mamabearfms

Close Fibromyalgia

I had been working for a M.S. in 1996 for 6 years. I loved it! I almost felt bad I was getting paid I enjoyed it so much! About 4 yrs into the job we had seen about 4 people with FMS. It sounded like a "crock" to me, but I figured what did I know. The muscle ache in my arm moved to my other arm, my neck, shoulders, legs...pretty soon my entire body was involved. The story is much too long for this bit of space.I've been on SSD since 1996.

Treatments

Acupressure Working / Worked

You can do this on yourself to get some relief.

Aqua Therapy Working / Worked

Cyclobenzaprine Working / Worked

My Dr. doesn't want me on a muscle relaxant now, but I feel that any of the muscle relaxants helped a bit.

Duragesic Patch Working / Worked

I wear the Duregesic Patch all the time. It's for the "painful" neuropathy in my foot, but I notice a difference in my FMS pain level should I choose not to wear them.

Effexor Not Working

Tried initially 14 yrs ago, but found it made me nauseous.

Elavil Working / Worked

The Dr. tried me on this early on..maybe 1995. It did work well, but I couldn't wake up enough to drive, so I had to stop. It also has a tendency to put weight on you if you're not especially careful!

Guaifenesin Not Working

Tried years ago, too many things that you couldn't have in your diet, made me nutz just trying to keep track of ingredients in meds and food.

Heat Working / Worked

Any time of heat seems to help. I used to come home from working at the Dr.s office, and laid in a very warm bath for an hr or more.

Morphine Somewhat Helpful

This was a medication I was put on in 1996. After a time we decided to try a different medication.

Neurontin Working / Worked

When I crushed the nerves in my left foot, I was put on this for nerve pain, not for FMS. Neurontin is the generic brand of Lyrica. Some people find a difference, I don't.

Ultram Not Working

I tried this when it first came out, many yrs ago. It did nothing to help me and the pain I was having in 1996.

Vitamin B12 Working / Worked

I take this along with Vitamin D, a good multi vitamin, 2000mg of C, Flaxseed oil

Zanaflex Working / Worked

My previous Dr. had me on this medication and I feel that it helped. My present physician felt Xanax was a better muscle relaxant, so used that until last Oct. when I went into a coma after falling backwards from the sink(I'll explain if you're interested). My Dr. after that point took me off of Xanax and AmbienCR.

Physical Exercise Working / Worked

If a person can do nothing else during the day exercise at least a few minutes every day should be the first priority for pain control. If you ask a person with FMS if they have an exercise program they often reply that it HURTS TOO MUCH! I can promise you that it will continue to get worse until you start some exercise program. I try and walk in home 3 miles a day..Leslie Sansone Walking Tape. We live in the mountains and walking for me on the pavement isnt an option.

Meditation Working / Worked

This is another big one for me. I must say its been difficult getting back into the habit of doing it though. Ideally I would like to do it twice a day. You find in a short period of time that you become much more centered calm at peace...destress which equals less pain. Its just the nature of the beast.

Yoga Working / Worked

I try and spend at least a few minutes each day doing a bit of yoga. My goal is to spend about the same amount of time with yoga as I do with exercise about 45 minutes to an hour.

Massage Working / Worked

This one works great but is a bit costly. I havent had one since my gal left for New York Im in Calif. Thats been many years and I havent found another one since. If anyone knows of a good masseuse in Sonora Calif let me know Id love to be one of their new clients! I have got to find someone that can work on me its heaven!