Any good suggestions on how to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms?

Question

Every morning I feel like I have been run over by a truck. Sometimes if I take tylenol or something before bed, I feel a little
better in the mornings, but most of the time I still hurt pretty bad. My husband says its all in my head. Do I need some kind of mental medicine or a pain reliever?

Answer 1

First of all, sorry, but your husband sounds like a big jerk. What the hell does he know how your body feels? That makes me so mad. What a great support system he is. Honestly, he is probably contributing to your problems. Stress control is a big factor in helping autoimmune diseases. Or really any illness.

Fibromyalgia can overlap or lead to other conditions too, so get checked out for Sacro Iliac joint problems, or arthrodesis conditions of the spine. Or be misdiagnosed.
I wake up with the pain you describe. I have to get out of bed. I sit on the couch, take Advil, use the heating pad and just wait for it to pass. It can take an hour or two.

Heat helps me, mild stretching and specific exercise. Swimming is the best! I also go to physical therapy and yoga.
Advil, and sometimes a muscle relaxer at night is necessary to stop the spasms. A good mattress helped my pain also.

Many benefit from antidepressants, methods to help with sleep, pain meds, and a host of other things. Some don't need near as much. It is so varied. Everyone with this has different sets of symptoms. Try all conservative things to help you first, but don't be ashamed to get the medications if you need them.

The regular antidepressants or meds don't always help those with autoimmune problems, so see only a psychiatrist to follow you on these! Not a random Dr who will give you a prescription and not follow if it works, change the dosage, etc. every month or so until you get it right for you.

A good rheumatologist is essential. Family Drs mean well, but are just not knowledgeable enough in this complex field, not up on all the latest information and complications associated wtih autoimmune diseases to be your primary Dr.
It really takes a team approach to treat these problems, since they have an effect on most every part of your body and mind.

Many patients choose to add mental health therapy to the team effort with your other Drs. It sounds like you would benefit from it, since you are doubting yourself. Or start with finding a good support group of similar people.


Your husband could use some sensitivity training, and needs to go to family counseling or support groups with you. If he does not learn about this illness, and how to respect you and help you, it will be a long hard road for you. It does sound like he has issues and might need therapy himself.

It's just mean and immature to tell someone who's in pain, who you supposedly love, that it's 'all in their head'. That's not normal.

Good luck to you, and God bless. Hang in there. It's an ever changing roller coaster with this, so try to roll with it and learn, learn, learn how to help yourself in natural ways.

Answer 2

Get a good medical evaluation by an internist to make sure that you do not have a significant disorder such as muscle disease or a connective tissue illness. If that is unrevealing, seek consultation from a rheumatologist or a neurologist. Regarding the specialists, make sure (from your doctor) that they are at least "open-minded" to the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The jury is still out about this disorder, and it remains a syndrome for now (rather than a disease). Some doctors close their minds, rather than explore the possibility that a true illness may exist. There are all sorts of treatment options - antidepressants, muscle relaxers, some epilepsy medications, and anti-inflammatory drugs may help. Alternative activities like exercise, yoga, and relaxation therapy can provide aid without drugs. The first step is a diagnosis. Start there and move forward.

Answer 3

Ultram is a great pain medication for fibromyalgia. It is NOT all in your head. I'm sorry your husband ins't more supportive, he needs some education about the disease. You may need trigger point injections. Cymbalta is a great antidepressant that has also shown to help those with fibromyalgia, because fibromyalgia patients do have imbalances of seratonin, etc.

Water therapy is great if your doctor will prescribe it. It has made all the difference for me. I hope you get some relief!

Answer 4

My mom has fibromyalgia. It is an often misdiagnosed disease.

Go see a doctor in internal medicine who knows about fibromyalgia. My mom was given good medicine by hers.

No, you won't need mental medicine. This is not a mental illness. The pain is very real. Your husband needs to be educated on the disease.

Answer 5

fibromyalgia is a real illness......I know a couple of people that have it pretty bad.....I know that sometimes the pain can be pretty debilitating.....

They say Advil works the best.....but sometimes it's more about learning to work through the pain.....this condition does cause depression which in turn exacerbates the pain... If you don't have a confirmed diagnosis get one, also ask your Dr. about anti-depressant meds..... that should help. Alot of exercise will help alot too...........

Answer 6

First, if it's not too painful, kick your husband in the butt and out of bed.

Yes, you might need more and/or different medications for pain and depression, anxiety, coping with this illness, sleep, It is not a simple issue to deal with.

You need low stress, family support, and a good Dr.
You can get better!

Answer 7

For me, Fibromyalgia caused my legs to hurt so much that I could barely walk. I think that considering your breast cancer treatment, that you would really need to speak to your doctor, before deciding you have this condition. Lyrica made my pain go away, but, I seem to be allergic to it. I took it one month, landed in the hospital for my asthma. The Dr. insisted it wasn't the Lyrica, so I took it a second month and landed in the hospital with worse asthma. I understand it works wonders for most everyone, though.

Answer 8

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is the only thing that has really helped me. http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF68525712100693A84

It does take some getting used to. It took at least a month to get over side effects and be able to sleep. After that, all has been much better. My lower legs don't hurt anymore, I sleep good, don't have those fibro knots on me. The only time I hurt now is just before a storm.

Answer 9

People can be cruel, just from lack of knowledge and interest-warm massage therapy, or water therapy is helpful to me. I was taking pain killers, Prozac, and even muscle relaxers at different intervals, and sometimes it worked while other times it didn't. Try to ease up the stress in your life, and meditate if possible.

Answer 10

I am very familiar with this, Your biggest obstacle is NO CAFFEINE and try and walk around the park, get some movement,