I have fibromyalgia and would like to know what helps for you (female)?

Question

I have had fibromyalgia for 6+yrs and am on methadone 10mg three times a day and for breakthrough pain oxycodone15mg twice a day and I have a herniated disk. I AM NOT a herion junky. Never knew methodone was for chronic pain. Any thing else that would help me cause Im still in pain?

Answer 1

I have had Fibromyalgia for 35 years, long before there was a name for it. I suffer from constant chronic pain. I don't take pain medication except when necessary. And what I take is very mild with codeine. I don't want to use narcotics. I just would rather face life as it is. I have been bedridden for seventeen years from an accident and the Fibromyalgia. What I find helps me the most is massage therapy. I get massaged about three times a week. Nothing alleviates the pain As much.

I also use heat therapy and ice packs depending on what the pain is. I use anti inflammatory medications, but not every day because they are hard on the liver.

eating a high protein diet helps reduce a lot of the pain.

I have written an article on Fibromyalgia that is too large to place here. I have advice about what you can do for yourself at home. I've enclosed a link where you can read it and I hope this helps you.

If you have any further questions please let me know.

Best wishes,
Billie77

Answer 2

Here's what works for me. It's not fool proof, I still have bad days, and I still have flares, but it helps.

Diet can be crucial. Limit processed foods, sugar, caffeine, etc. Drink plenty of water, eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies.

Supplements help. I take a magnesium/malic acid combo from solaray that does wonders (also has 5htp, valerian root, a nice combo). I take fish oil (1000 mg 3x a day, Pure Encapsulations brand- very high quality and no mercury worries) Happy Campers are great for those days when stress is an issue (they are a life saver some days)

Self care is important. Sleep enough, rest enough, take time for yourself. Use heat and ice as often as you feel the need. Check into the Theracane and trigger point workbooks.

Massage and chiropractic are lifesavers. Maybe see about getting a portable electric stim machine, mine is enough to keep me mobile some days...

Exercise, although painful, is mandatory. Walk, stretch, swim, do Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, maybe even check out the miracle ball, while it's not all that great as an exercise the little balls do a great job of releasing tension from your low back and hips.

Stay comfortable. I know I'm beginning to sound like a sales pitch, but MBT shoes are awesome. They are ugly, and unreasonably expensive, but they mean that I can actually go shopping in Target or at the mall and not have to sit down every few minutes. I went to an aquarium recently and didn't have to stop once, it meant a lot to be able to do that. I've actually been able to make it across campus in them without having to stop and rest my back!

There are a number of other supplements people recommend, this is just what works for me.