Why aren't you taking the Ultram and the Celebrex? Did the doctor want you to stagger the start dates, or are you just trying to "get by" with as little medication as you can? (I don't really have to know, just you to consider that getting the pain under control may be more important than "toughing it out" any more than you have to). My husband was prescribed Lyrica for his diabetic neuropathy, and the "thrill ride," lasted about 10 days, before the side effects subsided.
I have fibro too, and unfortunately have had to go on SSDI for it. When it was "just" pain, I managed at work fine, but when fatigue joined the party I couldn't work anymore (I was not only falling asleep at my desk, but in the car on the way to and from work - hubby had to start doing all the driving). At it's worst I was sleeping up to 20 hours a day (not just "in bed" 20 hours, but unconscious, sleeping 20 hours). I've got my fibro under "fair" control now except for flares that are triggered by extreme weather changes (I think it's barometric pressure, because it's not temperature). I have to keep a very consistent medication and sleep routine though, or I will suffer for it. Most days I need about 10 - 12 hours of sleep to function normally. That still seems like a lot, but it's a lot better than it was.
I take Tramadol (generic Ultram) and it's been a godsend for me. I never noticed any drowsiness or other "druggy" effects, but I have to take 1 - 2 tablets at least three times a day. At first it felt wrong to take medications before I felt pain, but so many of my doctors have said it, that it's finally sunk in, that when you're dealing with a chronic pain disorder, pain is a lot easier to prevent than to try to reduce or get rid of.
I also take amitryptiline (I think that's misspelled) at bedtime to help me sleep, because my flares are closely associated with sleep deprivation and insomnia. Celebrex didn't work at all for me, so I was taking relafen (an older NSAID), but had to stop taking it because it was causing asthma symptoms (it's possible that I won't be able to take any NSAIDs).
Once you've got this flare under control, you might consider asking your doctor about Provigil. It's an alertness drug, originally designed for narcoleptics. My neurologist says he uses it himself for long driving trips, because it is very safe. Supposedly it is not as harsh as most "upper" or "pep" medications. Some people do feel jittery on it, though. Over time it does lose effectiveness for some people if used regularly. I do know some fibromites who are prescribed it to take it daily, but I use it for "special occasions," such as a family wedding or some other occasion when a nap isn't really feasible. My neurologist prescribed it to "make good days better," stressing I shouldn't try to use it during a flare as a replacement for rest. I find that for me, if I take it more than two days in a row, I will get a flare as backlash. It isn't a cure, just one of the many tools I need to manage the disease.
Since the symptoms of fibro can vary so much, I don't know if any of this helps you, but I wish you the best in getting through this flare and getting your symptoms under control.
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