Lyrica for Treating Fibromyalgia

I have been absent for a while here on Gather. About a month ago, I posted that I was given a sample of Lyrica to try, in hopes of lessening my chronic pain from fibromyalgia. I had planned on reporting back sooner, but I felt it was best to see how I did after several weeks.

For those of you who suffer from this disorder, you are well aware that we can try a medication and it will work for a couple of weeks, then the side effects set in and become as unbearable as the condition the medication is prescribed to treat. Oftentimes, we are given more than one new medication to try (my advice - do NOT start more than one at a time), so we have difficulty figuring out which one is causing the problems.

I was given Lyrica and UltramER. I decided to hold off on the Ultram, so I could see how well the Lyrica worked without conflict. In my previous post, I felt immediate relief from the Lyrica. I was able to get out fo bed easily, not just because I felt rested, but because I did not need support to stand up. Still, I was leary.

Lyrica is a nerve pain meidcation used to treat pain from diabetes and to treat seizures. The side effects range from typical dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness to weight gain, decreased muscle coordination and abnormal thoughts.

I was a bit concerned about the side effects, because I often suffer the worst of them with medications. However, after almost six weeks, I have suffered few effects from the medication. I sleep better (I have actually been able to reduce my sleep meds to four or five nights a week), though I have noticed an increase in disturbing dreams (not quite nightmares). I have a need to eat a large meal within two hours of each dose, but found if I eat a smaller meal (or snack with my evening dose) at the time I take the medication, this is offset.

The benefits: prior to starting this medication, my pain level was staying at a constant level of about 7-8 with flares nearly driving me to the emergency room. Lack of insurance is the only thing that kept me away. I could not sleep even with sleep meds, I dealt with irritabel bowels, unexplainable chest pains, & muscle twitches. I could not stand the feel of fabrics from clothing or bedsheets, being touched, bright lights or loud noises.

Today, my overall pain is at a 1-2. I have been stripped of a whole layer of pain. While not 100% pain-free, I am not overwhelmed anymore. I have noticed areas that the pain has not gone away. However, these areas are sights of injuries and would be expected to experience "normal" pain. I still take the occassional tramadol to help with these areas, as well as continuing with my twice daily Celebrex. My bowels have  become normal, perhaps inpart due to less NSAIDS that tend to bind. I have noticed how soft my sheets are and do not "feel" every little touch of fabric from my clothes. I am calmer than I have ever been. I actually delight in how my perspective of touch has changed, how a cool breeze feels cool and does not trigger my deep seated aches.

Best of all, I am able to walk more than a few blocks, though my hips cannot tolerate hills. I have slowly started stretching, though I am careful to take it very cautiously. While a normal person would stretch until the feel the burn, I strectch to the edge of my comfort, but no more. My goal is to add weight training by next summer.

Lastly, this article merely reflects my personal experience with fibromyalgia and the use of Lyrica to treat it.  If you feel you could benefit from this drug, talk to your doctor.