oh i can so relate to all you have both written here, yes heat does seem to help a bit, only wish i had a giant wheat pack the length of my body, i have to agree the meds suggested for fibro are no good for me either, gave those up about six months after my diagnosis all those 18 yrs ago, i do worry about my liver as i take the panadol,they actually prescribe me 300, and give me as much as i want, stupid really, but then that is doctors for you, i take it when i need it and that is all, like you both i have arthritis now and it is getting worse daily, i don't really come to PT like i used to , as it hurts too much to type now, as my fingers are the worst, especially my right hand, and yes i am right handed, useless with my left, i am concerned as they are starting to bend over and i cannot straighten them anymore, i worry i will loose the use of my right hand.

Hip has been playing up for over two years now, and i have a little arthritis there, the problems are ongoing, but then i am at that age where everything is downhill anyhow.

You just have to take the good days and really enjoy them, and not let the bad days overcome you,it is hard to stay positive some days,i have to be honest and i feel somewhat cheated out of a life i could have had, had i not had this illness, since i was only 35 when i was diagnosed with it,never mind life goes on .

It is learning what works for you,taking the time you need to rest if you can,for example travelling has always been a real problem for me, and i cannot ever see me taking a flight overseas,not that i can afford one anyhow lol, but oneday maybe i would love to return to the land of my birth scotland, it seems now impossible because of this condition,even a car trip is hard, however i rest up plenty before the trip and take my pain killers before travel, we also have traded our sports car in for a big nice comfy car, and now travel is so much better for me.

You just have to adjust your lifestyle here and there.

I really hope you have supportive people in your families, luckily my husband is good, and my children are starting to become aware of what mum can and cannot do, and don't have such high expectations of me as when they were little,the rest of my extended family are not so good ..and it pains me to write that, as all one wants is understanding, not pity,sympathy, just understanding.

Medusa i am sorry to hear you are in a bad flare up, they are so bad sometimes,the only thing that keeps me going is knowing that it will pass, and it does, it is when they last like two weeks, you feel you just about can take no more.

very GENTLE HUGS to you and my fellow fibro sufferers, may your days be filled with less pain,kindness and surrounded by loving and caring people.