New Rheumatologist, wants to try lyrica; provigil?!??

[Guest guest]

I saw a new rheumatologist today (I no longer have health insurance

to see my regular rheumatologist...so I am stuck w/ an indigent care

program here called, CICP). They did new labs and xrays, but she was

telling me that my RA isn't too bad, but my fibromyalgia is worse.

For those of you who don't know me, I spent a few months in the

hospital for sepsis in the summer of 2006. Ever since then, I feel

like my RA/fibro went into overdrive. I had to quit working and I am

in the process of getting SSDI. I don't know if the sepsis changed

something like how I persive pain, but I have been in constant,

chronic pain since then.

My old rheumatologist has had me on sulfasalazine, plaquinel, and

dicofenac. The new rheumatologist who I saw today, wants to start me

on lyrica on top of my previously prescribed meds. I was concerned

about the side effects of increased joint swelling and weight gain.

(Granted I have to wait for CICP approval before I take this

medication). I know there have been posts on lyrica before but I

wanted some feedback on those of you who have RA and fibromyalgia.

I asked about Provigil to help deal w/ the chronic fatigue (taking a

shower seems to take all the energy that I have on most days). She

told me that they have no problem's w/ prescribing me provigil, but I

just need to take a sleep study first. (Again, I have to wait for

bureaucracy approval for the sleep study). She doesn't like

prescribing " stimulants " like adderall or ritalin for fatigue

assocated w/ RA/fibro but provigil is no problem. Did anyone here

have to have a sleep study prior to being prescribed provigil?

Thanks for being there. Take care.