Where is everyone from and what treatment works for you?

@hraka13 , thank you Carmen for your message! Nice to meet you. It is unfortunate that we need to take upon ourselves to find a way to cope with this condition . It is frustrating that even speaking to our doctors that suppose to be helping us act and think that it is all in our head. Nobody can really understand how we feel until they are in our situation. Which sometimes i wish they could feel it so that they can experience how hard it is to live with this pain.

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.

@hraka13 Naltrexone is not a narcotic and not addicting.
This is from AI Assist: "Low dose naltrexone is not a narcotic; it is an opioid antagonist that does not have any narcotic effects or abuse potential. It is used primarily to help regulate the immune system and manage chronic pain."
And "Low dose naltrexone is not addictive and does not cause physical dependence. It is used primarily for its anti-inflammatory effects and to help manage chronic pain and autoimmune conditions."

@hraka13 thank you so much for reminding me. I used to take melatonin but haven’t for several years. I’ll pick up some tomorrow and give it a try again. I’m always willing to try things, especially more natural ones.

@hraka13 It may also be worth looking at your diet. My GP recommended I try a high protein- low carb diet, others feel a vegetarian diet made a difference. I take kefir, kambucha an alternative and find less stomach symptoms.

@filipina, I get mine from a company called Entourage Hemp. They’re 50mg “microcaps” and don’t make me burp and taste the “bong water” taste I got from the oils. I used to take 2 per day but finances have made me do down to 1 per day.
I’ve tried several diff ways, liquid, capsules, and oils (those made me burp. Nasty flavor too). I was getting them from a smaller company but they stopped carrying this particular one and told me to go ahead and buy direct. I thought that was mighty fine of them not to try to pressure me into changing to something else.

@coryl, just remember even tho it says to take 5 mg, start with a low dose. Too much can make me feel really groggy in the morning.