Help for ayoung mom newly diagnosed...Lyrica?
sarasmile477 - Aug 18th, 2009 2:37 AM
[ Original Post ]

I am 34 years old and just today (finally) was diagnosed with fybromyalgia. I have been researching the illness for about a year now and always thought that this has to be what I have...and I was right!!! Well, the rheumatologist prescribed Lyrica for me to start on until I see the fibro specialist (in November). Does anyone have any info on how it worked for them and any side effects to watch out for? I currently take a whole list of meds which include Cymbalta, Darvocet (prescribed for a torn tendon in my rotator cuff that I had surgery on two months ago), and many other things for a whole list of ailments due to this disease. The rheumatologist I saw said she only diagnoses and does not treat the illness and she referred me to the courage center, a fibro specialist, and a pain clinic and see my regular Dr also to be treated. But my regular Dr said she would not prescribe narcotic pain killers because I would not be level headed enough to take care of my kids (which are ages 9, 6, and 2). Well, now that I am officially diagnosed maybe she will reconsider but I have told her...if I feel pain, I can't take care of my kids either! Sometime it hurts to just have them sitting next to me constantly moving as ADHD as they are and can't sit still. When they bump me too much it hurts me let alone when my 2 year old stands at my feet for me to pick him up! It breaks my heart! Anyone have any kind of info to help me deal with this, I would greatly appriciate it! Thanks!

Comment


 

Fantod - Aug 18th, 2009 11:29 AM

Hello and welcome to the group. I am very sorry to read about your situation. You are certainly not alone in your concerns.

This is the first time that I have EVER heard of a rheumotologist who does not treat Fibromyalgia (FMS). Personally,I think it is rather odd. I have to wonder if there is some sort of fee arrangement between the rest of the doctors that you are scheduled to see. It is not my intention to impune your healthcare. I'm just thinking out loud. That being said, lets get back to the situation at hand.

I'm glad to hear that you are Cymbalata. There are only certain classes of prescribed medication that work with FMS. Cymbalta is prescribed for the pain and depression that is usually associated with FMS. Lyrica is another popular choice but it is usually accompanied by rapid weight gain. That seems to be the most common complaint that people have about it. There is another newer drug on the market called Savella. Some folks on this board are using it and seem to have had good success. As far as I know, it does not seem to have any major side effects like wieght gain.

It is very common for people with FMS to have trouble with physical contact and sometimes pressure from clothing. It is called allydonia.
Hopefully, some of your symptoms will subside once the medication really takes hold which can take two weeks or longer. I was diagnosed about three years ago and I still have problems with both.

Fibromyaglia is a short circuit of the central nervous system. The mechanism that causes this is not understood. There is no cure but it can be managed. You should take some time to read through all of the information in the blue boxes on the lefthand side of this page. You will need to be well educated on FMS in order to manage your symptoms effectively. There are still a lot of healthcare professionals (and patient family members) who do not believe that this syndrome exists. It is recognised by the National Arthitis Foundation and the Center for Disease Control.

If you are not satisfied with waiting until November to see someone for treatment there are a couple of things that you can do. Call your local hospital physician referral service and ask them for a rheumotologist and/or a pain specialist with an interest in FMS. You can also go to the National Fibromyalgia Association website and register. Then you can see a list of healthcare fibro-friendly providers in your area.

I'm not a Mom so I can not offer you any suggestions regarding your children. I will say that kids are intuative and always know something is wrong even if you aren't telling them. I think you should have a short discussion with the oldest two. If nothing else, kids imaginations run rampant and they might be afraid that you are dying. You'll have to figure out what is appropriate since you know them. I think it is better that they hear it from you rather than speculate and start acting out.

If you have further questions or concerns, we are all here to help. Take care and let us know how you are doing.


sarasmile477 - Aug 18th, 2009 1:46 PM

Thank you so much for your help!! Yes, my parents are a little sceptical about this whole thing, but they don't live with me so they haven't seen my really bad days. Those are the days that I can hardly lift a brush to comb my own hair let alone my daughter's. Well, thank for the info this will help me a lot!


Fantod - Aug 18th, 2009 10:59 PM

sarasmile477 - With regards to your folks, this is a very common problem for people with FMS. Spouses don't always cope well with it either. If your parents are Internet savvy, go to the National Arthitis Foundation website. Use the "search" function to find the section on Fibromyalgia and send them the link. Or, you can get the "Fibromyalgia for Dummies" book on Amazon.com and send it to them. The sooner they get their heads wrapped around your situation, the better. You are going to need a lot of support going forward. People with FMS are tough but they are not invincible. Take care.


Fantod - Aug 18th, 2009 11:05 PM

By the way, your regular doctor is correct in not gving you narcotics for the pain associated with FMS. You are new to the process and there are plenty of other possibilities that have to explored and exhausted before making that decision. It can take several months to find the right combination of medication and doseage to give you some relief. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.