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Finally diagnosed. Lexapro?

Posted , 5 users are following.

sha1271
sha1271

I finally saw a Rheumatologist today and diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  I have had symtoms and have tried to get a dx since 1996.

He suggested Lexapro and said it would help with the pain.  Has anyone tried it or other anti depressants for fribromyalgia?

0 likes, 19 replies

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  • joy47826
    joy47826 sha1271

    Posted

    NO, once I got my thyroid supported and Vit D levels worked on, many years of depression lifted.

    Too bad docs don't get us help we really need.....Did your doc talk about thyroid and Vit D and do labs....I went 10 long years with what I believed to be a sluggish thyroid and never got thyroid help, only years of anti depressants....that was from 1991 to 2002...what a waste of years....

    Too many docs  hand out anti depressants like candy, even here in the US too.  I've done most of my work for FM since 1999.  Joy 76 US

    • sha1271
      sha1271 joy47826

      Posted

      My thyroid tested normal. I do take Vit D.  I dont have depression but I do have anxiety. The Rheumatologist says since FM is a brain disorder that some SSRIs work. This is what I found on the web.

      Examples

      Generic Name Brand Name

      citalopram Celexa

      escitalopram Lexapro

      fluoxetine Prozac

      paroxetine Paxil

      sertraline Zoloft

      How It Works

      Experts do not know exactly how SSRIs work to improve fibromyalgia. But some people with fibromyalgia who take SSRIs seem to have improved mood and less fatigue.

      These medicines are a type of antidepressant. Doctors also prescribe them to treat depression.

      Why It Is Used

      Doctors may prescribe SSRIs when mood problems are a major symptom of fibromyalgia.How Well It Works

      SSRIs seem to improve mood and may help relieve pain, fatigue, and sleep problems

      Shari

  • debb123
    debb123 sha1271

    Posted

    Yes didnt help me for pain. It made me feel really weird.i coulnt take it. Pain pills help.and mucle realaxers but we are all different. Ive tried alot of different meds. And the side effects we worst than the pain. Good luck on your journey. Hope it works for you.
    • sha1271
      sha1271 debb123

      Posted

      Well Im not too sure I want to take it.  Im waiting to see my GP next week to talk to her about it.  Its something the Reum.   prescribes.  I myself dont want to take an antidepressant unless there is good evidence of it helping.  I know I need something because my pain is getting worse as I age and Ibuprophen doesnt help at all anymore.

      Shari

    • joy47826
      joy47826 sha1271

      Posted

      Calmers for anxiety and tension:

      Inositol

      Gaba

      L-Theanine

      Calms homeopathic tabs

      I have ​all these and use them but L-Theanine is my 

      least favorite.

      On the thyroid, I was given the "normal" mantra for 10 long years and then got busy read books, joined thyroid support groups and talked talked to many as I believed my thyroid was sluggish.

      Many of us are living with drained adrenals, so these have to be worked on too.

      Ibuprofen and DGL for stomach protection works pretty good for me..  What I use in between is a herbal pain remedy and if you want to know let me know, when I mention a product, I get moderated....

      MSM powder 1 tsp in 8 oz water 2-3 times a day calms pain for me.

      It's easy to write a script for an anti depressant....the easiest for MANY docs to do, sadly.  Been that route.... J

    • sha1271
      sha1271 joy47826

      Posted

      Thanks Joy,

      I know I have heard that about the thyroid before.  I wouldnt be able to push them for more testing. I barely got them to do the last one.  I also have autoimmunity and its probably just a matter of time before my thyroid is affected if not already. 

      I will look into the things you have mentioned.

    • joy47826
      joy47826 sha1271

      Posted

      I heard it for years, that TOO MANY just couldn't get the help they needed for thyroid support ... many had to go to naturopaths and I was so happy to be able to have access to integrative MD's in my area, they are miracle workers...  We need to work on what is "broken".....  J
  • tiswas24537
    tiswas24537 sha1271

    Posted

    i wouldnt start on pharmcy drugs ,magnesium is much more important and b12 q10 and vit d k2 , magnesium oil rubbed in to your body twice a day will help with the pain if you are in a lot of pain maybe start on the suggested drug,

    • sha1271
      sha1271 tiswas24537

      Posted

      Thank you, I am going to talk to my dr about all the beneficial supplements. I can already hear her telling me the best thing is exercise. B een hearing that for years from many drs.

      Since I have had an increase in my anxiety and panic attacks she may want me on something. 

    • tiswas24537
      tiswas24537 sha1271

      Posted

      well she is partly right about excersise but would be good for someone to tell us how to go about this when we are in pain stiff and fatigued before we even start .
    • sha1271
      sha1271 tiswas24537

      Posted

      Exactly. Any time I do more then a brisk walk I hurt for days, in agony. It's not so easy to push through that pain and exercise daily.
    • joy47826
      joy47826 sha1271

      Posted

      I do a LOT of stretching daily, when I wake up, in the afternoon and before I go to sleep.....and take NO drugs for FM except iburpofen and DGL for stomach protection.....

      I've been working with supps for 25 yrs and almost detest the pharma world......it's not healing, it's bandaids....

      We all have choices and so many are just not willing to be their own doc and put their lives into the hands of docs.....for an emergency I would do the same, but for maintenance and prevention, it's supplements.,.....  joy 76 US

      And so true major differences in the UK and US way of healing...although many americans go the drug route, but do use supps as well....  I have many friends older and younger and my daughter and grandkids and they all use supps,    My daughter got really messed up on too many drugs in the early 2000's......bad bad experiences........

    • sha1271
      sha1271 joy47826

      Posted

      I do agree, I stopped taking my anxiety meds years ago. I only take allergy and antacids. My problem now is ibuprofen is no longer working for me. Ive been changing my eating habits as well.

      My friend has RA and FM and has been taking systemic enzymes.

      Lots of things to consider and I will be bringing it all up to my dr.

      Shari

  • Flowerlady
    Flowerlady sha1271

    Posted

    Hi..Not heard of that one. I were diagnosed 3 years ago and were put on             Pre gabalin, after 2.5 years I weaned myself off them because of the really bad side effects. 6 months ago the rheumy put me on Dosulepin an anti D, for the pain and to help me sleep. I did sleep better with it, but when I went to chemist to collect a further 2 months supply the Pharmasist called me to one side and asked why I were taking them, along with another drug Oramorph!! She said taking the two together will have dangerous side effects. With that I gave them back, the dr never said anything to me about that.Very Scary..So when going on a new drug, always ask if they will be ok with others you take.

    I am just on Oramorph and Paracetamol only,it takes the edge off and get sleep when I can.. Good Luck..Anne..

    • sha1271
      sha1271 Flowerlady

      Posted

      Good point on the drug interactions. I always look up new drugs and the Lexapro has a moderate interaction with my omeprazole. So I'm already going to ask questions.
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