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MeMyselfAndI

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Sep 6, 2014
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Relative
Diagnosis
04/2012
Country
AU
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Australia
My husband was diagnosed with fibro 2 years ago. We were just hanging in there and then Cymbalta was prescribed. Was already on Lyrica, Norspan, Endep (for sleep), Celebrex. As soon as started taking Cymbalta knew something was wrong straight away - admitted to hospital with serotonin syndrome. He is so sick decides to go off all meds. Life becomes like the movie trainspotting. Wife watches husband descend into emaciated, emotional wreck. Stomach cramps, confusion, vomiting, wretching, twitching - think heroin addict coming off heroin.

The above is actually my life. Feels like a nightmare. I need to know the following:

How do you cope with your partner having Fibro? Tell me your story - i want to know that I am not alone.

Cymbalta - anyone else had a bad experience with this drug? If so, what was your experience. Please give as much detail as possible. I'm feeling helpless not knowing how to help my husband during this detox.

What treatments have you found effective? Natural therapies, western medicine , marijuana no matter how bizarre or weird I would like options for him to keep trying in an unrelenting effort into providing relief to this insidious condition.

What do you tell people you have? How do you explain it to people. Do you receive understanding eg in the workplace/ from family & friends.

Anybody unable to work? (This is the case with my husband). How do you cope financially. How do you deal with the stress of this. Did you try to work part time first. How long did you have the condition before it left you unable to work completely? Is your partner resentful. Can you get out of bed and help out around the house? Anybody dealt with insurance companies on this? Does this condition qualify you for salary continuance. What was the process to get the insurance?

I'd be so very grateful if you could make a comment. I want to learn as much as possible about this condition, partners - (or sufferers) please comment on how you deal with this. I feel alone and close to being unable to cope with my situation (not suicidal or anything - as I am a very positive person who believes I will find a way to deal with this in time).
 
Hi there. Sorry to hear of your struggle trying to help your husband. I hope he is weaning off the meds with doctor's support. Opiates are nasty and antidepressants can be as well. Especially when stopped abruptly. If he's not being supported, I'd reach out for help. Not much you can do except help keep him hydrated. If he is vomiting a lot, his system will get whacked out and he may need IV fluids and electrolytes.

Surprised that he was prescribed Cymbalta while being on two other antidepressants, no wonder seratonin syndrome raised it's ugly head. I've been on Cymbalta for over a year with no problems, though others have problems. I also take Trazadone, an old antidepressant, for sleep. I was told to watch carefully for any sign of seratonin syndrome when the docs added Trazadone. I feel fortunate there were no problems since both have helped.

If you haven't already, check out threads in the forum. Folks are using diet, meditation, homeopathic, yoga, supplement, marijuana and other remedies. He will need to find what works for him. It's trial and error, unfortunately.

Another avenue is cognitive behavioral therapy to learn how to better cope with pain, the life changes and more.

I wish you well and hope your husband and his doc find something that helps. Hugs.
 
Hi first of all, you are not alone. A lot folks here have experienced what your husband is experiencing, btw, I hope he is better! I'm almost certain what affected him most was stopping his meds cold turkey, hence the druggy like symptoms. Actually is never a good idea to stop cold turkey. I did the same thing he did and stopped taking pain meds, I'm fine most days others I just... well try to find the positive side of everything.

I must say I admire your strength, being the partner of someone with fibro isn't easy! If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal he should really go for it, I can do wonders.
 
Thanks Loftpat for your reply. Lucky you to have not had any side effects from cymbalta. I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say it's trial and error. It's a bit to get your head around at first - fibro seems to effect everyone differently. I will certainly look into cognitive behavior therapy - any coping tools would be great right now! I wish you the best on your journey dealing with this illness - I'm so grateful for this forum .... To know we aren't alone helps a lot x x
 
Hi Trellum. It's so good to hear we are not alone. I'm sorry to hear you can relate to ceasing pain meds cold turkey. It's certainly not a pleasant experience! Good on you for getting through it. We are in Australia and support for medical marijuana is gaining momentum. I've read a lot about its benefit to fibro. I wish we had the option to give it a try but it is still illegal here and I believe you need certain strains with certain pain relieving properties for it to make a difference. If anyone knows of particular strains that help please let me know. We'd have to do it illegally but right now we are so desperate we might try anything ! Thx again for responding - I hope you have lots of support from friends and family. I just can't imagine what it would be like to deal with this illness alone x
 
I was diagnosed last month but think I have had it for at least a year prior.

I was put on Gabapentin. I have been on it for about 3 weeks and started noticing a difference in my pain the last couple days. Yesterday was the best day I have had in a long time. I take Wellbutrin for depression. Flexirol for muscle spasms and to help sleep (can sleep for 12 hours). I get a massage a few times a month and she also uses a stretching pressure point therapy called Rossitor. I soak in hot baths, use a 10s unit and swim. I also use medical marijuana at night. Alternative vitamins b12, D and L-arginine help with mood, muscle and blood flow.

I just started the L arginine but have read good things about it. Medical marijuana can be tricky because there are so many different types and what works for 1 person may not for another. I have figured out that anything with a Hawaiin blend works to reduce my pain. Others make it worse. Unfortunately like all meds for Fibro it is trial and error. Right now I am sticking with what I am doing because it is working for me.

I don't think going off all those meds at once is a great idea even if they were not working or making him feel I'll. Reducing the amounts slowly would be my suggestion. I have read Cymbalta can be bad for some people. I am sorry for your husband and him experiencing this. Marijuana could help his Nasea and detox symptoms or at least make it tolerable.

I find that even on my worst days if I get up and make it to the pool even if it just for light water jogging it makes me feel better. Exercise is the number 1 suggested activity for fibro. I also was told about cognitive therapy and meditation to help with pain.

I work part time 2 days a week and tried 3 days but it was too much for me. I am fortunate that my partner is the primary bread winner.Working a couple days a week can be hard some days but it gives me a purpose and I love what I do so if it makes me feel good in my mind that's what matters to me. We have talked about me applying for disability but there is not guarantee you will get it with fibro. There are other forums on here that discuss applying for
Benifits further.

I wish you both the best of luck and hope some of this helps. It sucks to be a guinea pig but once you find something that works it can get better. Explore the forum a lot of my questions and some of the stuff I am trying I got from here.
 
If you have all your documentation together they are approving disability with fibro much faster these days. It only took me 9 mos. and the extra income helps some. Of course it is no where close to what I was making as a nurse but every little bit helps.
 
Hi there. I am no longer able to work and my fibro progressed extremely quickly. As for financial options I am lucky that I am hopefully going to be approved for long term disability. I did have to rent out rooms in my house so I could get income to pay the mortgage and bills since I am unable to work.
I have read a book this week called "Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -7 Proven Steps to Less Pain & More Energy By Fred Friedberg. It really explained the things you have to change in your life that's behavioural. There is another book that I am just starting that explains you have to work on your inside from a cellular level as well and target the immune system using detox baths and herbs etc. :)
 
Sorry to hear this, my brother has recently been diagnosed with Fibro, and it's been hard for both of us. We've been close for all of our lives, and he's going through a hard time. I almost caught him trying to kill himself 3 days ago, he was about to. I'm so glad I walked it, we've both turned to God in a moment like that. Please know you're not alone, you can always make it through!
!
 
Sorry to hear this, my brother has recently been diagnosed with Fibro, and it's been hard for both of us. We've been close for all of our lives, and he's going through a hard time. I almost caught him trying to kill himself 3 days ago, he was about to. I'm so glad I walked it, we've both turned to God in a moment like that. Please know you're not alone, you can always make it through!
!

So sorry to hear that AlexF15. I can see how someone with fibro could get depressed. I think that a psychiatrist or psychologist should be a mandatory part of a persons treatment. Your brother is lucky to have your support. I hope he can find the strength to keep going. X x hugs to you both!
 
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