You are in the right place and we have all dealt with this before. I don't know what to tell you other than look at other peoples profiles and keep journal of the meds you have tried. What worked and what did not.

Honey the best thing to do is your own research.Learn as much as you can Google fibrmyalgia and see what hits I did so much research to understand what was happening to me!!!!!!

Never never never never never give up! It may seem like a very huge uphill battle some days and some days you will feel like you "survived" the day...even if the day was getting the dishes washed! Remember that it is a big win if you can at least fold your laundry and be proud of yourself for doing so! NEVER measure yourself with any "normal" person of "great" health because EVERYONE is individual in what they experience on a day to day basis!

Try your best to lean on those who love and understand you and ALWAYS balance your feelings with time spent on how they feel! People get overloaded, especially on a things they can't see or understand if they feel you make it "all about you!"

Some days you will feel like someone just ran you over with a mack truck and yes, some days you will feel good and proud that you made it through even the next minute! We have uncertain lives but that doesn't mean we have no lives!

PACE YOURSELF! I destroy my health when I feel bad for awhile then I try to get everything done because I have a moment of "new energy!" PACE YOURSELF!

Realize that as much as this is all new for you to understand that it is that much more confusing for someone who can't even see or feel your pain! Talk to people who care and don't try and get people to understand you who just can't understand! Weather it's cause it's scary and overwhelming for them to understand or they are simply too selfish to see past themselves!

We have to conserve our energy on the important things in life! We have too much to deal with already without getting negative feedback! That goes for ANYONE you talk to who is negative! If someone cares about you, they will care and if they don't...well you know the difference!

Realize that it will be hard for people to acknowledge anything they can't see or put a clear definition on!

AT FIRST DOCTORS WILL CALL YOU CRAZY OVER AND OVER! But remember...YOUR PAIN IS YOUR PAIN AND IT IS VALID! FIGHT FOR YOURSELF! BUT PICK IMPORTANT NON ENERGY DRAINING BATTLES TO FIGHT FOR! YOU ARE IMPORTANT! YOUR PAIN IS VALID! DON'T LET PEOPLE WALK OVER YOU! BUT AGAIN...PICK THOSE BATTLES!

Take care,
Stay sane!

Hi Dixie, I've been there, done that. I suffered almost complete debilitation for well over three years. I was virtually a prisoner in my own home due to the painful Fibro.

I have found that Massage Therapy and Chiropractic have been more help than pain management was. Pain Management docs kept me on Duragesic Patches then Morphine. The Lidoderm Patches work well too.

I doctored my bed so I can get a good nights sleep and have assorted pillows hiding under my covers that help prop me up during the night to keep the pressure points at bay.

Epsom Salts or Baking Soda baths are also good for breaking up toxins in the body.

I have a "Bed Buddy" I found at Wal Mart I can heat up in the Microwave that gives me relief also.

I have an Electric Blanket on my bed I use all the time and a large Heating Pad that lives on my sofa with me when my Fibro flares up and the pain gets too bad.

I hope these things help you. I came across these by trial and error with no help from doctors. My regular doc didn't believe in Fibro and I had him x-ray me from head to toe because of all the severe pain. Needless to say, they found noting out of the ordinary that could explain why I constantly hurt all over.

WHEN I RESEARCHED, I WOULD MAKE COPIES TO RELEARN FROM. I NEED TO READ THE SAME ONES 2 OR 3 TIMES TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN THE INFO. I HAVE A BIG FILE ON FIBRO B/C IT IS MY LIFE NOW AND I NEED JUST LIKE YOU TO KNOW EVERYTING I CAN ABOUT IT. PAIN MANAGEMENT CAN SOMETIME BE SCREWY FOR SOME OF US TOO. I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WEATHER OR NOT YOUR DOC BELIEVES IN FIBRO, THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTION I WOULD HAVE FOR HIM/HER. I WISH YOU LUCK ON YOUR VISIT AND KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS....LOVE...HELEN

It's hard to give good general advice, because what works for one does't for another. I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time of it, I hope the pain management will help you. In the meantime, Some things that help me is to absolutely avoid getting cold, it makes me so much worse. Even indoors, warmth is a wonderful way to soothe the muscles and joints. The best way I've found is an electric heating blanket, throw or mattress pad so you can be totally wrapped in warmth. A nice hot bath or shower can help. provided you aren't going to be chilled when you get out, My bathroom doesn't get warm enough for me to bathe when I'm really achey. If you don't have an electic wrap, a regular blanket put into the dryer long enough to get warm will help, at least for awhile. Anything that wil help you relax will help a bi, if you relax, the muscles aren't so tight and painful. Aromatherapy, soothing sounds or music, a warm ea or hot chocolate, whatever works for you. A dark room is really necessary for me when I'm in lots of pain, anything brighter than a nightlight is bad for me; no noise unless it is soft and soothing sound, and the warmth. A bit of lotion rubbed into your neck, shoulders and temples may help. Other than that and your meds, I really don't know. I do hope you feel better. you are not alone, we all deal with this, especially until we find the right doctor and treatment for us. I hope you find yours quickly. Blessings and hugs.

Hi dixie,
Yes, Fibro can feel like being hit by a truck. Good Luck with your doctors appointment. Ask the doctor if he or she treats fibro- Very important! As others said read all you can about fibro. Hugs, Keleee :)

bless your hesrt - so many of us hsve been there, or still are. Finding a doctor is so hard - a pain specialist could probably help a lot. It took me forever to find one who wasn't just interested in injecting trigger points. be good to yourself, and like its already been said, pace yourself and don't give up! Blessings, Star )O(

Wow,

Such good suggestions have already been given. In fact, they are good reminders to me too.

I am sorry you are at this point. I think we all have been here and that Mack truck seems to do a lot of travelling.

Hope that something starts working for you...even if it is just you working for you.

I have to say that I never received real help with my pain until I went to a Pain Managment Clinic. They are authorized by the DEA to prescribe REAL pain meds, so that is why they can help. BUT, not all doctors are helpful doctors. The first PM doc I saw was an a$$. He made me feel guilty for even taking his time. It is true, that you need to make sure that the doc you are going to see already sees fibro pateints, if he/she doesn't, move on. It's a waste of your time and money.

But the second one I was referred to was my personal angel. She finally treated my pain and almost has me pain free most days. She actually LISTENS to me, and WORKS WITH ME on finding the right combo and dosages of pain meds that will work for me. I am finally functioning again thanks to this doctor, so never give up. I think your best bet is a PM doc. Usually that's what everyone says. I know it was true for me. It may take seeing 2 or 3 or maybe even 4 PM docs before you find one that listens and works with you, but I guarantee you, it will be worth it in the long run!!!

are you in an area that has a variety of Chiros, massage therapists...a good Physical therapist ??
these are Not Dr.s...but the ones I have seem to know More about FM then ANY Dr. I have found...including my Rhuemy...they have also HELPED me alot more then any Dr.
until you have made your decisions on what works FOR YOU....I would keep all options Open...also, have you EVER had your Vitamin D levels checked ?/ I would do that as well....I get ALOT of sun exposure...but 2 tests revealed that for whatever reason my body is deficient...so I take good supplements that you can buy at a reputable health food store...and that has helped as well...stay with your dr. but research alternatives as well is the BEST advise I can give to you...

The thing that's helped me the most is taking amino acids to regulate my brain chemistry as fibro is caused by our neurotransmitters beng out of wack. Here's a great article discussing the subject: http://www.drmurphreestore.com/newsletters_letters/arefmspatcrazy.html

I also highly recommend his book as it's the most complete I've come across and approaches fibro from the point of view of putting back in the body what each system needs to function. This approach is known as orthomolecular medicine and since implementing it in my life, I'm feeling normal for the first time in 25 very l-o-n-g years.

Some of the things that happen to fibro sufferers are the following:

--the neurotransmitters in our brains are out of wack leading to all the crazy symptoms that make us look like fools. A lack of carbon monoxide and nictric acid prevents our brains from 'encoding' memories. Other deficiencies prevent our brain from filtering out extraneous stimuli like noise, light and smells causing us to be overwhelmed easily, especially when out in public. This is known as a gating problem.

--Low thyroid function is common as our bodies aren't able to properly utilize hormones, nutients and glucose in our blood. I suffered for years with sub-clinical hypothyroidism including losing my voice--I sound like Joe Cocker the singer now. Since my labs were within the normal range, my doctor wasn't smart enough to realize something was going on.

--Most of us also have low adrenal function known as adrenal fatigue. Our bodies excrete too much sodium and retain excess potassium causing us to lose excess fluid and end up dehydrated at a cellular level. I drink salt water among other things to treat it and gauge if I'm dehydrated by if my lips are chapped. I also take an adrenal cortex supplement from the health food store. Treating my adrenal fatigue made a significant difference in how I feel.

--Most fibro sufferers are very sensitive to chemicals along with food intolerances. I was forced to clean up my diet after nearly exploding due to eating foods my body can't handle. I never would have believed I was allergic to all those foods but it's amazing how much better I feel when I avoid them. I also lost 15 lbs. and am back to a normal, pre-meds weight.

Well, that ought to overwhelm you for now. If you want more info, message me.

Try this site great info & many topics and can ask a question, & up-to-date info.
www.fibroandfatigue.com/aboutus.php

Hey sorry to hear about your pain. We have all been there and are there. You have had some great suggestions here. It is a trial an error process. Cont. to educate yourself on the disease, if possible build a support system of people in your life you can call when its at its worst for help. Absolutely get a doctor who believes in fibro. I see a chiro, and massage therapist, and exercise as much as possible. Depending on your mental status a therapist or life coach may be helpful too. Take care.

If you dont have a doc who really understands FM and you dont trust, change. It is so important to have a treatment team that gets it, and you dont have to put up with clueless or rude docs. Local FM groups always know who the best docs are. I echo those who say it takes time to get things under control, so keep on trying. But I would also say that it is ok to have a day once in a while when you admit you have had it and just take a break from trying and not think about anything important for 24 hours. Somehow letting down from the struggle reenergizes us to start again with renewed energy.