Hi,
I've struggled with muscular pain, particularly in my neck and back for around 3 years and have received treatment in the form of amitryptiline for that period of time.
I was today diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have read up on here about it but I feel really down about it. I don't feel like it's ever going to improve 
Hi - I am also sufferer of this painful conditon and take the same medication. The pain can seem relentless at times, and the tiredness unbelieveable. All I can say is you should/may get some improvement as in remission and relapse. Accept any help offered (family/friends) and don't try to do too much even if you are having a good day. Rest when you need to and try to keep your mind active. I do crosswords and compute to give some structure to my day and keep my brain occupied. You don't say if you have been offered any cognitive behavioural therapy, which can be very helpful in learning to cope with all the symptoms. Hang in there and I hope this reply goes a small way in letting you know you are not alone. this website is full of useful information www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org
My Best Wishes to you jojo
Hi Redfreckles
Firstly, I am sorry to hear that you are feeling down at the moment. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in
2004 although I had the various symptoms for many years prior to that.
Has your GP tested you for thyroid disease in particular under active thyroid or Hashimotos disease? I ask because the two conditions are very similar and I have now been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. You can
have both conditions or in some cases the fibromyalgia is diagnosed when the real cause of your
problems could be the under active thyroid. It is worth having a blood test. I had blood tests done in 2005
unfortunately the GP didnt tell me that I had tested positive for this and so I did not get the replacement
thyroxine until I queried my condition with my GP this summer.
The good thing about the underactive thyroid is that it can be much improved although it takes time. If it
turns out that you dont have an underactive thyroid then I would still consider coming off the amitryptiline as this drug has side effects which are worse than fibromyalgia. What helped for me was regular daily
exercise as 5 years ago I could hardly walk a few feet without being in awful pain. Then I bought a puppy and had to walk him, gradually my muscle pains eased and now I walk an hour a day non stop with no
pains at all ! The dog is now 4 1/2 and I credit having to exercise him with helping to alleviate the FM.
I still suffer with incredible tiredness but that is down to the underactive thyroid and I have been told that
this and all my other symptoms will improve but will take 6-9 months of being on levothyroxine !
I hope that this helps both you and Jojo
:-)
Thank you both very much for your help and advise.
I will look into the things u have suggested.
Hope you both keep well xx