Fibromyalgia pain: Let's connect

Posted by clownscrytoo @clownscrytoo, Oct 22, 2016

Is there anyone here that suffers from fibro? I had the 'tender spot test' several years ago and I had 17 out of the 18. I try my hardest to get through the pain with my 4 hydrocodone/acetaminaphine pills a day, Tiger Balm rubbed into areas that are the worst, light exercises, and distracting myself with hobbies or chores, etc; but there are many occasions where none of that helps and I spend most of the day holding down the couch, getting up about 30-45 minutes after that, walking/standing around the house for 15-20 minutes, or sitting for about 15-30 min. I do not drive and my husband works 6 days a week, overtime almost every day, so I'm alone a lot. my wonderful husband is very supportive and I am very grateful for that, but my only other friends are online, out of state, and I will probably never even get to meet them. when extreme pain takes over, my depression takes over and it is so difficult to find hope. does anyone have tips for fibro, whether diet or over-the-counter meds (I've tried them all, I think), or anything, besides hobbies and such? I've tried every over-the-counter med, and the Tiger Balm does cover some of what the pain pill doesn't help, but I'm hoping one of our members might have some knowledge that could help. I'd really appreciate it.
hugz,
Clownscrytoo

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Fibromyalgia Support Group.

@colleenyoung

Hi all, please take note of guideline number 2 in Connect's Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines

2. Remain respectful at all times.
- Exercise tolerance and respect toward other participants whose views may differ from your own. Disagreements are fine, but mutual respect is a must.
- Personal attacks against members are not acceptable. Such posts will be removed.

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Thank you for the reminder

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@lioness

@mwcates I know how you feel I was diagnosed in 1992 by my pressure points and conversation so I,ve had to do trial and error I went to groupy one thing helped a little was isometric exercises Since then Ive found ice helps Tens unit and m ke you said is keeping busy with hobbies .Is there anything that helps you ?

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Hot baths with Epsom salts and heating pads are my best remedies during flares, but this last one was so bad I could hardly hold still with this last one, extra rest/sleep helped a lot. Best of luck to you

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@ckeys

Hot baths with Epsom salts and heating pads are my best remedies during flares, but this last one was so bad I could hardly hold still with this last one, extra rest/sleep helped a lot. Best of luck to you

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Same!

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I have found over the years that taking herbs like tumeric and tart cherry (and a rotating list of affordable herbs and vitamins) to cool the fires of inflammation has helped mightily. While I was treating other issues or concerns to get more mobile, the fibromyalgia has calmed as well.

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@freshair, would you believe that my medical management physician (assigned by the insurance company) was a tad bit upset with me for my usage of different things such as turmeric, flaxseed oil capsules, etc. Even though my PCP encourages me! Each physician is trained differently, and those who arent fond of supplements claim they are a waste of good money and time. But I have found pain relief by using a variety of things. My "medicine pouch" as my Native American forebears would have called it. Minimalism, meditation, music, movies....Staying busy. Taking time to rest. I guess we all have to find what works best for us until there is a cure. I try to be optimistic with that. In 1990 when I was diagnosed at the Kirklin Clinic (Part of the UAB medical system in Birmingham, Alabama) it was even suggested that Fibromyalgia was just a "fad" condition of bored housewives. Even today there are specialists who withhold appropriate treatment because they stilk think that if we just move enough, just lose weight enough, we will be magically "healed."

Have a wonderful day and I hope it is as pain free as possible!

Mamacita

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@ckeys

Hot baths with Epsom salts and heating pads are my best remedies during flares, but this last one was so bad I could hardly hold still with this last one, extra rest/sleep helped a lot. Best of luck to you

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@ckeys , I absolutely adore hot baths with Epsom Salts! One of my favorite go tos. Naps or just putting my feet up at about the same time every day. Reading. Getting on here and conversing with all you lovely people. They say it takes a village. In our case, I think it takes a village's many different approaches as well. The tried and true. Who knows? The cure may be in our lifetime!

Mamacita

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@parus

@lioness Placed an order this morning. Thank you for helping me navigate the process...Was so easy. Yes, overcoming a fear of something can be the largest obstacle. Adult coloring is helping many. I do so occasionally. I find it to be a type of meditation. Also find it hard to put down.. Excited about receiving the shipment. Have a nice day. Planning to break camp at some point today.

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Parus, I bought an adult coloring book for myself a couple years ago, when I bought one for the Grandchild. His was simpler, but I have had a lot of fun with both. I love color and using it to express myself in different ways. I was a pretty good little artist as a child, but got away from it in the sixth grade when my teacher erased my work. I've told this story before, but I erased what she did and gave it back to her. She was incensed. I was sent out into the hallway at school where I was at the mercy of a roaming Principal. Ahh, good times. Love you!
Mamacita

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@mwcates, welcome! I look forward to enjoying your art work! I have several young cousins who are wonderful artists, and a niece also who does beautiful work. Making art is an incredible gift that I admire greatly. I had hoped to take art lessons myself after I retired, but we seem to be too busy doing other things. Hopefully that won't always be the case. Just need to get my ducks in a row. Every now and then I buy supplies for the kid's classes at church, and my Grandchildren, in the hopes that we will create something of beauty together. Have a great day today, and thanks for your input here. Glad to have you!

Mamacita

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@parus

@mwcates He most certainly did!!! I have found when my mind is busy with other things I am distracted from the pain and discomfort. Distraction is my most valuable tool. Thank you for sharing and encouraging others.

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Parus, do you enjoy going to the movie theaters? The oddest thing, I have discovered in years past,my pain disappears while I am watching an interesting movie on the big screen. TV watching, not so much. Although I could easily binge watch Disney movies and British T.V. I've gotten a lot of much needed housework completed, including the sad piles of clean but wrinkled laundry. Just wondered if anyone else experienced that effect. Pain returns almost instantly, however. Oh well. C'est la vie, I suppose. Until the cure.

Until next time,

Mamacita

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@colleenyoung

Hi all, please take note of guideline number 2 in Connect's Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines

2. Remain respectful at all times.
- Exercise tolerance and respect toward other participants whose views may differ from your own. Disagreements are fine, but mutual respect is a must.
- Personal attacks against members are not acceptable. Such posts will be removed.

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Thank you, Colleen, for your gentle reminder. When we are in pain sometimes we have hurt unaided, unheard, for so long, that almost anything will trigger even more pain. Fibromyalgia is particularly heinous, because so many people don't believe us. Our own families don't believe us. Our own church members pray for our "healing" year after year, and even best friends simply give up on us. I " lost " a best friend because every time she wanted to do something I couldn't go. She eventually got tired of hearing me say I was in pain.

I haven't seen her since January of this year. This condition steals joy. It takes away the life you had. But if you are lucky, you find your own special tribe, and you go on from there.

I love your knowledge and your wisdom in everything you do for us here on Connect. I truly believe you understand this condition inside and out. Just thought I would share a little bit of what makes this particular FibroWarrior tick. I get cranky and sore, impatient and thoughtless from time to time. I forget important dates, appointments, and sometimes I am too sick to eat. The very act of taking necessary medication is too much.

Just ask my youngest daughter about the things I have done just this year, that disappointed her to the core. I let her down terribly at one point because I was in so much pain I could not think straight. It's called FibroFog. And I know you know that too.

I just felt led to share my thoughts with our wonderful community that we have here. If anyone out there is in pain, and needs to hear this, I am glad I was obedient to the voice of the Heavenlies. We are not alone. We all have each other. One day, a cure!

I appreciate you so much!

Mamacita

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