Fibromyaligia people.......

**Medusa** · 12-22-2007, 08:37 AM

I was on only 30 mg. a day and, as I mentioned previously, it did help in the beginning, especially w/the neuropathy from shingles and the fibromyalgia; the arthritis, not so much. It may work for you; I hope it does but please beware about stopping it cold turkey so that you may be able to thwart any withdrawal symptoms.

**Logan** · 12-22-2007, 12:16 PM

Are Cymbalta and Lyrica similar? I didn't do any research, but was provided Lyrica for a 7 day "test" for some post Shingles pain. It made me sleepy and "loopy" and I would forget conversations that were had 5 minutes before. Thank goodness it was over Thanksgiving and I wasn't working. I told my doctor I'd take the post Shingles pain any day over that awful feeling. The "side effect" list for Lyrica is long and I would think that anyone who considers that drug for Fibro or diabectic nerve pain should really read hard and consider the side effects before taking it.

**Medusa** · 12-22-2007, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Logan

Are Cymbalta and Lyrica similar?

I haven't researched Lyrica but just by listening to the commercials on TV, that scared me enough. To my knowledge, Lyrica is specifically for fibromyalgia. Cymbalta is used mainly for depression but it's also used to treat fibromyalgia because it raises the serotonin levels in the brain and serotonin is one of our body's natural pain killers. Cymbalta spaced me out in the beginning, too. The first few days, I sat and stared for an undetermined amount of time but that passed quickly.

**Catsnclay** · 12-22-2007, 05:28 PM

Well......crap!

Now I don't know if I should try it or not!!

I also got samples, so it isn't costing me anything, but I am beginning to worry more about the side affects than the healing part!

I just wish I knew what to do!!

-

Oh, and Mary....... in the sample package I have, it DOES say to slowly reduce the medication and NOT to go off of it - cold turkey.

If you want a copy of this to show your doctor and his rep I will gladly send it to you. PM me your snail mail addy.

**Medusa** · 12-22-2007, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Catsnclay

in the sample package I have, it DOES say to slowly reduce the medication and NOT to go off of it - cold turkey.

I talked to my dr. about that and he said that, since he was out of town at that time, the medical asst. should've paged him. But he also said that given the short period of time that I was on it, it shouldn't have had that effect. Excuses, excuses, excuses.

I didn't want to frighten you but I felt that you should know what I experienced. You may be one of the lucky ones who has no side effects from it but, if you do, just be smart and wean yourself off it.

**Daisy and Delilah** · 12-22-2007, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the warning, Mary. I will definitely wean off of it if necessary. I know a lady at my work that takes 60 mg. a day and she's changed for the better so much it's hard to believe. I need to warn her too.

I feel so fortunate to be one of the lucky ones with it. It sure sounds like all people are not so lucky.

**carole** · 12-23-2007, 03:23 AM

It really is your personal choice, I have had fibromyalgia for over 11 years, i tried amitripilene and found it to be horrific, i was like a zombie, remember people with fibro are usually very sensitive to drugs, and the side effects, more so than people without it, i have never tried anything else since, and i don't think i intend to, i do take over the counter pain relief panadol, which i think is like your tynenol, it just takes the edge off the pain for me sometimes and i was taking arcoxia which is a drug for arthritis, but only like two tablets a month, i have since quit that, as my stomach problems just won't tolerate much.

Good luck with whatever you decide, for me until they find a cure that does not require medication with awful side effects i am going to go on as i am now,i may end up suffering more i guess, but some of the side effects are just not worth it to me.