severe leg cramps

severe leg cramps [2008-01-06]
Yes I was like that for six months. The doctors will not admit these drugs cause this. Please report this to the FDA and the drug company. We have to stop this!

severe head pain with fibro [2007-09-10]
OUCH, my head is killing me, like giant snakes trying to push out of my skull. The rheumatologist gave me Lyrica. Has anyone taken this? No one can figure out what is wrong with me. Have had C3-6 laminectomy (2002) and C2 nerve root ablation (2004). One doc says fibro, the other occipital neuralgia and the other degenerative disk disease and straight neck. I am about ready for the ER. Also having eczema on face. Just shoot me please!

Have you tried some of the online support groups? [2008-08-29]
You sound like you are doing everything right. You have so many autoimmune disorders so may be why it is so severe. I will leave this web site with you. A lot of info there on diet, alot of people receiving holistic care as well. blessings,

Anyone know a taper schedule for Vicodin? [2008-08-10]
I know, no medical advice formally being asked, but does anyone know any taper schedule? They used to be on the internet, but now when I search, I keep getting directed to horrible sites that sell Lortab and get emails of spam now for Vicodin, etc. Been on Vicodin for 10 years, trigeminal neuralgia, chronic pain syndrome, and have been on four Vicodin ES a day the whole time. I am sick to death of going to this skanky pain clinic in our county. Scum of the earth there, people dealing in the waiting room and parking lot, and never see a doctor, just NPs who think they are doctors, and just hand out scrips. They never go over anything on ourconditions, tho they are supposed to - they just hand out scrips. They have me on so many drugs by now, which is part of the game - you have to take the crap they hand out or you get kicked out of the program. I am supposed to be on Ambien-CR, Xanax, Esgic, and the Vicodin ES. My primary said that combo would kill me, and I know it would. The insurance company even said it would kill me, so I never ever even filled the Xanax. Xanax 2 mg four times a day, by the way. Can you imagine? They told me I had to be on an antidepressant, a sleeping med and then a pain med. I told them I would no way take an antidepressant, as never was depressed. So they said I had to have anxiety then. At any rate, I had a urine test the other day for compliance, and I tested negative for Ambien and Xanax, if you can believe this. I never take Xanax, but I take Ambien-CR every single night. This ignorant NP also said I was in trouble as I tested positive for barbiturates, which I had to explain to her was the Esgic (they want me to take 4 a day, which is considered a lethal amount). I only take it prn and happened to need it the day before I got tested, and thisunqualified NPtold me I tested NEGATIVE for Vicodin, as my urine showed hydromorphone and NO hydrocodone. Well, Vicodin metabolite IS hydromorphone, and I had to try to explain that. She said I must have a huge -- stash -- of Vicodin at home, as my urine showed nothing about Vicodin. I thought I was on Candid Camera or something. I am really polite and never lost my temper, though I would have been justified. She was so frustrated with me that she told me I had to find another doctor. I then lost my temper and told her what I felt of this candy doctor, who is never around, as that is all he is, and how ignorant she is. Bottom line, I got 100 Vicodin from her when I swore Iincorrect medical testing interpretation, i.e. stupidity. I asked her for a weaning schedule, and she DIDN So, I want to get off of it, but not sure of a wean schedule. Thanks for listening. I donI think II hope someone understands, and please, please, please don I am just heartbroken over this and so scared, as I went thru severe withdrawal about 8 years ago, literally doubled over on the floor with stomach pains and vomiting. I have never been on more than 4 a day. Its so weird, but I get so sick, like watching junkies on a heroin movie. The withdrawalwas another time long ago when I got humiliated picking up a scrip from a pharmacy in my new town. They were snickering and laughing about how some moms supplemented their income by selling Vikes. I had no idea what they were talking about til later, and then I cried and cried, flushed the pills, and died for about a week. At any rate, I am so scared of being sick like that, don Thanks for any help. Thanks for listening. My DH, by the way, is beyond furious and wants me to go to a lawyer over this, the NP not knowing that hydromorphone is hydrocodone metabolized in the urine, claiming I was on barbiturates, when she was the one who prescribes Esgic and didnThis witch NP also told me she would give me a good referral at another pain clinic, not to worry, but I do NOT want to go thru this anymore. Sorry for carrying on so long.

Can somebody try and help me please? [2008-07-11]
Four weeks after my first child was born, in the middle of the night, I awoke with a very profound itching over my entire body. About a week later, after this having happened for so long, I realized it wasna lot of antibiotics), everything we could possibly think of. I made them run every test in the book, everything is clean. I have never had healthy problems before, and I was 20 y/o on onset of symtpoms. I have not had my thyroid checked yet though...which I know I should. Finally a doctor says that my only hope is to go to an allergist. I told him that somebody with skin that reacts to everything cannot get a skin scratch test, but he said they would do something. The allergist said it didnabout 3 months tops. It has been six...a totall of 2 years and 8 months. And since I started taking Zyrtec and feeling better, a new wierd bumpy itchy rash has started onmy legs...and the Zyrtec is becomming more ineffective, just like every antihistamine before it, and I am coupling with benadryl. The only other things I have noticed are bowel upset at times (soft stool, gas), some stomach upset from time to time....and I do notice a lot of stuffiness at times as well. I had never had allergy symptoms before in my life. So my question to you is this: Do I just assume the doctor was right, and I am allergic to the world...or do you think this is more like some kind ofautoimmune. I am literally at my wits end here. Although antihistamines help mostly, not always, and not fully. I need help! I have seen 5 doctors to date. It is not psychological, forgot to put that up there as well. And it is not scabies... I am the only one that I know of with this severe itching and welting. Oh, and no hives show up until my skin is touched, and I do have skin-writing...but I thought dermatographia only itches after touching, not before. So, if you can think of anything else that I could try, or have any ideas for what it could be, please help me!

Neurontin [2008-01-09]
I take 600 mg in the morn, 300 in afternoon, and another 600 at night. I find it works quite well. I use this and Ultram fora left ulnar neuropathy andsevere DDD.

Couple days late on responding to this, sorry, sm [2007-12-18]
I Been doing this since off the prednisone and doc said I am a lifer for either methotrexate or prednisone. What fun, but at least I Have to take the good with the bad I guess.

See, I did not give myself that diagnosis [2007-11-03]
of fibro- I told the first pain clinic a rheumatologist, an M.D., had diagnosed me as that- I can only take their diagnosis, right? I asked my regular physician (one that I am not going back to) about 3-4 weeks ago COULD THIS BE costochondritis??? I went in as workin one Saturday and he came flying in- told me he only had time for 1 problem, which was the most severe - I chose the fibro and then had shingles also so had to turn around and make appointment with dermatologist. I told the first pain clinic make a diagnosis and just treat the pain. I am so sorry I ask could it be or what another physician told me it was- I never made the diagnosis of fibro- knew no one with it and never knew about it before being diagnosed by a licensed M.D. I could take my medical records from 1 place to the other but they have no time to go through those either.

Big bust [2007-10-16]
Posted on the gab board because believe most read that instead of this but the pain clinic this morning was like I wish almost had not gone. Asked if fibro treated there up front, told yes and then the physician I saw did not believe in it- even though he says he treats some patients with overall pain?? I am tired of trying really and just wanted for something to take severe pain away so I CAN WORK. Told him severe rib pain all around, he did not believe that and gave me Flexeril because I know he is probably thinking muscle instead of ribs. Back to first base so to speak. Am really disappointed in the medical field right now.

Percocet works for me [2007-09-29]
Went to a pain clinic for severe muscle pain (possibly metabolic disease) and tried numerous medications. I found that Percocet is the only thing that takes the edge off while allowing me to be somewhat coherent! I don't take it all the time, as it sometimes upsets my stomach, but it works on the really bad days. Unfortunately, it will be a trial and error process to find the medication that works best for you. Hang in there! Good luck!

Where is most of your pain? [2007-09-13]
I had in extremities, arms, legs especially bad. Now I am having, as I said, the severe pain in the ribs. Seems like when going to a physician you can say what is going on- like I told mine ribs and he x-rays the hands?? I have never been diagnosed with arthritis, x-rays do not show, labs don�t either but have appointment with nephrologist this morning (have renal cysts) and going to ask please can he give assistance as to what to do next, can he recommend something, someone. I feel like I am grasping at straws trying to get the help I need.

Does warmth help? [2007-09-09]
I'm not sure I have fibro, but I get severe muscle pain. I was one big hurt last night, too. My little cat decided he wanted to lay on my lap (he is like a little mini-furnace) and the heat from him helped my leg muscles so much! Does heat help you at all? I bought an electric blanket for the all-over pain, but it doesn't work as well as my kitten!

One big ache tonight! [2007-09-08]
ever tried the really smelly cream like Ben-Gay or for muscle pain? I was hurting so much tonight went to a drug store where read on the internet they had some kind of spray on deal for the pain and seemed to work well. This was after 8 and only 1 person in the store so wound up getting the smelly stuff. I hate to rub that all over but for the most part used on my upper torso and arms because I hurt so bad I could scream!! I have been to several doctors and really do not know where to try next. My primary care physician did nothing, rheumatologist did nothing, can go back to pain clinic but would like to know if anything else going on because the rib pain is so severe you cannot palpate it without a big hurt. Have any of you tried and have the creams helped out any at all? Using this as stepping stone until maybe someone will assist me in relieving some of this horrific pain. Thanks!

Suggestions for assistance [2007-09-06]
I posted below about dealing with severe muscle pain. I am 25 and have been depending on my mother to help with things that are difficult for me to do (grocery shopping, most errands, sometimes even cleaning/vacuuming). A trip to the store causes severe pain for sometimes 2 days. Anyway, my mother is following her dream of traveling across the country, working along the way. Does anyone have any tricks they use to help them do stuff? Certain shoes, certain services, anything? We have a food delivery service locally, but it doesn It also wouldn Any sort of suggestions at all would be very much appreciated!

More negative tests... [2007-08-20]
Maybe this should be on the mental health board, but I though maybe someone here could offer some advice/encouragement. I am a young woman who has been having SEVERE muscle pain for 2 or 3 years. It is progressively getting worse and it seems that I Going to the grocery store is torture and I Tests so far have been negative - checked for MS, lupus, RA, fibromyalgia etc. The only abnormal test was an elevated aldolase, which was normal on a second test. Just got the results from an MRI of my thigh muscle, which of course was negative. I feel like I I can I try to just ignore that anything is wrong, but I am reminded every time I want to do something that hurts - go shopping, or even out with friends. Has anyone had a similar issue as far as being unable to find a diagnosis? What was the outcome? Thanks for listening to me whine!

What are you scared about? [2007-05-11]
Taking the medicine, the pain you have or just what? I suffer from fibro and the last bad attack I had lasted well over 3 months, very severe. I have let some outside things in my life drop and the pain, although still there, not as intense. Tell me more about what you speak of.

Tell me you are not paying for this? [2007-04-24]
Please tell me you are not subscribing and paying for that fibromyalgia coalition newletter? I'm not trying to offend you by saying this, so please don't take it that way, but from your questions you sound very new to FMS to me. Are you? Generally, when people are first dx'd or have very limited/mild FMS, they ask questions about alternative therapies, etc. as that's usually the first thing people do when they are diagnosed is try to find something/anything that may help and will be sucked into things like the fibro coalition that offer cures or illness reversals which are impossible! Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling you ignorant or bad or anything negative for wanting to find something that will help. I think it's very important to research any illness you have, but you have to be very careful, especially with something like FMS since there are so many people out there misdiagnosed because they have an occasional ache/pain, and soem doctor wants to label them with a disease (when they actually don't have FMS at all), so sure a supplement might cure something they never had!More importantly, there are many, many people out there preying on the people who really do have FMS and are in pain and desperate! Most of these institutes/websites/treatmentcenters, etc, if you really look, have hidden agendas, such as selling supplements, tapes, books, etc., all of which for the most part any way, are useless and a waste of money! The fibro coalition is a waste of money and a waste of your time and effort reading it! It is full of misinformation and really nothing but hype about reversing FMS, treating root causes, etc. They have multiple sponsers that give them money to advertise on their site as well, all of which are preying upon sick people trying to sell supplements, books, CDs, etc to cure and/or treat FMS. Supplements do not cure or treat FMS to any significant degree. Sure things like calcium and magnesium help with bone strength and muscle cramping, and obviously vitamins do not hurt you and are good for you. However, again, these do not cure anything other than a vitamin deficiency. If someone truly has FMS, a special blend of vitamins and minerals in an expensive, pretty package is not going to take away the pain, fatigue, etc. or cure FMS. It's just going to empty your wallet! I do take a few specific vitamins (not to cure or treat my FMS but calcium as any woman should probably take this, as well as a multivamin, again as most people with any illness or even healthy people usually take). Also, if I'm getting specific cramping, I may take magnesium as that does help. However, any of these specific vitamins can be bought at Walmart or a drug store seperately for much cheaper, and you can pick and choose what you feel is right for you without being called some kind of fibro cure/treatment, tripling the cost! As somone who has had incredibly severe FMS for years, I'm just trying to warn someone who is new to this. In the beginning, especially since I had/have it so severe at a very young age (dxd in early 20s and 30 now), I tried everything and wanted so badly to believe all of the false hope and promises by some of these people! I researched everything and would latch onto any little hope these quacks would give me, trying every new mineral, vitamin, and worthless treatment a doctor would recommend. All this did was waste money, time, and effort until I finally realized that these people are just trying to get rich. I have now just faced the facts that there is no cure/reversal, and I control the symptoms the best I can. I'm not like most of you unfortunately. I do not have flares and periods where there is any type of remission at all. I have constant, severe pain 24/7/365, and also different from most of you is that it is progressing as the years go by. At my relatively young age, I have not known a pain free day in over 10 years, not a single one. I've become a 30 year old stuck in the body of a 90 year old. I have days I'm hardle able to walk and am now about 75% limited in all activities, and this is on chronic opiate therapy of a 50-mcg fentanyl patch, along with anywhere from six to ten 5-mg OxyIR tablets, and a multitude of different muscle relaxants each day. Without the meds I'd be unable to do the limited things I can do and would be climbing the walls/suicidal with the pain. I hope I did not offend anyone here and apologize for the rambling. It just really upsets me to see someone giving any money, support, or attention in any way to these organizations. companies, etc. like this. that are selling and advertising false hope and sending out misinformation to whoever signs up for it! Itnonsick public who are just trying to help themselves or their families/friends to feel better. So, please just be very careful who you deal with and what you waste your money/effort on for your own financial and emotional health. I'd take financial devastation over dashed hope any day.

Fibro and now diverticulitis [2007-04-12]
Well, I ended up in the ER Sunday with severe abdominal pain. THey did a CAT scan and it showed diverticulitis so they gave me Cipro and Flagyl. Threw up the Flagyl on Mon and Tues so the doctor stopped it. I hope I will be okay. I asked them to admit me but they wouldn't. Just what I needed on top of everything else! I am so sick. Thinking about drinking Aloe Vera juice after I am done with the Cipro. My stomach is on fire. Has anyone else ever had diverticulitis?

Lyrica [2007-03-29]
Anybody out there tried Lyrica? Do any of you have a coated tongue from meds? My doctor says it is not thrush. I have severe gastritis now from iodine given for a cervical angiogram. Only weigh 90 pounds and feel like I am dying. I try to avoid the sugar because of Candida but I need to eat about a gallon of ice cream. The doc has me on Prevacid, not helping too much. I sure miss my cuffee. About ready to visit the ER again.

Pain meds help to keep me sm [2007-03-27]
somewhat functional at least. I The pain was just so bad everywhere before the pain meds that I couldn All I kept thinking was if I I I take oxycodone HCL(short acting)two 5-mg tablets every 4 to 6 hours for the breakthrough painthat my 50-mcg fentanyl patch does not cover or if I Unfortunately, I The fentanyl is new as I was switched from methadone to Kadian, and now the fentanyl patch. So, I I really probably should be on the 100-mcg patch and have the oxycodone switched to another short-acting med since my pain level is still at around an 8 on a good day, but trying to get meds increased at my young age in these war on drugs times (really should be called war on pain patients) is very difficult. Everyone is so afraid of overprescribing or alerting the DEA if they write for what is actually needed for really severe chronic pain that they routinely underprescribe and short change there patients. So many doctors have been prosecuted for trying to be good doctors and provide their patients with relief, that it Sorry about getting on my soap box about this, but it makes me so made we have to suffer for nothing. Anyway, to answer your question about the meds making me tired, the answer is no with the exception of when you first start them. About the first week on the meds, you do feel more tired than usual, but you quickly get tolerance to this side effect. If not, you can always switch to a different drug that does not have that side effect. Of course, you have to build up to taking these stronger, long-acting meds by first taking the weaker short acting meds and building up, but that really does not take long at all. Then, they can start tweaking what dosages you need of the long-acting meds based on pain levels and what they are willing to prescribe. I wish you lots of luck, and if you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask. I

Do you have mostly problems with pain or sm [2007-03-26]
other symptoms related to fibro? It all depends on your symptoms. My real problem is the intense pain 100% of the time. A lot of people don I take Synthroid for hypothyoidism and Celexa for anxiety. For severe chronic pain I see a pain management physician and am on Zanaflex 2 mg twice a day, fentanyl 50-mcg patch every 3 days, and oxycodone 10 mg every 6 hours for breakthrough pain. I hoping this upcoming Thursday at my next appointment to change my breakthrough meds as they are not really working and not strong enough, although of course they are better than nothing. I cannot tolerate NSAIDs much either. Besides they don I occasionally will take some ibuprofen as I have OA as well but limit that as much as I possibly can because they are dangerous drugs causing end-organ damage of the kidneys and liver and of course ulcers, bleeding, etc. of the stomach. I really don Good luck to you!

Definitely have trouble working [2007-03-26]
I absolutely struggle with problems trying to work, do housework, etc. Luckily, I do not have kids and donactivities or anything like that anymore either as I basically conserve 100% of my energy for work so I can stay employed, and I still don't make it some days but do the best I can. I can't exactly retire at 30, and although I have had docs talk about disability, I can't afford to be on that either. Right now, I see a PMD and a pain clinic doc for my pain meds once a month. I do not do any of that behavioral stuff, although I'm sure I could if I asked. I just personally think it's a waste of money and time. When I was newly diagnosed about 5 or 6 years back, I was sent to a rheumy and PT, but again, both were a waste of time and money. So, I stopped going and got myself a good pain doc. I also have the extreme fatigue as I have both the fibro and hypothyroidism, but I can deal with that usually. It's the pain that I couldn't deal with since it was so severe and constant. The pain meds do make it so I'm not suicidal, but they don't take it all away of course, especially since I continue to make myself work. At this point, I need them adjusted upwards and will hopefully get that worked out, but it's hard since the pain laws are so bad here in NY, well everywhere really. I do wish you all the best of luck dealing with this. Itlook OK. If pain is a huge factor, please do seek out a pain specialist who is willing to listen and help. There are a lot who are not, but there are some good ones out there. Again, good luck!