Fibromyalgia

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Yes, I have it. It along with my arthritis insures I'm miserable most of the time!!!

I'm so glad I have Pet Talk to take my mind off the pain.

[Daisy and Delilah]

What types of meds do the doctors prescribe for the pain? Is there any medication that takes care of such horrible bouts of pain?

[K9karen]

What types of meds do the doctors prescribe for the pain? Is there any medication that takes care of such horrible bouts of pain?

Thankfully, I was first diagnosed 30+ years ago by a young rheumatologist who believed in it and was fascinated by it. It is one of the hardest ailments to diagnose. Blood work may show "sed" levels up, but mostly that's for arthrisits (I also have OA)
I started with "Elavil", like a sleeping pill but I was too groggy and couldn't wait for 2 weeks for my body to adjust. The severe pain causes restless sleep, so of course you wake up feeling worse, and fatigued.

Celebrex, Bextra, Vioxx, all the good stuff, taken off the market helped with my bursitis, but barely, Cortisone shots in my hips, shoulders help a bit.

There are pressure points that doctors use to diagnose..chest (I sometimes get lumps), inside the elbows, wrists, ankles, shoulder blades. Moist heat helps as well as gentle physical therapy. But sometimes you feel so bad, you don't even want to go to therapy! One orthopedic sarcastically told me I had the "yuppy disease". He also misdiagnosed my spine/neck problems, caused worse damage with wrong PT so I dumped him like a hot potato. See ya, bye bye, stupid clod.

My fibro seems to worsen with stress (Zoloft not helping-wish there was a pill that erases bad memories) and when the seasons change, especially the fall. Honestly, since my spine has just started to bother me again (where I had surgery) I do take pain killers at night before bed.

Not only that, I was feeling much better with my life in all aspects until my wrist accident. AND I have TMJ so bad I take
muscle relaxers at night.

Not to worry though. I guess I sound like a sicko. I have a lot to deal with, but we all do. I have great friends (you guys) girlfriends of 50 years, John and my Logabeanie. I'll feel better, but it just seems like it takes forever!

[K9karen]

Yes, I have it. It along with my arthritis insures I'm miserable most of the time!!!

I'm so glad I have Pet Talk to take my mind off the pain.

THAT TOTALLY SUCKS BIG TIME! I'M WITH YA BABE!!!
GENTLE CYBER HUGS.....

[Daisy and Delilah]

Thanks for the information Karen. I just don't know how you do it. You truly are amazing! I took Elavil a couple of years ago and it took me a month and a half until I felt like I wasn't hungover the next day. Those things are really strong. I have a friend that takes one every night to help her sleep. She was lucky too, in that she found a young doctor in Key West to diagnose her Fibromyalgia. She takes Celebrex and does ok with it but some days, she can barely get around. I tested normal for rheumatoid arthritis in my tests from yesterday. My sedimentation levels are very high and I guess that means my osteoarthritis is getting worse. I just talked to a lady at the pharmacy that takes Lyrica. She has osteoporosis, scoliosis, and two herniated discs. She said the Lyrica is working so far. It amazes me how many of us are in excruciating pain all the time. There has to be some relief somewhere!!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

My Dad had it too Poor you - big hugs

[Daisy and Delilah]

Thanks for the info and well wishes!! Candace, that is very helpful. Thanks. I am also anemic and I take iron supplements every day with Vitamin C for absorption. From what I understand, with FM, your body has to be in tip top shape to tolerate it at all. That's the key. A night without sleep = a very bad day and filled with more pain. I will definitely look into some of the things you posted. Anything and everything is worth a shot!!

[carole]

As you can read there are quite a few Pters inflicted with this chronic illness, I have had it for over 12 years now, and i am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, it is no fun, no walk in the park for sure, at least you know what you are dealing with now, although there is really not alot of stuff out there that seems to work, I have yet to find something,one thing is you have to start putting your needs first, in other words, take rest when you need it, and only do what you can when you can,enjoy your good days,if you are lucky enough to have some,but DON'T over do things, something us fibromites seem to have a problem with lol.

I am going through a rather nasty flare up at the moment, and it is very painful, my muscle in my left shoulder blade has locked,best way to describe it, i was in horrific pain and could barely move without excruitating pain,but today the pain is more localised in one area, i have yet to know if this is fibro related, i imagine so,or something else,it only happens like this maybe four or five times a year, this time i was out having dinner, which was embarrassing and none too pleasant,had to go home,that was a mission in itself, does anyone else have these terrible painful moments.

It is a tough illness to deal with, very complex, and you don't get a heck of alot of understanding,mainly because you look fine,always know there are others here who completely understand and can offer you support anytime you need it, please feel free to PM anytime.

Keep in mind we all have similar symptons to different degrees, no two people are exactly alike,but we sure can empathise with what you are dealing with right now. HUGS ever so gentle ones.

[Daisy and Delilah]

carole; I'm so sorry to hear about all the pain and problems you have with FM. You're so right in saying that no one understands it. I already have my family and friends practically snickering when I mentioned it to them. It's not that they're being hateful but that they just don't know anything about it. I really wish they would take the time to research it like I have.

Good days and bad days is exactly the way it is. I'm having a pretty foggy day today and very low energy. I still try to work parttime but it's so hard. I can't stop thinking back to the way things used to be years ago. As you mentioned, everything is now an effort rather than routine or just for pleasure. It's an ordeal for me to just go grocery shopping some days. I've started buying in bulk(when I can go) to avoid extra trips when I know I may not feel like going. I have already learned to ask people to pick things up for me if they're going to a store. I've always been so independant but not any more.

Have you ever heard of the magnesium injections for this? I would like to find someone that's had these besides my friend that has it.

Best of luck to you. I hope we can find a cure for this one day.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I am going through a rather nasty flare up at the moment, and it is very painful, my muscle in my left shoulder blade has locked,best way to describe it, i was in horrific pain and could barely move without excruitating pain,but today the pain is more localised in one area, i have yet to know if this is fibro related, i imagine so,or something else,it only happens like this maybe four or five times a year, this time i was out having dinner, which was embarrassing and none too pleasant,had to go home,that was a mission in itself, does anyone else have these terrible painful moments.

I've been dealing with something like this lately too. It feels like a big charlie horse from my right shoulder blade clean through to my front.
The only way I can get relief is to lay down with an ice pack on my shoulder blade and take ibroprofen. My doctor says he's sure it's my fibromyalgia causing it. I can hardly sit up when it's acting like that. Thankfully, the last few days have been lots better.

[jackmilliesmom]

I suffer daily but for the pain my Orthopaedic and Rhumetologist prescribed a medication called Arcoxia which has helped with the inflamation and some normal light pain releif such as neurofen.

[Kirsten]

A friend of mine has it, it must very painful.

And a while ago, I was told by a rheumatologist that I'm prone to have it one day...

Kirsten

[momoffuzzyfaces]

THAT TOTALLY SUCKS BIG TIME! I'M WITH YA BABE!!!
GENTLE CYBER HUGS.....

Thanks! Those Hugs really do make me feel better!!!

I'm on 4 different meds for my blood pressure so the only thing I can take for pain is ibruprofen. One of my bp meds knocks me out so I have to take it at bed time. Bad thing is, I slept through 2 tornardo warnings this spring but the doctor won't take me off of it because he says I need it. sheesh!!!
At least if I get killed by a tornado I'll never know it.

[K9karen]

Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disease, so make sure your doc checks for Lupus too. Some of the symptoms are the same.

The scary part is my spine, where I had surgery, is killing me, after almost 4 months of very little discomfort. I hate going to sleep (look at the time) because I get stuck in a position and have to scream to be helped to move. So I need to call the surgeon and reschedule my Dec appointment cause this is getting out of hand. All I seem to do is complain, and I apologize. I feel like a walking disaster. An old rotator cusp injury is driving me nuts too. Geesh. *Creak* *Creak* *Creak*

[Daisy and Delilah]

{{{{{HUGS KAREN}}}}} and {{{MORE HUGS TO EVERYONE ELSE}}}