I have fibromialga anything to help with pain????????

Answer 1

Been there, done that, and I have the disability to prove it.

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition where the patient feels constant pain and their body expresses some sensations as a pain response. It is a diagnose of exclusion meaning that after a long series of tests and other possible diagnoses, which don’t pan out then it must be Fibromyalgia. I came down with it in October 1989 and the diagnosis wasn’t official until the spring of 1992.

At first I used NSAIDs to treat my pain; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You can buy these medications over the counter; Motron, Aleve (Naproxen Sodium), Orudis, aspirin and others. Be careful though because long-term use of these drugs can lead to stomach, liver or kidney damage. The most powerful drug I ever used was Prednosin, a steroid. The drug is a very powerful pain reliever it also is the cheapest. However, it can cause bone death, spontaneous nosebleeds, fits of rage or fear and other nasty side effects. I haven’t had Prednosion in years, and when I did I was given only a 2-week dose at maximum. Even that short spell created some nasty problems.

I have avoided taking narcotics for several reasons; they lose their effectiveness over time, weaning yourself off the drug causes depression, and due to the threat of the FDA doctors routinely under-prescribe narcotics. A doctor can lose their medical license if they prescribe too many or too much to one patient.

Currently I am on Ultram (generic Tramadol), which is a very good drug that has fewer side effects than many NSAIDs. I have been on it since 1994. Recently I talked with a fellow FM sufferer and got her to switch from narcotics to Tramadol and she is happier.

Fibromyalgia effects the patient in three ways; chronic pain, insomnia and depression. This cycle can be pretty bad and has led me down the road toward suicide once. The more pain you have the less sleep you get, the less sleep you get, the more depressed you become, which only worsens the pain and makes it even harder to sleep.

To try and break this cycle I have been prescribed antidepressants. Amyptriptaline is supposed to help with the pain, but it never did me any good. I have taken Seroquel to help me sleep, and I am currently taking Welbutrin; an antidepressant. Clearly I have a major case and few cases get that bad. So take heart you can beat it, but the best way to deal with it is to accept it and go on from there.

Ambien and Lunesta won’t help for more than 2 weeks because while they provide help with sleeping you don’t get the restorative sleep that you need. I take 4 mgs of Melatonin (a sleep hormone that your body produces) and Valiren Root both of which can be found over the counter in a drug store.

There are some long terms problems with drug use. They are dehydrating so you need to drink a lot of water, and you may even need a stool softener. I also take fiber pills, but still have to schedule surgery to correct a problem down under. Since most of these drugs dehydrate you it can affect your teeth. With less water in the mouth the bacteria that causes tooth decay isn’t washed away as easily. So I highly suggest that you start drinking a lot of water.

Exercise, especially moving around in a pool is supposed to help the pain. It may hurt to exercise, but if you do so then it will reduce your pain latter, provided you are careful to not over do it. The single best method I have found for treating the condition is distraction. If you are doing something that you really enjoy then it can take your mind off the pain.

There are many problems with having FM. First the diagnosis was only recognized by the medical world in the last 10 years or so. My current doctor says that he believes I am sick and he will treat me, but he doesn’t believe in the disease. If a doctor doesn’t believe in it then imagine how hard it is for others to accept your condition. Second when a person is constantly seeking pain relief they can look like a hypochondriac or a drug seeker. I have actually had a physician’s assistant tell my boss that I was faking my illness (if only that was true). Third there is no test and no way to prove that you are actually sick. Medically I am perfectly healthy, but actually I am so bad off that I can’t work anymore. Fourth FM is an orphan disease. It is considered to be a form or rheumatism, but Rheumatologists (quote: If we saw Fibromyalgia patients we would be just seeing Fibromyalgia patients all day) refuse to treat FM patients. The pain clinic doesn’t want to get involved either because they can’t cure you. So the only doctors who will see you are Psychiatrists, this makes other medical professionals think that your problem is all in your mind. My psychiatrists have always thought that the pain was NOT a psychological problem, but I do suffer from chronic depression. They can try to help, but beyond group therapy and supplying you with drugs there is little that they can do. Fifth since doctors don’t know what causes the disorder they can’t cure it, they can only treat the symptoms.

You should research the condition some, since you are going to be stuck with it for the rest of your life. I would suggest that you start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia

Clearly I know a lot more about the condition so if you want you can contact me via my Avatar.

Answer 2

Massage therapy, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, sitting in a hot sauna or hot tub -. Taking long walks and breathing exercises. More vitamin D is also good for you. I have know others with this painful maladie, they usually follow up on at least 2 of the aforementioned. Good luck

Answer 3

Get your thyroid tested by having a morning only TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and an antibody test. Many people with fibro, also are hypothyroid. With a hypothyroidism diagnosis, you could go on a medication like Armour thyroid. Armour thyroid has helped many who are hypo who have fibro pain.

Answer 4

I've had it for about 8 years now. The best thing for me personally is walking or swimming regularly (low impact aerobics) to keep it in check. When I experience a flare up it helps me to soak in a hot tub and get extra rest. I also meditate to keep my stress level down since that is a big trigger for me.

Good luck!

Answer 5

My friend loved the spa.

I love it too for any of my aches.

So worth it.

Answer 6

http://www.newstarget.com/Fibromyalgia.html

Feature articles on Fibromyalgia:
Fibromyalgia’s New Foe: High-Tech Medical Device Shows Increasing Efficacy for the Debilitating Symptoms of FMS (press release)
Fibromyalgia patients worldwide are seeing rapid improvement in their symptoms from a high-tech medical device indicated for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and pain. The device employs two distinct technologies, Microcurrent...


Baby girls born to mothers burdened by stress may be at risk for fibromyalgia (press release)
Experiences while in the womb can have long-term consequences Stressful or traumatic events experienced during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the fetus, yet these effects may not become apparent until many years later, according...


Acupuncture Relieves Symptoms of Fibromyalgia (press release)
Evidence suggests acupuncture reduces the symptoms of fibromyalgia, according to a Mayo Clinic study. Fibromyalgia is a disorder considered disabling by many, and is characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms such as fatigue, joint stiffness and sleep disturbance. No...


Fibromyalgia Symptoms Relieved with Natural Ingredients (press release)
Fibromyalgia sufferers can now find fibromyalgia symptom relief with Fibro-Balance, a natural supplement that uses organic ingredients to help the body balance the nutrition required for healing. Fibro-Balance is a unique formula designed by Dr. Edward F. Group III, Chief Executive Officer of...


New Roots of Chronic Pain Discovered: Clear the Emotions, Clear the Pain (press release)
A groundbreaking new treatment for fibromyalgia is successful because it addresses the emotional and physical trauma that is believed to be at the root of this chronic illness. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Many people associate the development of fibromyalgia with a physically or...


Stress-reduction techniques boost health, minimize disease risk
Stress is more than a discomfort. Studies indicate that it can be a threat to your health. A study published in the journal Neurology in 2003 found that the people most prone to distress were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease as the people least prone to distress. A Duke...


Heat-generating dogs treat fibromyalgia pain in humans
Nancy Gordon has no trouble remembering her first encounter with a Mexican hairless dog, a Xoloitzcuintli. Renowned for their intense body heat, Xolos (pronounced sho-los) have been used as therapy dogs for centuries -- and Gordon soon discovered why. "I put my wrists under his belly where I was having...


Non-surgical treatment of fibromyalgia - an interview with Dr. Paul Whitcomb
Ben:My name is Ben Kage. I'm here with Mike Adams. We're excited about what we've read regarding your treatments for fibromyalgia using chiropractic medicine, and we wondering if you'd be able to enlighten us on a few questions we have for you. Mike:And I want to mention up front...


Surgery can cause fibromyalgia; chiropractic care can effectively treat it, says Dr. Whitcomb
Dr. Paul Whitcomb, a chiropractor in South Lake Tahoe, Ca, doesn't want to offer fibromyalgia sufferers false hope. However, he has developed a chiropractic treatment that has been successful in treating 95 percent of his fibromyalgia patients. Approximately 3.7 million Americans, mostly women, currently...




Concept-related articles:
arthritis:
Revealed: which fruit and vegetable juices alleviate arthritis pain without drugs or surgery
Exercise accelerates recovery from arthritis surgery
Most People With Arthritis Don’t Get Enough Exercise (press release)
Arthritis creams merely mask symptoms and offer no long-term relief, study shows
doctors:
The great direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising con: how patients and doctors alike are easily influenced to demand dangerous drugs
medications:
The great direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising con: how patients and doctors alike are easily influenced to demand dangerous drugs
chronic pain:
New Roots of Chronic Pain Discovered: Clear the Emotions, Clear the Pain (press release)
medication:
Interview with Dr. Ray Strand, author of Death by Prescription and Releasing Fat
depression:
Do Antidepressants Cure or Create Abnormal Brain States? (PLoS Medicine)
hormones:
DHEA for weight loss: miracle drug or unproven experiment?
trauma:
Aloe vera plant produces miraculous, life-saving results in trauma, burns and hemorrhagic shock
anxiety:
Hypnosis found to reduce anxiety during breast biopsies
acupuncture:

Answer 7

Marijuana helps, bcuz i use it myself.