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.

Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Nov 2, 2020
In reply to @grandmar "Hi All! I've suffered from Fibromyalgia before most doctors ever heard of it. Every doctor wanted..." + (show)
@grandmar

Hi All!
I've suffered from Fibromyalgia before most doctors ever heard of it.
Every doctor wanted to start me on medicine to help me sleep since that is the healing period.
I refused because I did want to become dependent on sleeping pills.
After years of suffering and nothing helping, I agreed to the medicine.
It was actually an antidepressant used in a very low dosage to help me get into a deep sleep.
It worked.
I also started exercising.
My exercise, at the beginning started as walking around the development we lived in.
Halfway through, my hubby would have to drag me back home.
Eventually, I was able to walk the entire course by myself.
I joined Weight Watchers and started to use exercise equipment in the gym every morning and continued to walk every evening.
Within weeks, I felt so much better.
Other than being sensitive to touch at the tender points, I have no problems anymore.
Good luck to you all!!!

Jump to this post

@grandmar, several years ago...you welcomed me to Connect. Wow....I am so proud of you. Talk about stepping up to the challenge. Congratulations.
May you be content and at ease.
Chris

REPLY
1 reply
grandmaR | @grandmar | Nov 2, 2020
In reply to @artscaping "@grandmar, several years ago...you welcomed me to Connect. Wow....I am so proud of you. Talk about..." + (show)
@artscaping

@grandmar, several years ago...you welcomed me to Connect. Wow....I am so proud of you. Talk about stepping up to the challenge. Congratulations.
May you be content and at ease.
Chris

Jump to this post

Thank you, Chris!

REPLY
grandmaR | @grandmar | Nov 2, 2020
In reply to @jesfactsmon "@Parus Thanks. At least speaking about fibro seems to have become a lot more acceptable and..." + (show)
@jesfactsmon

@Parus
Thanks. At least speaking about fibro seems to have become a lot more acceptable and more people have heard of it. When I first heard Linda in 1990 say that the doctor told her she had fibromyalgia I said "What the heck is THAT?" It was so weird sounding. Now you hear it bandied around more than back then.

So Parus, do you have both fibro AND neuropathy as well? Seems like most people on Connect have multiple things wrong with them, like Linda. Few have just one thing. One more (teeny bit personal) question. Is your Connect photo meant as a joke about covid? Just wondering. Best, Hank

Jump to this post

So true about multiple issues. Remember, fibro is considered an immune disease on par with arthritis. Although I really don't 'suffer' from fibro anymore, I've been dealing with severe spinal issues for over a decade until I had cervical and lumbar surgery on my spine a couple of years ago, as well as osteoarthritis and neuropathy.
I do my best to be as active as possible. I can no longer walk without the support of a cane, but I do get on the treadmill everyday for at least 1/2 hour to 45 minutes and later in the day I go into the pool (I live in Florida) to exercise for another 1/2 hour. I've had other things and I've done other things as well to try to help all these conditions.
What can I say, it's my way of life and I'm not ready to give up!!!

REPLY
migizii | @migizii | Nov 2, 2020
In reply to @grandmar "Hi All! I've suffered from Fibromyalgia before most doctors ever heard of it. Every doctor wanted..." + (show)
@grandmar

Hi All!
I've suffered from Fibromyalgia before most doctors ever heard of it.
Every doctor wanted to start me on medicine to help me sleep since that is the healing period.
I refused because I did want to become dependent on sleeping pills.
After years of suffering and nothing helping, I agreed to the medicine.
It was actually an antidepressant used in a very low dosage to help me get into a deep sleep.
It worked.
I also started exercising.
My exercise, at the beginning started as walking around the development we lived in.
Halfway through, my hubby would have to drag me back home.
Eventually, I was able to walk the entire course by myself.
I joined Weight Watchers and started to use exercise equipment in the gym every morning and continued to walk every evening.
Within weeks, I felt so much better.
Other than being sensitive to touch at the tender points, I have no problems anymore.
Good luck to you all!!!

Jump to this post

In reply to grandmaR @migizii......I also have had fibromyalgia for many years and the most success I found was seeing a sleep doctor; getting a sleep study done; and being prescribed a medication to aid in sleep as I was experiencing almost continual periods throughout the night of mind activity, which was not allowing me to have restful sleep. Once I was able to have regular nights of restful sleep, things have improved. Although I still have daily fatigue occasionally during the week and painful periods, I have been able to do walking and light exercises while keeping a regular routine. It’s been wonderful! I also went to PT and therapy and did gradual increasing exercise as recommended by the fibromyalgia clinic at Mayo but I believe the sleep component was really my best intervention to gradual success......good luck to all on your journeys while staying safe and at peace.

REPLY
2 replies
grandmaR | @grandmar | Nov 3, 2020
In reply to @migizii "In reply to grandmaR @migizii......I also have had fibromyalgia for many years and the most success..." + (show)
@migizii

In reply to grandmaR @migizii......I also have had fibromyalgia for many years and the most success I found was seeing a sleep doctor; getting a sleep study done; and being prescribed a medication to aid in sleep as I was experiencing almost continual periods throughout the night of mind activity, which was not allowing me to have restful sleep. Once I was able to have regular nights of restful sleep, things have improved. Although I still have daily fatigue occasionally during the week and painful periods, I have been able to do walking and light exercises while keeping a regular routine. It’s been wonderful! I also went to PT and therapy and did gradual increasing exercise as recommended by the fibromyalgia clinic at Mayo but I believe the sleep component was really my best intervention to gradual success......good luck to all on your journeys while staying safe and at peace.

Jump to this post

Hello!
I agree with you 100%.
Once I started getting into that deep restorative sleep, I felt sooooooo much better!
Feel good!

REPLY
rossjt | @rossjt | Nov 5, 2020
In reply to @migizii "In reply to grandmaR @migizii......I also have had fibromyalgia for many years and the most success..." + (show)
@migizii

In reply to grandmaR @migizii......I also have had fibromyalgia for many years and the most success I found was seeing a sleep doctor; getting a sleep study done; and being prescribed a medication to aid in sleep as I was experiencing almost continual periods throughout the night of mind activity, which was not allowing me to have restful sleep. Once I was able to have regular nights of restful sleep, things have improved. Although I still have daily fatigue occasionally during the week and painful periods, I have been able to do walking and light exercises while keeping a regular routine. It’s been wonderful! I also went to PT and therapy and did gradual increasing exercise as recommended by the fibromyalgia clinic at Mayo but I believe the sleep component was really my best intervention to gradual success......good luck to all on your journeys while staying safe and at peace.

Jump to this post

I have had a sleep study and have a prescription sleep aid (and other medications for other conditions with drowsiness as listed side effects). It seems when my brain doesn't want to shutdown, however, nothing works and I am awake all night regardless of medications. Its a real bummer and does interfere with my life and I think makes my fibromyalgia symptoms (and others) worse.

REPLY
1 reply
Hank | @jesfactsmon | Nov 5, 2020
In reply to @rossjt "I have had a sleep study and have a prescription sleep aid (and other medications for..." + (show)
@rossjt

I have had a sleep study and have a prescription sleep aid (and other medications for other conditions with drowsiness as listed side effects). It seems when my brain doesn't want to shutdown, however, nothing works and I am awake all night regardless of medications. Its a real bummer and does interfere with my life and I think makes my fibromyalgia symptoms (and others) worse.

Jump to this post

@rossjt
Forgive me if you have done this already among the many likely things you have tried. Have you tried taking magnesium malate (best for relaxation) or magnesium glycinate (2nd best by my research) before retiring to bed (approx. 150-300mg)? These seem to help a lot of people become sleepy, including both my wife and I. Just suggesting. I feel for you and your problem with sleep. Best, Hank

REPLY
rossjt | @rossjt | Nov 6, 2020

Thanks. I have not, but will give them a try! I have read about magnesium and fibromyalgia benefits.

REPLY
1 reply
Hank | @jesfactsmon | Nov 7, 2020
In reply to @rossjt "Thanks. I have not, but will give them a try! I have read about magnesium and..." + (show)
@rossjt

Thanks. I have not, but will give them a try! I have read about magnesium and fibromyalgia benefits.

Jump to this post

@rossjt
Yes, the magnesium malate may be your best bet for the fibro, I would gently suggest going with that first. I hope it helps. Not being able to sleep and laying in bed awake is terribly unpleasant, not to mention what having chronic insomnia does to your body. Good luck! Hank

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