I have a neice who has Fibromyalgia and Lupus and has been living with it for quite sometime. The medications she takes is Medrol, Imuran, Plaquenil, Boniva and Tylenol #4 (For Pain). She fights with depression and often states that she is in pain ALL THE TIME. While, I do not doubt what she says because she has the physical symptoms. Twisted fingers (such as in Rheumatoid Arthritis), constant swelling, etc. However, here lately, her specialist has prescribed her "muscle relaxers" such as Soma, Neurontin and even Xanax, all of which, she states she has taken 1 or 2 times. When I ask her why doesn’t she take them, she states that she doesn’t like to feel "down"! She states that when taking them she feels drowsy and she feels like she is in another world. And, the next day upon awakening, she doesn’t feel like herself. My question to the yahoo community is, does anyone know of any other medication or any other way to treat this horrible, horrible disease. More recently, she has been talking about not taking her medication at all, NONE OF IT! She states that she is tired of taking all medication and she can’t remember her life without pain! She takes the tylenol #4 3x’s per day (physician ordered) and that does seem to help her somewhat. However, she is seeking a physician in the Michigan area she says that will really, really treat her and not just want to throw more pills @ her. As stated, does anyone in the yahoo community have anymore answers? Maybe there are herbal remedies? Maybe there is another medication that can be suggested? My more urgent concern is that she seems to be sinking deeper and deeper into depression. And from a few of my friends here in the area, I am told that some people with chronic illnesses tend to fight with depression? It never hurts to ask and would greatly appreciate any answers!!!