My Fibro Blog

My personal journey with fibromyalgia

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Medications to help with Fibromyalgia

March 14th, 2010 · Comments · Fibromyalgia, Treatment

Here in the UAE it is hard to find the right meds to help you deal with the different things that Fibromyalgia brings, and the meds you do find here, are most likely not covered by insurance.  Let’s be real, even in most countries it is hard to find the meds you need, because we have no real clue to what Fibromyalgia is.  What the doctors do know is that there are some meds that do help some people.  What are those meds, well they are like Lyrica, Cymbalta, Savella that has been approved as a Fibromyaglia drugs. Lyrica, was first approved as an anti-seizure medication, before it was the first medication approved to treat Fibromyaglia. Most likely this medication is covered here in the UAE under your insurance. Cymbalta, was the next drug approved for Fibromyaglia and it listed as an anti-depression medication and will most likely will not be covered by your insurance.  Savella, has only been approved in the US, and is not available here in the UAE. I must add that all of these drugs are approved in the US as Fibromyaglia medication to help with the pain of Fibromyaglia, and not here as such.

There are other medication used to treat the affects of Fibromyaglia, but are not listed as medication to treat Fibromyaglia.  They may include, Tramadol, amitriptyline, and other anti-depression drugs and pain meds.  It isn’t the case that anti-depression meds, are given for anti-depression, but to help control the pain and sleep with Fibromyaglia. Some patients with Fibro can and/or might get depress, but that is not always the case.

One of the big problems that I see is that everyone with Fibromyaglia is different, what might work for you, may not work for me.  You may have to try different drugs for treatment and also other non-drug treatments, to find your right answer. As I know of, there is no medication to help with sleep here in the UAE.  Most patients with Fibromyaglia have a hard time getting that deep sleep that they need to help their bodies repair themselves.  If we can control our sleep, I think many of my problems would be reduced.  It is so much harder to deal with the pain, when you have not had that good deep sleep.

It you have tried anything that works for you, medication or other treatments?

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  • natalie
    I recommend finding books by Leon Chaitow, D.O., N.D., a world expert on Fibromyalgia. Also, I've found Qi Gong really helps.
  • natalie
    I've read that 1/3 of Fibro cases are related to underactive thyroid. I had mine checked and it was low, I started Synthroid and no changes, heard Dessicated Thyroid was better and switched, and then my N.D. recommended a Saliva Hormone Test, which showed low Cortisol. Thyroid and other medications won't work if Cortisol is too low. I started Cortef and every month since has been an improvement. In eight months I have not had chronic bronchitis and flu as I had for the last six years, and the pain and fatigue improve every month. She also recommended a non-gluten diet, since gluten can interfere with thyroid. My thyroid (TSH) is back in the optimal range now and I can feel the difference. Patented medications didn't work for me, I would feel better initially for a month or two and then need to continually increase the dose, with no lasting improvement.
  • cnystedt
    Thanks peppermintpatt, for the wonderful comment. Fibro is Fibro no matter where you are in the world, that will not change. It is really hard when you have a flare and deal with it, while you are trying to get people to understand that you are really sick. I understand the feeling :)

    You are lucky in the US that you do have different meds that you can change up, and help with the pain of Fibromylagia. by the way I grew up not far from you, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina :) Hopefully here it will get better with the meds, as well. :)

    Look for a post soon on a book that I have been reading regarding being gluten free and how it helps with yeast infections.
  • peppermintpatt
    Love your blog! I live on Topsail Island, NC, USA.

    FMS is the same here as anywhere else in the world!

    If I can't participate in an event because of an unexpected flare, often I hear
    "are you sick AGAIN?"


    Since the event of FMS in my life (after a traumatic fall at work 12-13-04)
    life has definitely changed. Have found that many prescription drugs that once
    may have worked with my body chemistry, no longer have any effect.
    Usually I switch daily between tylenol and ibupr. for relief of "the aches."

    I am interested in your antihist. diet. Currently I am reading Jillian Michael's book.
    Master Your Metabolism. My aunt who is eleven years older than I lost 5o pounds and feels so much better. If she can do I can too!

    Good luck on your blog! I love About and Adrienne's blog there!
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