Fibromyalgia pain: Let's connect

Hello robbinr and ty for info on artificial sweeteners. What about the natural sweetner Stevia?

I have had FM for roughly 17 years and this year got a separate diagnosis for burning and painful swelling in my hands and feet: erythromelalgia. It’s rare, but it’s real. Mayo Clinic has a specialist. Check it out!

Morning ....I looked back on the threads for fibro and see that at least one of them mentioned amitriptyline being of great use with the pain as well as many other symptoms of this relentless illness. My husband had it for over 30 years....(he passed away a year ago from complications of PD) and oh so many trials of different meds as well as exercise and really living, day to day without such terrible pains and exhaustion. If he didn't take amitriptyline daily, as well as a bit of a pain reducer...he took 1/2 of a vicodin when he just couldn't handle the body pains and chills. This combo allowed him to live and find peace and comfort daily.
His symptoms started after he was diagnosed with feline toxoplasmosis...a few months after he fell ill and had cleaned up cat feces from a rental we had. Then he was diagnosed with Epstein Barr....then fibro. It was a long and difficult journey, for sure. He was a trooper that never complained..but was always aware of his physical limits..overdoing really caused havoc. After many medications and tests..'amitriptyline' was a real lifesaver for him. These days, with all the research on CBD and it's healing abilities...one might look into this type of modality for relief of many of the debilitating symptoms. CBD can be purchased online if a dispensary is not available to you. There is no THC in it. Our bodies are designed to recognize CBD and its many benefits. I wish you the best.

I developed fibromyalgia recently. I believe it was after having a spinal fusion. I also began having vestibular migraines and involuntary movements. I believe it is all connected to my surgery. There is not one doctor who will validate my beliefs. I have never fully recovered from my fusion or been the same since. Best of luck to you all,
Kat

I have two acquaintances whose opinions coincide in suggesting that "fibromyalgia" is a "junk diagnosis." One is a massage therapist (deep tissue work based on the work of Paul St John initially, but added to through decades of experience and incorporating other methods). She has keep me going relatively pain-free, and flexible since 2001. The other acquaintance is a reiki practitioner. While I have not yet recognized any relief from reiki, she agrees with my massage therapist that what should be treated is multiple tender trigger points.
Hope this helps.

It seems odd to me now, but I mention it for illustrative purposes--I started seeing the massage therapist after she came to my workplace to give chair massages thinking that we would all need some relief coping with dealing with the effects of 9/11.
She found so many spots on my chest and back which were tender to palpation, even when she was barely touching them, that it seemed like something I needed to pursue.

I have had fibromyalgia for about 35 years. It had spells escalating for a while, then would sort of level out for a while. Of course, it finally got to the point of being permanent with aches and pains. Doctor prescribed a few different "pain relief" meds; worthless. Several years ago a doctor prescribed Tramadol for back pain, due to degenerative disc disease, and arthritis. It did nothing at all for those pains, but I discovered that it DOES help fibromyalgia aches! My pain doctor now prescribes it---50 mg, three times a day. I take it the minute I wake up, and in about 45 minutes I can function much better. I would hate to be without it just for the fibromyalgia.

I understand very well what your going through. The never ending pain. The bed ridden times. I just started making myself get out of bed I felt like I just wanted to die sometimes, but I said to myself I'm not going to let this beat me pain meds or no pain meds. I get up and try to keep moving or I would be dependent on others. I couldn't stand not cooking cleaning and moving as much as possible. I'm doing it. It's hard but if you stay in bed you just get worse you got to move around.

That’s interesting. Have you continued to have pain in those areas since then?
Kat

I’ve heard a lot about Tramadol. I currently take Gabapentin 300mg two times a day and a 100mg dose midday. I take Neurtec every other day for migraine associated vertigo. I also alternate Tylenol and Advil every four hours. I go to physical therapy twice a week, since my spinal fusion over a year ago. I still suffer tremendously and haven’t been able to work since January.
Best of luck to you all,
Kat