Met with Rheumatologist

CountryGal7557
CountryGal7557 Member Posts: 164 Member
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I met with a rhumatologist doctor today about my achy joints. after a lot of questions and a touch exam, she's suspecting it's Fibromyalgia. More blood work to test for that.

Because my ankles are 'locked' every morning and it takes about 15 minutes to get them warmed up before I try to walk, she prescribed Flexeril. If anyone has taken this before, can you tell your experience.
Thanks
Janelle

Comments

  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #2
    Fibromyalgia
    I have it, been probably 12 years now. I take flexeril (cyclobenzaprine is the generic) every night. It really helps and I don't do well without it. The FM is a pain in the butt, but get your sleep regulated and consistent and you will feel much better.

    Sleep is HUGE with Fibromyalgia dear. Your body needs the consistency with sleep in order to heal at night.

    Don't know what kind of blood tests they'd do, but I think they pretty much have to rule out everything else first. Take heart. It's a livable problem, kind of chronic disease very similar to nhl.

    If you have questions, let me know.

    Take Care,
    Beth
  • CountryGal7557
    CountryGal7557 Member Posts: 164 Member
    #3
    dixiegirl said:

    Fibromyalgia
    I have it, been probably 12 years now. I take flexeril (cyclobenzaprine is the generic) every night. It really helps and I don't do well without it. The FM is a pain in the butt, but get your sleep regulated and consistent and you will feel much better.

    Sleep is HUGE with Fibromyalgia dear. Your body needs the consistency with sleep in order to heal at night.

    Don't know what kind of blood tests they'd do, but I think they pretty much have to rule out everything else first. Take heart. It's a livable problem, kind of chronic disease very similar to nhl.

    If you have questions, let me know.

    Take Care,
    Beth

    5 or 10 mg
    Hi Beth! The doctor prescribed 10mg but said to take half if 10mg doesn't work out. My daughter who is a pharmacist suggested I start with 5mg and see if that works vs. starting out with 10mg. She said I might have a hard time waking up in the morning if it's too much. how much do you take? thx Janelle
  • michelleb1064
    michelleb1064 Member Posts: 53
    #4
    Flexeril
    I take Flexeril 5 mg tablets 3 times a day as needed. It works for the pain but causes me to get headaches and makes me a little light headed.
  • miss maggie
    miss maggie Member Posts: 929
    #5
    dixiegirl said:

    Fibromyalgia
    I have it, been probably 12 years now. I take flexeril (cyclobenzaprine is the generic) every night. It really helps and I don't do well without it. The FM is a pain in the butt, but get your sleep regulated and consistent and you will feel much better.

    Sleep is HUGE with Fibromyalgia dear. Your body needs the consistency with sleep in order to heal at night.

    Don't know what kind of blood tests they'd do, but I think they pretty much have to rule out everything else first. Take heart. It's a livable problem, kind of chronic disease very similar to nhl.

    If you have questions, let me know.

    Take Care,
    Beth

    Question to Janelle and Beth
    Hi guys,

    A question? Is there any side effects with Flexeril. Especially harm to
    the stomach, or death. Yes, death, as some medication is advertised could
    happen. Have you seen these commercials?

    Beth, stay safe and warm. Prayers for the up and coming treatment.

    Love Maggie
  • CountryGal7557
    CountryGal7557 Member Posts: 164 Member
    #6
    michelleb1064 said:

    Flexeril
    I take Flexeril 5 mg tablets 3 times a day as needed. It works for the pain but causes me to get headaches and makes me a little light headed.

    light headed
    Michelle, are you able to drive or work outside the home since you're taking it during the day?

    Last night was my first 5mg tablet! whoa whoo! jk ;)

    I still woke up with stiff locked joints, but it could have been better. I guess I was hoping no pain. so today I'm working at home and use the stairs quite a bit as my computer is upstairs, so still painful ankles, heels and foot arch.

    wondering if I dare take 5 mg during the day while also trying to use the brain to work.
    thanks!
    Janelle
  • CountryGal7557
    CountryGal7557 Member Posts: 164 Member
    #7
    miss maggie said:

    Question to Janelle and Beth
    Hi guys,

    A question? Is there any side effects with Flexeril. Especially harm to
    the stomach, or death. Yes, death, as some medication is advertised could
    happen. Have you seen these commercials?

    Beth, stay safe and warm. Prayers for the up and coming treatment.

    Love Maggie

    not sure Maggie
    I have heard some commercials with tons of side affects, like death. not sure if that was flexeril or not, will pay closer attention next time I hear the commercials.

    I know my daughter was disappointed that the Rheumatologist prescribed Flexeril as she sees patients that are on that, so she suggested that I start with 5mg and not the 10mg that the doctor prescribed.

    I'm to see the Doc's PA in one month, so I'm going to give this a try and see how it goes.

    Was hoping I could learn from the experience of others on what works best. Beth stated she's been using it for 12 years, so far so good for her! :)
    Janelle
  • JoanieP
    JoanieP Member Posts: 573
    #8
    CountryGal7557 said:

    light headed
    Michelle, are you able to drive or work outside the home since you're taking it during the day?

    Last night was my first 5mg tablet! whoa whoo! jk ;)

    I still woke up with stiff locked joints, but it could have been better. I guess I was hoping no pain. so today I'm working at home and use the stairs quite a bit as my computer is upstairs, so still painful ankles, heels and foot arch.

    wondering if I dare take 5 mg during the day while also trying to use the brain to work.
    thanks!
    Janelle

    Janelle
    Let it get it your system before you judge it's effects. Did you try glucosomine 1500mg first? It isn't perfect but as far as I know there are no side effects. My onc told me to take that
  • CountryGal7557
    CountryGal7557 Member Posts: 164 Member
    #9
    JoanieP said:

    Janelle
    Let it get it your system before you judge it's effects. Did you try glucosomine 1500mg first? It isn't perfect but as far as I know there are no side effects. My onc told me to take that

    Glucosomine
    Hi Joanie, I asked my Internist about Joint Juice, which has 1500mg Glucosomine and she said "I'd recommend it as it's been proven to help add cushion around the joints" but my achy joints are too severe, so I haven't noticed a change with that. I like the liquid form vs a pill and I've read liquid form is absorbed faster or better? not sure, but it's not helping me, so need to keep looking.

    I have noticed that the prescription Aleve has helped during the day. I take one in morning and one late afternoon with food.

    My mornings are the worst, so I requested a Rheumatologist who has experience with Cancer/chemo patients and I'm willing to travel, as I just don't want to see one doctor after another, I'd rather skip to the best! Turns out this Doctor has experience with Rituxan patients and she said Rituxan is in the system for 12 - 18 months, and Rituxan will 'mask' any true symptoms so is very difficult for her to diagnose anyone until after Rituxan is out of the system. she stated she has no experience with chemo. sigh

    I asked the R.Doc if Orthopedic Socks would help the achy ankles & she wants me to give Flexeril a try first (before adding a 2nd variable to the experiment....we're an experiment right! ;) jk

    thanks for posting a reply
    Janelle :)
  • michelleb1064
    michelleb1064 Member Posts: 53
    #10
    CountryGal7557 said:

    light headed
    Michelle, are you able to drive or work outside the home since you're taking it during the day?

    Last night was my first 5mg tablet! whoa whoo! jk ;)

    I still woke up with stiff locked joints, but it could have been better. I guess I was hoping no pain. so today I'm working at home and use the stairs quite a bit as my computer is upstairs, so still painful ankles, heels and foot arch.

    wondering if I dare take 5 mg during the day while also trying to use the brain to work.
    thanks!
    Janelle

    Work
    I still go to work during the day. My Rx says to take it 3 times a day for pain but I only 2 times a day. I take one at night and I usually wake up feeling light headed but after I shower and my body moving I'm back to my normal self. Than I take my second dose about two hours after I get work so the meds wear off by the time its time to go home for the day. The light headedness that I get is usually only when I first get out of bed. My legs also feel funny when I first get up too. It's almost as if I can't feel my feet when I walk. Its wierd but not too bothersome.
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #11
    CountryGal7557 said:

    5 or 10 mg
    Hi Beth! The doctor prescribed 10mg but said to take half if 10mg doesn't work out. My daughter who is a pharmacist suggested I start with 5mg and see if that works vs. starting out with 10mg. She said I might have a hard time waking up in the morning if it's too much. how much do you take? thx Janelle

    10
    I take 10 Janelle and at first it did make getting up hard, but with time my body has adjusted to it. My rheumy wanted me to take it 3 times a day and I decided I couldn't handle that much, so once at night is fine for me.
  • dixiegirl
    dixiegirl Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #12
    michelleb1064 said:

    Work
    I still go to work during the day. My Rx says to take it 3 times a day for pain but I only 2 times a day. I take one at night and I usually wake up feeling light headed but after I shower and my body moving I'm back to my normal self. Than I take my second dose about two hours after I get work so the meds wear off by the time its time to go home for the day. The light headedness that I get is usually only when I first get out of bed. My legs also feel funny when I first get up too. It's almost as if I can't feel my feet when I walk. Its wierd but not too bothersome.

    night
    That's why I take it at night. It used to affect my ability to drive, but since I have been taking it for so long,, I have adjusted to it. Just give it some time.
  • CountryGal7557
    CountryGal7557 Member Posts: 164 Member
    #13
    dixiegirl said:

    night
    That's why I take it at night. It used to affect my ability to drive, but since I have been taking it for so long,, I have adjusted to it. Just give it some time.

    thanks gals
    thanks gals, I took 10mg last night and this morning my ankles were not 'locked', they still ached a bit, but compared to what it's been like, I can deal with this. I also take two Rx Aleve during the day. I'll be going back in a month.
    Thanks
    Janelle
  • skuttlebug
    skuttlebug Member Posts: 45
    #14
    CountryGal7557 said:

    thanks gals
    thanks gals, I took 10mg last night and this morning my ankles were not 'locked', they still ached a bit, but compared to what it's been like, I can deal with this. I also take two Rx Aleve during the day. I'll be going back in a month.
    Thanks
    Janelle

    aleave
    dear contry girl after having an endoscopy done the docter said no more aleave nothing but tylenol because my stomach was red and raw blessings denise

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