Has anyone used Endep (elavil?) for fibromyalgia and did it help?

Question

i have been prescribed endep to help me sleep 10mg at night but that did not work so the doc upped it to 20 that did not work so now i am on 30mg. I am concerned about the drowsiness during the day and the bad breath due to the dry mouth. I have also heard it can make you put on weight too

Answer 1

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Yes, I have. And it is helpful in producing a more normal sleep pattern. But the primary benefit is that it apparently raises the pain threshold so that the pain associated with fibromyalgia may be significantly decreased or largely eliminated. It is by no means a cure for it, nor productive of complete symptomatic relief however, in my experience.

Answer 2

No but I have fibro. I was diagnosed 12 yrs ago. I have been taking Guaifenesin for it for about 8 yrs. It is not a cure but it does help tremendously. You have to follow a specific protocol for the med to work properly. Here are some websites.....www.fibromyalgiatreatment.c…
www.guaidoc.com
Get this book......
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia by Dr. Paul St. Amand

Answer 3

Elavil is used by many fibromyalgia patients however, there is a newer drug out. It is Cymbalta. It is an antidepressant. I just did a drug study with 18 fibromyalgia patients. 12 were very pleased with results. It "takes the pain away". Three complained of headaches, and two complained of not noticing any big change, and one stated she felt "fuzzy" in the mornings. Fibromyalgia is "inflammation of all the connective tissue in your body". Elavil caused many patients to have nightmares and they were groggy (hung0ver feeling) in the mornings. Cymbalta will cause you to feel nauseated for the first 2-3 days and after that it goes away. Fibromyalga increases the brain's production of Substance P, the chemical that tells you that you are in pain. When your body makes an overabundance of this Substance P, the pain is terrific. I personally have had fibromyalgia since 1987. I've done the pain pill route, the herbal route, shots, massage, etc. etc. Cymbalta has helped the most. Also a mild muscle relaxant will aid in helping the pain. Stretching and isometric exercises are the best.

In answer to your question about Elavil, yes you do have weight gain, can have awful nightmares, swelling of hands and feet. Personally, Elavil did not really help like this Cymbalta does.

Good Luck. Fibromyalgia is such a challenging disease and YES it is a disease according to the AMA.

Source(s):

Fibromyalgia workshops. Drug studies for Cymbalta.