Fibromyalgia Medication and treatment
I have been on the Mayo Connect for over six months. My symptoms point to the umbrella of things, Lyme disease, West Nile, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, and Chronice Fatigue. I have seen every doctor in my hospital system. Had every test and scans done. JUST MADE MORE $$ FOR THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM!
Yesterday I finally went to a Rheumatologist for a consultation on a blood test. When I expalined what I had been going through the last ten months he finally gave me a diagnoses. (First one after 10 months and 10 doctors.)There is a small chance I may have Lyme Disease, but to late to tell. He said he was sure it is Fibromyalgia. He said I should have been directed to him when it first started. (Again as many of you agree they put you through unecessay test and perscribe pills to make $$ for the industry.
So now that I finally have some direction to move, I need some advice, information, what helps, what causes it and such. He said he feels mine is in the area of sleep. Does this make sense to anyone? He is sending me to a sleep clinic for evaluation.
I know I have seen many postings about Fibromyalgia, but I guess it is the "Fibro Fog" that dosen't remember all.
I had been on Gabretentian but the side effects were worse than my pain! We are tryng Cymbalta. Can anyone let me know how it has worked for them. Anything to watch for?
As always this site is the Best! People are so honest and open about helping.
Thanks,
Sundance š
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Fibromyalgia Support Group.
Most doctors donāt understand RNY Gastric Bypass and prescribing Prednisone. Iāve had doctors prescribe 40mg and Iāve told them I cannot take that much bcuz of my GB. If they arenāt in the business of GB then they really donāt understand.
I had a Pulmonary doctor who was recommended to me by a GB Surgeon tell me that I would still be able to take prednisone but in extremely low doses.
Until about a year ago I would get pneumonia quite often and would take 5mg of whatever mg they gave me by cutting it into segments.
About a year ago I began taking very high quality plant only vitamins without preservatives and in only vegan capsules.
In that year I havenāt had not one pneumonia, upper respiratory infection, barely a cold.
Whatās more Iām a Lyft Driver so I have people in and out of my car all the time, drunk, people with colds sitting next to me in the front seat, etc!!!
I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for 22 years now and my GB did me a great favor towards my Fibromyalgia.
My GB was in 2/2012 to save my life as I only had 17% lung capacity. In 4/2015 I lost my Sister, my best friend forever besides my loving Husband. Iām a stress eater and while caring for her and after her passing I had gained a total of 85 lbs. I also had chronic diarrhea every day after anything I ate, good for me or bad.
I went to a metropolitan city as our town was big but extremely rural. It was just our town and nothing really anywhere around it. Doctors didnāt want to practice there or move their and the Gastrointestinal doctors just were subpar.
I sought out a good Gastrointestinal Clinic and his advice to me was to stop consuming Gluten, Lactose and to avoid ALL Preservatives. That was 8/2017.
ONE year later, Iād lost the entire 85 lbs plus a tad more. But the BEST part was that my Fibromyalgia doesnāt flare up unless I eat Gluten, Lactose and/or Preservatives. The Gluten & Preservatives give me migraines, make me hurt terribly ALL over the place. BUT, when I follow this strict way of eating, my body loves me dearly.
Also, what they say about STAYING ACTIVE is absolutely the truth I kid you not!!
So with a great high protein (meats and pure plant protein powder for shakes, an abundance of fruits, vegetables and obviously NO Gluten, Lactose or Preservatives), my fibromyalgia body thrives!!!
Some say, donāt you miss cheese and milk, absolutely NOT AT ALL!! When we got the news about what NOT to eat, I began to look for alternatives and my loving Husband jumped in and said... āIāll eat what you eat and thatāll help both of usā!!!
Yes I know that Iām extremely blessed to have a Husband thatās willing to explore anything I eat.
So, I found Vegan blogs that make cheese sauces, my Sisters most favorite Mac ān Cheese. She was NEVER willing to try anything that looked āfunkyā but this looked so much like a real cheese sauce and even tasted better. I know that some of yāall wonāt believe me, but itās so true. Iāve made so many vegetarian dishes and sides that one would never know that it was not the ārealā thing but so much better tasting and so good for your body. YES, I still eat meat, but only humanely raised beef, chicken, pork, turkey, and fish. Yes, to ever vegetarian or vegan out there... I know they still kill & butcher them, but thatās how people survived millions of years ago. By eating, fruits, vegetables and whatever they could catch and kill.
I donāt eat anything with Preservatives and when I eat out with family at places like Chiliās and Applebeeās like I did while visiting family and insisted on eating at those places I get very sick. This is what happened over Memorial Day weekend... After church on Sunday the family decided on Chiliās. It doesnāt really matter what I get there or similar places like Monday night at Applebeeās.
1) I canāt sleep even with my prescribed sleeping meds or I have to dbl it to 100mg and Iām in a fog for a day or two, much like a huge hangover.
2) I ache all over every muscle and every joint.
3) I get a HUGE migraine that will last for days if not a week or more.
4) I first get terrible constipation and when I drink hot coffee I get severe diarrhea and for days this process goes back and forth.
5) Oh just ask my loving Husband how pissy I get like Iām going through menopause all over again.
The benefits so outweigh all of the above that it was an easy choice to stay on what I said at first āThe NO to everything dietā.
Be creative, try some new things, when you go shopping and get home, rest for a bit then drag those vegetables out of the fridge chop chop them for the week and put them in the freezer to use later.
I love making scrambled eggs & inlets with tons of vegetables. One would think how good will frozen Vegas be in one of those? Put oil in the pan, just a little bit (I only use Avocado Oil thatās JUST made with Avocados). The BEST price Iāve seen is at Costco itās twice the size of the same brand I use (Chosen Foods) that I get at Sprouts and almost $3 less. Eating extremely healthy isnāt cheap, so I pinch every penny I can. IF you have a Costco in your area or visit somewhere often that does, theyāve begun carrying a lot more GF, LF and no Preservatives than even 6 months ago.
We even bought a 7cubic ft chest freezer so weād have plenty of room to hold all of my prepared foods, sauces, vegetables, fruits and all grass fed and grass finished beef, turkey, chicken and yes they must be pasture raised as well. Grass fed & finished in a pasture ensures thereās NO Preservatives and bcuz of this youāll have to use them right away or freeze them right away.
We get a great deal on our meats at our local farmers market where she pulls the trailer right up wit 4 freezers so thereās NO chance of cross contamination, keeps the trailer doors closed until someone asks about it. She even educated my Husband after I asked her to on why Pasture Raised Eggs are the absolute best for you, then he understood even though Iād already told him. Sometimes you have to hear it from someone else. We get our eggs from an Amish farmer!!!
I know that I got derailed, but itās all great info.
If anyone wants more information, Iād be happy to help!!!
Oh, and I get most of my recipes off the internet at peoples blogs or websites just by searching the food(s) I want and just putting Gluten Free, Lactose Free before the food I want to make. I do however have my favorites!!
@laylabug An awesome amount of great information. Thank you for sharing your story and what has worked for you.
Ginger
Hello @laylabug -- There is another discussion with the same name that you have already posted in. I'm tagging our moderator @ethanmcconkey to see if we should move your discussion to the existing discussion here to avoid confusion and make it easier to find your post as well as make it more visible to other members:
> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Fibromyalgia
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fibromyalgia-5/
@laylabug Thanks for all this information I've had fibromyalgia since 90,s and started eating GF but haven't given up dairy love cheese but I,'ll look into it.I never eat prepared foods know about preservatives. One thing I found out nightshade veggies are a no no tomatoes,peppers,eggplant .I'm going to go for moRe G F items
Help! Diagnosed today for Fibro. I am a exercise fanatic and work hard at everything I do. This started 7 months ago and itās killing me. Do people recover or is it a forever journey? Iāve been my own advocate and donāt take the pain meds, and changing up my eating habits. Is there a day it ever goes away? Thank you!!
@suri Welcome to connect we all have pain from different problems ,we give you our experience.I've had fibromyalgia since the 90,s it's something you learn to help yourself with what works.There,s no cause known or cure so we fibro people learn different things that help I have my fibro pain box Exercise but listen to your body and don't overdue,hot showers heat helps with soreness ,ice sometimes will feel better then heat I'ce ,ginger @turmeric are all anti inflammatory .Tens unit this helps with muscles to relax when tight.If you haven't see a rheumatologist .Epsom salt bath before bedtime I take Fibro Malic from Vitacost.com have for years .The biggest thing is don't overdue or you,'ll pay for it next day that was hard for me to learn also it's o.k.to say No to activities. Others hopefully will chime in with there pain box all this is what I do I would ask your rheumatologist about anymore suggestions Join us fibro warriors
Hi @suri, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @lioness and other members. There is another discussion with the same name that you have already posted in. I'm tagging our moderator @ethanmcconkey to see if we should move your discussion to the existing discussion here to avoid confusion and make it easier to find your post as well as make it more visible to other members with Fibromyalgia:
> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Fibromyalgia
ā https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fibromyalgia-5/
I'm really glad to hear you are being your own advocate and learning as much as you can about your condition. It sounds like exercise is really important to you. Have you changed any habits when it comes to exercise -- still doing the same amount or had to cut back a little due to the fibromyalgia?
I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for 22 years now and my GB did me a great favor towards my Fibromyalgia.
My GB was in 2/2012 to save my life as I only had 17% lung capacity. In 4/2015 I lost my Sister, my best friend forever besides my loving Husband. Iām a stress eater and while caring for her and after her passing I had gained a total of 85 lbs. I also had chronic diarrhea every day after anything I ate, good for me or bad.
I went to a metropolitan city as our town was big but extremely rural. It was just our town and nothing really anywhere around it. Doctors didnāt want to practice there or move their and the Gastrointestinal doctors just were subpar.
I sought out a good Gastrointestinal Clinic and his advice to me was to stop consuming Gluten, Lactose and to avoid ALL Preservatives. That was 8/2017.
ONE year later, Iād lost the entire 85 lbs plus a tad more. But the BEST part was that my Fibromyalgia doesnāt flare up unless I eat Gluten, Lactose and/or Preservatives. The Gluten & Preservatives give me migraines, make me hurt terribly ALL over the place. BUT, when I follow this strict way of eating, my body loves me dearly. About a year ago I began taking very high quality Plant Based Vitamins and the capsules are all vegan, therefore NO Preservatives at all!! Theyāre expensive, but theyāre worth it as I havenāt had pneumonia or bronchitis and if Iāve caught a cold it only lasts for a day or a few days at most.
Also, what they say about STAYING ACTIVE is absolutely the truth I kid you not!!
So with a great high protein (meats and pure plant protein powder for shakes, an abundance of fruits, vegetables and obviously NO Gluten, Lactose or Preservatives), my fibromyalgia body thrives!!!
Some say, donāt you miss cheese and milk, absolutely NOT AT ALL!! When we got the news about what NOT to eat, I began to look for alternatives and my loving Husband jumped in and saidā¦ āIāll eat what you eat and thatāll help both of usā!!!
Yes I know that Iām extremely blessed to have a Husband thatās willing to explore anything I eat.
So, I found Vegan blogs that make cheese sauces, my Sisters most favorite Mac ān Cheese. She was NEVER willing to try anything that looked āfunkyā but this looked so much like a real cheese sauce and even tasted better. I know that some of yāall wonāt believe me, but itās so true. Iāve made so many vegetarian dishes and sides that one would never know that it was not the ārealā thing but so much better tasting and so good for your body. YES, I still eat meat, but only humanely raised beef, chicken, pork, turkey, and fish. Yes, to ever vegetarian or vegan out thereā¦ I know they still kill & butcher them, but thatās how people survived millions of years ago. By eating, fruits, vegetables and whatever they could catch and kill.
I donāt eat anything with Preservatives and when I eat out with family at places like Chiliās and Applebeeās like I did while visiting family and insisted on eating at those places I get very sick. This is what happened over Memorial Day weekendā¦ After church on Sunday the family decided on Chiliās. It doesnāt really matter what I get there or similar places like Monday night at Applebeeās.
1) I canāt sleep even with my prescribed sleeping meds or I have to dbl it to 100mg and Iām in a fog for a day or two, much like a huge hangover.
2) I ache all over every muscle and every joint.
3) I get a HUGE migraine that will last for days if not a week or more.
4) I first get terrible constipation and when I drink hot coffee I get severe diarrhea and for days this process goes back and forth.
5) Oh just ask my loving Husband how pissy I get like Iām going through menopause all over again.
The benefits so outweigh all of the above that it was an easy choice to stay on what I said at first āThe NO to everything dietā.
Be creative, try some new things, when you go shopping and get home, rest for a bit then drag those vegetables out of the fridge chop chop them for the week and put them in the freezer to use later.
I love making scrambled eggs & inlets with tons of vegetables. One would think how good will frozen Vegas be in one of those? Put oil in the pan, just a little bit (I only use Avocado Oil thatās JUST made with Avocados). The BEST price Iāve seen is at Costco itās twice the size of the same brand I use (Chosen Foods) that I get at Sprouts and almost $3 less. Eating extremely healthy isnāt cheap, so I pinch every penny I can. IF you have a Costco in your area or visit somewhere often that does, theyāve begun carrying a lot more GF, LF and no Preservatives than even 6 months ago.
We even bought a 7cubic ft chest freezer so weād have plenty of room to hold all of my prepared foods, sauces, vegetables, fruits and all grass fed and grass finished beef, turkey, chicken and yes they must be pasture raised as well. Grass fed & finished in a pasture ensures thereās NO Preservatives and bcuz of this youāll have to use them right away or freeze them right away.
We get a great deal on our meats at our local farmers market where she pulls the trailer right up wit 4 freezers so thereās NO chance of cross contamination, keeps the trailer doors closed until someone asks about it. She even educated my Husband after I asked her to on why Pasture Raised Eggs are the absolute best for you, then he understood even though Iād already told him. Sometimes you have to hear it from someone else. We get our eggs from an Amish farmer!!!
I know that I got derailed, but itās all great info.
If anyone wants more information, Iād be happy to help!!!
Oh, and I get most of my recipes off the internet at peoples blogs or websites just by searching the food(s) I want and just putting Gluten Free, Lactose Free before the food I want to make. I do however have my favorites!!
Hi @laylabug and @suri, you may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion on Fibromyalgia per the suggestion of @johnbishop so that you can connect with others who have similar experiences. Simply click VIEW & REPLY in you email notification to get to your post.
@laylabug thank you for sharing your story with what you have found to work.
@suri I wanted to repeat the question of others, how has your fibromyalgia affected your exercise?
I find that exercise actually helps with easing up any pain I have. Recently, Iāve been walking 2-4 miles daily. I come home, rest a bit and feel so much better.
I always eat healthier when I exercise as not to get myself into a trap with gluten, lactose and preservatives. Having these makes my Fibromyalgia flare.