Where is everyone from and what treatment works for you?

Carmen from the Oregon Coast. I’m 64 and have had fibromyalgia for probably 45 years, based on symptoms (per my former physician). I was diagnosed around 30 years ago. There was little known about it in 1997-98 and nothing in 1981. (I often was told it was in my head, a frustrating reaction to many female complaints.)
Since pain meds and mild muscle relaxants are not a good idea for me (recovering addict, 28+ years), I use ibuprofen for acute pain, glucosamine chondroitin and CBD for long term pain management, and I try to get the needed amount of sleep. (This can vary with age.) I don’t know if my mental health meds have any bearing on my symptoms one way or another.
Stretching and mild exercise are recommended, but I’ll admit to not doing much of either for some time. I did get a foam mattress cover for my bed to soften the pressure on my hips, and I use a heater mattress pad in low-med setting to help relax during sleep.
If anyone has any other ideas or suggestions, I’m open to them.

Hi my name is Elaine and I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. I just turned 75 and I was diagnosed in the early 1990’s though I believe it began with trauma in early childhood. I think I have tried pretty much everything out there. Currently I am on Suboxone and Tylenol Arthritis for pain, Zopliclone for sleep and am weaning off duloxetine for depression. Duloxetine is very difficult to get off of and I suffered severe depression twice that lasted weeks while taking it. I am down to 39 mg from 60 mg in just over a month. I removed some of the beads from the capsule to wean off more slowly. I use topical cannibas cream that my husband makes and it works very well. I also have interstitial cystitis and have infusions in my bladder every two weeks to keep that in control. Over the years I have had pretty much everything that can be removed surgically. It started with my appendix when I was sick, found out years later there was nothing wrong with it. Then my uterus, a few months later one ovary and a few years later the other ovary and my gallbladder at the same time. A couple of years ago part of my colon was removed as I had diverticulitis almost continuously for over a year. This all sounds bad but I live a pretty good life in spite of my problems. I have a supportive husband kids and friends.i have always taken high quality supplements and been willing to try alternative medicine. I really hope those of you in excruciating pain find some relief and are able to carry on pain or not. Hugs to my fibro friends!🤗🙏💕

@hraka13 what form of CBD do you use?

Hi my name is Elaine and I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. I just turned 75 and I was diagnosed in the early 1990’s though I believe it began with trauma in early childhood. I think I have tried pretty much everything out there. Currently I am on Suboxone and Tylenol Arthritis for pain, Zopliclone for sleep and am weaning off duloxetine for depression. Duloxetine is very difficult to get off of and I suffered severe depression twice that lasted weeks while taking it. I am down to 39 mg from 60 mg in just over a month. I removed some of the beads from the capsule to wean off more slowly. I use topical cannibas cream that my husband makes and it works very well. I also have interstitial cystitis and have infusions in my bladder every two weeks to keep that in control. Over the years I have had pretty much everything that can be removed surgically. It started with my appendix when I was sick, found out years later there was nothing wrong with it. Then my uterus, a few months later one ovary and a few years later the other ovary and my gallbladder at the same time. A couple of years ago part of my colon was removed as I had diverticulitis almost continuously for over a year. This all sounds bad but I live a pretty good life in spite of my problems. I have a supportive husband kids and friends.i have always taken high quality supplements and been willing to try alternative medicine. I really hope those of you in excruciating pain find some relief and are able to carry on pain or not. Hugs to my fibro friends!🤗🙏💕

@coryl, ask your physician about melatonin. I’ve found it helps me sleep almost all thru the night. (I wake up from hip pain, both fibro and sciatica) and have to roll over but I don’t stay awake after anymore.) I take anywhere between 2.5-5mg in a chewable tablet, cutting them in half to get 2.5-3.75 mg.
Just remember to take them about 2 hours before you want to go to sleep or you can wake up groggy in the morning (I know this from experience) and don’t take the full 5mg unless you have a full 8-9 (or 10) hours to sleep.
It’s been a lifesaver and non-habit forming like muscle relaxants.

Elaine, it was really understood until the 90s. That may be why you were diagnosed around the same time I was. Having a female doctor who was always reading and studying new discoveries and treatments really helps. I won’t see a male doctor (except psychiatrist) unless it’s an emergency. (Sorry guys, you just can’t empathize with us.)

@magsm, what about post-menopause? I can’t take any meds or herbs (St John’s wort) that are absorbed thru my liver since I am in carbamazepine (Tegretol) for my bipolar II disorder. Long term use already has skyrocketed my cholesterol but, fortunately, no liver damage.
Is there hope for people who can’t or don’t want to take additional meds?

@magsm, what about post-menopause? I can’t take any meds or herbs (St John’s wort) that are absorbed thru my liver since I am in carbamazepine (Tegretol) for my bipolar II disorder. Long term use already has skyrocketed my cholesterol but, fortunately, no liver damage.
Is there hope for people who can’t or don’t want to take additional meds?

@daisy17, it shows that naltrexone is a narcotic. For some of us, that’s a concern. I’ll look into it to see if it’s considered “addicting”.