topic Re: Fibromyalgia in Wellness

Fibromyalgia

Patriot3 — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:36:22 GMT

If this subject has been around before, sorry, but does anyone know if Fibromylgia has different levels? An acquaintance of mine just found out she has it and complains a lot, so I don't know how to take it. Also does alcohol have an effect on the pain level? I want to be sympathetic, but wonder if she is helping herself at all. Thanks!

Re: Fibromyalgia

I am still oxox — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:41:18 GMT

I have suffered for a long time and was diagnosed about 18 months ago, I am not sure what you mean by levels.

Nobody is the same as any one else, what effects one does not effect the others, this is a disease with no specific guidelines,

Also my pain is differnet from day to day at times from hour to hour

Re: Fibromyalgia

Big Joanie — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:42:10 GMT

I too will be interested to hear some responses ... I am having a pretty

high level of pain and joint and muscle discomfort ....but then again

I'm 70 .. so who knows ....So I will be watching for replies

Re: Fibromyalgia

Big Joanie — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:43:44 GMT

That's me too .. what is painfull one day is not the next .. and even

within 30 or so minutes it can go away ... so there are days I say

Oh ...its going to be the left ankle today is it ......

Re: Fibromyalgia

Epicurean — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:43:58 GMT

patriot,I don't know about alcohol. I have had fibromyalgia at least 17 years. The symptoms can get worse/better in a moments notice. Sometimes a flare up can lasts for weeks and can be extremely painful.you eventually learn what makes it work and what you can and cannot do.

its difficult but I have learned how to life with it. Have pain every day,just not always the same.

i would tell her,if possible,to find a good,anesthesiologist/pain Doctor. He has made a great difference in my life.

try to be understanding,it's very scary at the beginning.

Re: Fibromyalgia

I am still oxox — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 20:42:25 GMT

@Epicurean

I see a rheumatologist for my fibro I have not heard of going to an anesthesiologist as your first choice of doctors to treat you

Re: Fibromyalgia

kelsey17 — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 21:06:47 GMT

I am not sure about Fribromyalgia......but i do have RA and i know there are different levels of that disease...some people go into remissions.....others not....

Re: Fibromyalgia

LTT1 — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 21:13:40 GMT

@Patriot3

As always, I have something to contribute! lol

Have been diagnosed with many in the fibro category: CFS; migraines' osteoarthritis, etc.

A few things consistently help: antidepressant; eating "clean" foods and saying NO to alcohol and chocolate (and milk and...). Processed foods, foods with MSG any that you know are bad for you just ARE.

My skin breaks out; my sinuses act up ... I feel it all falls into the autoimmune category. So it is different for each individual.

But I have to say that my neurological system responds very poorly to a few sips of anything alcoholic.

Your friend might want to get to an MD and see about Lyrica or whatever he suggests. Antidepressants modify how pain is interpreted by the brain.

Re: Fibromyalgia

Gram W — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 23:13:53 GMT

@Patriot3 In 2007 I went to a rheumatologist because I saw the beginning of arthritis in my fingers. My first visit was a complete blood work up and x-rays of major joints. Thank goodness I went as my tests showed I have lupus as well. I see him regularly to have my blood and meds checked and to be monitored. About 2008 my PCP said I also have fibromyalgia. My rheumatologist explained to me early on that autoimmune diseases are different in each person and don't compare myself to others. He said constant discomfort at any level is hard mentally so find things to keep my mind active on the days my body is not.

I take each day as I can knowing the pain level and my abilities are unpredictable. I am 73 and still want to be able to play with my GGC who are toddlers. My pre-teen GC keep my mind busy trying to beat them at chess, ladder toss, computer games, etc. My body better keep up with them because I am aiming for another 28 years so I can outlive my grandmother and see these youngsters grow up. ;-)

Ladies Beware

As mentioned in several forums do not allow your self to get dehydrated. In the July heat I did not feel like eating large meals but thought I was overdoing the liquids. I was not. I ended up in the hospital for 3 days. My dehydration had allowed the naproxen (my PCP prescribed it) to attack my kidneys. Thank goodness I went to the emergency room and the quick blood work showed a kidney problem, etc. I had my last appointment with my nephrologist and my kidneys are back to full function again. I am to never take anything in the naproxen family again. My dehydration caused the onset of my problem. I now drink 20 oz of plain water morning, afternoon and night each day plus juice, milk, etc.

Re: Fibromyalgia

Kachina624 — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 23:39:06 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
@Epicurean

I see a rheumatologist for my fibro I have not heard of going to an anesthesiologist as your first choice of doctors to treat you

@I am still oxox Anesthesiologists often have a secondary specialty of pain management, but I too would and have seen a rheumatologist. They are the experts in the treatment of this disease.

Re: Fibromyalgia

q-girl — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 02:44:57 GMT

I have Fibromyalgia, along with chronic and acute radiculopathy in both lower extremities and my dominant upper extremity. I don't know about levels of Fibro, but like others wrote, every day, even every hour can be different. It can be whole body, or parts of the body. And for me, I am extremely weather sensitive. When weather " fronts" come through my pain goes up. I live in NJ, and a Nor'easter is the absolute worst. I barely move from my recliner in those days.

For me, the Fibro pain is distinguishable from other pain I feel. It is a very heavy burning pain that is felt deep within my muscles. I also feel an overwhelming body fatigue, yet sleeping through the night was lost for over a decade. And then there is the Fibro Fog - that frustrating inability to concentrate or have a decent short term memory.

The doctor that treats me for my Fibro, and also my radiculopathy, is a pain management specialist. She is wonderful, and has taken very good care of me, has controlled as much of my pain as possible, and really has given me my life back. No, I cannot do much, or most of the physical things I used to do, but at least I am not sitting in my recliner, crying in pain every day. I am happy again.

Hugs. . .

Re: Fibromyalgia

Patriot3 — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 13:09:30 GMT

You ladies have given me some insight into Fibro. I thank you and you all have my concern for you. When I mentioned levels, I guess I thought it was like cancer (even hate to type that horrible word) where there is 1, 2, etc.

Now I understand better. I am so sorry that you have to go thru what you do day and in and out. Maybe I can be more tolerant of my acquaintance. She's not a close friend, but sure wish she would quit her drinking. I'm not a Dr, but common sense just tells me that can't help.

Hugs to all of you who put up w/Fibro every day!

Re: Fibromyalgia

violann — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 23:43:45 GMT

The course of my situation since diagnosis has come in flip flops. I’ve had periods of several months with no fibro symptoms followed by several months of burning, headache, depression, overwhelming fatigue.

At my best, I eat well and seek moderate exercise, and I think that helps some. I also wish that research would reveal why the heck this happens and what we can do to control it.

Re: Fibromyalgia

hayseed00 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 00:36:35 GMT

I also have Fibro and RA, somedays my pain is off the hook and other days I feel good. Everyone is so different with their symptoms, The hot, humid weather spell we have had lately in Western NY seems to really aggrivate my symptoms. I just keep telling myself " A body in motion stays in motion", and trust me some days this is no easy task.

Re: Fibromyalgia

I am still oxox — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 00:45:39 GMT

@hayseed00 wrote:
I also have Fibro and RA, somedays my pain is off the hook and other days I feel good. Everyone is so different with their symptoms, The hot, humid weather spell we have had lately in Western NY seems to really aggrivate my symptoms. I just keep telling myself " A body in motion stays in motion", and trust me some days this is no easy task.

I totally understand, I have read stories of people who are totally bed ridden and can not even get up to take a shower, there but the grace of g-d go I.

I have a husband and a 94 year old father that I need to take care of, I shop for my dad and make dinner for him every other night. I can not quit, there are too many people depending on me

Re: Fibromyalgia

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 00:57:06 GMT

I posted about Fibromyalgia before but I guess not here. I was diagnosed with it when most people never even heard of it, years ago.

Anyway, my arthritis Dr .... maybe 6 months ago told me about something that she said a few of her patients had had good results with.

I don't like taking a lot of medicine and I have some major stomach issues so some medicine is out.

Anyway, she had her nurse give me a prescription and made a call. The Dr said "This will probably take 4 to 6 weeks for you to start to notice a positive change". Well fast forward to 2 weeks and I noticed I didn't ache anymore. Then I remembered the 'medicine' (which isn't really medicine). It's amazing and I totally recommend it for anyone who has severe fibromyalgia like I have.

The medicine is called "Limbrel" it's called a (flavocoxid 500 mg). it's also called a medical food product. You need a prescription to get it. It comes in the mail.

I take 2 tablets once a day, 1 in the morning 1 at night. It's amazing the difference in how I feel. I pay $47 a month for it. I don't submit it to insurance because I doubt if it would pay for it. Doesn't matter to me anyway because I think it's worth every penny.

Ask your Dr about it and read up on it. There are several things in my life I use that aren't medicines. One is a cream that's made in a compound center. I pay cash for it. My insurance doesn't pay for it. I also receive it in the mail. It's expensive but is another amazing product.

I just mention it because I believe people need to think out of the box and don't be afraid to try other things. Do your homework. You are the best advocate for you. No one is going to care about you as much as you do. Always remember that.

Re: Fibromyalgia

Toppers3 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 09:30:06 GMT

@Patriot3 wrote:
If this subject has been around before, sorry, but does anyone know if Fibromylgia has different levels? An acquaintance of mine just found out she has it and complains a lot, so I don't know how to take it. Also does alcohol have an effect on the pain level? I want to be sympathetic, but wonder if she is helping herself at all. Thanks!

Hi @Patriot3,

I have Fibro. too.

There can be different levels of intensity with it...

Is that what you mean, perhaps?

It can be very painful for someone, where they may hardly be able to get out of bed.

I can function, but whenever I am more active in any way, it increases my pain level.

Some of us may have other types of pain besides Fibro. too, which can also make us feel worse, like different types of arthritis and other types of chronic pain or other chronic health issues, too.

A symptom of my Fibro. for me causes me to have an incredible amount of constant fatigue and achiness and malaise.

The best way that I can describe it, is like if you have that kind of deep achiness that you have when you have that deep aching when you have a flu-type of virus where you hurt really bad and you don't feel like moving, and everything hurts when you do move.

There are different types of doctors that can diagnose it, and some are mentioned in this thread, such as a Rheumatologist or a Pain Management Doctor who can be an Anesthesiologist who went and then specialized in Pain Medicine.

Fibro. is just one condition that Pain Doctors treat. They can treat many painful conditions, such as Migraine Headaches, for example.

I had two different Pain doctors diagnose me. They were colleagues who were working together.

Re: Fibromyalgia

I am still oxox — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 13:29:36 GMT

Sorry but this would not help a person with Fibromyalgia,

I posted about Fibromyalgia before but I guess not here. I was diagnosed with it when most people never even heard of it, years ago.

Anyway, my arthritis Dr .... maybe 6 months ago told me about something that she said a few of her patients had had good results with.

I don't like taking a lot of medicine and I have some major stomach issues so some medicine is out.

The medicine is called "Limbrel" it's called a (flavocoxid 500 mg). it's also called a medical food product. You need a prescription to get it. It comes in the mail.

Re: Fibromyalgia

cddh — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:38:51 GMT

Toppers3 - When I first had symptoms that progressed to the point that I had to use a cane around the house, could not make stairs unless I hoisted myself using both railings, sleeping was a nightmare because every time I moved, I had pain, I had to physically hold my hips and turn them manually if I wanted to turn on my side, bending was impossible, getting in and out of car was painful. I thought I had bone cancer. My family doctor, who now I believe does not validate Fibromyalgia, tested me for everything with no relief to me. I finally decided to see a Ortho specialist who diagnosed me within 5 minutes! I actually cried (lightly) in his office from relief that I didn't have bone cancer! I took steroids and in 2 days started to feel relief and after 3 felt pretty normal. I don't like taking steroids and am now weaning my dose; it will be a year in December that I was diagnosed. I am wondering if chiropractic care would help. I am on 3mg/daily of prednisone and functioning ok but not completely normal. Bending is still painful and standing and walking after sitting a while is difficult. I am also wondering if pilates or yoga will help. I am an active person, always have been; I want to help myself and wonder what others are doing to help this go into remission. Oh,also, I hear stress is a huge culprit and that could certainly qualify for me!

Re: Fibromyalgia

LTT1 — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 17:48:10 GMT

@Patriot3 @cddh

Mine has come and gone for 30 years. It is not the only basis for my aches/pains. In fact, for most of my life migraine headaches, osteoarthritis, sinus infections have tended to knock me off my feet.

Before I retired from teaching, my legs were going numb and the fog was terrible.

When under stress for lengthy intervals, the pain I experience feels like it is somewhere in my bones.