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DiscussionChronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 41 minutes ago | Replies (7072)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "INTRODUCTION: I'm Jeanne, 78 yrs old with Fibromyalgia, Encapsulated Rt. shoulder, and DJD shoulder/hip/lower back pain..."
Hi @jeannegordon4, I also suffer from fibromyalgia but I cannot take any pain medications because genetically, I don't properly metabolize them which makes them not work for me.
Therefore, I do a couple of things to help with my fibromyalgia pain...
• Like you have listed above... heat. Staying warm reduces my pain, so I wear layers and also take hot showers frequently.
• Upon waking in the morning, I stretch while still laying in bed. My primary care physician suggested this, and I was surprised how much better something so simple makes me feel.
• Acupuncture! I was skeptical, but a year ago, my PCP finally got me to go to a provider that he knew had succeeded with many people he personally knows. I remain stunned that I can go to an appointment with a level 8/10 pain and leave two hours later with a level 3/10 pain. It doesn't relieve all of my pain, but it does reduce it. When I first started going, I had to go once each week, and sometimes I get up to three weeks in between. In the winter, it's down to one-to-two weeks because the cold weather makes me hurt more.
• Massage also helps, but I don't see anyone. I just mostly have my husband rub my legs and arms.
Hello @jeannegordon4,
I apologize if this is repeat information. But I suggest checking out the following discussion centered around fibromyalgia specifically. Feel free to click on the link, read through the discussion, and participate where you feel comfortable:
- fibromyalgia pain, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fibromyalgia-pain-28e002/
@jeannegordon4
I took Lyrica for just a few weeks, and it was starting to help with my neuropathy pain. Unfortunately, the side effects put me in the hospital. Incoherent, memory loss, signs of stroke and others that I don't remember. I wish I could have taken it. Pain control is a huge challenge. I finally had a spinal cord stimulator implant and the pain in my feet has improved significantly. Morphine and meloxicam and.sometimes oxycodone and muscle relaxers are added to the mix. Finding what works is very much an individual process. I'm restricted by the fact that I had peptic ulcers in the past - NSAIDs are off limits, though I take some anyway and choose to live with the consequences. It would be great if Lyrica works for you.
Jim