Medication making you wrecked? Fibromyalgia & Bipolar

[Superstargoddess]

I have Fibromyalgia and Bipolar. So far I have been on Neurontin for the Fibro until I could get Lyrica through the patient assistance program since I couldn't afford it. The Neurontin should be called "Morontin" since it makes you feel like an idiot.

So far, after about 5 days of using the Lyrica, I feel even worse. I feel like I am drunk all of the time (which I don't like, I quit drinking several years ago) and have major coordination problems. I know that after this week is up and maybe another week, probably the problem won't be as bad.

I was just a little shocked at how it hit me since the Lyrica is derived from the Neurontin, basically. Lyrica sure does pack a punch, so beware if you go on it! I also received some samples of Zyprexa today, which will be the first time that I have ever taken medication for my Bipolar. I'm supposed to take it at bedtime so we will see how it goes!

If anyone here takes either of these medications, I would love to hear how it went for you! Otherwise, if anyone feels wrecked by their medication, I would love to hear what it does to you and what it is.

And as a final note, I would like to warn everyone that Cymbalta has the chance to make you feel like you are going to puke all day. I tried it for one day and felt like I was on the verge of throwing up about all day, except for a couple of hours. It was like "Check the path to the bathroom to make sure you don't run over the cat" type of thing. It may not happed for everyone but I just wanted to toss it out there since that's what happened to me!

Edit: Oh, and the Neurontin and Lyrica make my fingers twitch. So I will often accidentally right click my mouse or type too many letters at once since I will double tap letters when I am typing. I usually go back to correct it when I am on a public forum or chat room. However, when I am text messaging to friends, I will just let it go.

 

[jj2]

They tried Neurontin with RW, it did do some weird things.
Then there was Gababintin (might be mispelled). It made him feel better but made him loopy and groggy so he doesn't take it anymore.

 

[Nighthawk]

please please talk to your dr asap. Those 'finger twitches' are called tardive diskinesia. It can become permenent. Not trying to scare you or anything, but it's a big concern when on these meds. Good news is there are a LOT of meds out there for these conditions and once you get the right dose/combo worked out, you will feel loads better.

 

[crashtestjeep]

Lyrica made me freak out.....Ultram ER did ok but has side effects I read abt and didnt like too so I just stuck with the reg pain meds that I know work. They always try to get me to try something new along w reg meds when I visit my pain clinic but I finally told them I didnt want to try anything else. Find something that works good, then stop there. None of them will take the pain away, but if one makes you somewhat comfortable, thats the one you want.

 

[Superstargoddess]

please please talk to your dr asap. Those 'finger twitches' are called tardive diskinesia. It can become permenent. Not trying to scare you or anything, but it's a big concern when on these meds. Good news is there are a LOT of meds out there for these conditions and once you get the right dose/combo worked out, you will feel loads better.

Eek, I have asked my doctor about that and he said that it would go away if I were to ever stop taking the medication! He is a young doctor though, only 32 years old, so maybe he needs to brush up on his books again!

I've been taking the Lyrica for around a week now and the "hurp durp" feeling isn't as bad now, though I still have the "finger twitches" since that's easier to type out than the other thing!

I'll go for an appointment with him later this week and ask him again about it. This is something that I don't want to be stuck with! Though it isn't too important right now, if there ever is a time that I get a job that requires me to not accidentally hit a button and screw everything up, then that would be a major major issue!

Thanks for posting! <3

 

[Nighthawk]

you can google the TD and be able to present him with more information. Dr's are not gods, even though some think they are close. There are sooooo many meds out there, it'd be impossible to know everything about all of them. So be a proactive patient! It's your life, your body! Research, research, ask questions, get answers. It is helpful to write things down so you dont get the bum's rush and forget. And if the dr just pats you on the head and says the equilivent of " There there, little girl, don't you worry your pretty little head about that." fire him. and tell him why he got fired. I have been to and worked under many dr's. and there is a BIG defference between the guy that finished the bottom of his class from the lowest med school and the top guy from the top school. but they are ALL called Dr.! anyway, hope this give you a shot of courage!

 

[Superstargoddess]

you can google the TD and be able to present him with more information. Dr's are not gods, even though some think they are close. There are sooooo many meds out there, it'd be impossible to know everything about all of them. So be a proactive patient! It's your life, your body! Research, research, ask questions, get answers. It is helpful to write things down so you dont get the bum's rush and forget. And if the dr just pats you on the head and says the equilivent of " There there, little girl, don't you worry your pretty little head about that." fire him. and tell him why he got fired. I have been to and worked under many dr's. and there is a BIG defference between the guy that finished the bottom of his class from the lowest med school and the top guy from the top school. but they are ALL called Dr.! anyway, hope this give you a shot of courage!

Thank you so much! He and I are very cool with each other since he's only a year younger than me and we're both reasonably young. I'm sure we can work it out. He's a good kid.

 

[Nighthawk]

That's wonderful! I have had to deal with toooo many crapola dr's to put up with them! When I can afford her, I have a great dr that I see. When in doubt, ask the nurse. lol (((hugs)))

 

[Dustyrider99]

Be careful with Lyrica. I started taking it after my lower back was rebuilt because of work injury. When I started taking Lyrica i dropped into a two year long deep depression and had many new physical problems. When I complained about new symptoms the docs answer was to up the dosage which only made problems worse.
I have been off it for a year now but many of the symptoms I developed have not gone away although I feel much better.
I find it funny that with all the side effects of lyrica docs still act like it is the best drug ever while ecigs, with next to no side effects are treated as taboo. "We just don't know what the do to you." It seems okay to destroy your health and mind as long as "We know what it will do to you."

 

[jj2]

Dustyrider so glad you found your way here!!!

My hubby has a neck injury and deals with pain on a daily basis.
He's on morphine---has been for years now.
Sometimes I feel like using a hammer on doctors myself. Especially lately since it might be that the major part of RW's pain is because of muscle spasms. Basically that means he necessarily doesn't need to be on a major pain killer like morphine but on something that is intended for keeping the muscle relaxed.
This is an 'if' right now but I have a sense of hope I haven't had for a VERY long time.

As for e-cigs. If I wasn't using them, I'd be using an inhaler and Advair and they KNOW long term use of either is not good. Makes you wonder how things got so screwed up.

 

[Tamy]

Been on Lyrica for 2+ years. i know it has a lot of side affects and not everyone can handle it. i'm also on Cymbalta and id did take a few weeks for the stumic stuff to finaly go away.

 

[Lisa B]

I have neuropathy and I am bi-polar, when I tried Lyrica it made me feel goofy and actually made my pain worse, so doctor took me off it in a week. I am also diabetic, so all totally I am on 15 medications and since moving recently and my benefits just kicked in. Now I am having to start over with a new family doctor, psychiatrist and neurologist. Should be an interesting time, the family doctor is great, still waiting for appointments with the others. I am in so much pain it is unbelievable I just hope someone will help me.

 

[Lisa B]

Well I am switching over from Effexor to Cymbalta, anyone who has come off of Effexor knows that it can put you through hell but the Cymbalta is helping. I am hoping it will help with the pain too, that's why the change. So far not so much help on the pain and feeling the effects of going off the Effexor but not near as bad as other times I tried to get off it. The pain specialist gave me oxycodene to help with the pain while I switch over, it helped for a few days and now isn't really helping. I hate the thought of asking for something stronger for fear of looking like a drug addict but if it isn't working what else can I do. Emotionally it's hell changing and I can't seem to do anything, normally my abilities are limited as it is, but now I can't seem to do anything. Hopefully things start to change around soon and I can get off my pity wagon, thanks for putting up with me.

 

[jj2]

Only once in my life, Sciatica, have I dealt with dire pain and to think of those who live like that all the time, is mindbogglingly, to say the least. As you know, DH does. Watching him just tears my heart out. I bet you hubby feels the same way.
I'm sure that the rotator cuff surgery is going to relieve some of what he has felt in the last couple months.
Like you, we are trying a different avenue for the chronic neck pain. I'm hoping it won't to be to hard a road for you and him.
And I pray that things get a lot better for the both of you.
(((hugs)))

 

[Lisa B]

Thanks jj, I try not to complain too much but sometimes it just gets the best of me. My husband is wonderful and helps me all he can but I know it is frustrating for him too. I am lucky to have him and your hubby is lucky to have you, I hope his surgery helps him.

 

[Rosco]

I started out on Ultram, then changed to Tramadol, combined with Neurontin and later was switched to Gabapentin. I've been on this for at least 10 years and have not had any issues that would concern me with these drugs. I've been on them so long, I wonder if they really help me. Forget to take them one time and I had my answer. They sure do help.
I have severe neuropathy and use these to deal with it and still get through my days. ALso now getting some "RA" type of issues. Ibuprofen taken at a Dr's prescribed level(800mg) which is generally 4 tablets of 200mg each REALLY helps. Tylenol can't help for these pains....Ibuprofen can and does.

I have someone VERY close to me that was on Cymbalta for several years and finally wanted to get off. Get ready for one hell of a ugly bad ride stopping Cymbalta. The side effects of curtailing or quitting Cymbalta can drive you up the wall.

The only program that really saved this person is this; The Road Back Program. Featuring How to Get Off Psychoactive Drugs Safely. The Road Back Program.
Taking their advice on how to deal with the severe withdawals symptoms gave them their life back.

Best of luck to you all.

 

[JesikaBeth]

I'm a fibrohead with bipolar too

On Neurontin, Naproxen, and Flexeril for the Fibro. Most of time times that combo works well, but I do have my "bad" flair up streaks from time to time.

On Abilify, Lexapro, and Seroquel for the Bipolar. Combo works pretty darn well for me

Just wanted to say hello!

 

[Fudgey]

Hi there.....nice to meet you

 

[jj2]

Hi from me too Jesika. I know a couple people that took years to find something that worked well for them, and I'm glad you have.

 

[Lisa B]

HI, glad your regimen is working for you. Mine was working well then I got sick and everything went out the window so I am back to square one and finding another cocktail that will keep me on the right track, but I know it's out there just hard redoing everything again.