Living with Fibromyalgia, IBS, and Vulvodynia

Hiya! I’m Sylvia (she/her), and I have several chronic illnesses. Does anyone else here have fibromyalgia, IBS, and vulvodynia? I have all three, and I’ve read that they are common comorbidities and that they may share a causal factor related to pain processing differences in the nerves and brain (like the pain volume control is just turned up too high), but I’ve never met anyone else who has all three conditions. If you do too, I’d love to meet you!

Your answer

Nikie

2y ago

I have cymbalta but I don’t like the side affects

HeyReese

2y ago

The gabapentin compound cream helps, orally it’s so/so. The dose I need is too high for the benefits. I also use topical lidocaine. So on bad flare days or doc’s appointments, I use both

sja517

2y ago

Lidocaine is a lifesaver!

laureng70

2y ago

^i*

laureng70

2y ago

i have vulvodynia and pretty sure u have fibromyalgia too! def think it’s nerve related because gapabentin has been the only thing to give me some relief, didn’t know it came in a compound cream as well!?

sja517

2y ago

Hello! Cymbalta works best for me, which is another medication that targets nerve pain. I wish my nerves would just calm themselves down! 😄 Re: compounded gabapentin: there may be a gabapentin topical cream you can get from a regular (non-compounding) pharmacy, but yes, it seems like a lot of us with vulvodynia end up trying a compounded topical medication, usually some combination of gabapentin/lidocaine/baclofen/etc. That way, different medications can be combined, but also the preparation can be made without alcohol or other inactive ingredients that can cause irritation or discomfort.

HeyReese

2y ago

All those and then some, sis. FYI compound cream gabapentin has been a life saver for my vulvodynia. My IBS is celiac disease related, but yeah. Anyway nice to meet you 🤗

sja517

2y ago

Nice to meet you too! It’s nice to know I’m not alone. :) Thanks for sharing. Gabapentin was only so-so for me, but Cymbalta helps me! It’s interesting how different treatments can work differently between individuals who have the same conditions.

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