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Fibromyalgia -- Need help on how to handle severe pain
Fibromyalgia | Last Active: Oct 29, 2023 | Replies (156)Comment receiving replies
My Rheumatologist also referred me back to my PCP and said to get a referral to a pain specialist. The pain specialist wasn't helpful.
My PCP prescribed gabapentin which helped but the side effects were horrible. I thought I had dimentia! So I stopped taking it. Then I tried nortriptyline and those side effects were terrible. It did work. I had to go off of it.
So right now I don't want to take any more meds, I already take several meds for chronic depression with PTSD. Those meds make it difficult to add such drugs as gabapentin and nortriptyline.
It took me 3 years to get a diagnosis.
My joint pain is much worse, muscle pain is awful and muscle weakness and sleep disturbance make for a changed life.
I celebrate the rare good days and don't fret anymore when I am relegated to the couch.
Whenever I do anything extraordinary like travel, hike on a rare good day, or walk 30 minutes 5 days in a row, I can expect a bad flare.
I apologize for the run on sentences. Too tired today to correct.
I meditate, stretch and move around for an hour and a half when I get up in the morning. Meditation helps.
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What kind of stretches do you do, just general all-over body stretches?
Mornings are my toughest as far as pain goes. Thank you.
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Hi, @rocknrobbn - Understandably, the cycle of meds and side effects, and not wanting to add more to the mix is a frustrating plight. You might be interested in the following discussion:
Moderation and Modification: How can it help your chronic pain? -
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/moderation-and-modification-how-can-you-benefit/
Perhaps you'll find tips, or be inspired by others accounts of what helps them manage symptoms from a non-medicine perspective.
While doing extraordinary things like hiking or walking 30 minutes 5 days in a row may set you back, tweaking the approach or plan may still allow you to find your joy without suffering so much. You mention muscle weakness. Deconditioning sneaks in so easily when living in chronic pain. Have you tried a gentle, daily stretch routine?