Fibromyalgia sufferers...?
I obviously don't need to talk about my severe, chronic pain and fatigue and everything else that goes along with Fibromyalgia, to other Fibromites... but I "do" want to ask the most popular question among Fibro sufferers...
First of all, I've tried all kinds of things, as most other Fibro sufferers have... OTC pain killers, prescription pain killers (primarily Tramadol, but I literally almost died after taking that, and I refuse to take morphine or any other opiates, because I'm afraid of the possibility of becoming addicted... even if the chance is small), muscle relaxers like Flexeril, all kinds of different sleep aids, and I've gotten massages and acupuncture and have gone to the chiropractor religiously, but nothing has even "touched" the pain.
I haven't tried any opiates, as I said before (aside from Tramadol, which is a synthetic one), and I haven't tried antidepressants (because I don't actually believe that they could work for a condition such as Fibromyalgia), and I haven't tried Cymbalta or Lyrica yet, because I'm afraid that the side effects will make the Fibro even worse (and it won't end up helping anything), which is what I've heard has happened to many people.
So, I just want everyone's $0.02... what have you tried that has actually "helped" with your pain?
I'm not concentrating on any of the other symptoms right now... I just want to lessen the pain, but of course in the healthiest, safest way possible. I've lived with it for too many years, and I just want to be a normal woman in her mid-20's! :\
Public Comments
1. At http://www.drfuhrman.com/disease/Other.aspxDr. Joel Fuhrman says:
Fibromyalgia can disappear within a few months
Fibromyalgia is a disease highlighted by discomfort, pain and tenderness all over the body. The cause is unknown. Typical treatments involve pain medication and anti-depressants used to aid sleep. Better sleep has been shown to be of benefit.
I have been utilizing a high antioxidant, acrlyamide-free diet for many years with marked success. Acrylamides are toxic substances produced by baking and frying carbohydrates. The diet-style I recommend for fibromylagia patients is rich in natural plant foods especially organic berries and green vegetables and restricted in animal products and baked grains. Vegetable soups and steamed vegetables are encouraged. Fibromyalgia patients routinely get well, and they get well quickly.
Studies in the medical literature support this method of treatment.[ii] Though the researchers do not seem to have the experience and understanding of why what they are doing works, the effects are dramatic.
Similar to the nutritional treatment of most diseases, it is not one photochemical compound or the removal of one toxic habit that works; it is the symphonic combination of removing multiple nutritional stresses along with the addition of multiple beneficial nutritional compounds that results in consistent and sustained results. The high intake of polyphenolic compounds such as quercetin, myricetin and kaempherol, and the high intake of lignans and bioflavonoids are just a few of the hundreds of nutrients with unpronounceable names that can only be obtained in large amounts from a diet rich in natural plant foods.
..................................................................
Also
Many women suffer chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Chronic disability, fatigue and painful bodily symptoms affect over 5 million American women. Tender spots most commonly occur in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips. Headaches, widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue are epidemic. These complaints have a combination of causes, but they are primarily caused by decreased oxygenation of tissue, excess deposits of waste products in the tissues with resultant inflammation and nutritional deficiencies. The Eat To Live program of nutritional excellence is an effective remedy for these common complaints. I have treated hundreds of patients with chronic migraine headaches, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and have seen rewarding and predictable results. It is the rare exception that a complete recovery cannot be achieved.
At http://www.drfuhrman.com/disease/WomensHealth.aspx
......................................................................
Reviews on Amazon for Eat To Live: http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Live-Revolutionary-Formula-Sustained/product-reviews/0316735507/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Buy Eat To Live at these Yahoo Shopping links:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Akobro9TiFmHutASVtQgKd5GDSoD?p=eat+to+live&did=7
http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AsV1jBCnkPf2WVoBLvXcQiMbFt0A/SIG=1giu6sr4m/**http%3A//rc12.overture.com/d/sr/%3Fxargs=15KPjg15tSn5amwrmpdbzPSeuGyl4axca59s1uDpNwGtRd5iMxXON9aaXHm8RxTe1xv1PdzPCR%252DK8QLvT%252DnP6IEgqGRVOKGOHpjdLJxIo8NaioXm1xsuwhz%252D3sm4dOdEk2fW2nKJKzn%252DbIIMCofnNK%255FY8D227BvvxvwsiyxOMfFrrf2kQpqlGQftsSvPIk8MuxXZx7Q7EgdtDr5i6WcooRmNF1wN2UGyEQLy2mlxwKol%255FzMm9ypqzTf48XvKv4nJnJPe6ozZ1ONx3VoeIyvaCnjSF1%252DLpyc3fY1uYFgAhBE%252DmhMWTL2V0iqLiO2%255F%252DSeIQ84V%255FsEZOZeAWBHSZtLQF8WrW4ZFjcMzBmtiq3W9ZLc8%252Ds%252DyW%252DFuDEACEudAJH4tKiaYELh1SdjDt4Wi6VR4OG8SJIJLNi0DvTkw%252E%252E
Testimonial
http://www.drfuhrman.com/success/SuccessStory.aspx?id=130
2. You will get relief in a matter of 2-3 days. Just do as written.
To get relief follow the undermentioned routine.
Do not sleep for at least 3 hours after a meal. This is most important.
If you are a sports person / or work out regularly - do not drink water within 2 hours after a workout. Also you should not drink water within 30 minutes before starting workout,
1. First 2 days
Drink 2 glasses of water before each meal. So total should be 6 glasses a day. Stop all other liquids.
For example if you take lunch at 2.00 pm, take 1 glass each at 1.00 and 1.30 pm. Some deviations from suggested times are ok.
Do not drink water after 7 PM.
2. Next 2 days
Reduce water intake to 3 glasses day. 1 Glass before each meal.
3. Next 4 days
Reduce water intake to 1 glass day.
4. Next
Repeat 2 and 3 again and again.
After 1 month repeat 1,2and 3.
3. i had a seizure and it reversed the symtptoms temporarily
than i has surgury and felt a lot better after--i think it was the anastetic..
it is very likely that the antidepressants do have something to do witrh fms treatment...as it does seem to be related to neurotransmitters..but i have tried many and none helped-
Savella is supposed to be low on side effects and may be worth teh shot
i tried narcotics--they don't touch the joint pain, but will sometimes help the limb pain
4. OK as a chiropractor who has worked with fibromyalgia patients, I have noticed 5 things that are common with fibromyalgia patients. Most of the severe patients have 4 or 5 of these. Less sever sufferers will have between 1-3. I have found that by dealing with these issues, the fibromylagia symptoms can decrease greatly.
1. Craving for Sweets
2. Too much caffeine
3. Not enough Water- should be taking in 1L of water for every 50 lbs of body weight.
4. Either not eating properly or not receiving the proper nutrition for their body. I see some people who claim to eat "healthy" but they do not get enough of the proper fats andproteinss into their body.
5. Major emotional event in their life 1-2 years before the onset of the fibromyalgia. This is a huge issue. I have only comeacrosss one fibro patient that did not have amajorr emotional even preceding the onset. Counseling and Neuro-emotional technique (NET) can help. If you need to find a practitioner in NET check out www.netmindbody.com.
Also, I receommend Black Currant Seed oil. This helps the body produce more anti-inflammatories. However, if you take COX-2 inhibitors ( Advil, etc..) it will not work.
I hope this helps. I wish you the best
5. I had Fibromyalgia 10 years ago, but spent months going to doctors who misdiagnosed it as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
when it finally was diagnosed as Fibromyalgia I was prescribed a low dose of anti-depressants-Amitriptyline and it worked, thank God
by this time I had taken every OTC painkiller available,and was now on high dose prescribed pain-relief and anti-inflammatories -none of which touched the pain
I was diagnosed by a marvellous consultant at Gartnavel hospital in Glasgow and he really saved me as I was beside myself with pain by this time and could get no respite, he prescribe the anti-depressant and I was highly indignant and argumentative at the time as I was not depressed !
I was incredibly fed up with being in constant pain and all that it entailed but definitely not depressed !!!
he explained that the type of pain I was experiencing was not in response to tissue damage therefore would not respond to conventional painkillers used for pain relief
by the end of a month I was well on the road to recovery
I am now having a second episode and am using Amitriptyline and starting to be able to function like a normal person
good luck
6. I sympathize with you. I have had it for over 5 years, but the last year it has disappeared, due to the fact that I got rid of the biggest major stress in my life (a man who was more of a child and a burden, lol), which made me happier in the end. I realize that I cannot have any stress in my life, try not to worry or overwork myself, and get rest when I need it. Life is great now, I lost 35 pounds, and three dress sizes! I feel fantastic, and have learned how to deal with it. I vowed that it would not take over my life, and that I would find a way to beat it. I also eat healthy, no more fried food, baked goods, sugar-loaded foods, just natural fruit and veggies, no red meat, chicken, fish, etc., light on the bread, etc. and watch the coffee.
Good luck.
7. I've been trying a lot of things too. I've been suffering with it for 5 years. The only things that helped with the pain was antidepressants. I tried Effexor and Paxil and didn't like the side effects.
I also another one for a while but I can't remember the name. It was Lex.... something. It worked okay too and didn't have as strong side effects.
I'm not taking anything now because I'm determined to find the cause and the antidepressants mask the symptoms. I'm convinced my fibro is thyroid /nerve related.
I try to eat right and take Magnesium, Vit C, B-complex. The flare ups for me are worse in the winter after a cold. Viruses can get into the thyroid I discovered and cause inflammation. The thyroid controls so much in your body, cells, temperature, brain function, metabolism.
I'd try an mild antidepressant with the least side efforts. You don't need a high dose. Just the lowest they offer.
Anyway I hope you find relief. God Bless.
