looking for some Fibromyalgia advice?
My mother suffers from fibromyalgia. She has good days and bad. Right now, we are going through some bad days. Severe pain in the lower back, can't walk. Sometimes she can't talk without her throat or jaw hurting.
Does anyone have any advice? Maybe doctors in the tri state area they have seen? Or medical advice they have heard or received? She tried fish oils, taken Cymbalta and Lyrica. Anything else out there?
Public Comments
1. Cyclobenzaprine. It is a muscle-relaxant and is the muscle relaxant that works best for Fibromyalgia. It makes you sleepy, so I just take mine at night. If Cymbalta isn't working, try a different anti-depressant. I tried a few different ones before I settled on Celexa which helps the pain in my spine and rib cage. I also take an anti-inflammatory medication. Grape seed extract is a vitamin supplement that helps joint pain. Fibro sufferers need to take at least 400mg per day. MSM another supplement also helps joints and back. Need to take 2000mg per day. Get an adjustable bed (like Craftmatic) with a mattress made out of memory foam materials. I woke up with a lot less pain once I got my adjustable bed. I ordered my bed online from Abed. It is so nice. It's worth the money. Hopefully, these suggestions are able to help your mother. Fibro can be so miserable. Lyrica is the medication that has helped me the most, but I still take all the other stuff too.2. http://www.fibroandfatigue.com/
3. muscle relaxants/antiinflammatories/narcotics have minimal effect on fibro....they target the body
with fibro the problem is with the signals from the brain to teh body..so teh most promising treatments target the brain..
what tri state area--if you are within 2 hours of Newark NJ--University Hospital in running clinical trials--I was the first to get the vagus nerve stimulator there-----and its free if its a trial...they even pay your travel expenses....
4. A list of things that help me with my FMS/CFS symptoms is at http://www.fms-help.com/what.htm Don't know your mother's age, but I am 57. I was diagnosed when I was 30. My fibro story is at http://www.fms-help.com/fibro.htm I also have 100 Tips for Coping at http://www.fms-help.com/tips.htm You can subscribe to my free newsletter at http://www.fms-help.com (see top of page).
5. You can get straight-forward, practical information on a free web site.
www.FibroFix.com
By a Fibro who has been beating the symptoms for over 8 years.
How to test, diagnose and relieve all symptoms.
Use over the counter meds with tricks and tips.
Confidential free help by email or phone.
6. Unfortunately there is very little out there. I have FMS and couldn't tolerate Lyrica. Sometimes the meds make us worse because of the side effects. Because we suffer with chronic severe pain from head to toes I use a heating pad called a Thermophore. The only thing your mother would have to do is just hold the clicker down when she wants heat. She doesn't have to add any water, as this pad gets the moisture from the humidity in the air. I purchased it and it's great, just make sure if u order one that it's the 14"by27" and costs about $60.00. Also warm baths with epsom salts and a little bit of ground ginger helps. For me when I'm in a bad flare I just have to rest alot of the time and even though we may not like our pain meds she really needs to take them. Along with her pain comes alot of other things with this illness. Be careful of the doctor's she see and make sure they are Fibro friendly doctor's and this takes lots of patience on your part. There are still doctor's out there that don't believe this exists, however, it's documented and even social security administration is recognizing this as a disability. Do what you're doing now and that is to ask ask ask. One thing I wish for and that is to take everyone's pain away. I unfortunately along with the Fibro, have many other illnesses which is not uncommon. Best of luck to you. There are some fantastic online support groups as well that would be great to check in to. By the way, a chronic sore throat is a very common symptom as is jaw pain and you will see that online. Cymbalta also did not help me. I'm currently on pain meds, Nexium for the reflux, Xanex to sleep, common for us sufferers to not sleep, Zoloft for depression, and numerous other meds that you probably aren't interested in. Please take care and again ignore those ignorant people that don't take FMS seriously. Before I forget make sure she is eating. We don't like to eat because it's just so much work for us to chew and believe me it hurts. Best of luck and soft hugs to you and your mother.
