1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Extreme fatigue due to treatment?

Posted , 2 users are following.

julia44010
julia44010

I have just been diagnosed with fibro but have had all of the symptoms for many years. For the past 4 years I have been taking 150 mgs of morphine each day, but the pain was unbearable. I saw a specialist at a Pain clinic who said morphine does no good and changed my treatment. Now I take 20mg of Oxycontin twice a day. The pain is less but I am so very tired. I can't do anything anymore. All I want to do is sleep. Will this terrible tiredeness pass? Is it the treatment? I know fatigue is a symptom of fibro, and I was tired before, but this is 50 times worse since I started the new treatment two weeks ago. If it's the Oxycontin I need to stop taking it before I become addicted to it, unless I can be assured that the tiredness

improves after a certain time. Has anyone else experienced this please?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Magpie2me
    Magpie2me julia44010

    Posted

    Hi Julia. Well glad that you finally have a diagnosis. Sorry to hear you are in such pain. Morphine, Wow That is extreme. I am glad that your doctor has taken you off that. I myself have had Fibromyalgia for over 30 years. And yes the fatigue can be extreme at times. I personally have not used meds. I only take an ibuprofen now and then when I have a migraine. I was hospitalised a few years back after developing an infection (a lesion) on my face. I was in a great deal of pain and in emergency, they gave me an OxyContin. I had a severe allergic reaction to it and almost passed out. Perhaps it is because I rarely take any medication, but I have heard that this medication is very strong. I cannot advise you regarding meds Julia, sorry. But many of the ladies have knowledge about specific ones for Fibromyalgia. I use mainly nutrition and some supplements. I have a NutriBullet that I find to be a wonder, where I make green smoothies and add chia seeds, a probiotic, kale, carrot, rice milk, blueberries or a piece of banana, Maca powder and other good ingredients to give myself more energy. Stress is our worst enemy Julie so take stock of negative thoughts or any other negative impact in your personal life. Managing our stress is crucial or it will sap your energy. This condition is manageable my dear. You will positively have better days. Know your limitations and respect them. FM sufferers have oftentimes pushed themselves beyond these limits either emotionally or physically all too often. One day at a time sweetie. Never despair. You will learn to cope. Maggie xx 
    • julia44010
      julia44010 Magpie2me

      Posted

      Thank you. I think the pain I have has gone beyond being helped by nutrition. Morphine (Skenan) is strong but it doesn't work for FM. OXYCONTIN is also morphine but a different molecule. I have been taking it for three weeks now and the pain is so much better. I am very tired but I am able to sleep now so hopefully the tiredness will pass. You are right about stress. I was in a toxic relationship for the past 11 years and all of my symptoms were aggravated by the stress and problems that brought. I am going to try to put myself first for a change and see if that works better! 

  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 julia44010

    Posted

    Hi Julia;  I don't feel that your "'tiredness" is only due to the Oxycontin??  I have been taking same (20mgms twice daily), now for probably over 10 years; and I can't say it has increased my tiredness.  I do feel it gives me relief to the "overall pain" that we have to put up with, and  I am one of those who "would rather be pain-free..if possible...than not".....I find when in constant pain, I become A Pain to everyone else, and don't like myself..............................

    ?I wonder if your tirdness, is like mine and others' who just don't seem to get enough sleep?    I know when there are others in the house all day (like as now with the hols etc), I just don't get those extra couple of hours that I need.  As husband is an EARLY riser ( 4am), and then doesn't stop during the day, hence I find that I cannot relax enough, too.   I find I am getting up early, too, and can't rest during the day, as I would normally do:  hence I am getting Very tired over this week.   Other days, when he goes to work, I am not too bad, as can sleep in until a reasonable time, and rest during the day if needed.  

    ?I Feel we Need to get the rest/sleep  our bodies are telling us we need.  Also, are you taking any other medications as well, as there are others that can contribute to extra tiredness too?         Sorry if this sounds all over the place, as I, too am feeling tired and ready for bed....lol                                 Bron

    • julia44010
      julia44010 bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Thank you Bronwynn. My doctor said I have a sleep deficit that I must catch up , but I am really more tired than I have ever been in my life. I sleep for several hours now. Before the pain woke me up every hour. I take the oxycontentin now, 20 mgs morning and night like you. It certainly helps the pain. I stopped after 1 week when the doctor prescribed 30 mg because I felt too sick, and went back to the morphine, but I was literally screaming with pain when I tried to walk. I am glad I persevered with this treatment because for the first time in years the pain is bearable. I asked to start on 10 mgs twice a day, and increased it slowly to 20mgs. I was very nervous to start with because I was afraid to become addicted to it and then have to stop if it didn't work. I think it must be difficult for you to get all the sleep you need with others in the house. Personally I am very easily woken up when others move around, but normally I live alone, so I can sleep when I like. Today I have slept nearly all day. I take other medicaments, and unfortunately they also have their side effects, but no other pain relief has ever worked. I have read several books now on fibromalgia and find it very helpful to understand the symptoms and the syndrome. I spent years telling my doctors about my various symptoms and yet NO-ONE diagnosed this illness. I feel angry because apparently if it is treated early there is less chance of the pain becoming incrusted. Thank you for your encouragement. It helps to know that other people understand the very real suffering that we have to put up with all day and every day. For years, before I was diagnosed I never found anyone who could understand, but after the diagnosis everything fell into place, and I realise that it was all part of the same problem. I don't have several different illnesses it's all part of the same thing. I find it hard to accept that there isn't a cure, and I get a bit weepy sometimes, I was always so sure that if only the doctors knew what was wrong with me they could cure me!! But I don't want to take anti-depresseurs because I will be even more tired I am sure. So at the moment I work when I can, and don't feel at all guilty if I nap during the day. I sleep better at night and wake just 3 or 4 times now, but I can go back to sleep easily now I have less pain, so already that is an improvement. If the doctor is right about the sleep deficit I should soon be out of the red!!

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.