I cant speak as an expect, I am fairly newly diagnosed, but am really well informed and read EVERYTHING. I can mostly just speak to my fibro:
1. for me, my fibro symptoms really started my CFS although I havent been officially diagnosed with CFS. The chronic fatigue came first, the pain intensified slowly.
2. I am not on Lyrica, Im on Cymbalta (or was until I lost my job & insurance). The same happened to me on Cymbatla and was told it was fairly common. I felt great for about 2 months, then suddenly it just stopped working. They doubled my dose and had no trouble again until I went off it.
3. I dont take Lyrica so dont know. Weight gain is also a side effect of Cymbalta, so is loss of appetite. I had loss of appetite but did not loss weight. I have gained minimal weight since the fibro started but it has to do with being so sedentary. I also lost my job and the place I volunteer job closed down, both kept me very active. I'm looking into a local gym that has a pool.
4. I TOTALLY have this. I can sleep 20 hours and be exhausted. I can sleep 2 hours and not be able to sleep any more. From what I know, this is pretty common.
5. dont have this problem at all. well.... maybe i do. I have always had the sex drive of a 15 year old boy. Now my drive is of a healthy 30 year old woman it should be.
6 & 7. I dont have an pain killers because I have no insurance. I do have some left-over muscle relaxers but I use them VERY sparingly. First, talk to your doctor now and explain that you will not have insurance in another month, maybe he/she can help come up with a solution to stock pile a little. S tart looking into places in your area that may offer free or low cost medications. We even have a place in our rural area in upstate NY that just opened about 2 months ago. If you have a large medical group, see what kind of assistance they may offer for people without insurance. I am starting to realize that if they have someone in our area they have it most everywhere else. Take advantage of every service you can. Your taxes pay for these programs. If people use them then the government will realize how much people need them and will fund them better. Also, I know that the company that makes Lyrica does have some kind of medication assistance program. Look into that now, too, so that there wont be a gap. If you are filing for SSDI you will probably be able to get Medicaid. Take it easy. Get help where/when you need it. Sounds like you have a great support system! I, sadly but freely admit, I tend to use "alternative medications" because of my circumstances. I dont want to endorse anything like that, but you asked what other people do and I freely admit it and share what helps for me.
Hope any or all of that helps! Welcome to the site. It has really helped me to have a support group because we do not have one around where I live. The closest "live" support group around me is almost an hour away, too far for me to drive at 7 pm. People here are great at leading support, sharing their stories and helping answer questions. Thanks for sharing your story!
1. for me, my fibro symptoms really started my CFS although I havent been officially diagnosed with CFS. The chronic fatigue came first, the pain intensified slowly.
2. I am not on Lyrica, Im on Cymbalta (or was until I lost my job & insurance). The same happened to me on Cymbatla and was told it was fairly common. I felt great for about 2 months, then suddenly it just stopped working. They doubled my dose and had no trouble again until I went off it.
3. I dont take Lyrica so dont know. Weight gain is also a side effect of Cymbalta, so is loss of appetite. I had loss of appetite but did not loss weight. I have gained minimal weight since the fibro started but it has to do with being so sedentary. I also lost my job and the place I volunteer job closed down, both kept me very active. I'm looking into a local gym that has a pool.
4. I TOTALLY have this. I can sleep 20 hours and be exhausted. I can sleep 2 hours and not be able to sleep any more. From what I know, this is pretty common.
5. dont have this problem at all. well.... maybe i do. I have always had the sex drive of a 15 year old boy. Now my drive is of a healthy 30 year old woman it should be.
6 & 7. I dont have an pain killers because I have no insurance. I do have some left-over muscle relaxers but I use them VERY sparingly.
First, talk to your doctor now and explain that you will not have insurance in another month, maybe he/she can help come up with a solution to stock pile a little. S
tart looking into places in your area that may offer free or low cost medications. We even have a place in our rural area in upstate NY that just opened about 2 months ago. If you have a large medical group, see what kind of assistance they may offer for people without insurance. I am starting to realize that if they have someone in our area they have it most everywhere else. Take advantage of every service you can. Your taxes pay for these programs. If people use them then the government will realize how much people need them and will fund them better.
Also, I know that the company that makes Lyrica does have some kind of medication assistance program. Look into that now, too, so that there wont be a gap.
If you are filing for SSDI you will probably be able to get Medicaid.
Take it easy. Get help where/when you need it. Sounds like you have a great support system!
I, sadly but freely admit, I tend to use "alternative medications" because of my circumstances. I dont want to endorse anything like that, but you asked what other people do and I freely admit it and share what helps for me.
Hope any or all of that helps! Welcome to the site. It has really helped me to have a support group because we do not have one around where I live. The closest "live" support group around me is almost an hour away, too far for me to drive at 7 pm. People here are great at leading support, sharing their stories and helping answer questions. Thanks for sharing your story!
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