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Gabapentin, Savella, Lyrica and Cymbalta?
Ok, I have heard of all of these medications and I realize that everyone is different. I am currently being tested for all kind of muscle disorders and autoimmune disorders so am pretty sure that soon, I will be told to take one of these medications (I already have CFS). I am just wanting some feedback as to how they affected you and the mg that you take. My primary wanted me to try Savella w/o my test results back yet - waiting on the tests from the rheumatologist, but after reading that other post about Savella, that scares me. I have a friend on Gabapentin (which I believe is Neurotin sp?). Any advice? I want to be prepared because I have found that doctors do what works for them and I like to know what I am up against. I also take Clonopin, Verapamil for my heart, Potassium and Synthroid.
Thanks for any advice!
Thanks for any advice!
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Hello all. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia since 04/29/09 directly after I had my hysterectomy. My husband said that I was using Fibromyalgia as an excuse. Believe me, I hope he never has to walk in my shoes! The best thing ever for my Fibromyalgia has been the Lyrica. It has saved me from staying in bed all day to getting up and going for walks. I take 200mg a day & I also take Tramadol 50mg. The Cymbalta I took was great but the side effects were terrible. I was in a fog and constantly tired. The Sevilla did not work for me. It made me mean. Trazadone is wonderful as well. It helps me sleep. For those of you who have it. I feel for every single one of you little angels. Try swimming and walking and love yourself.
Hi! I echo other people who have said it depends on your body chemistry. My body apparently doesn't react well to anything that either affects serotonin or that is a relaxant/sedative. On Lyrica, I had heart palpitations & shortness of breath. On cymbalta, I had serotonin syndrome and landed in the hospital overnight. I am wary of muscle relaxants or opioids b/c they tend to hit me super hard and I go directly into a stupor that baffles docs, and they last longer than expected. Conversely, I metabolize local anesthetics super-fast -- have to be sedated for dental work and had to have a c-section under general b/c of it. The only type of pain killer that works at all for anything if Exedrin migraine if I take itin the first 20 minutes of a migraine.
Cymbalta balances hormones. Stress hormone & another. Read what you get from the prescription. Take it at night if the nausea bothers you, until your body adjusts. After a few months, I was able to switch back to daytime. I take 30 mg. when I get up with lots of water. Then when I eat breakfast, I take the other 60 mg. At 60 mg. the pain & stiffness was gone. We added 30 mg. more for the depression. I have energy. Spring up from my chair without a struggle. And I have a sense of well being, I haven't had in 40 yrs, To me Cymbalta is my Miracle !!! Please realize that this could work for other, but they weren't so turned off about it. Also, It requires patience & slowing going to get there !!!
You should keep on trying with the mask. My husband wears one and it's been like night and day for him. It saved his life. I know it's uncomfortable and hard to get used to, but he finally did. I hope someone else sees your post. You might want to start a new one about the lumps and your vision. I have vision issues but not the lumps so have no idea about them. I would be concerned. Post a new one so people will see it. They won't see it on here. Stay in touch if you like. Hope you get better.
Thank you. I am now off Cymbalta, but still on Modividil (sp). I did get the repeat sleep study. I now TRY and were mask....ha. Funny some AM's I get up it is laying on floor and I don't remember how it came off. Started new pain center Doc, he is very fast but sweet. My biggest issues are my vision and the massive amount of small but extremely painful lumps under skin near muscles I guess?? I can't figure out what the he they are... Anyone at all ????
I do like that Lyrica makes me feel better as far as the muscle pains and even my osteoarthritis. The only reason I can not stay on it is the weight gain, It makes me so hungry everyday. I can not afford to gain weight with the arthritis. I am 190 and just 5ft 4in now. I have savella and it has helped some as well but it makes me sweat so much, people look at me like "what is going on with you"? So embarrassing to be ringing wet with sweat and it is the middle of winter! So I have never stuck with them over a month, seemed to me the side effects should slow down by that time.Does anyone have the same problems with these meds? Feedback appreciated.
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Well, you are completely right...it's hard to know how each medication is going to react with your body chemistry. Gabapentin and Neurontin are the same med- you are correct. Neurontin is the brand name. I found Gabapentin and Lyrica to be very similar, but Lyrica is stronger at lower doses.
I have tried Cymbalta as well and didn't like it. I had trouble with my GI system. I had diarrhea the whole time I was on it and I became incredibly depressed. I too am very anti-Savella because of some of the negative stories I've heard, because I know my body and the people who had negative responses tended to have things in common with me. I mean in terms of how they reacted to other meds.
I have heard really wonderful stories too about Savella- don't get me wrong. *With your heart condition though I would be a bit leary of Savella.* I have heart palpitations and take Potassium daily as well, so that is my main qualm with Savella. I also have had bouts of atrial fibrillation.
I know that you have CFS. Anti- Seizure meds tend to work well with the FM and CFS diseases in my opinion because they target the nervous system, but Lyrica and Neurontin (Gabapentin) can make you drowsy. Most of the anti-seizure meds can.
I take Topamax, which is another much stronger anti-seizure med used for migraines that helps with pain too at higher doses. My doctor told me I would become sleepy on it, but it has actually given me energy, which I LOVE. I have noticed that it has acted this way with others too. If you do try Lyrica or Neurontin and they don't work for you, you could always ask about Topamax. I have TONS of info about it and I wouldn't mind sharing my experiences with you. Feel free to PM me to if that works better for you. Take care.
-Dusty