Have fibromyalgia have been able to deal with pain aspect but need some help for the fatigue. Any suggestions?

Question

I have had fibro now for about 12 years. I don't take any meds or get pain injections. I am a delivery driver for frito lay so I have a pretty strenuous job. I have learned to deal with the pain, but the fatigue is really starting to affect me. Would like some suggestions from others with this condition on what has or hasn't woked for you. Thanks for your time

Answer 1

i work in a rheumatology clinic as a nurse. i would recommend exercising (you would think it would wear you out and make you more fatigued but it does just the opposite- just a 10 minute walk outside everyday might help). Also, make sure you have enough protein in your diet- nuts, meats, etc., take a multivitamin everyday, drink a lot of water, and get enough rest at night... take a 15 minute power nap in the afternoon if you can... no longer or it will make you feel worse. that's all i can think of off the top of my head. oh- and make sure you aren't drinking a lot of caffiene or eating a lot of sugar because while these will make you feel more awake for a while, they can also contribute to severe fatigue later in the day.

Answer 2

I have RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) Had two very bad years. The fatigue and exhaustion was horrible. In 2005 my knees were so bad I couldn't walk much at all. The all of 2006 the wrists were so bad I was wearing wrist supports and couldn't lift or open anything. In Dec. 2005 I went on a 9 day run of Prednisone and eliminated the fatigue, exhaustion and fixed knees. 2006 it moved to the wrists and again last month I did a ten day run of the Prednisone. The wrists are 90 percent OK. By myself I went on a vitamin diet. I must say it has made a HUGE difference and I would tell you exactly which one but I do not know. So I will just list what I am taking. The Vitamins allowed me to go back to my physical job and feel 90% every day. In 2005 I was on the sofa and horizontal for 9 or 10 months. So I truly sympathize. If I understand it correctly Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disorder like so many other things. I also have serious side effects from most prescriptions. So I try hard to avoid prescriptions. Here are my Vitamins. Acidophilus, B-complex-co-Q 10-Ester C-Vit.D-Ginkgo Biloba-Iron-Magnesium- and a Good quality multivitamin for anything I have missed. I was feeling enormously better in 3 to 4 weeks. I still take Walmarts equate brand of Excedrin as I need it, always before bedtime. I do believe the RA is moving into my low and upper back (this is common) but I am still enormously better. Every morning I drink 1/2 cup of each of the following mixed together aloe vera juice, prune juice and cranberry concentrate drink. (at a health food store get cranberry concentrate unsweetened) mix 8 oz per gallon of water.) It flushes all the poisons out of your kidneys and keeps them healthy. The aloe vera works on your entire digestive system and the prune juice for constipation caused my aging and medications. It is working very well. I hope something here is helpful. Good luck. Google "AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS" and you will get sooooo much information. After reading Beeps message I remembered that I had developed an alergy to wheat and yeast and have a sever anaphylactic reaction. So I had to go off of wheat and yeast. So it is possible that has been helpful also, I only eat moderate dairy.

Answer 3

Hi Robin. The best treatment for this complex condition is to 'find and fix' the underlying cause(s). Has your doctor(s) tested you for ALL of the following conditions?:

1) Heavy metal toxicity (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.)

2) Chronic infections - especially in the teeth and jaw bones - that release bacteria and/or toxins into the blood that can cause pain and fatigue - this is very COMMON if you have had any tooth extractions or root canals. You might want to read the book: "Roots of Disease" by Robert Kulacz, DDS and Thomas Levy, MD to learn about this.

3) Intestinal dysbiosis - an imbalance in the microflora living in the gut that can produce toxins that cause your pain and fatigue. This can be caused by use of antibiotics, excessive sugar intake, etc.

4) Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) - this condition is very common after the use of acid inhibiting drugs such as Nexium, Prilosec, Pepcid, etc.

5) Leaky gut syndrome - subtle damage to the lining of the small intestine that allows absorption of bacteria and/or toxins. This is often caused by use of NSAID drugs such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve.

6) Food allergies and intolerances.

7) Vitamin/mineral/essential fatty acid deficiencies.

8) Chemical sensitivities.

Most doctors do not even pay attention to these issues (because there are NO drugs to treat them and because they have significant nutritional components - something most M.D.s still know nothing about).

You may need to find a Naturopathic Physician, Chiropractor, Certified Clinical Nutritionist (C.C.N.) or that rare medical doctor trained in nutrition, environmental medicine or functional medicine.

When you actually identify and treat the CAUSE of your symptoms, you will be amazed at how well you can feel again!

Two additional books that can give you a solid understanding of some of these issues have been written by Sherry Rogers, M.D. 1) "Pain Free in 6 Weeks" and 2) "Detoxify or Die". All of the books I have mentioned are available at Amazon.com.

Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 4

I would suggest you try taking Wellbutrin for energy. I found 150 mg was enough. People take 300mg for depression.

Answer 5

My dr. prescribed clonazepam for anxiety, but I've found that 1/2 [.5 mg.] before bedtime helps me sleep and not have any side effects when I wake up. lol

Answer 6

I'm a broken-**** and get exhausted easily at the moment, it seems the more you do (exercise) the more you can do.