In October last year, after a 13 year battle to get a diagnosis, I finally got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Whilst there is no cure, there is medication I can take to help me get through each day in the least amount of pain possible. I have good days and really bad days. The flare ups come without warning and I constantly have to have painkillers. I have finally found a medication that gives me some what of a 'normal' life. However it causes serious insomnia, this then has a knock on effect of feeling sluggish, brain fog and unable to concentrate. I was put on a sleeping tablet called Promethazine, I take 50mg each night.
Since taking this tablet I do sleep, I don't wake up in pain during the night and my insomnia is almost completely gone. However it comes with a significant downfall. Weight gain, not just a little weight either, I'm averaging around 3lbs per week. I am the heaviest and biggest I have ever been and it's seriously impacting my mental health. I don't recognise myself in the mirror, I hate getting dressed, I hate how I look.
But I find myself in a catch 22 situation, I need to take my pain medication to be able to function and work but I can't sleep when I take them without the sleeping tablet. I've changed my diet, I do exercise but the weight keeps piling on.
Does anyone on here take duloxetine and suffer insomnia side effects? If so, what do you do to help? Are you on sleeping tablets? How do you manage?
Any advice is welcome, I'm at a loss of what to do. I just want to feel happy and comfortable in my clothes and live a life that's not constantly self conscious and critical.