Can I get help with some suggestions on dealing with very painful Fibromyalgia-I'm going overseas & NO PAIN?

Question

to Europe for a month of sightseeing and a cruise. I'm already in painwith bad joint pain. I have heard from some of you about your conditions. I don't want to hurt so bad. I know I will hurt but I scared it will ruin my trip. My daughter is giving me this gift and she has so much energy. What can I do--please help.

Answer 1

First of all girl...do you have an extra pass for ME to go along on this cruise?

Seriously though, you WILL need to take something for your pain while you are vacationing. FIBRO, as you know; can be one painful pain in the...well, you know what I mean.

Massage and....often, will definitely help with those aches if you don't have any medication to take. As I do...a heating pad or Jacuzzi whirlpool, will also help with your pain. Thankfully Jacuzzi's are very popular where you are going.

When you return, I hope that you will let us know how everything went. I await your invitation to join you....Hee Hee

Have a great trip Donna, you deserve it, girl...

Answer 2

As the others have mentioned you do need a letter from your medical doctor describing your condition and what medications you take.

On a cruise ship there's usually a massage therapist. This is good news for you. Get a massage every day so you can deal with the pain and get your muscles relaxed.

I have had Fibromyalgia for 35 years. So I know how to deal with it. A friend of mine with Fibromyalgia just went to Paris recently and she said it was very hard on her. I think the advantage for you is the opportunity for massage therapy.

To help yourself with energy you need to use the supplement CoQ 10 100mg, three times daily. Start this now because it takes time for this to help your Energy. Also start taking a good quality Multi vitamin twice daily And calcium and magnesium tablets 500mg twice daily. Began this program now so you will feel better by the time you have a trip. It's important you eat a lot of protein foods and avoid sugar and junk food. This will also help give you energy.

I have written an article on Fibromyalgia with tips on what you can do to help yourself. I'm enclosing a link to the article because it's far too big to place here. I hope this helps.

If you have any further questions please contact me.

Best wishes,
Billie77

Answer 3

I am dealing with fibromyalgia as well in addition to other health issues and one thing that may be of help in dealing with the pain is to have a massage done with a massage therapist experienced with treating fibro patients.

As the last poster said chronic pain is a real disease and some drs are slowly starting to realize this.

I would also recommend consulting a Pain Management dr, some drs offer massage therapy services right on site and some insurance companies will cover the service of massage therapy if it is under the care of a physician in Pain Management. I tried it for a while and found it very good.

I also use muscle relaxers to help with some of my pain. I use Skelaxin and the thing I like about it is that it doesn't make me sleepy. It is prescribed to me by my rheumatologist.

I would also recommend getting in touch with a rheumatologist if you haven't already. They may have some additional options for you on the medication front (and no it doesn't necessarily have to be narcotic in nature, which is also where Pain Management comes in if you should have to go that route in the future). Rheumatologists that are doctors of Osteopathic Medicine can also offer some alternative treatments in addition to massage therapy. Same with Pain Management drs that are Drs of Osteopathic Medicine.

Answer 4

Firstly and most importantly a letter from your doctor, regarding your medical condition, including medication your taking.
Some countries may not let you take some medication in to their country, with out a letter from your doctor. You may need to check prior to travelling, to see if any of the medication your on is banned, in certain countries. Be sure you have enough medication with you, (labelled clearly) or a prescription that can be filled in if needed.

I would also take out travel insurance. I am sure you have thought of this any way.

If you use hot or cold packs to ease pain, then pack them too. Also some ear plugs to block out sounds if you need to rest, especially important if on train/plane, and a sleep mask. Comfortable shoes are a must, along with comfortable clothing, nothing to restricting. Use a suit case that have wheels, rather than carrying a suit case.

I assume you have an itinerary. If so try to take it easy, and rest as much as possible, by putting your feet up, when you have some free time.

Be sure to keep your fluids up, eat small regular meals.

If you ever feel your unable to cope with the days itinerary, then listen to your body and take a rest, for the day, rather than push your self and find your unable to continue your trip.

Hope this helps and have a lovely holiday.

Answer 5

I don't know if you can do it in time for your trip, but you should take your medical records to a pain clinic. They will genuinely help you in ways that regular docs may be reluctant to try, including medications they may not want to try or may not know about and other concurrent therapies like reiki, accupuncture, etc. The real problem in medicine today is that doctors are not adequately informed about pain as a DISEASE instead of a symptom. Chronic pain can be as debilitating as cancer. It does kill people... especially those who take their own lives from the depression of having doctors not believe them about their pain, under-medicate them, shame them and frighten them about taking medications that work just because they are narcotics, the stigma of being on long-term narcotic therapy, etc. Pain clinics free you from that. They are very strict with their rules about replacing prescriptions, when and how you can get your scrips and get them refilled, etc. (you have to sign a contract for therapy with opiates) BUT they do give you medications that WORK even if you need narcotics, educate you about how they work and why you shouldn't be afraid to take them, and most of all DO NOT make you feel ashamed of needing them. Believe me, once you are adequately treated, be it with medications and/or other therapies, your life will be completely different.... you will have more energy because you can sleep comfortably through the night. As I said, I don't know if this is an option prior to your trip, but believe me, a caring, compassionate pain doctor will make all the difference in the world. Good luck, and enjoy your trip!

Answer 6

The best thing I have found for treating my fibro is massage therapy to go along with the pain meds. I find the massage every 2 weeks has been the best thing ever and if I go longer than 2 weeks in between appointments I really notice the pain. Best of luck and take care.

Answer 7

Stay away from food/drink with red 40 dye and aspartame (in diet drinks mostly), soak in oxygen rich water (miracle II products are oxygenated), and if your bath water is chlorinated make sure you don't take hot baths (that makes your pores open and suck in chlorine that exacerbates the muscles), and rinse off with distilled water.

Lastly, stay far away from toxic/acidic foods. Meats cause acid, vegetables and fruits alkalize. You need to alkalize - and stay away from milk!!! Pure hormones.

In Europe you'll feel better anyway, their foods and water don't contain so much junk!