A Fibromyalgia Public Service Announcement

I was wondering if you had any side effects from ultram er? At first i tryed the lyrica and after 2 month the weight gain and joint pain got so bad. Then the cymbalta i tryed 1 time and i got so hot from it and did'nt sleep at all that night, so now im on the ultram er and last night i could not fall asleep till like 3 am. I dont know if im still having the side effects from cymbalta (1x) i took it or if i have side effects from ultram. My doctor wont refil my percocet, the only thing that has helped me. I have got like 6 hours sleep in 2 days and im at a dead end. Thanks.

Hi Arlene,  What time of day are you taking the Ultram ER?  I take the regular Ultram (not the extended release) and if I take it too late in the evening, I can't sleep.  With the extended release form, it's usually best to take it first thing in the morning.  If you're taking it early and still having trouble sleeping, you might talk to your doctor about giving you the original Ultram rather than the ER.  That way the effects won't last as long and you can have more control over the timing.  I hope you're able to work it out.  Ultram has made a big difference for me and I hope it does for you as well.  – Karen

I can understand what you are going through. I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia after ruling out rhumetoid arthritis. Before my diagnosois, I suffered with these symptoms for about 2 years and have found that in the last 4 months it became intolerable, which led me to my diagnosis. During that time, I was taking cymbalta, ultram, other anti depressants, flexerol, and other muscle relaxers. My doctors is now suggesting "Lyrica" with the hopes that it will work. The only real relief I have found has been with narcotic pain relievers such as lortab. Narcotics are not something any doctors wants to treat me with, but I guess I'll just keep looking for the right doctor. 

i am so tired of people looking at me like i just want pills all the time. even the pharmacist when i go there once a month to fill vicodin, my insurance lets you fill it 3 days early so you don't have to run there at the last minute, they always give me this look like "sheesh how many does she take a day that she's here early again". my husband and my children don't really understand how bad i really hurt. my kids know not to touch me in certain places because some hurt way worse than others, my husband just doesn't understand. he tells me he hurts all the time too, you don't see me taking a pill. why can't anyone just understand how painful this fibromyalgia is and try to find us help. no instead they all judge us and it's not fair. i am sorry you're having a hard time with this as well, we're all in the same boat at this point. waiting for someone who cares to really try to figure this out and rescue us.

Try checking Co-Cure's "Good Doctor" list first. If there is a local fibromyalgia support group in your area, that is usually a good resource for doctor referrals.  If neither of those pans out, you'll probably just have to start calling doctors' offices and asking questions. (i.e., Do you treat fibromyalgia? Approximately how many FM patients do you have?  How long have you been treating FM?)  A rheumatologist is the specialist that treats FM and is usually a good place to start.  Unfortunately, you may have to try several doctors before finding one you are comfortable with.  We're all different and often a doctor that one patient loves, another can't stand.  Don't give up trying to find the right doctor for you.  You deserve the best healthcare you can find.

Thank you for your response to my comments on FM. I certainly feel supported now. I will go to the avenue's as stated and will check out that support group immediately. It took me a long time to even understand what FM is and I won't let any doctor just take it out of context because he or she does not know how to treat it.

Bobbie McCluskey