Posted by Cece on February 16, 2001, at 3:48:31
In reply to Fibromyalgia and depression, posted by Cass on March 12, 2000, at 17:47:57
> I have a serious case of fibromyalgia. Aside from the natural supplement, MSM, I have never found a drug to help. Is there anyone else on this board who has Fibro and depression? Have you found anything to help both? I tried Elavil once with few results.
> >Cass
I had hideous fibromyalgia for years- long before I even had a name to put to it.
I was eventually diagnosed with a bipolar II disorder, and some of the medications prescribed for that have put my fibromyalgia into almost total remission. The ones that seem to have helped most are ones that have also improved the quality of my sleep. Trazodone helped for about a year, but its effect wore off. Nortriptyline (at bedtime) has helped for several years. Also, I believe that Depakote (low dose) and Neurontin (moderate dose) have helped. Other meds that I take which may be contributing are (a VERY low dose of) clonazepam, and a low dose of xanax.
I find fibromyalgia symptoms to be distinct from sx of depression- they can occur together or separately. But having fibromyalgia is in itself depressing in its pain, disability, and amorphous nature which can be so hard to communicate. From the research I have done combined with my experience and intuition, I believe that fibromyalgia is in some way related to sleep disorder.
I hope that this is helpful.
I want to investigate the 20/20 show mentioned. Despite the remission of most of my fib. sx, I continue to have chronic pain and tension at the top of my neck/base of my skull.
Cece
poster:Cece
thread:26782
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010212/msgs/54131.html