So Sick of My Hat of Many Rocks.

Banging My Head on a Brick Wall

I've been relatively quiet of late for fear of boring readers with all that ails me, but I just feel the need to vent my spleen one last time before undergoing a transformation (hopefully.)

I have had pain, ranging from excruciating to agony to severe to livable, twenty four hours a day, three hundred and sixty five/six days, for over thirteen years. Can you imagine that? If not try to imagine the pain you might feel if you were to wear a hat with a bunch of two pound sharp rocks dangling from it on varying lengths of rope - all strategically placed to bash into various points in your back, neck, shoulders, thighs, guts, knees, ankles, feet, arms, hands, wrists, fingers and toes as you move around - some days individually, some days all together at the same time but at different intensities - some pounding into you, others niggling, others constantly embedded on a pressure point. Now imagine trying to function normally with all those rocks hitting you throughout the day, then imagine going to bed physically beaten and exhausted but being unable to sleep soundly because you're still wearing your rock hat and, no matter how you position yourself, there's a rock digging into you somewhere on your body. Just imagine that hat, and while you're imagining that hat imagine also being bombarded by an additional, bigger and sharper rock straight into your stomach and intestines causing them to cramp, become sore and irritated and giving you horrendous diarrhoea, nausea, painful trapped wind, bloating, constipation. Imagine having to live with those rocks for just a short period - say, a month. Do you think you might go a little off the rails? Become depressed, anxious? You'd kill for a cure wouldn't you? Well. that's me for the past thirteen years. I'm not saying it's that intense every day but I kid you not when I say that I've been getting pounded by at least one of those rocks every day for thirteen years - sometimes the niggling ones, sometimes the two pound sharpies!

I've tried virtually every treatment known to man, have undergone more invasive tests than any person should have to endure, have taken pills and potions, tablets and lotions, with infinite hope and ultimate despair. I have had enough.

I don't want pity. God knows there are so many more people who've lived with it longer than me and who have it even worse than me - at least I can still work, albeit part time.

The time has come for a different approach. I have signed up to do something radical in a last ditch attempt to overcome fibromyalgia, crohn's disease / IBS, insomnia, anxiety and depression. I'll be writing more about this new radical approach in the coming weeks. It is going to take a monumental personal effort - and, no doubt, it's going to be unpleasant for a while, but I have to see it through to the end or fibromyalgia will be the end of me.

Hopefully I'll soon be able to remove my hat of many rocks. Wish me luck!!

Chronic Pain & Insomnia - Treatments

In this post I'm going to look again at the disturbance to sleep caused through chronic pain and the treatments sometimes used to address the issue. Often one of the cruelest symptoms of chronic pain is the lack of sleep it causes. It's bad enough that you find yourself in pain when going to bed and on rising in the morning, but to be unable to get any sleep at all compounds the situation and, in turn, leads to a worsening of other symptoms such as depression. Insomnia will often improve by making changes to your bedtime habits. If these don't help, your GP may be able to recommend other treatments.
If you've had insomnia for more than four weeks, your GP may recommend cognitive and behavioural treatments or suggest a short course of prescription sleeping tablets as a temporary measure.
If we assume that the underlying cause of your sleeping difficulties is your fibromyalgia / chronic pain condition, treating this may be enough to return your sleep to normal. But, as we all know, finding an effective treatment for this is difficult!

The various treatments for insomnia are outlined below. You can also read a summary of the pros and cons of the treatments for insomnia,* allowing you to compare your treatment options.

Good sleeping habits

I've discussed this issue previously on this blog but it's worth repeating. There are seven 'rules' for developing a healthy sleep pattern:

• establishing fixed times for going to bed and waking up
• creating a relaxing bedtime routine
• only going to bed when you feel tired
• maintaining a comfortable sleeping environment that's not too hot, cold, noisy or bright
• not napping during the day
• avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late at night
• avoiding eating a heavy meal late at night

Read more about self-help tips for insomnia.

Cognitive and behavioural treatments

If changing your sleeping habits doesn't help, your GP may be able to refer you for a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that's specifically designed for people with insomnia (CBT-I).
The aim of CBT-I is to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that may be contributing to your insomnia. It's an effective treatment for many people and can have long-lasting results.
CBT-I may include:

• stimulus-control therapy – which aims to help you associate the bedroom with sleep and establish a consistent sleep/wake pattern
• sleep restriction therapy – limiting the amount of time spent in bed to the actual amount of time spent asleep, creating mild sleep deprivation; sleep time is then increased as your sleeping improves
• relaxation training – aims to reduce tension or minimise intrusive thoughts that may be interfering with sleep
• paradoxical intention – you try to stay awake and avoid any intention of falling asleep; it's used if you have trouble getting to sleep, but not maintaining sleep
• biofeedback – sensors connected to a machine are placed on your body to measure your body's functions, such as muscle tension and heart rate; the machine produces pictures or sounds to help you recognise when you're not relaxed 

CBT-I is sometimes carried out by a specially trained GP. Alternatively, you may be referred to a clinical psychologist.
The therapy may be carried out in a small group with other people who have similar sleep problems, or one-to-one with a therapist. Self-help books and online courses may also be used.

Sleeping tablets

Sleeping tablets (hypnotics) are medications that encourage sleep. In the past, they were frequently used to help with insomnia, but they're used much less often nowadays.
They will generally only be considered:

• if your insomnia is severe
• as a temporary measure to help ease short-term insomnia
• if the good sleep habits and cognitive and behavioural treatments mentioned above don't help

Doctors are usually reluctant to recommend sleeping tablets in the long-term because they just mask the symptoms without treating the underlying cause.
They can also cause potentially dangerous side effects, such as drowsiness the following morning, and some people become dependent on them.
If they are recommended, you should have the smallest effective dose possible for the shortest time (usually no more than two to four weeks). 

Over-the-counter sleeping pills

A number of sleeping tablets are available to buy over the counter (OTC) from pharmacies. These are usually a type of antihistamine medicine that causes you to feel drowsy.
Taking OTC sleeping tablets regularly isn't usually recommended if you have insomnia, because it's not clear how effective they are, they don't tackle the underlying cause of your sleeping difficulties and they can cause side effects.
In particular, they can cause you to feel drowsy the next morning, which can make activities such as driving and operating machinery dangerous.
Speak to your GP for advice if you find yourself needing to take OTC sleeping tablets regularly.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are prescription medicines that can reduce anxiety and promote calmness, relaxation and sleep. Your GP may prescribe them for a short time if you have severe insomnia or it's causing extreme distress.
Examples of benzodiazepines include temazepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam, diazepam and nitrazepam.
Long-term treatment with benzodiazepines isn't usually recommended because they can become less effective over time and some people become dependent upon them.
They can also cause a number of side effects, including:

• drowsiness and dizziness, which can persist into the next day
• finding it difficult to concentrate or make decisions
• depression 
• feeling emotionally numb
• irritability

You should avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy, or unable to concentrate or make decisions, as you may not be able to do so safely.

Z-drugs

Z–drugs are a newer type of medicine that work in a similar way to benzodiazepines and are similarly effective. They include zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone.
As with benzodiazepines, long-term treatment with Z–drugs isn't normally recommended because they can become less effective over time and some people become dependent on them.
They're usually only prescribed for a maximum of two to four weeks.
Side effects of Z-drugs can include:

• drowsiness and dizziness, which can persist into the next day
• feeling and being sick
• diarrhoea 
• increased snoring and breathing problems during sleep
• dry mouth
• confusion

Z–drugs can also sometimes cause psychiatric reactions, such as delusions, nightmares and hallucinations. Contact your GP if you experience any of these effects.
Read the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone for the short-term management of insomnia for more information.

Melatonin (Circadin)

For adults aged 55 or over, a medication called Circadin is sometimes used to help relieve insomnia for a few weeks. It contains a naturally occurring hormone called melatonin, which helps to regulate the sleep cycle.
Circadin is usually only recommended for three weeks at first, but it can be continued for a total of 13 weeks if it helps.
It is unlikely to be prescribed to patients with chronic pain conditions as common side effects of Circadin include:

• headaches
• cold-like symptoms
• back pain
• joint pain

Treatments that aren't recommended

The following treatments aren't normally recommended for insomnia, because it's not clear how effective they are and they can sometimes cause side effects:

• antidepressants (unless you also have depression)
• chloral hydrate
• clomethiazole
• barbiturates
• herbal remedies, such as valerian extract
• complementary and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy and reflexology

It is also worth pointing out that long term insomnia and the treatments used to remedy it can have a negative effect on your ability to drive safely, so you should avoid driving if you feel sleepy.

It's not necessary to inform the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) unless your insomnia is caused by a diagnosed sleep disorder, such as narcolepsy.
GOV.UK has more information about telling the DVLA about a medical condition or disability.

*Source - http://www.nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx

Welcome to The Fibro Joint - The Case for Prescribed Cannabis

I've seen many articles as I trawl the interconnectedweb relating to the use of prescribed marijuana to treat chronic conditions such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's Disease. I've also seen some blogs which extoll the virtues of the drug in treating Fibromyalgia.

Although still illegal in the United Kingdom, there are growing calls for it to be legalised to treat chronic pain conditions.

Jason Duke

Today I am pleased to introduce you to our guest writer, Jason Duke - founder of MedicalMarijuanaHelp.com - a US based site providing information on the use of cannabis as a medicine - where it's legal, where it isn't and practical use guides on the many varieties of cannabis available.

Perhaps his article will inspire others to lift up the mantle and begin campaigning for a relaxation of the UK laws: (The article appears in full HERE, but here's a snippet to grab your attention!

Cannabis Is An Excellent Treatment For Fibromyalgia
Cannabis is helping Fibromyalgia in men in many different ways. In this article, we will discuss what fibromyalgia is, how it affects men differently than women, the traditional treatment options for fibromyalgia, how cannabis can help and much more.  There is a lot of controversy surrounding fibromyalgia, how it effects individuals, what causes it, is it real and much more.
Fibromyalgia in men is more common than many people realize. This disease is considered to be an invisible disease. To many people, including some healthcare professionals, Fibromyalgia is thought to be all in the patient's head. This however could not be farther from the truth. Fibromyalgia is a real condition, and it causes real, severe pain on a constant basis. This disease is commonly associated with female patients as the number of diagnoses in male patients are significantly less than in females.
It is scientifically proven that fibromyalgia is a neurochemical disease and that those individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia show a consistently larger amount of substance P than what is average in most people. Substance P is a neurotransmitter that signals pain in the body. These patients also showed significantly lower amounts of serotonin which is also a neurotransmitter. Serotonin on the other hand is a neurotransmitter that inhibits pain.
Under Diagnosed
Because men are so less frequently diagnosed with this disorder many of them are not taken seriously about their pain. Unfortunately, the drug epidemic in the United States as well as around the world has led many doctors to believe that those who complain about having pain are simply drug addicts in search of pain pills. This has a severe negative effect for those who legitimately suffer from severe and constant pain such as the many men who suffer from fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is not just pain. For many men it is a fearful condition that leads to anxiety about common lifestyle activities and moments. Men suffering with fibromyalgia are not able to do what many consider to be "man things" such as working on cars, mowing yards, fishing, throwing a baseball with their grandkids and other activities without suffering from severe pain. This can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and much more.
Traditionally fibromyalgia is treated with a regimen of pharmaceutical narcotics that are typically opiate based. These pharmaceutical medications are highly addictive and have a long list of adverse side effects associated with them. Often individuals who are prescribed these opiates become addicted to them and see a deterioration of their health due to the side effects and long term use. READ MORE

Fibromyalgia and Depression

Having an invisible illness seems to lead to other invisible illnesses.

I have fibromyalgia. I also have IBS / Crohn's Disease. As my fibromyalgia was diagnosed first I assume that the anxiety and stress that placed on me, both at home and in my work, led to the turmoil in my guts. And it's been that way ever since.

Almost thirteen years have passed since I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia and, in that time, I cannot remember a day when I didn't have symptoms from it. Of course it ranged from mild to moderate, moderate to severe, but always there. After four years of constant pain I eventually began to experience symptoms of IBS which, I assumed, were related to the lower back pain and I instantly thought I had cancer. After many weeks of putting it off I eventually went to see my GP and after a few more tests I was diagnosed as having Crohn's Disease an incurable inflammatory bowel disease. Oddly all tests since initial diagnosis have shown no inflammation so my gastroenterologist has 'downgraded' my condition to Irritable Bowel Syndrome - but it affects me no less because of this downgrading!

So, having lived with chronic pain for almost thirteen years and bowel disturbances for the past eight and a half years, I thought I'd had my quota of 'invisible' illnesses but it appears that I was wrong. For the Gods have decided to test me, yet again, to see how I cope with another layer of invisibility.

This new invisible illness came out of nowhere - as did the other two - but rather than hit me with symptoms all of a sudden - fine one minute, stricken the next - this cloak of invisibility crept up on me over a period of about two weeks. I'm talking about depression.

Obviously, when you live with chronic pain 24/7 for 365 days a year you're going to have times when you feel a little down and fed up with yourself. I've experienced times like that before but I've always snapped out of it fairly quickly and resumed as "normal" a life as I could under the circumstances.

But this depression has gone much deeper than my previous bouts of 'fed-uppedness' (if that's a word?) This depression has really knocked me for six. This depression has been the most invisible of all of my invisible illnesses - with fibro and IBS my family and work colleagues can see me physically wincing with pain or running off to the loo or holding my guts - sometimes they can hear my symptoms too, so as far as invisibility goes they're somewhat apparent to the outside world.

Depression is a whole new ball of wax. Externally there is nothing to see. I laugh at funny TV shows, I act the fool and joke around at home and make pleasantries with my customers and colleagues at work. My face and body show no outward signs of being ill.

In my head I want to explode. I want to shout at people who annoy me - the ignorant customers who don't say please and thank you when I have to fawn over them like they were royalty, the stupid ones who change their mind halfway through a transaction or wander off to get something else leaving me with a growing queue. I want to curl up into a little ball and hide away instead of facing these people. At home I join in because I have an obligation to do so, not always because I want to. I'm short tempered with the ones I love most and I hate myself even more because of it - and so it builds up and up and up until, one day, I know it surely must explode. Yet all the time I fight it so that, externally, my face looks 'real' and 'normal' just as I've tried to hide my chronic pain and gut turbulence for so many years. I try to be a valued member of society but I value myself less and less each day - I feel unworthy of praise, of love, of life itself. Things I love to do are being abandoned - art, drawing, photography, cooking for my family all feel like the most arduous of chores now whereas, six weeks ago, they were my life.

Depression is the most heinous of invisible diseases because there isn't a scrap of evidence of its existence. It's all in my head. I should snap out of it. I should think positively. It could be worse. I could be paraplegic - all the things we're told never to say to someone with depression I've told them to myself over and over again - and it's right they are definitely the wrong things to say to someone with depression because I can't snap out of it, or think positively and it couldn't be worse (surely) and I'm sure most paraplegics feel the joy of life sometimes and I know it's all in my head because it's a mental illness, to do with the brain, which is found, in most people, in the head!

I have not, as yet sought treatment for this depression, prefering to try and fight it myself - but I think I'm losing the battle. My reasons for not seeking treatment are that my GP thinks I'm a malingerer already and I'm worried about the side effects any medication might have on my already feeble guts. I know in my heart what I need to do - I've told many people in my position in the past to get treatment as soon as possible so I'm going to have to bite the bullet........ before I take a bullet.

Sick & Tired Of Pills & Potions

It seems that every drug prescribed to me by my GP has little or no effect on my pain. So far this year I have had Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Cocodamol, Naproxen and the latest one Nefopam, none of which make any dent in my pain and all of which have given me more grief than benefit.

My fibromyalgia affects my lower to middle back, elbows, hips and knees, and pain from this is exacerbated by my crohn's disease / IBS symptoms. In a last ditch attempt at finding a treatment that works, before referring me to a pain management specialist, my GP decided to try me on Nefopam 30mg x 2 three times a day. I started them last Wednesday, it is now Sunday. On Friday I had to rearrange a work shift which was due to start at 05:45am to 11:30am as I had experienced extreme abdominal spasms and diarrhoea throughout Thursday. The spasms hadn't diminished by the time I started work, so my six hour shift was spent in total anxiety of another attack. When they came, thankfully, they were bearable. 

Firday night I slept fitfully and was wide awake at 03:25 I got up to visit the toilet at 05:30 and found that I couldn't urinate. I stood for a few minutes, absolutely bursting to go and when it eventually came it was like the pressure valve had been reduced to a slow. burning, trickle. It's still the same today, plus I have a headache - something I rarely get, but when I do I don't do them by halves! It's a stonker! Last night I got only two hours sleep.

So, they have been the side effects of Nefopam, but what about the benefits I hear you scream. Well, there haven't been any benefits except to say that my abdominal cramps have diminished to a mild burning every so often, but I'm putting that down to Buscopan rather than Nefopam.

My GP said that a referral to a pain management specialist was an admission by him that he could do no more for me and that pain management would provide only 'palliative care' ( I thought that term referred to terminal patients only, but perhaps that's what he meant!? ) I felt like saying he'd done nothing for me anyway, but thought better of it.

And so I find myself back to square one on this snakes and ladders game of Fibromyalgia. I'm taking no more of the Nefopam as they've made me feel awful. I'll make do with cocodamol and my TENS Unit until my pain management appointment comes through .

TENS Machine - Update

The 'Knight in Shining Plastic' I described recently (Back Pain - Sudden Worsening) - the one that arrived just as my back pain became unbearable after it seized up - has been working brilliantly. I've tried just about every mode, and program within each mode, and found the one(s) which help the most.

The unit works by stimulating nerves and muscles via a small electrical impulse. When on the sensation feels like mild 'pins and needles', a tingling or prickling feeling and, if turned up high enough it sometimes makes the muscles twitch. 

So far I've used it two or three times a day on my lower to mid back and, I have to say, it's an amazing piece of kit. I attach the electrodes to the points of my pain (in my case anywhere on my back will do) switch on and away I go. The relief is more or less instant as my pain gives way to the mild tingling and pulsing of the machine - I can increase the intensity of the stimulation with a press of a button depending on how bad my back is, and I tend to gradually reduce this over the course of an hour until I switch off the unit. Then comes the second of only two downsides to the machine - the pain returns within a few minutes of switching it off. (The first 'downside' is the icy coldness of the self adhesive electrode pads that you have to stick on your lower back!!)

But I can live with that. 

A couple, or even three hours a day with no pain is such an improvement on twelve years of 24 hour a day pain. The unit is portable so I can take it with me on trips out to finally 'enjoy' (?) a full shopping trip with my family, as opposed to grumbling and moaning to them after ten minutes of pushing the trolley! (Though I reserve the right to grumble and moan about shopping even if pain free!!)

I've also tried the unit on my hip pain with equally positive results - when on full blast I can walk upright, with no limping. I even managed to do a little 'Dad dance' around my living room with my Daughter. For the first time in years I felt like a normal father.

I know that it's early days, but based on the results so far my investment of fifty quid has been well worth it!  

Pregabalin Update

I've been taking pregabalin (Lyrica) 150mg twice a day for about six weeks now and, if I'm honest, I can feel no benefit with it. The pain in my right hip is still as bad as ever and my lower back pain is still like a toothache - constant throbbing and sharp stabbing pains when I move a certain way or bend to pick something up.

I called my GP today for advice and he suggested I take two 150mg doses twice a day - what he seems to forget is that the last time I was on the higher dose I got horrendous dizziness - no good for me in my everyday life or my work life. I told him this and he replied by saying 'Well, if you're not prepared to try again there's very few options left open for you.'

I feel like a guinea pig for the drug companies as it is. However, to make my point I'm going to try to take 600mg per day again - just for one month to see if a) It works on my pain and b) I get the dizziness again (which I'm almost certain to as I get it mildy on my current dose of 300mg per day)

I have so many suggestions for treatment that the doctor could try and, if I have to make another trip to see him about my medication reactions, I'm going to take the list with me. I know a few adversely interact with other meds I'm taking, but there are others that he could try - if he can get over the shock of the cost to the NHS!!

(Another side effect of pregabalin is weight gain - but that doesn't phase me as I've been underweight for years - it's the dizziness that gets me most.)

Wish me luck.

Back Pain - Sudden Worsening

Last night I laid on my front on the rug in front of the fire watching TV, in an attempt to soothe my aching back, which has been plaguing me for many many months. I laid propped up on my elbows for about five minutes. My lower back pain did not diminish so I attempted to sit up and back into my armchair. I only just made it to the chair before the most excruciating pain hit my lower back. So intense was the pain that I could not move, in any direction, for what seemed like an eternity. It was as though my entire lower back had seized, or gone into spasm.

I have to admit that I panicked a lot. For a good hour it took all of my strength to move. I managed to stand, but walking was incredibly painful and bending was simply impossible, no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get any movement without horrendous pain. My wife suggested a trip to A&E, but I hate going there so I struggled on through the night. It eased quite a lot when I went to bed, but it (and my usual nighttime nemesis - hip pain) woke me around 3am.

This morning the pain was still intense but I'd got some movement back and I managed to take my Daughter to school, albeit in relative discomfort. On my return home Mr Postman had delivered a package from Amazon - my digital TENS machine. It could not have come at a better time!

I quickly unpacked it and set it up to give my lower back a good session. The relief was almost instant.

I'd used a TENS machine a while back, but I wasn't anywhere near as bad with my back then, and it didn't seem to have much effect. But, after reading several reviews I decided to give it another go. It's early days, but I'm very impressed how it sorted out my spasming back.

I'll let you know how I get on over the next few days.

As Coincidences Go - This Has To Be The Strangest..

Way back in 1989, whilst I was working as a quality auditor in a plastics injection moulding factory, I began to develop horrendous pain in my left foot whenever I walked. It only happened when I was at work and wearing the heavy workwear safety shoes I'd been supplied with, but over time it got worse and I visited the doctor as over the counter pain relief hadn't worked.

The doctor didn't have a clue so he referred me to a specialist who diagnosed Morton's Neuroma - a benign growth over a nerve ending between the third and fourth toes. Ultrasound and steroid injections didn't work - so I ended up having an operation to remove the nerve and growth. Some months later the pain returned - this time in my right foot. Another Morton's Neuroma - another operation and all was fine until 2001/2, when I started showing the symptoms of fibromyalgia and was eventually diagnosed in 2003.

This morning I found this article - Is Morton's Neuroma Linked to Fibromyalgia?   

Again - it's more common in women than in men - they blame high heels - though that was definitely not the cause for me! It was the work boots, honest!

Looks like I've been fibromyalgic for a lot longer than I thought!!

Do you REALLY have Fibromyalgia?

Do you pass the fibro test?

I have the pain in all four quadrants, insomnia, fatigue and fog but I'd fail the eleven out of eighteen tender points bit!

Best start looking for a new diagnosis.....

Crohn's Flare or Medication Switch?

I mentioned a while back in this blog that I was on Pregabalin (300mg twice daily) - well, I started to get an unwanted side-effect: extreme dizziness, which was making working and even standing up unpleasant and/or uncomfortable so three days ago my doctor switched me onto Gabapentin (100mg three times daily) and as soon as I started taking them I started to get the symptoms of a flare up of my Crohn's Disease. Horrendous stomach cramps, diarrhoea and nausea, and last night I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital because of them. 

I'd managed to get through the day in relative discomfort and in the evening had (just about) managed to get through my shift at work - though I was clearly under-par, I got home at 11.30pm and went to bed but couldn't sleep because of the pains inside. At 3am I was on the toilet trying desperately not to pass out. The pain in my gut was unlike anything I'd had before. I was considering calling an ambulance when it dawned on me - could it be the new tablets?

I don't usually read info leaflets in tablets and in any case there hadn't been one with these new ones, but the pains were so bad I had to know if there was a link so I searched "side effects of Gabapentin" This is what I found:


Common: More than 1 in 100 people who take Gabapentin

• abnormal gait
• abnormal laboratory test results
• abrasion
• accidental injury more likely
• acne
• back pain
• blood and bone marrow problems
• breathing difficulties
• bronchitis in children
• changes in appetite
• confusion
• constipation
• convulsions in children
• coordination problems
• cough
• depression
• diarrhoea
• difficulty sleeping
• double vision
• dry mouth or throat
• eye or eyesight problems
• feeling anxious
• feeling nervous
• feelings of hostility
• flatulence
• flu or flu-like symptoms
• fractures
• general feeling of being unwell
• headaches
• hyperactivity or aggressive behaviour in children
• impotence
• indigestion
• infection of the ear in children
• inflammation of the gums
• itching
• joint pain
• memory problems
• mood changes
• muscle twitching
• muscle pain or tenderness
• nausea
• oedema of the extremities
• pain
• pharyngitis
• raised blood pressure
• reflex problems
• respiratory tract infection in children
• rhinitis
• sensation changes such as paraesthesia and hypaesthesia
• skin rash or rashes
• speech problems
• stomach pain
• swelling of the face
• tooth problems
• tremors
• unexplained or unexpected bruising
• unusual thoughts
• vasodilatation
• vertigo
• vomiting
• weakness
• weight gain

(I've highlighted every side effect I experienced during the last 48 hours)

The stomach pains, flatulence and diarrhoea still haven't subsided and I've vowed to myself to never take another Gabapentin. So it looks like another consultation with the quack when I can drag myself away from the toilet! Looks like I'm going to have to manage with just cocodamol for the time being.

Pregabalin (Lyrica)

I've been taking 600mg of Pregabalin every day for the past six weeks. 2 x 150mg tablets in the morning and two at night.

Initially they worked just fine - though I did notice that I suffered mild 'light-headedness'. But in the last two weeks at this dose the light-headedness has intensified to the point of swooning dizziness. It really feels like my head is about to lift off or I'm going to fall over - especially when turning my head any faster than a tortoise!

I've also noticed that I've developed tremors - in my hands, legs and shoulders.

The medication is prescribed for chronic neuropathic pain and can affect the central nervous system, so I was half expecting a mild form of these side effects, but these have now become troublesome - to the point of losing a shift at work - so I've decided to wean myself off them and go back to see the quack.

The tablets have helped with the pain a little - in the sense that they've probably numbed my brain to it!! (Which, I suppose, is what all pain relief does!!)

I hate messing around with medications, but until the doctor gets it right I suppose I'm going to have to be a human guinea pig for a while longer.

I wonder what side effects others have had on this medication?