Fibermyalgia recently diagnoised and have been living with chronic multiple conditions for years

Welcome to ChronicPainConnection.  I'm sorry you have a need to be here, but since you do, we're happy to have you with us. 

I haven't personally tried Lyrica but have heard from lots of people who have.  As with most medications, some love it and others hate it.  Those who love it often say it has given them their lives back; those who hate it have usually had some unacceptable side effects from it.  Finding the best medication for you is usually a matter of trial and error.  If you do get the ok from your insurance company to try the Lyrica, be sure to ask your doctor if you should continue to take Neurontin.  They are similar types of drugs, but many studies have found Lyrica to be more effective for fibromyalgia. 

I hate to hear that your doctor is so intimidating.  It's easy to be intimidated by doctors anyway, but when the doctor also has a blunt or agressive personality, it can be overwhelming.  Try to remember that you are paying him for a service and he owes it to you to answer your questions.  It's also good to do what you can to educate yourself on your various conditions.  You'll have more confidence talking to your doctor when you're already armed with information and know what questions you want to ask. 

We have a lot of good information on fibromyalgia here that can help you get started.  Here's the link:  Fibromyalgia 

We also have a good section on back pain and spinal issues.  Here's the link:  Back Pain and Sciatica 

And we have a bipolar site that can provide you with information and connect you to others who are dealing with it.  Here's the link:  BipolarConnect.com

The reason Norco (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) isn't working as well as it once did is because you've most likely built up a tolerence for it.  That eventually happens with any opioid.  Since 10 mg is the highest dosage of hydrocodone available, increasing the dosage isn't really an option.  The Lyrica may give you enough pain relief that you don't need another pain medication, but if not your doctor may want to switch you to a different opioid. 

You asked about alternatives for pain relief.  Here are three links to some often  effective alternatives:

TENS Unit

Acupuncture

Myofascial Release Therapy

I have 5 bulging discs in the thorasic area and i'm on Hydrocodone 10mg. I heard of a different medication called Oxycodone. There is a shortage of this medication in pill form but, they have it in liquid form and it is supposed to last longer. I hope this helps you out.

Carl

Hi,

I'm kind of where you are. I have a pinched nerve and a bulging disc, migraines  and i'm bipolar with a lot of anxiety again. I'm also a mom to a 17 month old daughter and running after an active little girl and picking up 25lbs of wiggling toddler irritates my back and makes me have so much pain i'm nauseaus.

I had a good Neurologist who started taking me off the painkillers little by little because she thought I was either faking it or sharing the Norco 7.5, because she couldn't understand how 2 times a day isn't enough for me.

I had to change doctors and she gave me the Lyrica to try which didn't work for me. I am also on Xanax, Lamictal, Seroquel, topamax & ambien. I also have Amerge for the migraines.

I have an issue with the doctors not understanding that I need to function during the day and not lay in bed. I am actually going to see a surgeon on friday to see what my options are because i am tired of living like this and need to find a better solution then always waiting until the painkiller works or doesn't work as the case is these days.

I know this post was really long and probably didn't make sense but it's 1am and i'm rambling.

Ask your doc for Percoset 10, it's a little bit stronger then Norco, but the doc can't call it in and can't give you a refill, you have to get a new prescription each time. I went back to Norco because I got tired of driving to my doc's office once a week for a prescription.

Other than the obvious, I would like to know a few things about the above.  Approximate ages, do you work out, if you do; what do you do, where do you really hurt, and how flexible are you? I am an out of the box thinker, and my "box" is very small. However, between all of you there is nothing I have taking. Including the fact,  I was once diagnosed as being bi-polar...and put on the medication for that, I am not on nor will I ever be on again. Nevertheless, I am not bi-polar; I was assured that by the best J. However, I am in pain as you, and would love to think about it if you would allow. I will share with you my thoughts.

My fear is that I pop so many pills that one day my kidneys are going to fall out!

I just turned 35..... I have a long way to go

I do know that "if" I had fibermyalgia, I don't think I would let my insurance company know!