Does anyone on here suffer from Fibromyalgia?

[bbbbbbb]

I don't take anything for fibro
just looked it up but see there are side effects
do you have any side effects?

Gabapentin: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


wish there was something safe, effective, with no side effects; SO tired of having fibromyalgia

I found the article interesting. I have not had any side effects myself.

 

[FireDragon76]

Conventional medicine hasn't offered much relief for my fibromyalgia. I found alot of benefit turning to alternative medicine, particularly Chinese medicine. Today, years after being diagnosed, my symptoms have greatly improved.

In my case, a TCM practitioner told me it was "Liver-Spleen disharmony, brain-fog, and depleted kidney energy". She put me on a concoction made of pseudoginseng, bones, and a dozen other herbs. She also gave me several rounds of acupuncture. After that, I started to eat a different diet (my diet is semi-macrobiotic and semi-vegan, but more Asian and less mediterranean) taking Triple Leaf detox tea once in a while.

What I deal with more now days is small intestinal bacteria overgrowth, which might be an underlying factor in the condition in the first place. I was also told I have a mass in my abdomen that's fairly uncomfortable at times, I'm going to have it looked at next week. It might be causing mechanical intestinal problems that fuel bacterial overgrowth.

CBD has been a good painkiller through it all, but it won't really attack the underlying condition. It does make pain more manageable, however. Fibromyalgia seems to be caused by some kind of severe stress or illness that brings it on.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Conventional medicine hasn't offered much relief for my fibromyalgia. I found alot of benefit turning to alternative medicine, particularly Chinese medicine. Today, years after being diagnosed, my symptoms have greatly improved.

In my case, a TCM practitioner told me it was "Liver-Spleen disharmony, brain-fog, and depleted kidney energy". She put me on a concoction made of pseudoginseng, bones, and a dozen other herbs. She also gave me several rounds of acupuncture. After that, I started to eat a different diet (my diet is semi-macrobiotic and semi-vegan, but more Asian and less mediterranean) taking Triple Leaf detox tea once in a while.

What I deal with more now days is small intestinal bacteria overgrowth, which might be an underlying factor in the condition in the first place. I was also told I have a mass in my abdomen that's fairly uncomfortable at times, I'm going to have it looked at next week. It might be causing mechanical intestinal problems that fuel bacterial overgrowth.

CBD has been a good painkiller through it all, but it won't really attack the underlying condition. It does make pain more manageable, however. Fibromyalgia seems to be caused by some kind of severe stress or illness that brings it on.

Different things work, or don't work, for all of us. I am very grateful I am functional.

 

[FireDragon76]

Different things work, or don't work, for all of us. I am very grateful I am functional.

I went to a rheumatologist referred by my insurance company whose prescription was to rub sesamee oil on where it hurt. No kidding. I was doing yoga and had no problems with lack of flexibility, but my whole body felt like it was on fire: his solution was I needed a good massage. I gave up on MD's after that.

Things probably have improved since my diagnosis. It's just difficult to find a doctor that either takes it seriously or has any clue what to do, other than put you on heavy duty anticonvulsants (which have some pretty bad side effects).

 

[mama2one]

I am very grateful I am functional.

when I was working, often paid for massotherapy to get me through work week
she had extra training to know how to work on those with fibromyalgia- it really hurt but helped me in long run

terrible time sleeping this summer

some days, only get 3-5 hrs sleep so feeling like a zombie
need 7 hrs but it's been weeks since getting a 7 hr sleep

now that fall is here with cooler temps/less humidity, hope my sleep improves

 

[Lost4words]

God bless all those who suffer with pain etc. May God lay His healing hands on everyone.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I went to a rheumatologist referred by my insurance company whose prescription was to rub sesamee oil on where it hurt. No kidding. I was doing yoga and had no problems with lack of flexibility, but my whole body felt like it was on fire: his solution was I needed a good massage. I gave up on MD's after that.

Things probably have improved since my diagnosis. It's just difficult to find a doctor that either takes it seriously or has any clue what to do, other than put you on heavy duty anticonvulsants (which have some pretty bad side effects).

I can definitely relate to your challenge. I went to a highly-recommended rheumatologist. After waiting 2 1/2 hours in the waiting room and then another 1/2 hour in the exam room, some old codger in a white lab coat came in and started examining me for arthritis. After it finally dawned on him that I don't have symptoms of arthritis and he told me that I could not have fibromyalgia because there is no such disease. He said I had a myofascial pain syndrome and that if I did some gentle water exercise I would be right as rain in two weeks. He was wrong and I refused to pay his exorbitant bill.

I am very grateful for my doctor. It took three wasted trips to Mayo Clinic before I found my doctor locally. He has kept me functioning for fifteen years now.

 

[bbbbbbb]

when I was working, often paid for massotherapy to get me through work week
she had extra training to know how to work on those with fibromyalgia- it really hurt but helped me in long run

terrible time sleeping this summer

some days, only get 3-5 hrs sleep so feeling like a zombie
need 7 hrs but it's been weeks since getting a 7 hr sleep

now that fall is here with cooler temps/less humidity, hope my sleep improves

I can definitely relate to the insomnia. I found a sleep doctor who was able to help me immensely. I am getting about six hours a night, plus a good nap or two during the day. I know what it is to feel like a zombie. There are a lot of meds out there for insomnia, but be careful because some have really nasty side effects.

 

[bbbbbbb]

God bless all those who suffer with pain etc. May God lay His healing hands on everyone.

Thank you!

 

[FireDragon76]

I think what really helped me was trying to get my underlying health conditions under control. In a significant minority of people with fibromyalgia, they also have problems like bacterial and fungal dysbiosis. That can put a heavy toxic load on your body, and can even negatively effect your mood (because beneficial bacteria living in your colon actually help you produce neurotransmitters like serotonin). Somebody with fewer underlying health conditions might see a big benefit to doing stuff like changing their diet and eating fermented foods or consuming probiotics.

 

[mama2one]

Somebody with fewer underlying health conditions might see a big benefit to doing stuff like changing their diet and eating fermented foods or consuming probiotics.

change diet to what exactly?

-we eat sauerkraut
-fruits & veggies: red grapefruit, kiwi, granny smith apples, broccoli, peas, cabbage, romaine lettuce & cucumbers
-I eat onions & tomatoes daily
-eat fish about once weekly
-chicken/eggs each about once every 10 days

 

[mama2one]

There are a lot of meds out there for insomnia, but be careful because some have really nasty side effects.

not on any prescription meds & don't have a Dr now

husband said get a GP
so tried before pandemic but after being turned down twice, I gave up

haven't had a physical in 11 years
that Dr is not on insurance & only went for required physical to adopt

 

[bbbbbbb]

not on any prescription meds & don't have a Dr now

husband said get a GP
so tried before pandemic but after being turned down twice, I gave up

haven't had a physical in 11 years
that Dr is not on insurance & only went for required physical to adopt

Your husband is right. It took me a long time to find my doctor. Even the great Mayo Clinic failed me after three trips. A good doctor is very hard to find, but they are out there.

 

[bbbbbbb]

change diet to what exactly?

-we eat sauerkraut
-fruits & veggies: red grapefruit, kiwi, granny smith apples, broccoli, peas, cabbage, romaine lettuce & cucumbers
-I eat onions & tomatoes daily
-eat fish about once weekly
-chicken/eggs each about once every 10 days

I have not noticed any correlation between my diet and my fibro. For some of us, that is the case and changing diet can help.

 

[FireDragon76]

change diet to what exactly?

-we eat sauerkraut

This is good but it has to be actually made through fermentation and contain live and active cultures of bacteria. Nothing canned can be alive.

-fruits & veggies: red grapefruit, kiwi, granny smith apples, broccoli, peas, cabbage, romaine lettuce & cucumbers
-I eat onions & tomatoes daily
-eat fish about once weekly
-chicken/eggs each about once every 10 days

That's good, though I have to wonder about the protein content as that seems rather low (only chicken or eggs once a week)? No beans? Where's the grain and starches? (those are the foods that really feed beneficial bacteria. Barley and oats in particular are excellent for this). As a general rule, you want to try to eat over 30 different types of plants, fruits, seeds, or grains every week.

Gut dysbiosis can also be caused by stress, illness, and medication (antibiotics), and not necessarily diet.

 

[mama2one]

No beans? Where's the grain and starches?
Gut dysbiosis can also be caused by stress, illness, and medication .

yes, we eat beans, capanelli, pierogies, long cooking rice with fish
our protein is probably on low side

I cut down on stress, no illness except fibro, took antibiotic once in last 20 yrs (used husband's prescription)

 

[mama2one]

how many here with fibromyalgia have been able to get disability?


saw article today that long haul covid is a disability
symptoms listed seem a lot like fibromyalgia: brain fog, pain, fatigue but also shortness of breath

if people will get disability for long haul, shouldn't we for fibromyalgia?

 

[bbbbbbb]

I have fortunately been able to continue work. I am self-employed which helps immensely. Getting disability for fibromyalgia is possible, but extremely difficult. You run up against an entrenched government bureaucracy which is convinced that there is no such malady as fibromyalgia, but is perfectly willing and happy to provide welfare funding of all sorts for illegal immigrants.

 

[MissFaithfullyHis]

Back in 2020, I had a panic attack which ultimately triggered a mysterious pain I would feel on my chest (where my ribs and sternum meet) and on the backside as well. This also caused internal nerve and joint pain that I would feel across my arms, knees, head and lower back. After many doctor and ER visits, I was told it could be Costochondritis, Fibromyalgia or just plain old stress.

Around October 2020, I decided to stop visiting doctors (plus the amount of money I spending was off the wall!) and to just let my body heal on its own. Eventually, the pain did subside, but I continue to have flare ups every now and then. I'm actually having an episode now, but it's not as excruciating as it was during 2020 - This episode was triggered from stress and over eating processed food.

Even though I have not been clinically diagnosed with Fibro, but I understand the chronic pain that comes with it. I pray that everyone here will overcome this and to continue trust in the Lord.

God bless!

 

[mama2one]

After many doctor and ER visits, I was told it could be Costochondritis, Fibromyalgia

to find out if you have fibromyalgia, see a rheumatologist
one who diagnosed me said there is no cure

I have a lot of daily pain
I use a lot of biofreeze

somedays, I can barely walk due to hip pain
the pain can be overwhelming

a person hit my car on the hwy & totaled my car
accident triggered fibromyalgia from trauma to my body

it's difficult to get restful sleep which increases the pain
then the pain causes lack of sleep
endless cycle