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Thanks for all the information. It certainly makes sense to me that these two health issues are linked. I have been on a low dose of Prozac for nine years now. I have a few friends who are on Effexor and they claim to be quite happy with it.
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Well, welcome to the club, girlfriend. Sorry to hear you actually do have it, but glad you got it diagnosed. I laughed out loud when you described him showing you the chart where he'd already written fibromyalgia! Sounds like you have a good doc.
Starting with a low dose of **ELAVIL** is the "gold standard" for fibro treatment right now. I've been on it for over a year and it has definitely helped. It is sedating so unless your doctor says otherwise, it would normally be taken an hour or two before bed time.
You'll need to start practicing good "sleep hygiene" too, meaning standard bed time, no reading in bed, making sure the room is cool enough, all that stuff. Do a google search on sleep disorders and you'll find a list.
I take naproxyn (OTC name Aleve), but if you're IBS-D (sorry I can't remember, ribbit!), be warned it's a stomach irritant like all NSAID's. I take it with an Imodium and it works fine. If you have trouble tolerating it, ask your doctor about Ultracet, which is tylenol and tramadol. Tramadol has been proven in studies to be more effective on fibro pain that other pain killers.
I also recommend the FibroHugs website that Linz mentioned. There's also lots of really good books (and some not so good). But don't overwhelm yourself, just go at your own pace. And we're here for ya, sweetie!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
Edited by LauraSue (09/20/04 01:16 PM)
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Hi Tissy,
Reliv also helps with Fibromyalgia symptoms since I hadn't seen this post when you asked about it before if you're still interested in trying it. If not, no harm. I just thought I'd mention it.
Glad you know what's wrong so you can start feeling better.
Best,
Karen =)
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Sara-Sage
#106875 - 09/19/04 06:08 PM
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Tissy
Reged: 07/15/04
Posts: 773
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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I don't know if either of the meds he gave me are for sleep? From what I understand of his instructions, the Effexor is for anxiety and Naproxen is for muscle pain. And I am on my second day of meds (I started them right away yesterday). I think they have to build up in your system? B/C last night I didn't sleep well again. And I don't know how many more nights I can go on like this. I would kill for a good night's sleep right now.  The Effexor seemed to make me drowsy but I still tossed and turned all night and jumped out of bed with a leg cramp.
Thanks for the well wishes!
Christie
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Christie
~Hoping and Praying for Sleep!~
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Thanks for all the feedback and well wishes. I am only on day two of meds. I took my first doses after I got home from Docs yesterday. The Effexor seemed to make me drowsy but I still didn't sleep well throughout the night. But they probably need to build up in my system.
Christie
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Christie
~Hoping and Praying for Sleep!~
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Laura Sue
#106877 - 09/19/04 06:22 PM
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Tissy
Reged: 07/15/04
Posts: 773
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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Thanks Laura Sue. I thought it was funny when I saw what he wrote to. Then I kept trying to back track out of the diagnosis. And he told "You can run from this diagnosis, but you can't hide" 
I am IBS-D but I am stable now on Heather's diet except for the occassional cheat that sends me in a down spiral.(Yet I continue to do it....mmmmm)  I have had 4 doses of Naproxen so far, (twice daily,started yesterday) and so far no D but I did feel iffy, sort of rumblings today but I took a NuLev and no D. Whew!
My DH sleeps with the TV on and I have complained that I can't get to sleep and that I don't sleep soundly with it on. So he started putting it on a timer for a half hour. Do you think that would really effect my sleep? I know some people can't sleep unless the Tv is on.
I have been to the Fibrohugs website and it explained so much about me. It was amazing! Like why I am always cold,etc. I also referred my family members there so they can understand. But mother thinks I make these things up b/c she ate healthy while she was pregnant with me. I laughed so hard at that I almost peed myself. 
Thanks Again for All Your Help,
Christie
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Christie
~Hoping and Praying for Sleep!~
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Christie, try potassium for the leg cramps. It's a symptom and is called Restless Leg Syndrome.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Glad no D so far. My doc started me on Bextra which is another NSAID that's supposed to be much easier on the tummy. But it kicked up my GERD, so he switched me to the Ultracet. Just something to keep in mind for the future, in case the Aleve gives you any problems.
The TV definitely would affect your sleep. That's nice of him to put it on the timer. Another solution that my DH uses is headphones but your DH might have trouble falling asleep with them! Just the flickering light from the TV bothered me, so now I use an eyeshade -- it REALLY helps.
That's funny about your mom. My MIL thinks I make too much of my symptoms and if I'd just go to a museum and get my mind off things I'd be fine!! The miracle cure, right??!!
Glad you liked FibroHugs. Isn't it nice to know you're not alone and you're not crazy? You mentioned the itchy crawly skin. I get that too. Weird!
Hang in there. Like your doctor said, you can run but you can't hide. On the other hand denial is said to be the shock absorber of the soul -- it allows us to let things in a teensy bit at a time rather than overwhelming ourselves!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Ok thanks. Maybe it will kick in later one and help you sleep.
I've been up since 4 am (not by choice) so I am dreaming of my bed right now. zzzzz
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Effexor helps fibro because fibro is in part due to a neurotransmitter imbalance, and it helps restore that balance.
Daniel Wallace, MD, author of Making Sense of Fibromyalgia, which is published by the Arthritis Foundation, lists Effexor as being in one of the medication families clearly effective in treating fibromyalgia. Specifically it is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) which
"are used to manage the fatigue, congnitve impairment and depression associated with fibromyalgia and can modestly alleviate pain by promoting the release of endorphins. They usually become effective within 2-3 weeks. SSRIs are not habit-forming and contain no narcotics. Also, very low doses are often therapueutic; these doses are much lower than those used for depression. Patients with fibromyalgia are often very sensitive to all types of medication."
However, they are NOT sedating. The release of serotonin actually increases energy. So it's best NOT to take them at night (sorry!!).
Instead you might want to try Benadryl or its generic equivalent as an over the counter sleep aid. Even my doctor and her husband use it. I take two every night two hours before bed. They definitely help me sleep more soundly.
Okay, hope that clarifies it. Sorry for the froggy mixup (RIBBIT!!).
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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