Common Painkillers for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

On top of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I have lived with barely managed atrial fibrillation (A-fib) for about three years. I have tried almost all NSAIDS for pain and sleep. Each trial ended in one to three days of pretty intense A-fib.

My doctor finally prescribed Doxepin for sleep and Tramadol for the days when the pain was intense.Both medications are effective for me.

Recently, I have experienced some relief from A-fib with a Mexican product called Reumofan Plus. I have been able to take Aleve and Ibuprofen for several doses without going into A-fib. The recommended dose is one tablet every 12 hours but I have been able to reduce and even end episodes of A-fib with a single tablet every other day.

Note: Reumofan Plus is sold as a joint pain medication and is completely ineffective for my joint pain symptoms, even at the recommended dose.

I take alot of ibuprofen….800 to 1000 mg at a time 3 times a day…my doc doesnt seem concerned…..is this high a dose bad????

What other options are there? When I had a procedure done a while back had to stop the ibuprofen and take tylenol and I was miserable….

I took large amounts of ibuprophen daily as a teenager. I did not know then that I had benign hypermobility syndrome in addition to fybromyalgia which contributed to chronic joint pain and connective tissue inflammation. Little did I know that extended use of anti inflammatories can errode the stomach lining causing, among other things, stomach ulcers. I got my first stomach ulcers at 21. It is important to talk to your doctor about OTC use and to limit it whenever possible. Berries are an excellent alternative anti inflammatory, especially blueberries and acai. Also pomegranates.

My liver enzymes went up on Tramadol. For Afib I make sure that I take Magnesium twice a day.

I use Naproxyn and Savella to treat my Fibro and they are effective for me.

Taking too much ibuprofen can cause ulcerative colitis. My daughter and a niece had this happen. Be very careful with tylenol and any products that contain tylenol (acetamenaphin sp?) 9 years ago my 27 yo daughter died from liver failure brought on by addiction to hydrocodone abuse. This pain med, also known as Vicodin, contains tylenol. If you take this, and also take otc meds containing tylenol, you are putting yourself at risk of liver failure. Especially if you take too much hydrocodone. Your liver can’t metabolize acetamenaphin, tylenol, very fast. When you take too much, your body builds up harmful enzymes that kill the liver. It is a very painful, slow way to die. And if you have a compromised liver to begin with, you really have to be very careful!

I’ve had muscle ache relief with Naltrexone I use it for about a month and can then go off it for 9-12 months.

I’ve taken Tramadol for 8 years now and it’s provided the best relief for me.

Stomach problems occur with all these meds except Naltrexone and there is a medication you can get that you take in the morning and at night to help fix the stomach problems.

With the naltrexone I’m now down to one tramadol a day.

I have a policy of not discussing my medical history/conditions/current treatments in an arena as public as the internet, but I felt compelled to add my story and experiences in the hopes that others may see the other risks involved with these drugs. I’m a VERY complex fibromyalgia patient, because I not only was born with the symptoms (it took 20 years to get the correct diagnosis), but also with GERD and gastroparesis (paralysis of the stomach resulting in extremely slow digestion). I was also born with naturally high liver enzyme levels, whether I was taking medication or not. Beyond that I suffered a severe spinal injury which resulted in double fusion surgery at the age of 20. Since I was officially diagnosed with FMS at 19, I have been put on Lyrica and Cymbalta – both made me suicidal (including one attempt I don’t even have memories of) and offered no relief from symptoms. I’ve never been able to take NSAIDS because I have a severe allergy which causes my stomach to fill with blood and my liver to shut down almost completely. Because of all these factors AND the fallout from a spinal injury, my pain is controlled by a specialist with narcotics including oxycodone. I am monitored VERY closely, undergo blood tests frequently, and I also take a form of oxycodone which contains absolutely NO acetaminophen. It can be hard to find, but it DOES exist, and for those who have no other option besides narcotics, that is by no means a death sentence to liver problems from chronic high levels of tylenol. If you’re in a situation where your pain isn’t being controlled by anything else but you’re leery of the long-term effects of acetaminophen, I strongly suggest asking your doctor about the forms of Vicodin and Percocet which do not contain it. Until I was put on COAT (chronic opioid analgesic therapy), I had no idea that there were alternatives, but I assure you – there are. Gentle hugs to all, and I hope my story has been helpful in some way to someone.

Thanks Brenna. I, too, am where you’re at with meds, and have found a doctor who monitors me closely. Your post was very enlightening.

I take alot of ibuprofen….800 to 1000 mg at a time 3 times a day…my doc doesnt seem concerned…..is this high a dose bad????

Vicki, my husband is on kidney dialysis due to high does of ibuprofen. Be very careful.
I take Norco for fibro pain. It’s stronger, so I use less.

Just like Brenna, I was very concerned with acetaminophen, and had been taking percocet or oxycocet, and so my doctor just gave me morphine, 5mg, to take one or two when things get bad. However, I am reluctant to use it frequently ( frankly I am afraid of it, I don’t want to become a junkie) and I don’t know how effective it really is. Quite frankly, I find medical marijuana to be a much more effective, less toxic, and less addictive alternative, but that is another subject for another day. I also worry about the effects of NSAIDS on my digestive tract, so I try and avoid those too.

I live in Australia……and most Doctors (and specialists) still think FMS is “all in the mind”. I have found a good doctor who has put me on Cymbalta. It’s pretty good as a muscle relaxant, so I don’t get the spasms as much. I also take Deralin, a bet blocker, which helps prevent the migraines becoming so severe. I take Mersyndol Forte x 2 at night to help me sleep without too much pain. My mother supplies me with Selenium which she gets on line. And I take large quantities of fish oil and magnesium. There was another drug, which I can’t remember the name of, that my doctor gave me samples of, which was really good. It had been developed specifically for FMS, but costs about $60 a month. What with all the other stuff, I just can’t afford it as well.

The drug mentioned in my previous post that I couldn’t remember is Lyrica (pregabalin). It is fantastic !! If you can get it cheaply enough…..do so !!!

I really am very similar to Brenna as I started losing my spine to Degenerative Disc Disease @ age 29. Have severe osteoarthritis plus Spondylosis, a fusion in lower spine and past being able for surgical help on the neck and upper back.. I also have FMS and CFS, have tested positive for Epstein-Barre, had mono, and several other viral infections. I am currently on Methadone and Norco. I also had the ulcerative colitis and ulcers in my stomach from too much aspirin and Anaprox and am unable to take NSAIDS now. At age 60. disabled and frustrated because I am no longer able to work due to all of it. I see a pain specialist every two months plus have injections in my spine frequently during those appointments or trigger point injections. I have had some relief from acupuncture, but with an insurance change recently am unable to afford the procedure. I recommend at least trying it if you can afford it or have insurance that covers it., It is definitely less traumatic than continual medications on the human system.

Oh Peta, you are so right. I have found relief with Cymbalta, but Lyrica is excellent, but who can afford it on top of everything!

Hello Fellow Sufferers,

I am trying to get the word out that I have apparently recovered from ME/CFS through the use of a maintenance dose of Xifaxin or Rifaxamin, an antibiotic for the gastro system that doesn’t enter the blood stream. After 25 plus years of CFS in which gastric symptoms were not even on the radar for me, I saw my gastroenterologist for problems I was having. Unable to diagnose me initially after testing for everything including giardia, he offered to try me on Xifaxin which has no side effects to see if it would help. It didn’t solve my gastro problems but virtually all of my CFS symptoms resolved! (Later I was diagnosed with gastroparesis which slows the processing of food through the digestive tract, allowing the overgrowth of bacteria which send toxins to the brain.) We tried a short-course treatment dose of 550 mg 3X a day three separate times and each time my CFS symptoms improved, only to return when I went off of the medication. Finally, I requested and was put on a maintenance dose of 550 mg 2X day and my CFS symptoms have resolved! Two doctors, my gastro and CFS doctors, have been following me. I’d appreciate any help you could offer to get the word out on this to see if others will benefit. A number of patients have relapsed using Xifaxin on the short course, much as I did, but as far as I know doctors haven’t been offering a maintenance dose to their patients and that is what did it for me!

ive been looking at peoples comments ,
my medication is 500mg of naproxen
30/500mg of co-codamol ,
25mg of amitriptyline ( was on 50 mg )
50mg of sertraline ( was on 100mg )
20mg of omeprazole
and im still in pain , dose anyone know what might help to lower my pain
or manage it better ?

I don’t understand why people take anti-inflammatories in an effort to treat fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is NOT an inflammatory process, and therefore these drugs are useless in treating the disease. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1997, and at first I tried the anti-inflammatories and other related drugs for the pain, but none of these had any effect on the pain. All they did was upset my stomach. And then the rheumatologist who at long last diagnosed fibromyalgia told me to stop taking any of these products because they don’t do a thing for the pain of fibromyalgia. So I stay away from them and rely on my prescription painkiller to help with the pain.

My endocrinologist recommended taking Alpha Lipoic Acid 1200 mg/day and Omega 3 Fish Oil 4000 mg/day. I have found taking this everyday helps hugely with my pain.
Chris

I have been living with cfs, ibs, fms, mcs blah blah blah it just goes on and on )
Because of the multiple chemical sensistivity I react badly to pharmaceutical drugs so I gave up on them and just lived with it. I couldn’t work and did the best I could to bring up my children.
Ten months ago I finally moved to a mountain with rain water and immediately the brain fog started lifting, the pain started moving around and reducing and I went through a major detox – Just by living on CARBON FILTERED RAINWATER!
When fluoride went in our water supply a couple of years ago I was almost crippled in pain and had to crawl up the stairs.
I also have mercury poisoning from fillings and vaccinations which caused Aspergers Syndrome as well. This makes it hard for me to explain things going on in a way that people can understand what I am saying. Just another challenge. )
Stress is a major trigger for pain so manage your stress as best you can.
Now I am able to clean houses (very physically demanding) in exchange for things I could not afford otherwise.
I have a life, a working brain, a working body and all without drugs. Living on a mountain is awesome and my children are loving having a more peaceful mum again.
Good luck everybody, I hope you find your way to a peaceful pain free life without the drugs that destroy your body
Also eat healthy whole foods that are chemical free, meat that is organic and from grass fed cattle (the only healthy option). Eliminate sugar entirely as it is poison and becomes acidic in your body and contributes to pain. Wheat is also a major cause of pain for me so I have none at all and no potatoes or rice either.
Quinoea is great as is healthy meat and vegetables with free range eggs. Don’t eat too much fruit either because it is high in natural sugars and is also problematic.

I have been through everyone of the test, procedures different medications and have all of the same pain, depression and just don’t give a hecks at times. I have been medically taken off of all opioids and methadone in 2/06 when I almost died by going into liver failure. Today I do take Cymbolta and Lyrica, but it seems to make me do nothing but want to eat, which is the worst thing I can do is to cont, to gain wt. espcially when it hurst so bad to just walk out to the car, I can say I am blessed to be off all of the mind altering drugs but I remain with the underlying diag, of FMS and CFS. Any help would be greatly appreciated on how to just get through the days sometimes,

I took Cymbalta for about 4 years via samples from my doctor’s office because of the high cost of the drug. It worked well for the pain and my thinking was clearer on the drug…..BUT my doctor’s office quit giving out samples and I chose to go pretty much cold turkey off the drug. It was the worst two weeks of my life. I had brain zaps constantly, heart palpitations, major dizziness with stomach sickness. But the worse part was the nights. I hallucinated and heard voices, something I have never experienced before. If it had not been for my husband encouraging me to stay the course, I probably would have robbed the nearest pharmacy.
It was my decision to go off the drug, mostly because I couldn’t afford the cost, but if I had to do it over again I would have weaned myself off the drug over a two month period.
Now I am in almost constant pain and the brain fog is really bad but I try very hard not to take too much of anything including otc pain meds. Maybe once or twice a week and I switch off between Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.
Unfortunately pain is one of many symptoms I suffer from, and sometimes one of the minor symptoms.
It takes a sense of humor and a lot of patience to have FM/CFS and there are days that I have neither but I’m still here and I’m still trying. Take care of yourselves and God bless!

I find that neither work for my illnesses. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome. A bit of anti-inflamitory helps mixed in with other medicated ointment I take for pain but that in itself doesn’t help much either. The time it really does help with pain management is around my menstrual cycle. Then yes it does help but even then my pain is so bad I’m pretty incompacitated. Yes, I do have side effects such as stomach upset and drowsiness. For me it’s the lesser of two evils. What do I need the most help with. I react badly to many meds so I have to rely on alternative treatments.

They have known for years that tylenol was bad for the liver, but they don’t have to tell you. Like they don’t have to tell u that farmed salmon has artificial coloring in the food they feed them so they will look more apatising.
the tylenol accumulates, Dr.’s just assumed it would flush out of the body
in the urine. so try not to take more than 2 a day, except the first 2 days of your period. Tylenol stock holders wouldn’t like it if it was pulled from the shelves, so they agreed on 2 a day. ON another note, the bayer
they made in the 50’s and 60’s my mom insists gave her tinninus which is ringing in the ears, but they were not coated. Todays Bayer is fine.If u r diagnosed with fibromyalgia don’t even bother with ibuprofen. I took so much trying to make the pain go away, all I was doing was polluting my body and making me sick to my stomach. tramadol is the best pain option.

I take Norco and Morphine ER daily. For break through pain I take Dilaudid 4mg. At least these meds help me to overcome a lot of the pain. One great product that isn’t an NSAID, nor a narcotic are Lidoderm Patches. They contain Lidocainbe 5% and you leave them on for 12 hours. I use them on both muscles and joints.

These patches work better than ibuprophen or acetaminophen.(these medications do nothing for me). A lot of the time the patches work better at calming down the pain than the narcotics.

Lidoderm is made by Endo Pharmaceuticals and requires an Rx. So if you’re interested ask your doctor about them.

Since I began taking malic acid (magnesium malate), I have reduced the amount of pain medication I take by 75%…and I have experienced no side effects from it. My son was recently diagnosed with FMS and within a week of beginning to take malic acid, he had more energy, less pain, an he also reduced his pain meds. An added benefit is that it is inexpensive as well.

I was on Celebrex for about 5 years and developed ulcers. Now I’m on 2 stomache meds and 2 for the anx. and stress . I still ache and have pain which I use Vicodin. Worry about my liver. Who knows what’s next. I so tired of being tired and in pain.

Linda

I’m a 44 year old female and I have had CFIDS and Fibro for 20+ yrs from a Chronic Lyme Disease infection that went undiagnosed for a few years before I was practically bedridden in 1992. I was put on antibiotics for about 9 months orally, and don’t really think much if any of them actually helped because within a half hour of taking them I was vomiting them up, they were so strong. During that time in the early 90’s, IV therapy was not available yet and I was one of the very first people in my region to be diagnosed with LD and there were not many treatment options available. This has now morphed into Chronic Lyme along with the CFIDS,Fibro and asst’d other problems like IBS, ulcers, etc. and my body is a mess. I can’t take any antidepressants, the side effects outweigh any benefits that are short-lived for me. Over the years I came across some sympathetic docs who actually listened and helped me by prescribing different types of pain meds, narcotic and non-narcotic. With the narcotics I was always very careful to take the minimum dosage and only when it was absolutely necessary.I currently only take ibuprofen but take massive doses of it. One doc I saw told me it was okay to take 5000 milligrams per dose several times a day. Even I know that is not a good idea. So I only take OTC ibuprofen but it isn’t helping at all and I’m in chronic pain all the time.

Where I live in Northeastern PA, there are very few qualified doctors, and the ones that are decent, are so expensive to go to and most of them don’t really want to hear what you have to say and even more frustrating because of the rampant pill abuse problem in this country, automatically label you as “drug seeking” if you even think about bringing up this topic. I have no health insurance until August and I work full-time at a top retailer and my job requires me to be on my feet and moving constantly. Cont’d…..

Part Two:

My job is physical and mental and it’s taking a toll on my body. There are some nights when I come home that I can’t move & the following morning is a nightmare. It takes a few days to recover, but I rarely get two days off in a row. It is a vicious cycle and I want some relief. I am not a drug seeking junkie. I am a responsible adult, parent, with a full-time job who happens to have chronic health problems that are never going to go away. This is my life. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions? I’m really at the end of my rope and want to be able to be functional. At this point I don’t even have hopes of ever feeling good again, I just want to be able to do my job, keep my house clean, and spend time with my kids without it killing me. I excercise 5-6 times a week, eat a very balanced and well-rounded diet, I take vitamins and supplements religiously and do everything I can to make sure I am as healthy as possible, but I have horrific days and nights and I’ve lost hope. The situation with doctors and health care in my community is disgusting at best and I need some kind of assistance from someone somewhere. Anybody?????

Low dose Naltrexone (LDN) has been effective for many with CFIDS and FMS for a decade. And, just a week ago, some research was presented that helps establish LDN as a promising option for many, many more.

It sure has helped me.

painmed.org/2012posters/abstract-251/

Other sources of information are at:
http://lowdosenaltrexone.org
http://ldnscience.org

Hope this helps
mjh

to josck, that is an amazing story of your life. can you give us an idea of what you DO eat?? it sounded like everything is cut out except….what?

thanks, barb

ps, my dr just put me on lyrica and changed my 7.5 hydros to 10s. i had a back fusion in october 11 and it was a very difficult recovery for me. my arthritis and fm and cfs are having a huge battle in my joints muscles and everywhere else. i know that CFS people have a longer recovery period for surgeries, but this is out of sight. i also take neurontin for burning feet at night. sleep is never good. never refreshed and brain fog seems to come and go. i notice aphasia and dyslexia too. any ideas? i take other drugs too but the whole list is too long to list (?) thanks!