1. < Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia pain: Let's connect

Posted by clownscrytoo @clownscrytoo, Oct 22, 2016

Is there anyone here that suffers from fibro? I had the 'tender spot test' several years ago and I had 17 out of the 18. I try my hardest to get through the pain with my 4 hydrocodone/acetaminaphine pills a day, Tiger Balm rubbed into areas that are the worst, light exercises, and distracting myself with hobbies or chores, etc; but there are many occasions where none of that helps and I spend most of the day holding down the couch, getting up about 30-45 minutes after that, walking/standing around the house for 15-20 minutes, or sitting for about 15-30 min. I do not drive and my husband works 6 days a week, overtime almost every day, so I'm alone a lot. my wonderful husband is very supportive and I am very grateful for that, but my only other friends are online, out of state, and I will probably never even get to meet them. when extreme pain takes over, my depression takes over and it is so difficult to find hope. does anyone have tips for fibro, whether diet or over-the-counter meds (I've tried them all, I think), or anything, besides hobbies and such? I've tried every over-the-counter med, and the Tiger Balm does cover some of what the pain pill doesn't help, but I'm hoping one of our members might have some knowledge that could help. I'd really appreciate it.
hugz,
Clownscrytoo

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Fibromyalgia Support Group.

monetval | @monetval | May 9 2:23pm
In reply to @milenawalker "hi! i know i’m a little late too this conversation but i just got diagnosed with..." + (show)
@milenawalker

hi! i know i’m a little late too this conversation but i just got diagnosed with fibro and my GI tract is a complete mess. how long did it take for the gluten free diet to start to help?? i’m willing to try anything to make the pain tolerable

Jump to this post

Hello! I honestly don’t remember but if I were to guess, I would say 3-4 weeks and then it was amazing!
Best of luck🍀

REPLY
milenawalker | @milenawalker | May 9 4:21pm
In reply to @ripley "My fibromyalgia flared up big-time after I had Covid two years ago. Five days after getting..." + (show)
@ripley

My fibromyalgia flared up big-time after I had Covid two years ago. Five days after getting Covid, I started having flares with very painful all-over muscle pain lasting a couple months, with some weeks of relief in between. During the periods where I didn't have bad body pains, I often had daily headaches, but at least they were relieved by Tylenol. Now, I have been in a lot of body pain every day for almost 3 months. The pain is worse in my upper back and neck, with milder pain in my arms and legs. It's hard to get through the day. I don't take any medications for it. I've read the drugs meant for fibro aren't that effective and often have bad side effects and serious withdrawal issues to get off the drugs. My PCP won't provide any strong pain meds.

Since this started, I've also had terrible insomnia. I usually fall asleep at night because the pain and lack of sleep wears me out, but I wake after 4-5 hours and can't get back to sleep. I've tried Trazodone but am weaning off that because I don't think it's helping me anymore. I take a sleep gummy and 2.5mg melatonin before bed.

Looking back, I think I've had fibro for years but my symptoms were minimal and only occurred for about a week once or twice a year. I tried a gluten free diet for 3 months but didn't notice any improvement. I haven't tried Tiger Balm, but use a cream similar to Ben Gay Ultra Strength.

I appreciate this forum, but wish there were some in-person support groups. Most of my friends and relatives don't understand or believe in fibromyalgia, so it's a very lonely disease.

Jump to this post

i wish there was an in person one too. it’s hard for people to understand when they don’t go through it themselves. i’m here to talk whenever. it makes me feel better knowing i’m not crazy and the only
one

REPLY
Jessica | @jmenassaka | Oct 30 11:03am

You poor thing. I feel your pain-literally. I haven’t been able to drive in a few years either and that drives me insane. The worst part is that this came about shortly after my divorce and was so bad that I had to temporarily move back in with my dad. Not the life goal for a 40 year old!

For otc meds I used Motrin while I could still take NSAIDS and CBD gummies and creams (I didn’t really see results with the topicals). As far as scripts, Lyrica is the other option for gabapentin and has worked pretty well for me but I’m not sure if you’d have an interaction.

Best of luck and feel free to message any time.

REPLY
jooj | @jooj | Oct 31 9:08am

I have found that cbd clinic brand pain relief ointment helps me quite a bit. I have also noticed that my pain lessens when we go from hot and humid to cool and dry. Unfortunately, that’s when the arthritis really kicks in 🙁 . Just trading one pain for another. I have tried finding in person support groups near me but have been unsuccessful. Light stretching also helps, even though I have to fight through the pain.

REPLY
c101 | @c101 | Dec 4 9:55am

Theraworx - I have suffered with cramping in many parts of my body. Even went to the ER after speaking to a Nurse Line when she said she thought I was having a heart attack with what I described. It was not, just the potassium being a little low.
One day, a few years back, I was at work and my right thigh locked, sending me to the floor in my cubicle at work. I had to try to not scream with all my might, to keep others from coming over and seeing my stupid situation.
Nights were the worst. Sometimes in the middle of the night for no reason. The last attack was monumental - upon waking, both calves, both thighs seized and locked like concrete. Crying and screaming in pain. I grabbed a 2 oz container of pickle juice I keep by the bed, and it subsided what seemed like a minute or two.
Desperate for help (and MD's do not have a clue. One told me to exercise.), I read about the product Theraworx in one of the posts. It is expensive. Two 7.1 oz containers for $40 but have recently seen it for less on Amazon. I shake the container before bed and use the foam on both legs top and bottom. I have not had any cramping for about a month. I was so grateful for the posts because I was in an impossible situation of getting excruciating pain and not being able to do anything about it. At last I have had some help with this terrible situation added to all the other maladies of the FM.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.