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Self medicating..

Posted , 6 users are following.

FlowerFace
FlowerFace

Im 28 and was diagnosed with Fibro 6 months ago. I was prescribed lexapro, then low and behold 6 months later ive gained 15kilo!! So ive successfully weaned off the lex and now have a massive sence of depression. I now self medicate by taking 2 paracetamol and codeine in the morning (sometimes againin the afternoon), then half a bottle of wine at night. My dr doesnt think the painkillers are an issue but i worry that they are harming my body taking on a daily basis. The wine however is a problem. But it really makes me feel better but i wonder if the pain in the morning is instigated by the alcohol? I know a lot of you have had fibro for a long time so would love to hear your imput on self medicating and views on daily codeine/alcohol consumption.

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • tiswas24537
    tiswas24537 FlowerFace

    Posted

    i cant touch meds i have such sensistivties and the same goes for alchol if i have just one drink the pain becomes so much worse and the fatigue .

    i manage with supplements  

  • jeanne81532
    jeanne81532 FlowerFace

    Posted

    Hi, I find wine helpful too but worry about the effects of drinking too much. I find codeine makes me feel more fatigued the day after. At the moment I take paracetamol plus (with caffeine) in the morning, and alternate codeine and paracetamol at night with Tramadol. The Tramadol doesn't make me feel so fatigued as the codeine. And yes I drink wine with them, but have refrained from the wine for the past couple of nights. Trying to cut down my alcohol intake. You are very young to have FM. Not sure what Lexapro is. Are you in the UK? I will look it up. Did you wean off it with your GP's input, or just on your own? x
  • linda90335
    linda90335 FlowerFace

    Posted

    Hi flower sorry the medication is not right. I have been put on morphin and if i dont take as prescribed i end up with withdrawal symptons... i guess its trial and error to get the right medication..
  • bluesman
    bluesman FlowerFace

    Posted

    If you are being honest about the quantity then half a bottle is only two glasses. Alcohol does deplete magnesium in your system and if you're like me (and most fibro sufferers) you'll be deficient to start with. I'd recommend Boots calcium, magnesium and vit D at as high a dose as you can stand. ( ie before diahorrea kicks in)
  • christine26761
    christine26761 FlowerFace

    Posted

    I take OsteoPanadol-(Australian name) 2 three times every single day..I absolutely notice the difference if I don't take them....it can't build up in your system...I can't take anything with codeine in.....Panadol Osteo is just Paracetamol in a slightly higher dose 600mg per tab..it's slow releasing too....it's great...a specialist recommended them..I first thought..they won't help me....mmm...they are only over the counter meds...vitamin d3 and magnesium are a must for Fibro sufferers, double the recommended dose..amazing how different you feel..straight away, because they don't build up, you feel the effects immediately.....the pain in the morning for me is associated with lying in nearly the same position all night..could be arthritis or Fibro I don't really care which one..it's not an issue as once I'm up and moving it's not too bad...be blessed, hope thing get sorted for you really soon..:-) xxx
  • jeanne81532
    jeanne81532 FlowerFace

    Posted

    Hi Hun, I looked up Lexapro. It is an antidepressant. Did you wean off it with your doc's support. You say you have a sense of depression now, so maybe you came off it too quickly? Also, I have made several attempts to come off my antidepressants in the past, and ended up back in the dark place, so agreed with doc I need to stay on it forever, even if I AM fatter. I'm not concerned at all at the amount of pain relief you are taking. I think you're managing very well! I would suggest maybe having wine every other night, or at least not having any on two nights a week. x
  • FlowerFace
    FlowerFace

    Posted

    I am in australia. Lexapro is a stronger form of citalipram. An anti depressant. im not sure i had much pain relief. But i gained weight and it gave me bad gastritis. I suppose my wrist pain and swollen feeling has gotten worse. But afunny thing is that i was backin uk for xmas and mypain wasnt so bad now i am back and it is wet season so very hot and humid and pain is back! Does anyone have problem with humidity?

    Thank you all for your non judgemental advice. I suppose im concerned about the daily paracetamol and codeine use. And the alcohol giving me stomach pains. Of course the added feeling of hypochondia doesnt help. Does anyone ever become cured of this?!

    • jeanne81532
      jeanne81532 FlowerFace

      Posted

      As I said, I wouldn't be concerned about your daily paracetamol and codeine use. Not sure about humidity thing! It might not be the alcohol giving you the stomach pain; it might be the codeine. It does that to me. I think once you have FM, you have it. It's a case of learning to live with it, like Christine, who is my hero! 
    • tiswas24537
      tiswas24537 jeanne81532

      Posted

      codeine causes constapation , so hence stomach ache any long term pain killers will cause problems .as the body because used to it .
    • christine26761
      christine26761 FlowerFace

      Posted

      Antidepressants can put weight in you fir sure, I take one Amitriptlyne 25 grams per night..now this is an old antidepressant, they found it really works well for pain..it numbs the pain endings of the nerve and stops it from travelling to the next nerve, hence all over your body..it is the only med that works for me..Itry googling it...I sleep well with no issues..that way I'm ok the next day for any problems that Fibro  throws up ..,because a good sleep is just tooooo helpful.......Panadol Osteo is my saviour...2..  3 times every day... it's so good and great taking with the knowledge that it's a pharmacist med, not addictive.and can't harm me...What part of Australia are you in..I'm in Australia too..would be great if your local to me...have a good day...FlowerFace..what a name....soo nice to have the image of a beautiful flower when chatting to you..be blessed..:-) xxxrazz
    • FlowerFace
      FlowerFace christine26761

      Posted

      I will definitely look into the osteo christine! Thank you.

      I live away out in the sticks of WA, Broome. Have you heard of it? Where do you live?

      Haha i am a florist! Hence the name! :D

      I have no troubles with sleep. I sleep way too much! I also find codeine helps with my IBS! My stomach pains are gastritis... Fromthe alcohol i would imagine!

      X

    • christine26761
      christine26761 FlowerFace

      Posted

      I live inNirthern Tasmania 11ks out of Kaunceston..country feel with city comforts....,its a new area...we love it..we used to live in Sydney...toooo hot and busy for me.....our Pastors Kaz and Peter Hewitt..used to live their up until about 3-4 years ago...lovely people they say Broome is just beautiful too...a lovely place. With great beaches, mind you I reckon we have beautiful beaches here too crystal blue and such white silicon sand now I

      know you' are a florist...makes sense..,have a great day..weather here perfect today..be blessed.,:-) xxxrazz

    • FlowerFace
      FlowerFace christine26761

      Posted

      Sounds lovely! Id like to go to tasmania. My friend is from hobart! Broome is gorgeous but very quiet at the moment. Extremely hot and humid with crazy electrical storms. Its pouring down with rain and thunder and lightening as i type!! The humidity plays havock on my fibro i must say. sad not long until dry season though! smile x
    • christine26761
      christine26761 FlowerFace

      Posted

      You must have the 2 seasons up there wet and dry!!!  I just hate the humidity..it's quite cool here today, just waiting for the weather to warm up a bit before we venture out....just into town shop shop shop...seems I always have energy for that..lol....and the lovely parks here.....yes I've heard soo much about Broome off Kaz..one place I would  love to visit, but I just can't. travel  that far..Cable Beach isn't it..that's supposed  to be awesome...at least I can travel to awesome destinations on the big screen..not the same..but I do love it....have a great day..FlowerFace....:-) xxx
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