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Fibromyalgia - Does anything help relieve severe pain during flares?
I was officially diagnosed with Fibro two years ago. I don't take any medications except for 5mg Flexeril (muscle relaxer) at night during flares, and some supplements recommended by my functional medicine Nurse Practitioner that don't seem to be helping. A hot bath before bed helps a little.
I'm now in the middle of a flare and in extreme pain all day. I try to stay busy to take my mind off it, but it's very hard to cope.
I'm very reluctant to go on meds such as Cymbalta, Lyrica or Gabapentin. I've read they often don't help and have bad withdrawal issues if you want to stop taking them. Most doctors don't offer much help except for offering drugs, with little knowledge about their effectiveness and side effects.
I'm looking for support or help with how to continue living with this. What works for others with Fibro to lessen the pain?
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how do you determine if you have EDS?
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1 ReactionI'm very hypermobile. There's no genetic testing for the hypermobility type. There's a criteria that they have to go through.
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1 ReactionI also take gabapentin. It's not much help but relaxes me to a certain extent. However and unfortunately only a narcotic is strong enough. Too bad my doctor doesn't believe me. She's been a new doctor. Now she has moved on. I'm now scheduled with the 3rd new doctor. I pray he believes me and doesn't assume I'm med seeking
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1 ReactionI've had fibro since 1994 and am in pain every day, too. When I have a flare, I rest more and rearrange my schedule-less stress equals less pain. Focus on yourself. Sometimes I lie in bed and sleep. Sleeping helps a lot! I use a heating pack on the sore spots and bring a heated water bottle to bed with me every night; it helps relieve back or neck pain.
I do take cymbalta 60mg. every night and trazadone 50mg for sleep prescribed by my rheumatologist who treats my fibro.
When you're feeling better, try gentle stretches, as tolerated. Physical therapy helps. I schedule massage at least once a month-go slow at first so you don't flare up, with a therapist that understands fibro (no deep tissue massage). Walking helps. Meditation- hospitals have on line classes. Read Jon Kabat Zin- the founder of mindfulness.
I've tried a lot of meds over the years and like your idea to stay away from any with black box warnings. A good quality sleep has made the difference for me.
I live in the Northeast and the cold flares my fibro so I basically hibernate in cold weather.
You can do this and I wish you good luck and good health.
Good luck,
I take duloxetine and it helps a lot. Doesn’t take away pain completely, but I find I can mostly manage with that medication plus naproxen, diet, exercise, & rest. My issue has been extensive stress that’s thrown my whole fibro management game outta whack most recently.
nothing has ever helped me. I just have to wait it out with my regular meds.