Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
I'd love to know how some of you handle periods of increased pain.
I'm on 1800mg daily of gabapentin and usually take 2-3 doses of tramadol at 50mg per, which usually keeps things manageable. But lately my pain level has been pretty high, and I'd love to find ways to deal with it when this happens.
It started probably because I ran/jogged the other day--Thur. Thur night was rough, and was awakened by painfully cramping muscles around midnight, took tramadol, 4 things of ibuprofen, went back to bed. Friday was rough as I was operating on minimal sleep, dizzy, and still in pain. And last night was insane enough that I really wasn't sure how I'd make it through. Today I'm still hurting but it's lessened some.
Anyway, I get pretty desperate when my pain levels spike like that, and I try stretching, walking, changing position, shouting out prayers for relief. I've tried baths. Those make me sleepy but I can't say they help. In fact, oftentimes I feel heat makes me worse.
So, long message to say, what have you found to help?
I'm on 1800mg daily of gabapentin and usually take 2-3 doses of tramadol at 50mg per, which usually keeps things manageable. But lately my pain level has been pretty high, and I'd love to find ways to deal with it when this happens.
It started probably because I ran/jogged the other day--Thur. Thur night was rough, and was awakened by painfully cramping muscles around midnight, took tramadol, 4 things of ibuprofen, went back to bed. Friday was rough as I was operating on minimal sleep, dizzy, and still in pain. And last night was insane enough that I really wasn't sure how I'd make it through. Today I'm still hurting but it's lessened some.
Anyway, I get pretty desperate when my pain levels spike like that, and I try stretching, walking, changing position, shouting out prayers for relief. I've tried baths. Those make me sleepy but I can't say they help. In fact, oftentimes I feel heat makes me worse.
So, long message to say, what have you found to help?
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We're all troubled.WSo, to remind ourselves we're not at rock bottom (this is a reverse optimism thing I learned as a kid):We are not living on the island of Krakatoa when the volcano goes boom!Yeah, okay, that sucks.***Toay in 1942, Pierre Laval announced that the way to free France was for Germany to win WW2. Pierre did not win a lot of friends. When the war ended, quite quickly he was tried...
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Another day, another ouchie?My bruised achilles tendon (don't ask) makes my foot numb. Wonky on meds, whacked it.Now, as to fibro:A lot of reports are going around some parts of social media that fibro (and dang near anything else) are caused by post-Covid, post-flu, post-vaccinations, post-pick-something.1. Your risk of death or serious complications beyond "ow, that shot hurt!" are typically...
I hope this helps, as I know I've been doing the same as you: Desperate stretching, walking, changing positions and praying. I also quit the running and I just walk. I found that to help me somewhat as well.
May God bless you and ease your painful times.
-Sharon-
I've been adding in the nsaids (same ingredient as Aleve), but lately my pain's just been too high. I'll try the Aleve. I'm not supposed to take nsaids as I have colitis, and that has been flaring, too, maybe because of the nsaids, which kind of freaks me out. (Like I've ruptured my gut or something. haha.) But when I'm in hurting, I'll do anything.
Honestly, I've begun to think in terms of honestly evaluating good days/happy moments vs. hard, trying to convince myself there's enough good and happy to overcome the hard, but today all I can see is the hard.
And I'm sorry you're in pain, too.
You are really pretty much wasting your time with Aleve or Ibuprofen. FMS is Neuro muscular. You are probably ripping up your stomach and guts too. See if your doctor will give you a muscle relaxer instead of taking things that usually don't help.
Be more proactive too. You ran which would probably result in an uptick in pain. Take something in anticipation of that rather than waiting for it to happen. Any pain specialist will tell you it is better to treat pain by taking medication in advance rather than trying to treat it once it really gets going.
Epsom salt baths are pretty helpful and most of us have multiple heating pads spread out all over the house. Heated blankets are good too. If heat makes you worse, try ice.
I also like Arnica Gel which you can buy online at Amazon, Target or the Vitamin Shoppe. It is a good muscle rub and often relieves that bruised feeling that many of us get. Apply it right after you do a work out whether you think you need it or not.
You commented that your pain levels have been pretty high lately. That alone would be enough of a red flag for me that running was not a good idea. I know that you are still learning/accepting the limitations that this illness can cause. If you have to exercise during these episodes, walk at a *reasonable* pace instead of running, stretch or do some yoga. Again, pacing is key to living with this monster.
I hope by the time that you read this, things are a bit better. Its a tough illness to manage even on good days. BTW - my taller half is a redhead and I've been partial to them my whole life. Must be the Scot in me. Be good to yourself and enjoy the weekend.
On a decent day, Lake FMS has some ripples but for the most part you are able to paddle around in your kayak. On a bad day, there are white caps which make it very difficult to navigate and stay on any kind of course. Paddling frantically is exhausting and you are struggling physically and mentally to keep the kayak on course and upright.
While the lake is still agitated, a choice is made to do something that Lake FMS really does not like. Cue trebuchet with huge boulder which it chucks into an already riled up lake. Now there is a maelstrom which is you can not navigate. You and your kayak are in danger of sinking.
My point is that giving in is far different than giving up. Giving in is adapting to maintain some quality of life. Pacing is not a perfect science but it does help - a lot. There is no *good* reward for pushing through it with FMS. And, what you described as a spike in pain is actually a mini flare. Take your experience the last couple of days and add in a week, a month or more of that. Any of us that have been there never want to go back.
I hope that you will really give this some thought and try to find some ways to better manage your exercise regimen and work schedule. I'm telling you this out of genuine concern and not to be mean or make you teary. I've/we've walked the walk and can testify to the depths of nastiness of this illness.
Things will get better. And, you are not alone. I hope that you found some great outfits for your upcoming conference! Take care.
Shopping went well! I got everything I needed within 30 min.!
You are a blessing.
It's okay for some days to only see the hard. When all you can do is throb, its hard to focus on anything else.
That's when I just sit wrapped up in my electric blanket and not move!
My thoughts and prayers will certainly be with you!
-Sharon-
BE WISE AND FIND HOW TO MINIMISE THE FLARES, BE GENTLE , THIS IS A TERRIBLE CONDITION, DRUGS ARE NOT THE CURE, ACTUALLY TAKING IBRUFEN IS NOT RECOMMENDED, ITS BAD FOR OUR HEART , VALVES,SO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU TAKE.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS HELP, HEALTHY EATING.
LOVE **
My pain spiked the last two weeks because it snowed and iced (in tx that doewsnt happen alot) it was unbearable. My husband and I have a movie night every Thursday and I havent been able to get the energy up enough in the last two weeks. Makes me sad.
I just started 600 mg Gabepentin and I think I will have to go to a higher dose like yall because it doesnt seem to have much effect right now.
Also, I LOVE YOGA. Lately though if I try anything other than light stretching I hurt soooo much the next day. It takes me about 3 days to recover from what used to be a normal yoga practice. I am trying to accept this fact but I just dont understand. Why is yoga so hard?
Nice to know about the aleve/advil. I have been taking it alot. OOPS!