Friday, June 01, 2012

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 dj asks

Q: constant pain!

I have FM for more then 8yrs now...I went from a size 3 to a size 12 in no time. My question is, how can i stop this horrible pain and lose weight at the same time? The pain is so bad now that i cant work, i sit indoors all the time. i cant do anything with my family and i feel as if they dont understand at all. Please help me get back just alittle of my life?

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Karen Lee Richards, Health Guide
3/24/10 4:49pm

Weight gain is often a problem for FM patients.  Here's an article that explains why and give some suggestions that might help:  Fibromyalgia and Weight Gain

 

As for the pain, you don't mention which medications, if any, you take or have tried.  Since one of the more common side effects of Lyrica is weight gain, you might want to avoid trying it.  The other two medications which are FDA approved for treating FM are Cymbalta and Savella.  Personally, I take tramadol for the pain and it helps me a great deal.  Of course, everyone is different and each of us responds to medications differently.  Unfortunatley, most of us have to try several different things before finding what works best for us.  Some people with FM find that opioid medications like hydrocodone help them with the pain, but it's a lot harder to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe opioids for FM. 

 

Actually exercise is something that can help with both the pain and weight problems, but you have to be careful, starting very slowly and increasing very gradually to avoid a flare.  Here's some info on that that might be helpful:  Fibromyalgia and Exercise

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By dj— Last Modified: 12/24/10, First Published: 03/23/10