[dogtanian]

i went onto pregabalin a few weeks back for my fibromyalgia. i was supposed to take 75mg at night to begin with and then go up to 75mg in the morning as well.

first problem was the the morning after starting i felt horrendous - there were 3 of everything, i couldn't see or walk straight, i could hardly keep my eyes open and i generally felt bad. but that eased up.

then, i found that taking it in the morning made me too drowsy. with uni on the go, i really can't be too drowsy when i'm working or so on. i was literally having to splash cold water on my face every 5 mins. that never went away either, i felt like that every day.

so i went to the doc and mentioned the drowsiness, so he said i should take both doses at night and see how i got on. so i did and the next day i felt awful again, back to not being able to see/walk/anything. i took the dose last night and i only felt able to function by about 6pm today.

the problem is - apart from these effects the drug really isn't helping.

he wants me to have an injection in my hip which is similar to a cortisone jab but done under local anaesthetic. this is different to what he mentioned at my first appointment which was to have 2 large injections in my lower back that should ease up my hip area for a long while.

the problem i have is this: i still feel really sore with the FM, the med is making it hard to function, and he's a private doctor (because no nhs doc seemed to want to tell me what was wrong) and he's really expensive. i've had a private rheumatologist for a while and she's not cheap but he's in a whole other playing field! and i know, because i know about such things, that any treatments he gives are going to cost a fortune. i can't get health insurance (long story).

so i have a dilemma, do i stick with him and pay in the hope that one of his treatments works? or do i just give up? because if they don't work i'm going to be angry as i'll have spent *a lot* of money.

[January]

Oh gee! What a choice?

Can you go to your rhuemy and ask her opinion of the new Dr's treatments? That might help. I have to have cortizone shots in the bursa and they hurt so much. I have fibro, too. I know my ex MIL had the kind of shots he wants to give you and they did wonders for her.

I sure wish you the best.

Hugs,

Jan

[dogtanian]

yeah, it's a tough one.

the problem is i've had too many cortisone into the bursa injections already - i think you're only supposed to have a certain amount in any given time. you're right tho, they hurt like hell! i found that the injection itself hurt, then the joint would hurt even more than normal for about 2 days, then i'd realise i was hurting less generally. but god, they're horrible!

the other problem is that the rheumy referred me to this guy, so i'm sure she thinks he's great.

the reason i'm sceptical about the shots in question is that the ones he's talking about now and the ones he talked about the first time i saw him sounded totally different. maybe he thinks i'm stupid and won't remember what he said first time?

it he wasn't so darned expensive i'd not mind so much.

[emma4ever]

Hi, saw this at Amazon.com and thought you might like to have a look... (I've nothing to do today..)

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia : The Revolutionary Treatment That Can Reverse The Disease (Paperback)

Download Description
Fibromyalgia is a painful disorder for which mainstream medicine has no solution other than heavy, and often ineffective, use of painkillers, along with lifestyle changes. It affects 20 million Americans, with high rates of occurrence in women. Related to rheumatoid arthritis, it too is an autoimmune disorder involving muscular pain, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and depression. 'What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia' is the first book to offer a treatment program combining diet and exercise recommendations with the use of guaifenesin, a well-known medication available over the counter. A common ingredient in cough medicine, guaifenesin is so safe it is one of the few drugs in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) with no known side effects listed. Dr. St. Amand was inspired by his own fibromyalgia to research available treatments, and he developed this revolutionary program as a result. Over 4 decades of his research culminate in this program--which treats the causes of the condition, not just the symptoms. It has successfully eliminated symptoms in 80 percent of his patients' cases. Dr. St. Amand has discovered how to put fibromyalgia into remission so patients can return to their normal lives, and shares the secret for the first time in this book. --This text refers to the Digital edition.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/044...Fencoding=UTF8

xx em

[(JD)]

IMO diet is important in managing fibromyalgia... as with any arthritic malady. Plenty of rest, restorative sleep, good diet, proper physical activity, and psychological support are all important. TC (I'm sure if there was a cure, it would be all over the net if not the broadcast airways.)