Wellness

[q-girl]

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. . .

[Patriot3]

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!

[violann]

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.

[hayseed00]

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 am still oxox]

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@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. 

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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

[Annabellethecat66]

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.

[Toppers3]

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@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!

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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. 

[I am still oxox]

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.

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.

---

[cddh]

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!

[LTT1]

@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.