Read and learn more about fibromyalgia pain treatment. For more, visit the Pain Q&A website FeelTheHurt.com
Q: What is the best pain treatment for fibromyalgia?
Currently I am taking Savella as well as 5 mg Lortabs for pain. The Lortab is having little to no effect lately. Have any of you fellow sufferers had success with other medication for pain?
Also, I do light exercise daily to keep my muscles and joints healthy. I also use hot baths to ease pain as well.
Thanks in advance for you help.
A: I haven’t tried Savella or Lortabs, but I’ve tried a lot of different things in the past. The best thing that works for me (for pain) is Darvocets. I can take up to four a day, but I usually take 0-2. I don’t want my body to get used to Darv’s, so I only take one when I really can’t take the pain. If its mild pain (which it rarely is mild anymore) I’ll take 4 Advil & that seems to help a bit too. I also have been taking Ambien for about 15 years, which is the ONLY thing that helps me sleep at all, if I don’t take Ambien, I don’t sleep, & I feel much much worse, so if you don’t take anything for sleep (most Fibromyalgics have sleeping prob’s) you can ask your doc about taking something to help you sleep. Sleep helps us feel a lot better!
Take care!
Q: Any advice for the treatment of my Fibromyalgia pain?
Does anybody know of a natural remedy for it?
A: I use DRibose. While its not a cure it cut my pain down far enough that I was able to decrease my pain meds my half. Its the “D” in your DNA. Here is the link to the original research paper on it:
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/6225
You have nothing to lose by trying it.
Q: Any new or home treatments for fibromyalgia pain?
A: I’m happy to be the first to offer advice you can actually use… 
I was diagnosed with FMS in 2004 after about three years of mostly useless doctors’ visits. I’ve found the most relief actually from OTC meds and herbal remedies. Every night at bedtime, I take 800 mg. of Aleve and a 1000-mg. flaxseed oil capsule to be able to walk the next morning, and I take Arnica tablets (a homeopathic herb) as needed for flareups. Exercise is good, too–I walk about two miles a day.
The links below should help. Good luck finding relief!
Q: If you have Fibromyalgia and you have chronic myofascial pain syndrome – what treatments worked?
I’ve been suffering with Chronic Myofascial pin in my upper back all the way across & the only thing that really stops the pain is if I lay down (I’m not going into that business). I have NOT been to a therapist that specializes in myofascial pain but I do see a LMT every 2 weeks. I take muscle relaxers & Tramadol along with other pain relievers. Help!
A: I have had some luck with a supplement called d-ribose (corvalen is the brand name I use) it has helped with energy and pain some.
Q: What is your treatment for fibromyalgia?
My doctor says he beleives that I have fibromyalgia. My mom has suffered from this for 20 years also so I guess it is hereditary. I am wondering what other people do for the pain and what they have tried out and what works best to help.
A: Hi Natalie,
rather than go into a long message here about Fibro and all of this i will be glad to talk with you and answer any questions you have and help if I can just email me at poohinmissouri@yahoo.com I also own a totally free chat room where people with all kinds of diseases like fibro, lupus,ra,ms,mpd, etc come to talk and help each other about medications they take, symptoms, dealing with doctors, pain and so on, and we would love to have you come join us, sometimes it helps to talk directly to people instead of trying to find answers out on the net, so come and talk with me and the others, we look forward to hearing from you, just email me and i will get the link to you right away
Q: What is the best treatment for Fibromyalgia?
I also have high blood pressure and thyroid trouble. my sysmptoms are leg pain and daytime sleepiness. I had a sleep study done and was told that I have the Fibromyalgia. I am on meds for depression , highblood pressure and thyroid. I already take the zanaflex and ultracet and voltarin. Along with klopin wellbutrin synthroid and topral xl and a baby asprin. What else can be done? What type of dr should I go to to have this treated? Any help would be great.
A: Sounds like you are taking enough medication already. You should be seeing a rhumatologist. Are you sure you don’t have CFS or something else? Have they tested for anything else?
Q: I have pain in my coccyx and also suffer from fibromyalgia. Would osteopathy or chiropractic treatment help?
A: about 4 years ago i fell and started having terrible pain in my coccyx. i had xrays and it looked fine. i went through 8 week of physical therapy which helped some, but still had trouble sitting for any length of time. the pain was pretty much constant. i suffered for over a year until finally i tried a chiropractor. He helped me more than anything. he found my hips were rotated and my spine was like a lightning bolt. after a few adjustments i was much better. i can pretty much tell when i am “out” now and go get adjusted. i’m sore for a couple of days, but so much better. hope this helps
Q: I am looking for options, suggestions for fibromyalgia treatment.?
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia as a result of an allergic reaction. I have significant swelling in my joints, which seem to be closely associated with changes in weather or severe weather. Most everything I read about fibromyalgia talks about muscle issues, but mine is purely in the joints, though I did react pretty strongly to the ‘pressure points’ indicative of this disease. I cannot live forever on pain killers and anti-inflammatories.
A: Currently, there is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are many steps you can take to understand your condition and manage your symptoms. Treatment is focused on managing pain, fatigue, depression, and other symptoms common in fibromyalgia in an attempt to break the cycle of increased sensitivity to pain and decreased physical activity. Every person may respond to a different combination of treatments.
Treatment may include:
Medicines to help you sleep better, relax muscles, or relieve muscle and joint pain. Medicines your doctor may suggest include tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), anticonvulsants (also called antiepileptics), mixed (or dual) reuptake inhibitors or, less often, nonprescription pain relievers.
Exercise therapy to relieve sore muscles and increase energy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you learn to manage your pain.
Home treatment is also a vital part of managing fibromyalgia. Your efforts to get regular exercise, improve your sleep habits, and reduce stress are as important to your treatment as any medication your doctor may prescribe.
Q: treatment cure for FIBROMYALGIA?
is their a cure or treatment to eas the pain for fibromyalgia.and so were or location thax my mother needs the help and me to see her happy again thxx.
A: Honey, if there were a cure for Fibromyaliga or a good treatment some drug company or health care professional would be MEGA RICH!
I have suffered for 17 years now. There was one thing that did help, unfortunately most health insurances don’t pay for it and it can be costly, that is massage therapy. NOTE it MUST be done by a therapist that specifically trained to work on folks with FMS.
Look on the net there are some very good sites to give you and your mom some good info. If you or she wishes feel free to e-mail me.
http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer
This is long – but good info for you and mom.
WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME?
FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown.
Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons–the fibrous tissues in the body.
FMS used to be called fibrositis, implying that there was inflammation in the muscles, but research later proved that inflammation did not exist.
Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn.
More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, but it shows up in people of all ages.
To help your family and friends relate to your condition, have them think back to the last time they had a bad flu. Every muscle in their body shouted out in pain. In addition, they felt devoid of energy as though someone had unplugged their power supply.
While the severity of symptoms fluctuate from person to person, FMS may resemble a post-viral state and this is why several experts in the field of FMS and CFS believe that these two syndromes are one and the same.
SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED SYNDROMES
Pain – The pain of fibromyalgia has no boundaries. People describe the pain as deep muscular aching, burning, throbbing, shooting and stabbing. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning and you may hurt more in muscle groups that are used repetitively.
Fatigue – This symptom can be mild in some patients and yet incapacitating in others. The fatigue has been described as “brain fatigue” in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Many patients depict this situation by saying that they feel as though their arms and legs are tied to concrete blocks, and they have difficulty concentrating.
Sleep disorder – Most fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly. This condition was uncovered in a sleep lab with the aid of a machine which recorded the brain waves of patients during sleep.
Researchers found that fibromyalgia syndrome patients could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. Patients appeared to spend the night with one foot in sleep and the other one out of it. In most cases, a physician doesn’t have to order expensive sleep lab tests to determine if you have disturbed sleep. If you wake up feeling as though you have just been run over by a Mack truck–what doctors refer to as unrefreshed sleep–it is reasonable for your physician to assume that you have a sleep disorder.
It should be noted that most patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome have the same alpha-EEG sleep pattern and some fibromyalgia-diagnosed patients have been found to have other sleep disorders, such as sleep myoclonus or PLMS (nighttime jerking of the arms and legs), restless leg syndrome and bruxism (teeth grinding). The sleep pattern for clinically depressed patients is distinctly different from that found in FMS or CFS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in roughly 40% to 70% of fibromyalgia patients.
Chronic headaches – Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are seen in about 50% of fibromyalgia patients and can pose as a major problem in coping for this patient group.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome – This syndrome, sometimes referred to as TMJD, causes tremendous face and head pain in one quarter of FMS patients. However, a 1997 report indicates that as many as 90% of fibromyalgia patients may have jaw and facial tenderness that could produce, at least intermittently, symptoms of TMJD. Most of the problems associated with this condition are thought to be related to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint and not necessarily the joint itself.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome – Sensitivities to odors, noise, bright lights, medications and various foods is common in roughly 50% of FMS or CFS patients.
Other common symptoms -
Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea),
chest pain,
morning stiffness,
cognitive or memory impairment,
numbness and tingling sensations,
muscle twitching,
irritable bladder,
the feeling of swollen extremities,
skin sensitivities,
dry eyes and mouth,
frequent changes in eye prescription,
dizziness, and impaired coordination can occur. Aggravating factors – Changes in weather, cold or drafty environments, hormonal fluctuations (premenstrual and menopausal states), stress, depression, anxiety and over-exertion can all contribute to symptom flare-ups.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
The cause of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome remains elusive, but there are many triggering events thought to precipitate its onset. A few examples would be an infection (viral or bacterial), an automobile accident or the development of another disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or hypothyroidism. These triggering events probably don’t cause FMS, but rather, they may awaken an underlying physiological abnormality that’s already present in the form of genetic predisposition. What could this abnormality be? Theories pertaining to alterations in neurotransmitter regulation (particularly serotonin and norepinephrine, and substance P), immune system function, sleep physiology, and hormonal control are under investigation.
Substance P is a pain neurotransmitter that has been found by repeat studies to be elevated threefold in the spinal fluid of fibromyalgia patients. Two hormones that have been shown to be abnormal are cortisol and growth hormone. In addition, modern brain imaging techniques are being used to explore various aspects of brain function–while the structure may be intact, there is likely a dysregulation in the way the brain operates.
The body’s response to exercise, stress and simple alterations in position (vertical versus horizontal) are also being evaluated to determine if the autonomic nervous system is not working properly.
Your body uses many neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and epinephrine, to regulate your heart, lungs and other vital organs that you don’t have to consciously think about. Ironically, many of the drugs prescribed for FMS/CFS may have a favorable impact on these transmitters as well.
COMMON TREATMENTS
Traditional treatments are geared toward improving the quality of sleep, as well as reducing pain. Because deep level (stage 4) sleep is so crucial for many body functions, such as tissue repair, antibody production, and perhaps even the regulation of various neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system chemicals, the sleep disorders that frequently occur in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients are thought to be a major contributing factor to the symptoms of this condition.
Medicines that boost your body’s level of serotonin and norepinephrine–neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain and immune system function–are commonly prescribed. Examples of drugs in this category would include Elavil, Flexeril, Sinequan, Paxil, Serzone, Xanax and Klonopin.
A low dose of one of these medications may be of help. In addition, nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen may also be beneficial.
Most patients will probably need to use other treatment methods as well, such as trigger point injections with lidocaine, physical therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, relaxation techniques, osteopathic manipulation, chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, or a gentle exercise program.
WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS?
Long term follow-up studies on fibromyalgia syndrome have shown that it is chronic, but the symptoms may wax and wane.
The impact that FMS can have on daily-living activities, including the ability to work a full-time job, differs among patients.
Overall, studies have shown that fibromyalgia can be equally as disabling as rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, follow-up of people meeting the chronic fatigue sydnrome criteria indicates that as many as 40% may significantly improve but few are thought to completely recover from this syndrome.
Longer term follow-up studies are not available to indicate whether these “improved” CFS patients later relapse with an increase in symptoms. A preliminary follow-up study by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) reveals that for those individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome who do not recover or significantly improve after five years duration, their most prominent symptom changes from fatigue to muscle pain with concentration problems (sounds a lot like the permanent syndrome of fibromyalgia but the CDC is not checking patients for tender points).
Q: Does anyone know of any treatment for Fibromyalgia?
My wife is really suffering from this condition. We were sent to a orthopedist who recommended a balanced diet and blamed the condition on cigarette smoking. We’ve tried Over The Counter Pain medicine but they didn’t help.
A: I have Fibromyalgia -Vitamin D3 supplementation has cleared the constant muscle pain (for the most part). I did high levels for 3 weeks & was pain free. I knocked the dose down to 2000iu’s a day & a week later the pain was back. After restarting high levels, the pain is managed again after 3 days.
Vitamin D3 deficiency is becoming an epidemic. U.S. RDA are much too low & the prescription vitamin D supplements are the wrong type (ergocalciferol ). Luckily you can buy vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and the upper limits are extremely high. Current recommendations are for 35iu per pound – a 150# person needs minimum of 5250iu per day & the rda is 400iu. This amount is for minimal needs and does not account for depleted stores. March is when stores are at their lowest.
I personally did 35,000iu per day for 2 months trying to refill my stores. It is highly recommended that you have your vit.D levels tested but my research shows toxicity only at outrageous, long term levels.
I originally did B12 injections daily for a couple of years & then I tried guaifenesin (Dr.St.Amand’s protocol) for 10 years but discovered vit.D3 supplementation only recently & that has worked better than anything else! Vitamin D3 is not a vitamin, it is actually a hormone that controls immune functions.
Low Vitamin D levels greatly increases risk of cancer, diabetes, MS & heart attack.
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1560518#i
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17023693
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/10/Vitamin-D-Experts-Reveal-the-Truth.aspx
Q: Fibromyalgia-going to pain clinic, not getting the results I need, how do I ask for a higher dose?
I was diagnosed with Fibro by a Neuro surgeon and referred to a pain treatment center here in Kentucky. The doctor was very cold and unsympathetic and kept asking me about my casper report. I’m also on Xanax for anxiety and I only get it from my Family physician but he’s partnered with several other physicians so their names came up on the report looking as if I’m doctor hopping. He prescribed me Lortab 10s 2x daily and Tramadol 3x daily along with Zanaflex and Lyrica. None of this helps. I’ve been off work since October 1 and waiting short term disability from my insurane company.I stay in constant pain. I have shoulder, back, head and neck migraines at least 4 times per week.I’m exhausted and can’t do household chores which is hindering my marriage. My husband is very unsympathetic towards the severity of this disease.I need my doctor to prescribe me something that will work continually through the day, not for just 4 hours. Any suggestions? Oxycontin? Fentanyl patch??
A: Fibromyalgia is a very painful and difficult condition for the patient and their families. It is unfortunate that your husband fails to understand the impact this condition has on you. One of the worst features of fibromyalgia is the lack of outward physical signs to show others the reason for your complaints. I fully understand your plight, I also have a chronic pain condition, which has no outward physical manifestation, but often prevents even minimal functioning.
That being said, long acting narcotic analgesics are not considered appropriate for patients with fibromyalgia. This is not because the patients do not have enough pain to warrant a narcotic analgesic, but instead, because they are mostly minimally effective. They will numb the opiate receptors in the brain and decrease your perception of pain in the short run, but this will be a short lived effect, and within a few weeks to months you will require increasing doses of the long acting narcotics to sustain the effect. As the opiate receptors get more and more tolerant, you continue to require increases until you are on very high doses, and continue having complaints of “level 10 pain”. This has been seen repeatedly in fibromyalgia patients over the years. As the long acting narcotics (and the hydrocodone you currently have prescribed) are potentially very addictive, and definately will cause physiologic dependence, it is considered in the patient’s best interest to limit the use of these medications.
In fibromyalgia the actual cause of the condition has not been proven. The current theory called “central sensitization.” This theory states that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain (neurotransmitters). In addition, the brain’s pain receptors (neurons) — which receive signals from the neurotransmitters — seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can overreact to pain signals. In this way, pressure on a spot on the body that wouldn’t hurt someone without fibromyalgia can be very painful to someone who has the condition. But what initiates this process of central sensitization isn’t known.
In order to control the flow of nerve impulses it is better to work with the neurotransmitters and use neuromodulating agents. Also use of symptomatic treatments is considered appropriate. The pregabalin you currently are using is appropriate and should be maximized, Zanaflex is also a good medication. For analgesia Tramadol ER and acetaminophen are usually the best options, the narcotics not being shown to have lasting effect. Xanax or some other benzodiazepine is frequently used, and antidepressant medications are used frequently. (I also often consider trying antiepileptic drugs which work as neuromodulators)
The key to proper management of this condition, however, is not usually based on medications. Physical therapy, biofeedback, psychological support and possibly the use of other physical modalities such as chiropractic manipulation or accupuncture are helpful. Fibromyalgia requires the effort of the patient to get out and use the body to move the muscle through the pain syndrome, otherwise the issue intensifies.
I know this is not the answer you wanted, but I’m afraid it is the appropriate answer for your condition. Use of long acting narcotic analgesic medications in your condition would be detrimental to your care and would decrease your quality of life. If your husband has trouble supporting your issues now, please have him get with a fibromyalgia support group, let him know you are not the only person like you. I used to insist my patients bring their spouses in on occaison for appointments, so they could see the room full of other patients with no outward physical signs of problems but with severe and disabling pain. The spouse usually become even more unsupportive if they think their spouses are just drug users. This is unfortunate but true, and a frequent cause of marital problems and even divorce in chronic pain patients.
Trust me I do understand. I wish you the best. Work with your pain management team, they seem to be on the right track!
EDIT: Sorry to add more, but that is also some good information from Andee. Keep with your current meds until they are maximized, then try any nutritional supplements your pain team endorses.
I wish you the best. God Bless
Q: What treatments work best for fibromyalgia? I am in constant pain but narcotics give me “rebound” headaches.
I suffer from migraines as well as depression and have been on so many different drugs over the last 3 yrs I could start my own pharmacy. Nacotics trigger migraines. The anit-depressants make me more tired. I am not sleeping well and feeling like I just cannot see another damn doctor. Anyone have anything that helps??? Is there a specialist out there for this type of thing. I am seeing a primary care, a psychologist and a phychiatrist. Its getting too expensive and not helping me very much. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
A: “The use of NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) is usually disappointing; it is unusual for Fibromyalgia patients to experience more than a 20% relief of their pain, but many consider this to be worthwhile. Narcotics (propoxyphene, codeine, and oxycodone) often provide a worthwhile relief of pain. In most patients, concerns about addiction, dependency and tolerance are ill founded. Ultram (Tramadol) and Ultracet (tramadol + Tylenol), are the most useful pain medications in many patients. They both have the advantages of having a low abuse potential and is not a prostaglandin inhibitor; tramadol reduces the epileptogenic threshold and it should not be used in patients with seizure disorders.”
“There are several points that need to be stressed about exercise in Fibromyalgia patients: (i) Exercise is health training, not sport’s training. (ii) Exercise should be non-impact loading. (iii) Aerobic exercise should be done for 30 minutes each day. This may be broken down into three 10 minute periods or other combinations, such as two 15 minute periods, to give a cumulative total of 30 minutes. This should be the aim — it may take 6-12 months to achieve this level. (vi) Strength training should emphasize on concentric work and avoid eccentric muscle contractions. (vii) Regular exercise needs to become part of the usual lifestyle; it is not merely a 3-6 month program to restore them to health. Suitable aerobic exercise includes: regular walking, the use of a stationery exercycle or Nordic track (initially not using the arm component). Patients who are very deconditioned or incapacitated should be started with water therapy using a buoyancy belt (Aqua-jogger).”
“The common treatable cause of chronic fatigue in fibromyalgia patients are: (1) inappropriate dosing of medications (TCAs, drugs with antihistamine actions, benzodiazepines etc.), (2) depression, (3) aerobic deconditioning, (3) a primary sleep disorder (e.g. sleep apnea), (4) non-restorative sleep and (5) neurally mediated hypotension. A new drug called Provigil is of some help when used intermittently for management of fatigue.”
Q: I have a question concerning chronic pain treatment?
As some of you have read some of my questions you maybe somewhat aware of my circumstances.I have treatment resistant depression along with chronic H/A-the pain management specialist explains them as migraine-muscular tension, and fibromyalgia of the muscles of the head neck, and shoulders. I have been having fentyl 600mcg medicine that is absorbed inside the gum and inner cheek. I only have one doctor prescribing medication, have an agreement contract, the whole nine yards. Yesterday I had two lower jaw teeth extracted along with a bone graft. My oral surgeon suggested to continue with the fentyl medication 2 days after the surgery. Now my pain management has decided to only allow me to have hydrocodone 15mg. tabs 1 or 2 every 4-6 hrs.My tolerance to medication is high therefore my pain is not being controlled.Would you share with me your experience with chronic pain, the management, and the control that you receive.I feel that I will never get the pain controlled . HELP PLEASE
ADDITIONAL; I cannot begin to thank you all so much for the concern and the information.If more doctors would talk with their patients instead of down to us,think of the possibilities. Im giving this edit to my question just in case there are others that would have to the answers already.??how to I acquire the information or how might I learn these things with the information from India and were did you all learn how to put these things into practice? would you help me a little more? I am so sick and tired of my monthly trip to get my so called answer to the pain. I am 53years old and I feel that Ive lost those years to all quick fixes or under the control of the legal dealers handing out what they want to at the time. I want to get my life back and I thankyou all so much. I want to put the practical into action. It will not happen overnight but I want to try.
A: You are relying too much on meds and docs. Try alternative solutions. I have been told so much crap by docs over the years that I should be dead, and so many pills pushed on me I should be a zombie. But I fought back and fought them and refused to live that way. It took time but I found alternative solutions to my chronic pain ( have permanent nerve damage). Chiropractors have helped me. I was told I had clinical depression and that it would never get better, and pills were shoved at me. I changed my diet and lifestyle and take a pill twice a week instead of 5 a day for depression. I am rarely depressed now. I am too busy getting outside and exercising, breathing fresh air, staying busy. Fibromyalgia is directly linked to depression, treat one you will get rid of the other. Pain mgt. specialists are looking for a way to keep their paychecks coming in, they will not cure you. YOU must cure you. Get exercise, get busy with others, don’t eat crap. Pray or meditate, find a decent chiro/ massage therapist, take vitamins and get in the sun every day. Stop taking all that dope, you are poisoning yourself. The pain and depression will ease if you change your life and your mental state. Help others, get involved, get out of your head and into the world. Take baby steps but get moving ! Best of luck.
Q: Fibromyalgia pain, are there alternatives?
My mother was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 3 years ago and the only real treatments they have given her are Vicodin for her pain. I know that is not a good long term management but that is as far as they are going. She is always in pain even with the pain killers and I don’t want Vicodin’s long term side effects to damage her life or cut it short. Can you please help? Only serious answers please.
A: Nutrition is very important with this condition as with any serious physical condition. Avoid caffeine products, sugar, processed foods and fried foods. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) is often a factor in causing the person with Fibromyalgia to feel fatigued. That is why a good nutrition program is very important, eating frequent small meals with some protein is very important in keeping the blood levels even.
Whole grains, seeds, nuts, yogurt, chicken, Turkey, organic beef, eggs, natural cheese and cottage cheese should form the base of your diet. Accompanied by Appropriate vegetables and a minimum amount of fruit.
A good quality multi-vitamin is absolutely essential with this condition. It’s important to replace what the body loses daily. If a person takes no other supplement but a multi-vitamin they’re helping to support their body daily. Co Q 10, in soft gel form 100mg, taken three times daily can help increase the energy.
There’s no definite cure for Fibromyalagia but there are certainly many alternative methods that can help you improve the quality of your life. I find that deep tissue massage therapy performed regularly really keeps down the pain. When I’m going through a really bad time I always get a massage. It works better than any medicine.
Physical therapy that is performed at home is very important for Fibromyalgia. Warm water stretches performed at least three times weekly can be of tremendous help keeping the joints and muscles flexible. A Jacuzzi or hot tub is without a doubt one of the best treatments you can do at home, not only does it improve circulation you can also perform warm water stretches in it. If you have access to one and can use this daily you would see a tremendous change in the body. Using a moist heating pad on areas of pain for 20 minutes can ease the pain.
I also find that chiropractic care can bring tremendous relief. I always recommend people with Fibromyalgia seek out a Chiropractor who uses the activator method for physical therapy and pain relief. If you would like to find out about a doctor of chiropractic in your area who uses this method go to http://www.activator.com/qualified_doctors.asp
Q: I have been diagnose with fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis. Does anyone use a natural treatment that helps?
I wake up many times during the night in pain. My joints and muscles hurt from head to toe most of the time. I stay tired all the time. My iron level stays low. I am currently on prescribe medication which only helps a little. I really do not like to take medicine and especially when the doctors tells me I have to be on it for the rest of my life. I have tried several different natural remedies but nothing seems to work. I was hoping someone else with these diagnoses has found the miracle cure for this. Thank you and wish you always with good health.
A: Malic Acid, or Vanadyl Sulfate, Lots of Magnesium. You should also get massages, I mean REAL massages not the Foofy Foofy kind.
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