Update on pain mgmt doc appt -- Was Re: update, and need some words of encouragement/prayers

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I had my appt with my new pain management doctor today. He is qwesome!!!

First, he diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. I met all the criteria for both the

tender-point test, and the new interview-based diagnostic test.

I think he increased my tizanidine from 2mg every 8 hours to 4mg 3x/day--or

maybe he added Sona (sp?) to the mix, I'm not sure, I can't remember (I'll have

to look at the prescripton he gave me). He also increased my Lortab 5mg tabs

from 3/day to 6/day. He also wrote the prescriptions for them with one refill

each (enough to last me until I see him next).

I see him again for a follow-up in 2 months.

We talked about adding Cymbalta or Lyrica to my medications, and we both agreed

that it is a bad idea to do so because I am already on another SNRI (Effexor XR)

for my depression, plus a handful of SSRIs and other meds that increase

serotonin, so the risk of serotonin syndrome would be too high in order to add

another SNRI to the mix.

We also decided not to add Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) or Skelaxin

(meloxicam) to the mix because I recieved no benefit from them in the past.

He did not diagnose me with myofascial pain syndrome, and he did not put me on a

tricyclic antidepressant. In fact, the conversation didn't even go to either of

these topics, because neither he nor I brought it up.

Anyway, I have to go take an exam. But I wanted to share the fantastic news.

Thank you so much to all of you for your wonderful support!!! Now let's all hope

the changes he made will WORK.

Peace to all, and my wishes to you all for pain-free days,

e.h.

[Guest guest]

> E. H. wrote:

> First, he diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. I met all the criteria for both the

tender-point test, and the new interview-based diagnostic test.

,

Gentle hugs and weather and poor sleep habits are my trigger for my fibromylagia

and I had a flare last week. Lyrica has some mental health side effects and I

and other members had real problems with it and had to get off. It causes weight

gain, some visual prolems and thinking problems.

Doctors don't usually prescribe Soma and Tizaidine (xanaflex) together as it is

the same type of medication. Tizadine is short acting so I am glad your Doctor

increased your dose to 4 mg and short med times as every eight hours is a long

time as every four hours is more like it. Soma doesn't give so much sedation as

Tizadine . The Lortab prescription is the lowest dose also.

Cymbalta also has some side effects that are weird so be sure to read their med

insert /website. One of their side effects are muscle cramps and that is why I

was put on them and I did get cramps in my legs and tapered off. What was that

medication someone posted that enhances serotonin ? If anyone can remember

please let me know.

Elavil was one of the first medications to treat fibromylagia and still is a

nigh-time medication to give. The National Fibromylagia website is a good

website and they send you e-newsletters.

I have found out over the years that I do not go into my REM restorative sleep

into early in the morning when is which I was getting up for work and my poor

sleep cycles (I still have) causes my triggers my flares. Good Luck with you

treatment plan and let us know how it works. Bennie