Fibromyalgia and Spinal Disorders
15 Members
Created by Gina Schuster

What treatments have you tried? Were they successful?

In the two years since I have begun seeking treatment for my spinal disorders, I have tried pain medication, facet block injections, epidural injections, physical therapy, spinal fusion and decompression. The spinal fusion has helped halt the progression of the degenerative diseases, but really has not helped the pain at all. I am actually on my way to a new pain mgmt specialist in 2 weeks to schedule surgery for a spine stimulator. I will see how this works. The injections did absolutely nothing for the pain and the pain meds work only a little bit. I live with a pain level of 8-9 on the pain scale every day.

15 months ago
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  • Glenda

    Oh Gina,  That is so hard.  Some days I think if they (no I) can't find something to relieve even just a little of the pain, well - I don't even want to think about it.  I have to hold out some hope and so I fight, research, and keep trying to find something that works.  Hopefully sharing will keep us positive.  I'm so new (only 3 years) to this, I can't even ferret out one problem from the others.  What does FM (for me) really feel like?  I just don't know.

    How do the spinal issues effect me?  Not sure either.  It seemed to land on me in one big painful package. 

    15 months ago

  • Gina

    Glenda, we are in the same boat! Pain Mgmt dr put me on Savella for the fibro. We'll see how this goes. He wants to see me in 2 weeks & we will discuss a spine stimulator in my upper back, which by the way may wind up being two in the end because of the pain in my lower back. My spinal cord has so much damage from all of the issues that there is not much else to do. Like you, I get so tired of thinking about it AND dealing with it!  The best thing to say is OUCH!

    15 months ago

  • Glenda

    Please keep me posted as to how the Savella works for you.  I was thinking of trying Lyrica again, as it worked for awhile but they had to keep raising my dose until I started having side effects.  I was thinking Savella might be an option as well.

    I am currently researching myofascial release.  It is very interesting and Devin Starlanyl "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain" explains how it can complicate and even exacerbate our spinal issues.  Have you heard anything about this?  I'm really hoping it will compliment my current treatments.  They even have a manual (somewhere) on how you can do it at home!  I haven't gotten that far yet. The book is big and uncomfortable to read, but it has such good stuff in it.  I think I'll take the binding off and take it apart to make it easier to handle. LOL  Love that creativity, huh?  Someone else who read the book suggested it.  What a great idea!

    15 months ago

  • Gina

    Okay, so I'm one week now on Savella. So far I can say that I am so much happier on this than I was on Cymbalta OR Lyrica! It helps about the same with the fibro pain for me as the other two, so that is not too different. Here is the rundown of side effects that I have dealt with while taking Savella:

    Savella:

    It does give me cold chills and hot flashes. I am already going through menopause, so the hot flashes are hotter than they were before.

    As my body is adjusting to the meds, I am experiencing dizziness. I have to be careful when I stand up or sit down or move too quickly. This may just be my body adjusting though because I dealt with the same thing with the other two meds too.

    Other than that, I feel soooooo much better on savella than I did on the other two!!!! I will keep you guys posted as time goes on.

    Gentle hug-

    Gina

    15 months ago

  • Glenda

    Yay Gina, I hope the Savella continues to work for you.  Be sure to let us know when/if the side effects let up.

    My Doc said I could start on Lyrica again.  I'm at 50gm twice a day.  No side effects but it doesn't help with the pain at this dosage either.  He hasn't researched Savella yet, so didn't want to try that yet.  I'd love to give him a positive review from you:-)

    14 months ago

  • Gina

    Hi Glenda! So far, the dizziness and the hot flashes have not let up. I will tell you though, I wouldn't trade Savella for anything!!!!!!!!! I am soooooo happy on this medication!!!!! I feel so much mental clarity that I have not had in such a long time. This is a funny thing too....it has reduced the numbing/tingling/stabbing/burning pain in the bottom of my feet which nothing else has ever been able to touch (by about 50%!!!). It is helping a lot with the muscle aches too. Here in NY we are going through the rainiest June that we've had in years. We are on our 4th day of rain, and 6 more are predicted. We had 8 days of rain before that! Imagine the fibro pain! Savella has reduced the muscle aches and pains from the rain by about 20%. It has not done anything for the joint pain, but I my rheumatologist did not expect it to.

    In the 2 weeks that I've been taking it, the benefits DEFINITELY outweigh the side effects for me. With the dizziness, I just make sure that I take extra time to be aware of it when I stand up, sit down or move about. The hot flashes, well I'm already 5 years into menopause anyway....what's a few more degrees when you're already burning up. Savella has not added to the number of hot flashes or to the length of each hot flash, just to the temperature of them. I actually find it quite funny. I take life with a grain of salt anyway, so of course at 38 I approach menopause that way too! (I was 33 when I started!!!)

    I'll keep updating you Glenda. So far my friend, Savella gets a BIG thumbs up from me!!!!!!!!

    14 months ago

  • Glenda

    That is so great Gina!  And encouraging.  My side effects from the Lyrica have already started again.  Swelling (a lot) in my hands and (a little) in my feet.  My left arm and hand though are feeling like they are full and throbbing.  If it doesn't let up soon, I know my doc won't let me keep taking it.  the 50mg really isn't even enough to help with the pain.  I will be able to talk to him about Savella though:-)

    14 months ago

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