Life has thrown me a hickup
VeryTiredPanda - Dec 1st, 2008 5:18 PM
[ Original Post ]

I have recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia after spending the last 2 years telling doctors that something was going on. It seems like in just the last couple of months the pain has gotten extremly painful and there is a new symptom,pure exhaustion. I am constantly tired and no matter how much sleep I get it's not enough. Is this a symptom of Fibro or is it possibly something else? Is there others that suffer from this weird hickup?LOL The kicker is that now the pain has increased and my doctor refuses to provide me anything other than alleve for it. Is there anyone out there that takes anything homopathic or otherwise that is helping with the pain and sleep? Any help and suggestions would be appreciated because something as simply as his suggested "physical therapy" and taking hot baths is no longer cutting the mustard. Thank you in advance and God bless you all!

Comment


 

Fantod - Dec 1st, 2008 7:12 PM

First of all, you need to get another doctor. Go to the National Fibromyalgia Association website and ask them for a referral to a fibro-friendly rheumotologist in your area. Or, you can call your local hospital physician referral service and ask them for a rheumy that treats fibro. There are several things that can be done to treat the pain and sleep issues caused by fibromyalgia (FMS). Your doctor needs a good swift kick in the pants for not addressing these problems correctly once you were diagnosed. Once a pain cycle is stated and allowed to continue, it is much harder to get it to settle down. Only certain classes of medication will address FMS and they must be prescribed. OTC medication does not work. For pain, Lyrica or Cymbalta are tow options that may be prescribed. I use Cymbalta and it is pretty effective. For sleep, Amitriptyline is usually prescribed. Managing these isssues is tricky and it will take some time and tinkering to get the right combination of medication. Most FMS suffer from some degree of exhaustion on a regular basis. This is not unusual. You must be very cognizant of it all times and learn to pace yourself. If you become over extended the payback is just not worth it. It can take days or weeks to get over one day of reckless abandon. Take some time to read all of the information on the lefthand side of this page. It will give you a very good overview of FMS and all of the other *perks* that can go with it. The sooner you get yourself in to a rheumotologist the better. In addition, you might also consider a pain specialist. I have both, and find that two heads are better than one as I have more than just FMS to contend with. I hope my comments are helpful to you in some way. Take care and let us know how you are doing.


VeryTiredPanda - Dec 1st, 2008 7:42 PM

Thank you so much for all your help. I am certainly going to the website to see about a new doctor. I haven't been happy with this one and felt like I was being brushed under the carpet since I first started with him.


Fantod - Dec 1st, 2008 9:14 PM

You are very welcome. If you have additional questions or concerns, please let us know. Take care.


13tracy13 - Dec 19th, 2008 10:29 AM

My family Dr gave me prescription alieve, but when I went back to rheumotologist he+ told me that the best thing for me to take would be tylenol arthritis, and it helps ease my pain. I know everyone is different, but I am trying to have a baby so I can not take any other meds right now to help with my fibro, but the tylenol helps me, the alieve or ibprophen did not help at all.



13tracy13 - Dec 19th, 2008 10:37 AM

Also I do yoga to help ease some of my muscle pain, and in the evenings I do yoga relaxation to help before going to bed. It took some time to work but the streches really feel good and the deep breathing helps me to relax, also I do not have a problem with smells that soome people with fibro get so I enjoy aromotheropy, bath & body works has a line of oils to wear to help with stress, headaches and sleep. I also enjoy warmth, I have a soft set of warming pillows that go in the microwave and the heat last about 30 minitues. I use it for my face, hands or back while doing to sleep to help with pains and relaxation also.
I know these ideas arent for everyone but they ease my pain enough to deal with it, and I am willing to put off meds until after I have another baby.