
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.
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!
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.
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 :)
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.
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!!!
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...
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.
www.fibroandfatigue.com/aboutus.php