Fibromyalgia Community

I wanted to add that I have gotten some great coping tips from the Toolbox. One of the best tips was Stopain roll on or spray. It is a nightly ritual.

I will try a heated rice sock tonight for my neck. Can anyone tell me how to make body sock with rice?! LOL I could stitch two sweat suits together, fill with rice---that would be a good deal of rice, though----and heat it all up. I can feel the pain melting away!!!

Hi...and welcome...

Well, glad to know you read the toolbox post and got some good ideas...and glad the Vit. D is normal.

yes, one of the first things to try is stretching....I know it seems like the last thing you want to do...but we do need to get the blood moving...

Do you take vitamins? Even if your D is normal, you might want to take a D vit. pill. I take a mulit vitamin, a B-100 Complete, and a D1000mg. I think the B vit is essential for energy.

And lastly, you might want to consider asking your doctor about changing the meds to see if they are making you sleepy. I was on Cymbalta for about two years and it was working great, when suddenly, I was sleepy all the time. I got off the Cymbalta, and felt much less sleepy.

I don't know if it could be hormones or not...I went through menopause without any symptoms of it...strangely enough...After years of painful periods..one day they just stopped. However, that was about the same time I was dx with fm...so all of this could be connected...I just have no way to know.

So, try, if you must, getting a nap in...but set your alarm so you don't sleep too long. You don't want to be awake all night...

cece

Hello Calicogirl and welcome.....MiMi in NC.....sorry that you are having so much to deal with.....but I am glad that you have found this FM support group....I also have chronic fatigue...and the doctors have told me that there is nothing that can help this.....but I continue to try different things in hoping that something will help....but I do completely understand what you are going through....

I have learned how to "control my FM pain" by taking vitamins and supplements....so you might want to talk to your doctor about taking supplements.....I take magnesium and malate combination supplement....(found in vitamin store) Omegas, Super B Complex, Vitamin D and calcium, plus others....as I do have other health issues....these are the ones though that help me "control my FM pain"....now...I would like to tell you that I am NOT painfree....nor do I expect to be...but I am so much better than I was when I first got sick...

And it took me a long time to figure out what my body needed....there are no quick fixes....it takes at least 6-8 weeks for whatever you decide to try....before you can truly expect to "feel" a difference....I do take Prestiq for depression...and it does help me also....it keeps my emotions leveled out....so I no longer have any crying spells....like I did in the beginning...but this is the only prescription medicine that I take....

Gentle stretching and exercises help me also....and using a heating pad and taking hot showers with lavender bath salts helps me right before bedtime....as it helps the body to relax...

Sleep is so very important for us FMers...and we have to get the deep sleep....which I think is a big problem for a lot of us....I do not think I get enough of the right kind of sleep....

You are lucky that your Vitamin D level was normal....because a lot of us FMers have low Vitamin D and low Vitamin D does cause one to have additional pain...and it also affects other illnesses as well....be sure and keep tabs on this at least each and every year....remind your doctor since the Vitamin D is not a test that is normally included in the bloodwork that is done......depending upon what your level was....you still might benefit from taking a Vitamin D anyway....I know that the "normal" level varies.....depending upon the info you are reading....

I hope that you will find something that will help you soon....

Take care and good luck...


MiMi

Hi Calicogirl,

I see you've already got some good advice and you ask a very good question.

While you're waiting for Dr. Pellegrino to respond, take a look at the tips he shares in his own discussion:

Fibromyalgia and Fatigue

Hi there,

Fatigue is part of FM, but it can be part of other chronic conditions you mentioned (diabetes with uncontrolled blood sugars, depression, polymyalgia rheumatica, temporal arteritis, meds including high doses of prednisone, dietary factors, sleep apnea, ?early menopause)

Wow, I looked over that list again! I'm thinking you may have more than just fibro contributing to your extreme fatigue flare-up! Your doctor(s) can work with you to try to get a handle on all your specific medical issues including fibro to try to stabilize your "baseline" to a level where you feel you can function better. Ask about possible hormone issues.

I try to find a successful "flare-up program" for my patients who may be at a stable baseline with their "maintenance program" until something comes along to exacerbate the symptoms. In Ohio, this "something" is often the seasonal weather changes (cold and damp) but can include trauma, stresses, infections, other medical conditions etc. The goal of the flare-up program is to find some combination of treatments (ie meds, injections, therapies, rest) that settles down the flare-up and allows the maintenance program to "take hold" again.

I hope this "makes sense" and I didn't distract you with "too many" quotations! Everyone is different and you and your docs can hopefully have some success in your unique situation.

"Dr. P"

I also have FM & would second (or third the stretching plus try Yoga. I did tons of research & have added yoga & swim areobics to my routine along with mutiple vitamins. Fish oil & st. john's wart are 2 that I have found that have positive effects with FM. Good luck & hopefully you find something soon that works for you as each of us deals with it differenlty

Water Aerobics for seniors with arthrits help me...and I can stop anytime I feel and float or get in the hot tub....

Exercise does help. I've been told for years about yoga and when I am consistent with it, I benefit from it. I have also changed my diet, I don't eat out, I try and steam my vegetables (depending on finances). That did help. I also take ultram and finding that it does not work as well anymore, however, I've started Cymbalta, which does seem to help with the pain. The mornings are more tolerable, after about two weeks I could see the difference. The fatigue I still have difficulty with at times. However, some times when there is a flare up--nothing helps. The chiropractor also helps.

I also experienced the same with Cymbalta until my specialist suggested I take it at night and it did make a difference

I'm sorry to hear about how you feel. I have the same thing. I was forced out of working due to FM/CFS. Being on an antidepressant has helped. Having a small hobby or project to work on when you feel better is really helpful. I do beleive you need to work with a doctor who truly understands the pain issues. I went from tramadol to Vicodin and flexeril, added to that was the Lyrica. The best stuff in the world is Voltaren gel. I call it "magic" cream. That stuff takes the pain away like magic for me. What gets me thru a flare up is knowing that it won't last forever - tomorrow will be a better day. Find some soothing meditations on this web site, do stretching and keep the faith.

Try Super B complex for more energy. In the winter I try not to let my joints get cold as they ache terribly. I too have started the menopause thing. Eat better, buy salads and fruit. Work a little, rest a little. I also have diabetes, depression, spine problems. I have to fight it everyday. Praying helps me. I am disabled, so I really watch what I eat. Knock out all the high sugar, salt, white bread, rice etc..Good luck to you!

I have RA and was doing ok with it except for the fatigue. Then I got off of birth control pills (I am almost 60 haaaa) and had one more period. A couple of months later I am in full blown menopause and the horrible aching started, like fibro pain. Weeks of crying to my doctors, trying different things, nothing worked. Then my pastor's wife said stop ALL dairy.
I did and presto!! no more pain like the fibro pain!! I couldn't believe it. Then I ate cheese one night and woke up hurting for a whole day. NO MORE DAIRY FOR ME!. I went to chocolate soy milk, and rice or almond milk. Just give it a try and see what happens. It may help you or it may
not, everyone is different.

Dear calicogirl63,

You are not alone. I was a manager for 15 years before my fibro got so bad I had to go on fed disability. The fatigue is the worst and the pain is the second worst. Recently, my doctor put me on Strattera for the fatigue and it has helped cut it about in half. I also take cymbalta and celebrex for the pain and zoloft and abilify for the depression. Keep working with your doctor until you find the meds that work for you. Don't give up. There is a working combination of meds out there for you. You just have to be patient. One of the things I had to do was change doctors since my old doctor wouldn't work with me to find the right meds. If that's your situation, give it some thought. Best of luck. DaniGan

My doctor has put me on Savella 2xday. It takes the edge off. I feel better mentually. and I take a sleeping pill at nite. and I try to walk around my yard 2-3 times a day. I lost weight too. But there is nothing that is a 100%that will take all the pain and all that goes with Fibromyalgia. It sucks but, we just gotta hang in there and take it one day at a time..( i have other medical issues too..) good luck everyone..my prayers and hope are with you all. Cheryl from NC