Has anybody had any luck with fibromyalgia treatments without going broke in the process?

Question

I've had fibromyalgia since 1991 and have been treated with P.T., medications (tramadol, elavil,clonopin, & lorab), stretching, massage therapy (when I can afford it), and some biofeedback. My neck and back are so tied in knots it feels like concrete. My current regiman barely gets me by. I have worked steadily since diagnosed, and done some pretty physical type jobs. I do believe staying active is much better than laying around feeling sorry for myself. It helps me take my mind off of the pain if I keep busy. I couldn't afford to live on disability even if I wanted to, lol.

I have tried tens units, and water aerobics/therepy without any relief.

I am curious about yoga being a possible help to me.

Answer 1

Fibromyalgia is a nightmare. I live with it every day. And yes it does cost money to be Sick with this condition. Here's what I suggest that will improve the quality of your life with Fibromyalgia.

Nutrition is very important with this condition as with any serious physical condition. Avoid caffeine products, sugar, processed foods and fried foods. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) is often a factor in causing the person with Fibromyalgia to feel fatigued. That is why a good nutrition program is very important, eating frequent small meals with some protein is very important in keeping the blood levels even.

Whole grains, seeds, nuts, yogurt, chicken, Turkey, organic beef, eggs, natural cheese and cottage cheese should form the base of your diet. Accompanied by Appropriate vegetables and a minimum amount of fruit.

A good quality multi-vitamin is absolutely essential with this condition. It's important to replace what the body loses daily. If a person takes no other supplement but a multi-vitamin they're helping to support their body daily. Co Q 10, in soft gel form 100mg, taken three times daily can help increase the energy.

There's no definite cure for Fibromyalagia but there are certainly many alternative methods that can help you improve the quality of your life. I find that deep tissue massage therapy performed regularly really keeps down the pain. When I’m going through a really bad time I always get a massage. It works better than any medicine.

Physical therapy that is performed at home is very important for Fibromyalgia. Warm water stretches performed at least three times weekly can be of tremendous help keeping the joints and muscles flexible. A Jacuzzi or hot tub is without a doubt one of the best treatments you can do at home, not only does it improve circulation you can also perform warm water stretches in it. If you have access to one and can use this daily you would see a tremendous change in the body. Using a moist heating pad on areas of pain for 20 minutes can ease the pain.

I also find that chiropractic care can bring tremendous relief. I always recommend people with Fibromyalgia seek out a Chiropractor who uses the activator method for physical therapy and pain relief. If you would like to find out about a doctor of chiropractic in your area who uses this method go to http://www.activator.com

Answer 2

Hey commonsensemom,
Sometimes we need to use several drugs at the same time. But there is an over the counter medicine made just for fibromyalgia. It's called "024 Fibromyalgia." I've been using it for 2 years now, and it works well. The manufacturer is "swissmedica." I have found it in several stores that have pharmacies. It was $20. There is a "wipe" form of it for about $8, it has 6 towelettes. The liquid lasts a long time. I am only on my second bottle.

I'd like to tell you about the best fibromyalgia website I have found. It's http://www.fmaware.com.

They have exercise guidelines on their website that suggest that we should only be doing walking, it should be at maximum 30 minutes, 3 days a week. Perhaps you are doing too much. Unfortunately, one thing we must realize is fibromyalgia only worsens as we age. Massage therapy has to be done by someone who is expert with fibromyalgia. If the massage is any harder than a very gentle hand moving slowly across your skin, it's too hard and can make fibromyalgia worse. It's also necessary to find an acupuncturist who knows fibromyalgia well, too. It has to be done in the "deep tissue" method. That's the one kind of acupuncture that can hurt, but when properly done, it does work. You must have at least 30 treatments for it to begin to work for longer than a week. You should have it done daily if at all possible. That is much more effective. I have had both of those and I can say they do work.

Answer 3

I have had fibro for about as long as you...Getting it while in the military i was a test dummy, or that's what i felt like...I also have RSDS or CRPS whatever they are calling it now...I have my pain medication and that's it...I have tried so many drugs, i go to the VA now, all is free but again Ima test dummy...I have flushed more pills down the toilet...(dont worry septic tank)
I think the only real thing to do is what your doing, keep working, its exercise...If you can get someone to rub out the fibro balls, those knots your having, that would help...
Try putting rice in a tube sock, heat it for 2 minutes, it helps alot...
My worse pain is in my back...I've just learned different things that work for me to relax....The more busy i am the better i feel...I work as a firefighter with this and i found the cure...Adrenalin, if it wouldn't kill you having so much it would work...Every time we got a call, i felt NO pain, it was great, till the Adrenalin wore off...

Answer 4

See about getting a tens unit. Usually the place you can purchase them from can help to enroll you in a program that either pays completely for the unit, or that will provide it to you at an affordable cost. I have heard wonderul things about the anti-depressant Cymbalta for those who have fibromyalgia. there are prescription assistance programs that the drug companies have that will send you the prescribed drug at a small cost. Other than that itr sounds like you are doing all that you can. I have heard that people with muscle diseases or conditions who eat diets that are very high in protein have some relief.

Answer 5

Lyrica at 450mg and exercise is the best thing for fibromyalgia. Also request Vit D levels. Vit D deficiency is under diagnosed and can cause similar symptoms as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Answer 6

nobody can live off disability.all i can tell you is my neighbor has fibromyalgia and she works around our apartment complex cleaning the pool,general maintenance because she says it helps plus she needs to supplement her disability check.shes got more energy then me but then again everybody's different.
from time to time she gets an epidural type pain reliever,have you ever explored that option?or holistic medicine?i wish i had a better answer for you.i'm a big believer in vitamins and traditional medicine.but do think theres alot of holistic approaches to every condition/disease.peace.keep going,don't sit around.never give up.

Answer 7

ask your doctor for neurontin (gabapentin) this has worked for me

also a med called LYRICA has just been approved for the treatment of fibro

Answer 8

www.frequencyspecific.com - very successful at treating pain. I have no clue about the cost. Also drink VIVO water.