1. < Fibromyalgia

Managing fibromyalgia

Posted by mrs artavia @mrsartavia, Aug 29, 2013

Hello everyone, I am looking for anyone who suffers from fibromyalgia and can suggest healing methods, medication and I would like to compare symptoms. Mine feels as if I had the flu, headache, joint aches, terribly tired, pain around the glands, stomach pain, low back. If lyou can please write with any comment or suggestion for relief, or any idea what causes it I will appreciate it thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Fibromyalgia Support Group.

mirig | @mirig | May 11, 2016
In reply to @learningtolive2 "I have been living with RA and Fibromyalgia for the past 3 years. I hate that..." + (show)
@learningtolive2

I have been living with RA and Fibromyalgia for the past 3 years. I hate that I have to take a handful of meds everyday and sometimes I get very frustrated with it all. I see a Rheumatologist and I think the med mixture I am on is working pretty good. I take Cymbalta- if you have any bit of depression, these dx will make it worse, cymbalta helps with chronic pain- Plaquinil and Sulfasalzine for the RA, Gabapentin for the Fibro, of course then my BP went up and I had to go on a med for that as well. Now I have had to have a total hip replacement due to OA seems I can't win.

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Hi, I too suffer from Fibromyalgia for the past 20 years plus. You mentioned the drug Gabapentin, this name came up recently somewhere ( I'm not sure if it was while I was in hospital recently or maybe online I really don't remember where, my memory is terrible!), anyway- next you mentioned high blood pressure....
Was the high blood pressure in relation to the Gabapentin?

I've never been offered anything for my Fibromyalgia ( docs don't seem to care about it around here where I live:/), and I desperately need something to ease the pain as I also have a bucket load of other medical probs including several auto-immune plus other medical conditiions and diseases which mostly all cause me pain.
I'm on morphine meds ( oxycontin and ordine- liquid morphine, but not prescribed for fibro of course). I just don't know where to turn or what to even ask for so I thought that depending on your reply to my question that maybe gabapentin might be a good place to start?
By the way, I'm in Australia and Fibro isn't given the attention that its given in the US:/
Soft, gentle hugs for you and for all of us who suffer pain, ,
MiriG

REPLY
briansr | @briansr | May 11, 2016
In reply to @learningtolive2 "I have been living with RA and Fibromyalgia for the past 3 years. I hate that..." + (show)
@learningtolive2

I have been living with RA and Fibromyalgia for the past 3 years. I hate that I have to take a handful of meds everyday and sometimes I get very frustrated with it all. I see a Rheumatologist and I think the med mixture I am on is working pretty good. I take Cymbalta- if you have any bit of depression, these dx will make it worse, cymbalta helps with chronic pain- Plaquinil and Sulfasalzine for the RA, Gabapentin for the Fibro, of course then my BP went up and I had to go on a med for that as well. Now I have had to have a total hip replacement due to OA seems I can't win.

Jump to this post

My Rheumatologist gives me soma 350 mg 3 a day if needed. The generic name<br>is carisoprodol an is for muscle pain. Narcotics will not help a<br>fibromyalgia attack but this will. But be careful taking it. The less the<br>better. You system gets very used to it then it won't work. Gabapentin is<br>really good in combination for overall pain and Fibromyalgia. Your on some<br>really strong narcs and I would think you would have to cut back on those<br>some before adding more meds. Just my opinion. briansr<br>

REPLY
jyth | @jyth | May 11, 2016
In reply to @jyth "I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. My dr sent me to a pain management program..." + (show)
@jyth

I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. My dr sent me to a pain management program for Fibro and there we were taught to deal with stress via mindful meditation and were strongly encouraged to stay active and exercise. I too wake up most morning feeling like I have the flu...headache, stomach ache and nausea, body aches, irritated bowels and bladder, weak, fatigued, etc. It's hard enough to cope with the fibro pain..mostly in my arms and back...but feeling so sick so much of the time is really depressing. The fatigue is what we have been addressing lately. I'm using a bi-pap machine and have just switched to a hospital bed with a cushy thick foam mattress and am now getting a good 8 hour sleep. But I still fall back to sleep within the first hour i get up and need a nap later on in the day as well. I used to be hyper-active, always on the go...hard to deal with the changes. Now my dr gave me a stimulant to help with the fatigue and it seemed to help for about a week, now I'm not so sure as I've been so tired these last couple days. Of course living in the northeast, the weather changes have been brutal this winter. I'm very affected by the barometer. I tried Cymbalta...it didn't help and I only gained weight on it. Not willing to try Lyrica as it also contributes to weight gain. I've gained so much this past year due to inactivity and now my pre-diabetes has developed into diabetes. It just seems to never end.

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Hi everyone,
My docs haven't mentioned Gabapentin, but I think my sister takes it for fibro. I'm staying away from the narcs so does this really help? Web searches I've done don't really mention fibro as a condition they prescribe this for but they do mention nerve pain. The stimulant I mentioned..Modafinil...is helping a little, i've asked my doc to increase the dosage and we'll see how that helps. It helps with the fatigue and helps keeping me awake and functioning at a higher level which I'm very grateful for. I'm working hard at addressing my sleep issues so I can help reduce the fatigue. Now if we could only find something that could treat the flu sick symptoms that seem to go along with barometer changes in the weather. Does anyone else have these issues?
I'm also walking with a knee brace on my left knee and use a walker as i have an inflamed IT band on my right side. This is really a drag for a once very active "jock" personality!
I'm also realizing how much stress affects the level of pain I'm experiencing! A few stressful events over the last couple weeks really put me into a well of pain, sick, unable to think straight. I'm giving the mindful meditation a more serious consideration as a combatant to this. has anyone else tried mindful meditation? I was taught to do this at the pain management clinic I attended.

REPLY
juneia | @juneia | May 11, 2016

I too am on a fixed income and I guess I am so very lucky to have my three children who can help me out .My blue cross helps somewhat..

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briansr | @briansr | May 11, 2016
In reply to @jyth "I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. My dr sent me to a pain management program..." + (show)
@jyth

I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. My dr sent me to a pain management program for Fibro and there we were taught to deal with stress via mindful meditation and were strongly encouraged to stay active and exercise. I too wake up most morning feeling like I have the flu...headache, stomach ache and nausea, body aches, irritated bowels and bladder, weak, fatigued, etc. It's hard enough to cope with the fibro pain..mostly in my arms and back...but feeling so sick so much of the time is really depressing. The fatigue is what we have been addressing lately. I'm using a bi-pap machine and have just switched to a hospital bed with a cushy thick foam mattress and am now getting a good 8 hour sleep. But I still fall back to sleep within the first hour i get up and need a nap later on in the day as well. I used to be hyper-active, always on the go...hard to deal with the changes. Now my dr gave me a stimulant to help with the fatigue and it seemed to help for about a week, now I'm not so sure as I've been so tired these last couple days. Of course living in the northeast, the weather changes have been brutal this winter. I'm very affected by the barometer. I tried Cymbalta...it didn't help and I only gained weight on it. Not willing to try Lyrica as it also contributes to weight gain. I've gained so much this past year due to inactivity and now my pre-diabetes has developed into diabetes. It just seems to never end.

Jump to this post

Gabapentin really helps alot esp in combination with soma which is a<br>schedule 4 drug. Soma or carisoprodol 350mg is for muscle pain and you take<br>it when a fibromyalgia attack is out of hand. Narc pain meds won't help. As<br>for gabapentin they usually start at 300 mg 3 a day and go up if needed. I<br>take 800mg 4 times a day for over 15 years. Works on fibromyalgia and<br>really helps my neuropathy more than anything! briansr<br>

REPLY
jharsh | @jharsh | May 17, 2016

I am 50 and was diagnosed with fibro a year ago at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The first thing I got under control was sleep. Generic Lexapro was prescribed after my PCP at home was confident I didn't have other sleep disorders. I have proven to myself this works best combined with adding a soak in an ultraviolet half sauna as part of a pre-bed nightly ritual.

After a year I finally have more days not in denial. I have been trying to improve my eating by focusing on what to eat. My cholesterol is ultra high (up to almost 400 at times) and I am trying to control it without meds at this point. I started with 3 fruits a day, 2 veggies at each lunch and dinner, fish once a week, eating out no more than once a week.

I started walking 5 minutes every other day a year ago and worked up to 30 minutes 4/5 times a week now. I continually fight myself on routines but have proven to myself that if I could focus on one thing only that us key...it is to drill the word "routine" into every fiber of my being. It's hard. At times I just want to be defiant to the whole idea.

I finally changed jobs to something manageable long term. I worked full time managing a call center for a magazine company. I was patient to find a part time accounting job that fits me and it had taken since the first of the year to adjust. Against, routine.

I started yoga once a week faithfully a year and a half ago. After a while a realized its value. Routine! I've tried swimming and tai chi, both I see will be great but I haven't been able to regularly incorporate them yet. I could tell it's too much.

I started chiropractic on December and added massage to compliment. It's been painful but improving my shoulder, neck, hips tremendously. I'm trying to find a sweet spot as far as scheduling frequency right now.

Pain became horrendous lately. It came on suddenly and now Jeff just as much so. It is always something, as other normal symptoms have taken over. I want to get a handicapped parking permit for that one day in many that the walk in our parking garage is oh so tough. I want to purchase a cane to have at home for those times when my walking is unstable and my knees buckle without warning. I put it off though because I'm fearful its acknowledging defeat in one battle of this war in my body. I plan to discuss it with my PCP next month.

My doc at Mayo is recommending magnets and acupuncture to try.

REPLY
19 replies
salena54 | @salena54 | May 17, 2016
In reply to @jharsh "I am 50 and was diagnosed with fibro a year ago at Mayo Clinic in Rochester...." + (show)
@jharsh

I am 50 and was diagnosed with fibro a year ago at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The first thing I got under control was sleep. Generic Lexapro was prescribed after my PCP at home was confident I didn't have other sleep disorders. I have proven to myself this works best combined with adding a soak in an ultraviolet half sauna as part of a pre-bed nightly ritual.

After a year I finally have more days not in denial. I have been trying to improve my eating by focusing on what to eat. My cholesterol is ultra high (up to almost 400 at times) and I am trying to control it without meds at this point. I started with 3 fruits a day, 2 veggies at each lunch and dinner, fish once a week, eating out no more than once a week.

I started walking 5 minutes every other day a year ago and worked up to 30 minutes 4/5 times a week now. I continually fight myself on routines but have proven to myself that if I could focus on one thing only that us key...it is to drill the word "routine" into every fiber of my being. It's hard. At times I just want to be defiant to the whole idea.

I finally changed jobs to something manageable long term. I worked full time managing a call center for a magazine company. I was patient to find a part time accounting job that fits me and it had taken since the first of the year to adjust. Against, routine.

I started yoga once a week faithfully a year and a half ago. After a while a realized its value. Routine! I've tried swimming and tai chi, both I see will be great but I haven't been able to regularly incorporate them yet. I could tell it's too much.

I started chiropractic on December and added massage to compliment. It's been painful but improving my shoulder, neck, hips tremendously. I'm trying to find a sweet spot as far as scheduling frequency right now.

Pain became horrendous lately. It came on suddenly and now Jeff just as much so. It is always something, as other normal symptoms have taken over. I want to get a handicapped parking permit for that one day in many that the walk in our parking garage is oh so tough. I want to purchase a cane to have at home for those times when my walking is unstable and my knees buckle without warning. I put it off though because I'm fearful its acknowledging defeat in one battle of this war in my body. I plan to discuss it with my PCP next month.

My doc at Mayo is recommending magnets and acupuncture to try.

Jump to this post

jharsh, I'm sorry to hear that you are going through so much pain. I'm 54 and have had pain most of my life. Had a severe head injury at 10 years old. It has caused me to suffer from the most awful migraines, and caused arthritis in my neck. I had a tomur and had to have a histerectomy at 22 then my gallbladder a year later. Always would run fever every evening and would suffer from the worst case of fatigue that would keep me in bed for days. I went through more test and doctors in a three year period. I was diagnosed with Lupus 10 years ago and inherited my mom's RA and dad's high blood pressure. Now the last week of this month I go for a MRI to find out if I have MS. I know I have scar tissue because I have one done every 6 years, and was told that became of the scar tissue I would likely have these type of symptoms. There are days it takes all I've got to walk, and the pain in just moving can be unbearable. Like this morning. And I got to take care of something for mom this morning. I to go to the Chiropractor and it helps wonderfully. I also get in a hot tub with Epson salt an lavender at night when it seems like nothing helps. You sound like you stay pretty active, I find that if I can do as much as I can, I can have productive days. I use a lot of different oils for my problems and they do help to a certain degree. I understand where you are coming from wanting to get a cane, I have quite a few and use them when I feel like my legs will fall from under me. I know we are still young, but we can make the best of this journey. Like you said you were eating different. It's a lifestyle change! And we can make it. Hope you have a great day. Prayers salena54

REPLY
dlady | @dlady | May 27, 2016

I do have a Facebook page but I don't use it, mostly because I'm an abuse<br>survivor & he has tried to find my many way including Facebook, thanks for<br>the info though.<br>

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robbinr | @robbinr | Jun 22, 2016
In reply to @juneia "What you describe I know very well. Just once I would like to wake up without..." + (show)
@juneia

What you describe I know very well. Just once I would like to wake up without pain and not feel I could do with more sleep. Thankfully my doctor tries his best. I have restless legs also with all the other things you have. My doctor prescribed Sinemet for my legs. It is a Parkinson medication-but I can still get where my legs jerk and the pain is terrific. So the best thing I have is a narcotic. If I don't take pain meds. to go to bed I am up trying to walk the feeling off and waiting for the pain meds. to take effect. Depression is a hard thing to manage so I have antidepressants too. My doctor feels that older people don't seem to get addicted as quickly younger people do. And what the heck at 86 what does it matter. Although I haven't so far. My children think I should try medical marijuana but my doctor says the pain killer I have is better for me.One thing I have found out when in pain rocking myself back and forth on the bed helps. Also I have knelt down as in prayer and put my head and shoulders well up on the bed and actually slept. I can't get in and out of a tub but before when I could use the tub I have found relief of pain just lying in the warm water. Fibromyalgia is a miserable thing and can be a handicap as far as having to work. I keep saying to myself I am glad it is not cancer.It doesn't help the pain but --you try anything when you have Fibromyalgia. It is the tiredness that beats you even if you have killed the pain. I just know some days I will have to sleep all day and then go to bed and sleep all night. I haven't helped much but it helped to talk about it. Take care. By the way Lyrica caused me more pain and I was really depressed. Scary.

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I second the recommendation for Therapeutic Yoga! I think that Yoga has enabled me to be more active, and although I often am sore, it feels like a good sore. But I caution you to never ignore a sharp pain that is persistent and keeps getting worse. I dislocated my shoulder one time, and thought it was just Fibro pain, until I finally went to a chiropractor and he put my arm in a sling for six weeks - at the beginning of gardening season!

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1langla | @1langla | Jun 23, 2016

Hi!I've Fibromyalgia.So,I know what that's like.But,I hope your pain's<br>better!<br>

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