Treatment Overview

While I have ups and downs with Fibro, sometimes the downs last too long and are too painful to endure. In October 2009, I was at my breaking point. I could not sleep, was always exhausted, had horrible sciatica, and in general was just a hot mess. I finally had a break-down and decided that despite years of protests against the medicines the FDA approved for Fibromyalgia treatment (largely antidepressants, which, in a nutshell, only block the pain sensors in your body and do nothing to treat the actual problem), I had to try something. I made an appointment with a doctor's office a friend had recommended, intending to ask about Lyrica (pregablin) En route, my car engine died, which has nothing to with Fibromyalgia, but serves to set the scene for the day.

My doctor was an excellent listener (which is often a problem Fibro patients run up against in healthcare professionals), taking into account the long list of my symptoms and suggested that I try Savella. Desperate enough to try anything, but very concerned about some of the negative side effects Fibro patients experience with Lyrica (worsened fatigue, drowsiness, etc.), I agreed to try Savella. My doctor gave me several triation sample packs of Savella and I slowly worked my way to 100mg/day (50 in the morning, 50 at night). Initially my only side effect was lack of appetite, but now that I've been on Savella for almost four months, I'm having more issues with insomnia.

I've listed my most prominent symptoms and a full list of my personal treatment regime below:

Symptoms/Issues:
Fibro Fog
Insomnia
Constant feeling of exhaustion
Physical fatigue after basic tasks (like climbing stairs)
All-over tenderness
Sciatica (most likely unrelated)
Muscle Twitches
IBS
RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)
Inexplicable pain in deep tissue, joints and pretty much everywhere
Headaches

Treatment Regime*:
Rx Savella: 100 mg/day (50 in AM and 50 in PM)
Rx Nabumetone: 1500 mg/day (750 in AM and 750 in PM)- to reduce inflammation caused by sciatica and muscle spasms in my back
Rx Soma: 350mg at bedtime as needed- muscle relaxer to help with sciatica

Women's Daily Multivitamin
Fish Oil with omega-3 fatty acids: 1000 mg (in the AM)
Acidophilus Probiotic: 1 capsule (in the AM)
Vitamin C: 1000 mg (AM)
Calcium Citrate: 1 tablet (AM)
Magnesium: 250 mg (AM)
High-Potency Vitamin D (D3): 2000 IU (AM)
D-Ribose: 850 mg (1-3x/day for three weeks and then 1-2x/day I just started this)
Melatonin: 1 mg (before bedtime, to counteract insomnia)

*I've noted the prescription medications I take so as to avoid confusion between the supplements I take and the restricted, prescription-only medicines.