My name is Lucinda

by Lucinda
(France)

Hi,

My name is Lucinda and I have had fibromyalgia for 20 years. In all that time I have tried just about everything for the pain from conventional medicine to lots of different alternative therapies which sometimes helped for a while. I was on antidepressants for 12 years, a small dose at night which helped the most but they stopped working when you have been on them for a while and I never wanted to keep going up on the dose. For the last year I have not been on anything. I have had a few different herbs and generally try and manage my illness on my own. I swim, sauna and have a hot tub that helps me a lot. Why I am writing this is I have a very bad mouth problem (corrected from previous message). I think it’s the nerves it is not always very bad but it’s always there in the form of tingling like needles, big pressure on the teeth, hotness, bad taste really very hard to explain but really is horrible. I have been to the dentist. My teeth and gums are fine so now I was wondering if any one else has this problem as I really don’t now how to handle it. Or what it is. I have been to Neurologists who just want to put me on antidepressants again saying its part of my FMS. I would be very pleased to hear if anyone else has this problem and has any suggestions. Thanks, Lucinda

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Comparison Lyrica vs. Cymbalta Experiences
by: Anonymous

I have been on both medications (at different times). It is my understanding that they affect different neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, etc. When I was on Lyrica, I had frequent migraines, gained 40 pounds while hardly eating, and acquired a bloated stomach that required maternity clothes! When I went on Cymbalta and gabapentin, I started to lose weight, have stabilized at my normal weight now, have no migraines, and the bloated stomach is down to what might be expected from a 54 year old. This is a classic example of persevering in finding the right medications for you individually. What works for one person does not work for another. I also use many vitamins for allergy and smog, and they seem to help with trigger points as well (B12 especially).

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New Antidepressants
by: Meg

Dear Lucinda,
I know it feels like a personal failing when we're given antidepressants. I'm 58 and have MS and Fibromyalgia. I've had to learn about new drugs being used for Fibro. These are antidepressants such as Cymbalta and Lyrica(US). The reason docs offer these meds is that they have an effect on our body's output of endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural pain reliever and is released when we exercise. So, your docs don't offer these meds because they think your depression is worse, they are trying to find meds for you that lift depression AND lessen pain. Perhaps you could take another look at the meds you're being offered. Just remember, you are not your illness, taking an antidepressant doesn't mean you can't cope. I hope you and your doctors find meds that will help all your problems. Your doctors don't want you to live in pain.
Comments by Anne
Thanks Meg for your comments. I would like point out that endorphins, our own morphine production, are produced as a demand-supply process (e.g. increased by exercises and pain). However, they need to be stocked up to be available and released on demand. That means we can't produce them in huge amounts when needed but only release them if they are present in stock ups. This stocking up happens only during a short and specific time of our sleep. Our sleep is made up of cycles of about 1.5 hours. First a non REM sleep where we get deeper and deeper in sleep. This has 4 phases:1 to 4. The first one is the longest and the last one the shortest lasting only a few minutes. It's only during phase 4 that we stock up endorphins. If we wake up before reaching phase 4, we have to start all over again! No wonder we lack endorphins with our disturbed sleep. To end this sleep story, the non REM phase is followed by a REM phase, rapid eyes movements, during which we have vivid dreams. And a new cycle starts again. Some antidepressants allow us to regain a normal sleep, made up of the normal phases. The other drugs don't give us a normal sleep even if they put us in a sleep like state. That includes Lyrica that does not give us a normal sleep but numbs the brain of anyone taking it. I say some antidepressants only because they can be classified on a scale between mood enhancing and sedation. Only those that are more sedating can help restoring a normal sleep, the one with phase 4 when we stock up endorphins. And the bests in that line are the tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) such as amitriptyline. Not only do they help with sleep but also with pain. It is only in restoring normal sleep that it helps with endorphins but not as a direct effect. And all you need is a small dose, not a big dose like you would need to treat primary depression. I say primary depression because the depression that does occur in chronic pain is a secondary depression due to the uncontrolled pain. New antidepressants such a Cymbalta are poor in those aspects but they are much better at draining our wallets!

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The Mouth
by: Beatrice Caraballo

Hi Lucinda,

I have been battling Fibromyalgia for quite some time, but officially diagnosed with it about one year ago. It has become my enemy and my destroyer - slowly but surely it is not me that I see or feel anymore.

The doctor now wants to test me for Multiple Scoliorosis - scary!

I keep my faith and belief in God because I know He can make my days easier at times to bear.

I did have severe pain in my jaw and lower teeth for quite some time (constantly). Now it is only once in a while, but it hurts so bad. Not sure what would help because I tried Anbesol, ice - anything I thought would help, but didn't. I pray you get an answer and relief soon.

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Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thanks Ann, I will give it a try. I need something to help the pain, it drives me mad. I can deal with the pain of fibromyalgia{ its not easy } but this mouth thing is something else. Just do not want to be on drugs for the rest of my life. THANKS SO MUCH FOR REPLYING TO ME X

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Clove oil, lignocaine, magnesium chloride
by: Anne

Hi Lucinda,

Have you tried clove oil for your mouth? If yes, you could try a lignocaine (lidocaine) spray. For the magnesium, it is the basis of care for fibromyalgia: magnesium chloride (the best for absorption), 1 g (1000mg) a day! But dilute it well if you have a sore mouth otherwise it's like salt water. I dilute 20g in 2 liters of water but you may have to dilute more! Best wishes

Anne

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Silly me
by: Anonymous

Hi Ann Thanks for replying Sorry i have a bad MOUTH not a bad month silly me! my spelling was never very good. I am 54 and have had this for about 10 years but just lately it has got a lot worse i am in my menopause and do have night sweats they are not to bad, i always did get worse before a monthly. Yes i have tried magnesium in the past but not on one now. Lucinda

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How old are you?
by: Anne

Hi Lucinda,

I'm sorry to ask you, but how old are you? The reason I'm asking is: when you talk about a bad month problem are you talking about having your periods or the fact that you are having a bad month? It's always a common fact in FMS to have worsening of symptoms during periods. There have been a few studies looking at beta nerves being excited during periods with the ultimate consequence of FMS going worse. Those beta nerves are triggers to pain and a lot of other uncomfortable feelings. Dental nerves carry a lot of beta nerves and they have been accused of the fact that dental pain is so bad!
Are you taking magnesium supplements and if yes which ones?

Hope to hear from you soon!

Anne

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