NBR: Does anyone here have fibromyalgia?

Re: NBR: Does anyone here have fibromyalgia?

• aglenn member

  November 2013

  I don't have it but I once did an internship at a chronic pain clinic that treated a lot of fibromyalgia patients.  This was when I was in grad school for psychology, and I did relaxation classes, biofeedback, and counseling.  Patients also got physical therapy, nutrition support, and saw an MD for pain control medications in addition to learning techniques like icing, stretching, etc.  It was a great program and I saw a lot of patients make amazing progress.  The clinic was affiliated with a hospital and covered by insurance.  If you have access to something like that it might be worth looking into.
  

  

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• ElBax member

  November 2013

  I have it.  It's definitely better with Cymbalta.  I went off of my meds for a few months because we are TTC and lost all ability to function.  The pain levels are already improving within the first week of being back on the medication, but I'm still having fatigue and cognitive symptoms: memory problems, attention problems, etc..  I'm hoping those aspects will improve over time as the medicine levels increase in my system.

  
  

  "It is absurd to divide people into good or bad.  People are either charming or tedious." -Oscar Wilde

  
  

  TTC since May 2013

  Husband, 34 and healthy

  Me, 32 and living with Fibromyalgia 

  Report0 Reply
• Samiantha101 member

  November 2013

  I don't have fibro, but a Dr once misdiagnosed me with it. He was also quick to write me a script. I was furious. I didn't accept his diagnosis. Between finding out the source of my pain, I exercised a lot. It was hard to do, but in the end, it was the only thing getting me through my day. Honestly, I would encourage you to stay away from the meds. I know more than one person who turned to meds when they got diagnosed with fibro, and now they're pill junkies. At minimal, please be very conscientious of what you take and how frequent.

  Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml

  Report0 Reply
• mittensonkittens member

  November 2013

  I was diagnosed at age 15, and after college I was able to find ways to deal with it to get off the meds. Exercise was important for me. It sucked when I'd first start exercising after not doing it for a while, but if I stick with it, I would start feeling good after a week or two. Once I got past that hump, I just had to keep it up. Cardo worked well for me, and yoga. Strength training causes problems for me, so I try not to overdo it and do lots of stretching after it. Yoga was also great for learning how to relax. After having kids, it has been a lot harder to exercise regularly, but I try. I also get massages at least once a month. I have a Massage Envy membership and go at 8 or 9 pm on weeknights after the kids are in bed. Every time I go, I schedule my next appointment so I don't put it off when I get busy. I have a print subscription to Redbook, and every month when I get my new issue, I take an evening to relax in a hot bath and read the whole thing. And I try to maintain a healthy diet and keep a regular sleep schedule (no staying up late on the weekends) and make sleep a priority. On many occasions I have said to DH "Fuck the dishes, I'm going to bed." I also avoid caffeine and alcohol. And I try to keep a handle on stress by not over committing myself. None of these things worked for me immediately, I had to stick with it for a while before I started feeling better. I read a book that I would recommend called Freedom from Fibromyalgia. Good luck to you! I hope you find some things that help.

  Formerly known as ms.mittens Jude 12/31/2008 Ezra 2/10/2011 Nora 7/23/2013

  Report0 Reply
• RoxyLynn member

  November 2013

  Acupuncture can work very well for some musculoskeletal issues.  I try to get a few massages every year, which works wonders for me.

  
  

  Also, my doc put me on a sleep aid (Trazodone) because it's such a vicious circle - lack of sleep makes everything worse, then I hurt too much to sleep, etc.  I've always resisted sleep meds, but this time I gave it a go.  I'm so glad I did!  I don't always get 8 hours, but I reliably get at least a solid 6.

  Report0 Reply