Hey and howdy! See ya already took your boots off, now all ya gotta do is sit for a spell and enjoy a bit of rest. You didn't state what precipitated the CMP diagnosis, that might help as there are so many causes that it makes it hard to guess how to help a soul the most.
It's good to turn to others who understand pain sometimes. People may tell you they understand but unless they have lived with it, then they don't. For those uneffected who tell me they understand my pain, I often ask if they can stub their toes until they bleed and not care, if they can say yes, then they are getting in the ball park. But I always hope and pray that none have to live in pain.
Treatment for your condition is going to depend on what the source of it is and what the other health factor's might be. For me, I have structural issues now in my lumbar and cervical spine that have become serious. Thus I am enjoying my last season of riding horses before I have the surgeries and other things that are going to be needed done.
LOL, so let us know! Don't keep us in suspense. Again welcome! And don't say never to narcotics, it may be the one thing that gives you your life back or part of it like it has for me!

Hello and Welcome to the Group!
I am glad to help in any way. I was diagnosed with Myofascial Pain Syndrome back in Sept after a year of sufferering, by the Mayo clinic.
Prior to this, I had Pudendal Neuralgia a nerve condition of the pelvis with burning pain. So, this ordeal has been over a year and a half of chronic pain, I know what you are going through. I have done alot of research since diagnoses and found many things helpful. Right now, I am much better than I was a year ago, functionality wise.
Here are some of my helpful things:
1. I find it a necessity, or Godsend for these books:
Janet Travell and David Simon's ( world reknowned doctors on myofascial pain and trigger points) books titled: Myofascial Pain and Dysfucntion Vol 1 and 2. These books are invaluable at the amount of information on the disease, where your tirgger points are, and the pain referral patterns. Also, how you can do home exercises to help the trigger points by stretching.

2. Devin Starndnyl's book: Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain,, A Survivals Manual. Starnyl is a doctor who knows about MPS, she has a severe case of it and Fibro herself. There are many valuable chapters on bodywork, mindwork, coping strategies, support etc..

3. Healing Ancient Wounds by John Barnes: John Barnes is the "Father" of Myofascial Release, a technique where restrictions in the body are released and connective tissue loosened in order to bring the body into balance, relieve tightness and pain. Talks about the emotional side of healing as well, a great book.
Anyhow, things that work for me now:
1. Myofascial Release therapy: I have many misalignments in my spine and pelvis that caused muscular imbalances. MFR helps to release restrictions so the skeleton can go back into place. I have found with this technique I am having less pain, and my structure is slowly moving into position.
2. Hot baths with Epsom salts. I do MFR stretches and just rest and relax in the tub while listening to music. Magnesium helps the muscles become looser.
3. Stretching: Myofascial Release Stretches: 3=5 minutes each. The deeper layers of connective tissue, and restrictions ( collagenous barrier) only release at the 3-5 min mark, so I have set stretches I do for my painful body parts every day, as a habit like brushing my teeth.
4. Medications: I take: Elavil ( Amatriptyline, low dose for pain, sleep) Valium: for anxiety and loosening muscles, Savella ( an SNRI that is for tight, stiff painful muscle: see Web MD) helps the brain lessen the pain response and sensitivity, Oxycontin in order to function more: I am able to swim laps 4 days a week, go to the movies, go drink wine, go to dinner, walk our nature trail, as it helps lower pain. I also take supplements, especially Vit D, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, C.
5. Participating in DS: helps to unload. I was going through cognitive behavioral therapy, which helped but I cant afford the MFR and that too. This forum helps me connect with people who have the same difficulties.
6. Finding what you like to do: Distrctions: I graduated in Music, and for over a year now, have not picked up my guitar. I just recently began playing again, and sit at the piano as well. Find your talent or interest.

hope i helped again and welcome :-) jess

Welcome to the group. The people here are very supportive and share a lot of information.

Like you, my pain is in my neck and shoulder area. What kind of work are you able to do? I haven't made it back to work yet and I'm at a loss as to what my body can handle.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi welcome so glad you found us, everyone here is so nice and I think you will find the peace I do when I come here and read, just knowing someone else knows how you feel and understands is a huge blessing. I also have it in the neck ,jaws, shoulders and even the hips and legs. I use icy hot and heat. The days that are really bad I do nothing. Wish I had better answers but at the moment I am still searching for answers on dealing with pain.

Welcome!!

This is a great place to come where people do understand. I have a very supportive family as well, but I know they don't truly understand. They sure do try. Here I know people really get it! What a relief.
I have spent alot of money as well trying to find the answers. I am sure I will spend more, even if it just ease the pain for the time. I will take what I can.
My pain is in my neck, mid back ( chest and rib area) and low back. I don't work and it feels like trying to find pain relief is a full time job. The thing that helps me the most with my pain is moist heat. I practically live in my hot tub. When I am not in there I am at pool therapy (warm water) and then I use rice packs that I heat up in the microwave other times.
I hope you find some helpful tools for yourself! Lisa

I want to thank you all so much for the warm welcome and the treatment discussions. To answer some questions, I have been told that my myofascial problems are a direct result of poor posture. I have worked as an Executive Assistant for over 20 years, and most of my day is spent at the computer terminal preparing documents. As a result, I have developed severely rounded shoulders, (even when I pull them back as far as I can, they are still curved inward). As a result of the rounded shoulders, I now have a bad slouch and a terrible "forward head" which places a great deal of tension on my neck and upper back. Either as a cause of my myofascial problems or as a direct result of them, I'm not sure, my very first vertabrae (the Atlas) has become sublaxated and it has developed a pattern whereby it leans to the rear and to the left, which means my head does not sit straight on the top of my spine. I am not able to tolerate regular chiropractic adjustments as this flares my pain something terrible. I have found an "upper cervical specialist" who has taken thousands from me to manipulates that vertabrae in a gentle fashion. I have been seeing him since December. I have noticed some improvements in my severe (migraine-like) headaches, but even when he claims that vertabrae is in place and holding, I still experience a significant amount of muscle pain (tight muscles, restricted ranges of motion and burning muscles) on a daily basis. My medicine helps somewhat - when I dont take it, I'm literally crying in pain and unable to function. Even with the meds, my pain levels are still quite high. I usually wake feeling okay, as long as I've not been up during the night in pain, but as the day progresses my pain builds and builds. Work is killing me. Some evenings I am so tight it hurts to just breath.

I am also currently in cognitive behaviour therapy. This has been helpful for the anxiety and depression that came along with the MPS. I became very frightened by the pain, developed "pain panic". The word "chronic" really scares me. The therapy has helped to settle my mind down a bit, but not my body. I am also seeing a physiotherapist who performes "Active Release Technique" on the affected muscle groups. This seemed to be very effective initially - I stopped using pain medication and began sleeping through the night! But for insurance purposes, I had to change providers and now, after ten sessions with the new gal, I'm in as much pain today as I ever have been, so I just dont know. I will continue with this as insurance allows - when I run out of physio coverage, I have a bit of massage coverage and have located a RMT who performs the same technique.

With regard to the trigger points, I cannot treat mine! If I try messing with mine even the tiniest little bit, my pain goes through the roof - I dont understand why this is. I have tried a very gentle approach to this but always have the same reaction. I cant even touch mine without making my pain much much worse ????? Feedback anyone?

Regarding the magnesium supplements, I have been told this is important but have not been able to take this successfully as I get severe gut rot - more pain!!! Has this happened to anybody else and how did you get around this?

Heat and ice help with my pain, but as soon as I remove it, the pain is back...back...back.

I have tried acupuncture and failed miserably. Sticking pins into my painful muscles caused me to feel much much worse.

Looking forward, I am planning to see an osteopath if I dont start improving soon with the chiropractor.

Adding to my problems, I am sooooooo sad. I just want my life back. I have a young five-year-old daughter who needs her mommy. By the time I get home at the end of the day, I am cranky and miserable and just want to go to bed. My husband gets upset with me sometimes - says I need to push harder, so he obviously doesn't get it. I just feel useless and that my husband and daughter would be better off without me. I love them both dearly, but think of divorce often so they can have a better life - pretty bad huh?

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I really dont feel so alone since reading your responses to my post. I look forward to exchanging ideas or maybe just chatting. I hope you all have a comfortable day (it's noon and I'm probably already around a 7 on the 10 scale). I'm off to lunch so will get some relief with some heat.

Terry

Hello Terry and welcome too. Your story was so familiar to me - my system is hypersensitive to everything and I can't use direct trigger point therapy either as it causes major flare ups, I've just had to accept that's how I am!!

I think your comments about how you work really hit home to me - I had big issues with a new work station last year (poor chair, poor desk, too much light) and I deteriorated significantly. Are you still working in the same way as before? The same hours and with no changes to your office environment? If you are you might want to try changing a few things to help give you chance to get back in control. But the fact you are still managing to work deserves a (very gentle) pat on the back.

From what you have described you have alot of help still available from different medication. Medication is not the answer with this condition, but a tool to help you get back in control and develop an exercise programme to stay as mobile as possible. Medication that works on both relaxing muscles and reducing pain will work well but it really is trial and error.

Try not to be too scared by the idea of having chronic pain. Life is all about adapting to change and this is just another change (probably on a par with having a child, but with none of the benefits!). The skills you are learning to cope with this condition will help all areas of your life. Keeping notes and looking at them every now and then really help work out what helps.