far less of these things now so believe it has helped.  However, the fatigue is the same.  If I am real busy one day, the next I am exhausted.  Thus, I make sure to get in my vits, proteins and water.  The fatigue is even worse when I don't.