Myself I've had the fibro for probably 40+ years but just in the last few years have developed the chronic fatigue part of it. As my general health decreases the fibro and CF increase. Right now I'm taking cymbalta 60mg once a day, that is an antidepressant . I haven't had too much trouble with depression mostly frustrated that I just can't do the things I want to. Sometimes you just have to try different meds till you find something that will hopefully work, we all seem different as to what works for us.

Thanks ladies, I knew fibro and CF can go hand in hand, I guess I'm lucky that it has only been the last few years that's it's reared it ugly head. I'm gonna check out the place you mentioned Lyn, plus I'm near OHSU in Portland and they are very well versed in both issues. I just can't stand being so tired. Yea the depression nonsense is ridiculous because I can't even do things that I want to do like go to church and to my knitting group. Thanks for the input!

I think the fatigue is the part non fibro's cannot understand. They see us sleep yet we are not rested.I was thinking about this the other day. I can't remember the last time I woke up in the morning and felt rested!!! I swear the next medical person that ask me if I am depressed; I am going to say if I was not depressed and dealing with all the pain and fatigue THEN I think that would be more of a problem. Being depressed would be the natural affect...
Well we trudge onward because we have nothing else to do....We try med's some work and some do not.maybe someday just maybe someday we will get help.

gentle hugs fibro sisters

 I have had fibromyalgia for many years now, and know the fatigue you talk about.  The medicine for pain is just one cause that patients become so fatigued.  In fibromyalgia (similar to Chronic Fatigue) There are problems right down the the cellular level.  Dr Loya explained it to me as the mitochondria membrane is damaged.  Before I went to her in late August at the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Center INC. I was walking with a cane with pain and difficulty.  I know walk with out my cane walk with much less pain and can do stairs much better.  I even made Thanksgiving dinner the day before and packed it up to take out Thanksgiving Day.  I feel like I have a new lease on life.  Not all fibromyalgia / or chronic fatigue causes are the same as I have talked to many other clients in her office. ( BTW did you know they are so closly related to each other that after you have one of them for several years you wind up with both fibro and fatigue ?? ) At the first visit  she did around 30 different blood test which helps decide the treatment plan.  I am also off the Lyrica I was taking and I have lost over 40#  (and not had surgery yet ).  I thank God for the new life he has given me, and for sending me to Dr Loya's in the first place.  There are several Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers Incorporated across America and well worth the time to check it out. Just google it if you cant find it write me and I will find the link for you.
Hope you feel better
Lyn

How many of you have it along with your fibro and how do you deal with it. I feel exhausted all the time, just walking to the bathroom is tiring. I want to sleep all day and night. My bloodwork is fine and my doc says it's just from the narcotic pain meds I take. Well I take less now than before and I'm still just wrung out after doing nothing. DH is usually pretty understanding but he thinks if I would just get up and get moving I'd feel better but I just feel more tired. How do you get thru the day?