Medication Free after being newly diagnosed (Amitriptyline, Gabapentin)

[JayCS]

We like you too, jaycs

Well, yeah, this is a great place to feel welcome whether odd or not, which'd be sort of the good odd....

 

[longtimer]

I'm in the process of going off tramadol and its not easy - its taking months, but after learning about the side effects of the drug I am committed to getting off. Unfortunately, it was working for my pain. I am like you in that most of the meds given for pain are too much for me and I can't tolerate them. I have CBD and THC but they don't help me much - but I just started seeing an osteopath - maybe that will help. good luck -

 

[Forgetmenot]

Just remember when u get off and after a month or two u find u can't cope without them,don't beat yourself up.ypu need to make your life as easy and as comfortable as possible x

 

[seniorzala]

The medicine usually treats the symptoms ,not the disease itself,but the pain takes away your freedom,and later
yor dignity,so the pain has to bad dulled.
If you get somewhat better then you can think about alternative solutions.
Any kind.
Senior

 

[mellorheights]

I had terrible acid reflux and finally gave in an took the doctors omeprazole. I couldn't stand the pain any longer. Nothing else worked

 

[sunkacola]

I'm in the process of going off tramadol and its not easy - its taking months, but after learning about the side effects of the drug I am committed to getting off. Unfortunately, it was working for my pain. I am like you in that most of the meds given for pain are too much for me and I can't tolerate them. I have CBD and THC but they don't help me much - but I just started seeing an osteopath - maybe that will help. good luck -

I applaud your efforts in this. One ting that I feel is very important is that while you are working on decreasing the tramadol you start seriously exploring all of the non-medication things you can do that may help you. You can do this while still taking the tramadol (that's how I did it initially), and you may find that if you are serious about exploring the things you can do for yourself you will find things that will make the transition to not taking the tramadol easier.

I started exploring all of those things while still taking tramadol at the prescribed level, but found that the more I worked with all of the triggering factors the less i needed to take for the pain. I encourage you to try, and see if you have the same result.

If the THC/CBD are not helping enough, you could try different combinations. Usually a 1:1 ratio works but you might need 2:1 or 1:2. Experiment with this as well.

Please review my post of suggestions for managing fibro and see what you can start doing right away. I hope something there helps you.

 

[sunkacola]

The medicine usually treats the symptoms ,not the disease itself,but the pain takes away your freedom,and later
yor dignity,so the pain has to bad dulled.
If you get somewhat better then you can think about alternative solutions.
Any kind.
Senior

I approached the alternatives and started my experimentation while I was still in daily pain and taking medication. but as I learned triggers and how to avoid them I found that going off the medication was easier over time. there's no need to wait until feeling somewhat better to try the alternatives; you can start any time. It is a balancing act, because as you say a certain level of pain takes away one's life, so alternatives need to be approached in a methodical way.

 

[seniorzala]

"Doctor treats ,Nature heals.."

 

[Auriel]

If it can heal fibro imma spend the rest of my life in the woods!

 

[seniorzala]

When the body heals, the soul heals ,and vica versa.
use the symptoms -free Time to do things that are good for you
Senior

 

[johnsalmon]

When the body heals, the soul heals ,and vica versa.
use the symptoms -free Time to do things that are good for you
Senior

true - don't wait for the pain -make the best of the good times

 

[Rainbow]

I've managed to get off Gabapentin completely & am slowly reducing Amitriptyline, down from 30mg to 25mg.
It's a long drawn-out process as it is does help with sleep issues.
I, too, would like to be med-free but I know I will always need help sleep-wise.

As others have said, we are all unique & what works for one doesn't necessarily work for others,
so you will find your own path through, as we all have to, with a 'trial & error' process that takes time
but it's worth the journey to find out what works for you.

Hopefully, now you know you're not alone & there is support here, with some very savvy members who know what they're talking about,
will be of some comfort to you.
Er...not me, I hasten to add, as I just blunder along crashing into various walls & falling into pits
& never seem to learn much.

With the possible exception of NEVER drinking half a bottle of Vodka again

.... yet.

 

[Auriel]

Rainbow, was the gabapentitin stop a gradual one, or did you just stop?
️ ️

 

[Forgetmenot]

The problem I have is I'm now two weeks off any afternoon tramadol. But my stiffness levels are off the roof. I take the tramadol for my back not my fibromyalgia.

I have very little nerve feeling in my left leg and this is because my back disks are compressing. I'm now being sent to a specialist. My knee also wants to join the party and give out when I'm walking down the stairs.

I'm sure the stiffness, that feels like walking through mud, is from my back. My tramadol helps with that.

 

[Auriel]

For forgetmenot