@andilynn

Wanda, I’m so sorry you have to struggle with this awful illness. Check out the 4-7-8 breathing technique online. I especially like the YouTube videos where Dr. Andrew Weil demonstrates this simple relaxing technique. I find that it gives me a better sense of well being if I do it twice daily as recommended. Good luck. I am a chronic pain sufferer too.

Jump to this post

I have had fibro now for 12 years , it showed it s ugly head about a year after my husband died , I have tried a ton of meds and most do not work well or they make me sick ,,,, I am allergic or have bad reactions to most medications …I do take hydrocodone/acphiminom 2 a day one in the morning and half about 4 pm and another half at night with clonazepam and vit D and aspirin and atorvastatin for cholesterol , I wanted to say that fibro is notorious for making people not react well with meds, I have heard it is a typical symptom, also does anyone here get swollen hands in the mornings or when they lay down ? I just started this and never had this problem before but now its terrible , my fingers feel like small sausages in the morning or when I lay down for a nap which I dread doing because I have to start the 2 hr process all over again of waking up , but if I don’t I am just to tired to function. My hands and arms hurt so badly I have a hard time even moving in the morning ……About your stomach area, my Dr says that fibro can also react with muscles in your stomach area and isn’t just our outer muscles that we usually feel the most , but I have had stomach pain every morning for years , and the Dr told me to take one Imodium AD , sometimes I take two ,,,it stops the stomach pain and works really well…..and it doesn’t constipate me , you could try it though as it is inexpensive and may help you . Check first that it wont effect any of your other medications . Lots of love and peace from pain to all .

@clownscrytoo I have fibro and it is living with pain every day , some days more then most …however I have found a reward system works well for me …I find it hard to get moving also , and to have any motivation at all …so I reward myself …for instance …if you really are getting hungry I would say to myself I cannot have anything to eat until I put the wash in the washer or dryer, or if I have to go to the bathroom I say ,,,I cannot go until I fill the sink with dishes , or whip counters off. …Or you could say if you make the bed you can get a treat like ice cream or a candy …sometimes I say if I want to do my reading I have to take a bath first …see what I mean ? It works….I have had this for 12 yrs , and do not have anyone to care for me , so I have had to find a lot of motivation on my own …also I only take 2 of the same meds you do a day , I found that the more pain I can endure the more I can live with ….this is not for everyone , but I am used to a 6 on the pain scale , I went without my meds for a couple months , unless it was so bad I couldn’t breath ,,,,then I sort of got used to the pain …another thing that helped me is to watch movies that are inspiring of pain such as GI Jane , or Rambo , or movies where women have to over come struggles and pain to live , it seems to help give me strength ….I wish you luck on your journey and pray you find some peace , blessings ….Oh and if you are up to it look up Moola Mantra on Utube…its a chant and helps focus your mind on something other then pain and also helps to relax which then helps you and the pain .

I have fibromyalgia and cannot tolerate the usual meds for it, so I basically live with it. I posted in the caregiver section about being a caregiver for my husband, working full time, having all the financial and physical responsibilities of a home/relationship, planning to retire this year, but just overwhelmed by it all. I would like to read a good book on this condition and how to live with it. Is it true that it can be set off by trauma, surgery, illness, stress? I’ve read gentle exercise helps, but I hate exercise of any kind. I had a terrible flare between Christmas and the first part of February where I hurt so much, I felt like I had been hit by a truck, and I was so exhausted I needed to rest every chance possible. I felt like I was weighted down with one of those lead X-ray aprons. I’m out of the flare now, but I have to be so careful on doing too much on my better days. Any advice would be well received. Thanks

@hmr52

I have fibromyalgia and cannot tolerate the usual meds for it, so I basically live with it. I posted in the caregiver section about being a caregiver for my husband, working full time, having all the financial and physical responsibilities of a home/relationship, planning to retire this year, but just overwhelmed by it all. I would like to read a good book on this condition and how to live with it. Is it true that it can be set off by trauma, surgery, illness, stress? I’ve read gentle exercise helps, but I hate exercise of any kind. I had a terrible flare between Christmas and the first part of February where I hurt so much, I felt like I had been hit by a truck, and I was so exhausted I needed to rest every chance possible. I felt like I was weighted down with one of those lead X-ray aprons. I’m out of the flare now, but I have to be so careful on doing too much on my better days. Any advice would be well received. Thanks

Jump to this post

Welcome to Connect @hmr52,
I moved your message to this discussion about Fibromyalgia so you can meet others coping with the same condition. Please meet @sandytoes14 @kdubois @clownscrytoo @robbinr @wandamiller @irene5 and so many others who are active here. In fact, both you and @michiganstressedlady joined yesterday, both talking about your experiences as caregivers and managing fibro.

Hmr52, have you tried acupuncture? @kdubois mentions having success with it.

@hmr52

I have fibromyalgia and cannot tolerate the usual meds for it, so I basically live with it. I posted in the caregiver section about being a caregiver for my husband, working full time, having all the financial and physical responsibilities of a home/relationship, planning to retire this year, but just overwhelmed by it all. I would like to read a good book on this condition and how to live with it. Is it true that it can be set off by trauma, surgery, illness, stress? I’ve read gentle exercise helps, but I hate exercise of any kind. I had a terrible flare between Christmas and the first part of February where I hurt so much, I felt like I had been hit by a truck, and I was so exhausted I needed to rest every chance possible. I felt like I was weighted down with one of those lead X-ray aprons. I’m out of the flare now, but I have to be so careful on doing too much on my better days. Any advice would be well received. Thanks

Jump to this post

@hmr52 I have had fibro for 12 yrs now , I got it shortly after my husbands death about a yr later and yes I do believe it is stress, illness, and trauma related, I have read an excellent book called The Fibromyalgia Advocate , written by Devin J. Starlanyl, MD Getting Support you need to cope with fibro and myofascial pain syndrome ….A girlfriend gave it to me and it opened my eyes to things I hadn’t heard on the net….I hope you find it helpful and prayers to you .

Does anyone else have swelling with just their hands , especially in the mornings , My fingers feel like sausages and my hands don’t want to work….also when I lay down I get horrid heat, burning up heat, and I thought it was menopause but sense it only happens when I lay down now I am wondering if my Fibro is doing this and its just a new symptom.

@michiganstressedlady

Does anyone else have swelling with just their hands , especially in the mornings , My fingers feel like sausages and my hands don’t want to work….also when I lay down I get horrid heat, burning up heat, and I thought it was menopause but sense it only happens when I lay down now I am wondering if my Fibro is doing this and its just a new symptom.

Jump to this post

I have severe osteoarthritis and have had carpal tunnel surgery. My morning hand swelling is related to the arthritis. I don’t know about your “hotness” upon lying down though. Most morning hand swelling is arthritis related, I believe. It is inconvenient. I try to keep my hands elevated as much as possible at night. Sorry you are suffering. Feel better. Irene

Thank you Irene , I didn’t realize hand swelling was arthritis related ,My Dr. has checked for markers for swelling and inflammation but by the time I get blood work done the swelling is down , and when I see him it isn’t right after I wake so I have taken pics to show the swelling when I go for my next physical this week . I was worried it was my heart …and the hotness, only when I lay down , is just weird , it goes away after a half hr or so but very uncomfortable , I use a pillow in the freezer to help me fall asleep . but worried about what is causing it . It could be my menopause but I don’t have any hot flashes during the day so didn’t think that was what it is thank you for your response and sorry you are going through such pain . Blessings / @irene5

@michiganstressedlady

Thank you Irene , I didn’t realize hand swelling was arthritis related ,My Dr. has checked for markers for swelling and inflammation but by the time I get blood work done the swelling is down , and when I see him it isn’t right after I wake so I have taken pics to show the swelling when I go for my next physical this week . I was worried it was my heart …and the hotness, only when I lay down , is just weird , it goes away after a half hr or so but very uncomfortable , I use a pillow in the freezer to help me fall asleep . but worried about what is causing it . It could be my menopause but I don’t have any hot flashes during the day so didn’t think that was what it is thank you for your response and sorry you are going through such pain . Blessings / @irene5

Jump to this post

Do you take anything with niacin? I know that can cause heat issues. It could be menopause though. Back in the day, I remember having significant “hotness” at night. FYI my hands are still swollen, and I have already been up for three hours. It takes several hours for them to be “normal” enough to put on my rings. I am no longer able to zip, button, open bottles etc. Losing my independence has been hardest for me. My hands, however, are the least of my medical issues. I am grateful for each day, and I am blessed with many angels. Try not to stress Michigan stressed lady! And I realize that is easier said than done. Blessings back. Irene

@irene5 I don’t take anything vitamin wise , as I seem to get sick to stomach every time I do …. So sorry to hear about your hands , that sucks ! Must be so hard on you , and I do understand, on top of fibro I take care of my BF of 12 yrs , who is 520 lbs and has FTD, He has a bed in the living room and is very aggressive , likes to put me down and such , its difficult caring about someone when they are like this ,,,as you can imagine ,,, Have a good day luv and hang in there. I am with you in spirit . My name is Deb btw , ..very nice to meet you here .

So kind of you to care for your BF. Don’t forget yourself. I’m sorry you have to put up with someone who is taking the heart out you. I’ll pray for you.

@michiganstressedlady

@irene5 I don’t take anything vitamin wise , as I seem to get sick to stomach every time I do …. So sorry to hear about your hands , that sucks ! Must be so hard on you , and I do understand, on top of fibro I take care of my BF of 12 yrs , who is 520 lbs and has FTD, He has a bed in the living room and is very aggressive , likes to put me down and such , its difficult caring about someone when they are like this ,,,as you can imagine ,,, Have a good day luv and hang in there. I am with you in spirit . My name is Deb btw , ..very nice to meet you here .

Jump to this post

I will keep you in my prayers.

@basslakeview

I was diagnosed in 1991 after suffering from a flu virus. Its like I recovered from the fever and was left with the pain I had from the flu. (I suppose thats why i think it was brought on by the flu.)

I also take pain medication, but because I only have one kidney (lost one in 1999 because of a benign oncocytoma tumor) , my nephrologist said not to take any anti inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen was the only thing that helped my pain so I was told by a general practitioner (before my kidney tumor) I could take up to 6 a day so that’s what I took for too many ‘years.’ One of my surgeons that removed the kidney said that could have been the cause of the tumor, so, after that long explanation, my advise to you…just be careful about your kidneys and liver. I was told some meds filter through one or the other.

After that scare and the recom. to watch what drugs i took, i have ended up taking Methadone (an opiod drug). It works better for me than the one i was on before (Vicoden). I don’t get the highs I used to get from the Vicoden and it lasts longer.

Jump to this post

Wanda, after all these years of FM suffering, and all the different kinds of pain, I have never experienced that feeling you described of “burning from the inside.”
Thats a new description I’ve never heard or read about. I have pain some days it seems everwhere, and now I have arthritis which just adds to it. I didnt think it was possible to have more chronic pain then I already had with the FM. Ugh!!

Everyone else. …
I did find a doctor in Houston (in my earlier years with this FM pain) that actually had been researching and trying different things with patients trying to find a cure. She had me giving myself injections of glutathione. It really helped a lot and I thought I was cured so I stopped doing it because it is a little pricey and the trips to Houston from where i live is a 5 hour drive, but back then i was much younger and i was willing to do/try anything. After a few years of much reduced pain; pain i could live with, it all came back (wuth a vengeance) when my only child died in 2013. I had to retire in 2014. The grief and the pain was too much.

The doctor’s name (and I had found some of her studies online if you’re interested in checking her out, is Patricia Salvato, M.D., Internal Medicine. I still have her address, phone # if anyone is interested. This was a long time ago. She may be retired by now. I haven’t researched her in a long time.

Good luck, everyone. Bless you.

@michiganstressedlady

Does anyone else have swelling with just their hands , especially in the mornings , My fingers feel like sausages and my hands don’t want to work….also when I lay down I get horrid heat, burning up heat, and I thought it was menopause but sense it only happens when I lay down now I am wondering if my Fibro is doing this and its just a new symptom.

Jump to this post

@michiganstressedlady I have horrible swelling,pain and stiffness in my hands. Doctor said mine was arthritis. I don’t have any ‘heat’ except hot flashes from menopause. I’m currently in a fibro flare with extreme fatigue and stiffness. I’m using my Spoons wisely.

@michiganstressedlady

Does anyone else have swelling with just their hands , especially in the mornings , My fingers feel like sausages and my hands don’t want to work….also when I lay down I get horrid heat, burning up heat, and I thought it was menopause but sense it only happens when I lay down now I am wondering if my Fibro is doing this and its just a new symptom.

Jump to this post

I have been having a long-lasting flare also with unusual joint swelling then long periods of expelling fluids.
I think that the worry about our political state bleeds over into our health response if you are a worrier like me.
Feel better! Robbin