Have you found anything to successfully treat fibromyalgia pain?

I’ve used Cymbalta for years and it is very good at combating FM pain.

@smartgirl I want to commend you on your approach to chronic pain. You really are a "smart girl", and sound like you have a good handle on what FM throws your way. I graduated Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehab Center (PRC) over a year ago and it changed my life. PRC is a highly successful rehab program that works with FM, among many other chronic conditions, and provides a comprehensive path forward with tools for self-management. You are implementing many of the tools. Keep up the good work!!

I found Cymbalta to help some, but without the stretching and exercise it is not very effective for me. This past week, I have had WAY too much keyboard time, and my whole body is objecting - dealing with chronic pain of any sort is all about finding balance. So today, I will be doing an extra session of stretching and exercise, probably followed by a second long, hot shower to calm things.
What other strategies do you use to combat your pain?
Sue

I got on Lyrica 9 Yrs ago and it has been a huge help (except that you can’t process straight thinking near as well wh can make a person seem bonkers), but this last yr, I’ve begun to become tolerant to it some and am having to increase the mgs. That means more side effects and at 70, ppl will see more side effects from Lyrica but they are just an annoyance.
Currently, I have unfortunately developed a very easily angered Central Nervous System which means much more pain, cold sensitivity,, food sensitivities (bc pain causes 24/7 elevated cortisol which causes leaky gut which causes the immune system to attack wrong targets in the body which causes more pain). It’s a vicious cycle. And in my case it’s gotten life threatening. So fibro’s do all u can to hold your pain down. Don’t over do bc the nervous system will crash.

I found eliminating sugar from my diet, walking and exercising helped me tremendously.

I see an osteopathic physician monthly for an adjustment. Little fearful of chiropractic as I have scoliosis from infantile polio. Have to make a reason to get up - mine is the 14 year old rescue dog by my bed. I hate having to pace myself when I used to go full tilt every day. Covid to some extent has given me a reason to slow down without the guilt. Meditation tapes and reading pass the day agreeably. I also like to do jigsaw puzzles until my back starts to hurt. I also write articles for my CCRC community and volunteer at two local libraries when I am able to walk well enough. The fatigue and IBS are my bugaboos. Mary Ellen

I keep my muscles as warm as possible, even when my husband insists the house is "warm enough". Extra layers of clothes do fine by me! Stretching when it feels good, careful use of my energy quotient on any given day, healthy diet as much as possible, distraction by doing hobbies or getting outside. All of these, or mix-them-up, seem to help me.
Ginger

Sue, I have a regular m.d. PCP but the osteopath in the practice addresses the trigger points and does myofascial release and my copay is $35.19 and I get 45 minutes and a lot of questions answered. I go every month to stay on top of things. I fell twice last Sunday and managed to hold onto the dog leash and get up without assistance and walk home. No one was around even though I'm on the campus of a CCRC. For having osteopenia I was fortunate not to break a bone. Counting on osteo adjustment this week to put me back together ❤! 😊. Mary Ellen

WHat about heating pads or pads that can be zapped and then carried around?

For me, heat amps up pain but it may help other Fibro’s.