Hi, from a newby

[Guest guest]

Hi, I'm a new kid on the block, I go by the name Dee. I have been on

(Fibromyalgia) disability for 2 years now. I used to work full time,

do crafts, and show cat's in the CFA and TICA clubs, but that has

been eaten up by FMS, MPS, CFS, Depression, Anxiety, and I can't

remember the other's listed on my medical records at the moment.

I've seen several postings in this group about Lyrica, Cymbalta and

Ultram/Tramadol. I've been on Cymbalta nearly 2 years (I think) and

currently take 180 mg a day. That's 120 mg in the a.m. and 60 mg

about 8 hours later. I Have taken generic Ultram for years and

complained to my doctor that they are no longer helping, in fact I

had been taking 2 every 3 hours instead of 4 hours as prescribed for

the past 6 months prior to starting Lyrica. I am currently taking 150

mg of Lyrica in the morning and again 8 hours later. It hasn't

changed my sleep medication yet, but is anticipated to do so

clonazepam/klonopin & cyclobenzaprine/flexeral).

When I started Lyrica (about 3 months ago) I weened myself off of the

Ultram as the Lyrica was my " wonder drug " . I could have been a

walking commercial for Lyrica! Like all good things, it had to

come to an end, or I'm going through a flare up. The pain returned

(although, less severe) and I started back on the Ultram. Taking

Ultram is like taking Tylenol, it doesn't seem to do much, yet I can

tell when I Need to take it. Now doesn't that make sense :~?

I recently became sensitive to new medications so the doctor

started me on the Lyrica as, 1-75mg in the a.m. for 3 days, then 1 in

the a.m. and p.m. for 3 days, then 2 in the a.m. and 1 in the p.m.

for 3 days, then 2 in the a.m. and the p.m. for there on. Of course

he said I could extend those days to progress to the next level as I

needed.

As we know, every Fibro-person reacts differently to different

medications; Lyrica changed my taste for food and drink, I was eating

more often as I couldn't find anything that satisfied my taste buds.

Lyrica eliminated the headaches that I had every day for the past ?#

years. If my skin should get cold from a slight breeze, it felt like

my clothes were rubbing against my nerves. I felt high in the head

and more energized, but my pain was gone so I resolved that I could

live with that as long as it rid me of pain.

2 months in, I began to experience the fibro pain again and my doctor

told me to start back on the Ultram and Skelaxin (slowly). He felt it

was too soon to tell if the Lyrica wasn't working. The skin and taste

side effects had dissapeared by this time, and I chose not to

increase the Lyrica dosage for now.

The Cymbalta has helped me come out of major depression, but yes, I

am still depressed. I'm just not in that dark gloomy, no way out

place anymore.

I do feel better in general, but I am not pain free. Even though I

wake in the mornings, I am not productive until evening, and still

need to take an afternoon nap. Being productive is light

housekeeping, care of the cats and cooking. Would I do it all again?

Yep..for me, it's worth a try.

Well, that was a bit long but I wanted to give my experience with

Lyrica, and in case someone else is going through the same type of

side effects, some do go away. If you try it, be aware of the side

effects list that are a danger.

Best of all, this drug has eliminated my headaches by 95%. !!!

Blessing to all

Dee