Fibromyalgia Community

Adrenal Fatigue is one of the theories out there about us, but there are more.

I am sorry the rope is so short for you right now. I too struggled with finding the right doctor or diagnosis for quite a while.

The class of physician that deals with this is Rheumatology or I have a great neurologist. Before making the appt. ask the person on the phone if they are the one in the office who cares for people diagnosed with FM. There is a good start.

There is a book called "The Advocate" written by Dr. Devin Starlanyl and it has tips and so much help with going to physicians or dealing wit family that don't understand you.

Try this as an adjunct. I need to start a new reply....problems with the computer

OK, so, when I go in to see a physician I always have my journal or list to discuss new changes or benefits of the therapy I do.

My meds include...soma for muscles, tramadol for pain and now (recent add) Savella.....which helps with that theory of adrenal fatigue. This is an SNRI...who really acts as a NSRI as norepinephrine is raised much higher 3 times more then other meds...so be gentle with it if you try it. Plus supplements Ca , Mg, CoQ10 Omega 3,6 and Fibromalic.

Heart rate up...energy and pulse rate as well, BUT major change in pain level with the savella. I am on the tiniest of doses...12.5mg a day.

Look in our toolbox to the right and see all the NON Medical things people do for this pain who follows us everyday.
You can't depend on a pill for all the answers and really...we are never totally pain free.....I use alot of distraction as a med during the day, also laughter and sense of humor help me out of the black hole as well.

I hope you begin to see as you walk around the board and check out the toolbox, that the rope is NOT that short.....it just is going straight up right now and it is SO HARD to pull yourself up it.
It does level off (like a tight rope) and you can walk a bit without struggle. You need the right doctor, meds and positive lifestyle to go with it all to help survive...............

Hope things get better with you soon.................Nancy B

Hello and welcome.....MiMi in NC....we have probably all been where you are right now....but there is hope.....it just takes time to figure out what you need.....this takes a trial and error process.....as we are all different....what helps one may or may not help another....but you will know when you find something that helps....there are NO quick fixes.....anything you try, unless you get really sick from it....will take at least 6-8 weeks to "feel" the full effect of what you are taking....so hang in here with us.....I am so sure that you will find something to help you cope....

I would encourage you to ask your doctor to check your Vitamin D level.....if you have not already done so....this is so important for most of us FMers....and this alone....can cause additional pain for us....and as I am sure you already know....we do not need any extra pain to deal with....it is a simple blood test....but you MUST ASK the doctor to run it...

I am one of the FMers who have learned how to "control my FM pain" by taking vitamins and supplements....I tried several different medicines but did not find anything that was helping without a lot of side effects....and I did not need anything else to deal with....I take magnesium and malate combination supplement, (found at a vitamin store) Omegas, (I take Fish Oil, krill oil, and salmon oil) Vitamin D supplement, Super B Complex, Calcium plus others....but these are the ones which help me the most with my FM pain...

As for the chronic fatigue.....I have not found something which I can say has really made a big difference.....I am still trying to find something though....

I do know that getting enough sleep and the right kind of sleep can make a BIG difference in how we feel....I can no longer sleep in a bed....due to pain in my back and stiffness in my muscles....I sleep in a recliner and have done so for a very long time now....but I am resting so much better now than I did in the beginning of being so sick...

This is a unique FM support group....various group with a lot of good info....so I hope you will hang out here with us....and we now have Dr. P on board....and he is available for members to ask questions....just be sure and put his name in the subject line so that Caprice can gather it for him....and he does understand how living with the wrath of the dragon can be....as he, too, has it...

Be sure and check out the posts under Tips and Resources to the right of this page....you will find some great "tools and tips" especially under the "member toolbox" and "nutrition and vitamins"....

Gentle stretches each day and moving a lot can help you...good nutrition....and good supplements make a difference in how we cope....using lavender bath salts under my stopped up hot shower at night helps relax me right before bedtime.....stopain spray (found at walmart) also helps the
worst pain spots....heating pads become FMers' best friend...

This is just a start....learn all you can about FM....and I am sure you will figure out something that will help you cope better....

Take care and good luck....


MiMi

http://www.fmaware.org

u can find a doctor in ur area