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.

@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

How have you managed your insomnia?

REPLY
@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

I found a good sleep doctor who put me on temezapam.

REPLY
@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

Just backing up a little so bear with me... If you don't mind my asking, the "medical condition" is fibromyalgia?

REPLY
@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.

Jump to this post

Duloxetine, an SNRI antidepressant, can help some folks with chronic pain of multiple origins. Fewer side effects than the old tricyclics but still some.

REPLY
@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

Yes

REPLY

@disgusted What did you GP do that helped? What is your diagnosis?

REPLY
@disgusted

I have concluded that most ailments that are diagnosed as being fibromyalgia are not autoimmune diseases at all and that rheumatologists are generally surprisingly inept at treating most forms of the disease. I got way better treatment from my general physician than anyone else. I made three trips to Mayo Clinic and the folks there never even were able to diagnose me properly, much less give me any effective treatment. One doctor glared at me and said, "Nobody every died of pain. Just go home and get over it."

Jump to this post

Oh, my word, what that dr said shows he has never had chronic pain - the<br>nerve of him treating someone who needs help with pain and saying THAT.<br>Bless you......from ladyjane85<br><br>

REPLY

And I have had no relief at all from gabapentin - as is usual with most<br>meds. And it makes me drowsy all day and unable to sleep at<br>night. from ladyjane85<br><br>

REPLY
@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

I have fibromyalgia plus chronic back pain that overshadows the fibro. I am<br>most often in 8 to 9 pain level. I try to meditate, but nothing takes my<br>pain away. ladyjane85<br><br>

REPLY
@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

I agree that sleep is a big problem with all kinds of chronic pain. Hard<br>for me to get relief......from ladyjane85<br><br>

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.