is it worth it?

[mamaboulet]

I'm beginning to suspect that fibromyalgia might be my problem. Lots of bilateral low level pain coinciding with those fibro locations. My elbows are always so tender that I tuck them in to avoid bumping them on anything. At night I have trouble finding a comfortable position for my arms, which tend to fall asleep constantly at night. Lately, my restless legs and calf cramping have moved up to my lower thighs. Never had cramps there before. Anyway, my question is about the whole long process of being diagnosed and treated. My level of pain is manageable, and I take very little for it because I ruined my stomach years ago with ibuprofen and it is very touchy about any pain meds. Since I really don't want to go through the huge hassle of diagnosis (seems like everybody has to go to multiple doctors and have all sorts of tests), and what I've read about treatment doesn't sound very promising, I'm wondering if I should just live with it and find some natural alternative treatments for the bad weeks. Anybody else feel this way? I just really hesitate to join the crazy fibro circus just for chronic aches and pains.

[Bev707]

I have a suggestion for alternative choices.  Try Googling Fibromyalgia and LDN.   LDN  (low dose Naltrexone) is used for numerous autoimmune diseases. My husband has MS and has been taking it for four years with wonderful results.  The is a clinical trial going on right now at Stanford using LDN for the treatment of Fibro and as far as I know they are also having great sucess with good symptom relief.  Naltrexone is used in a high dose for alcohol withdrawal so to have it for Fibro, for example, means it`s prescribed "off label".  I`m about to see my doctor to see if I have RA or Fibro and I will definately be starting LDN as I too dont want to take awful meds with side effects.
As a bonus, my husband has not had a sore throat, cold or cough for the whole time he`s been on LDN whereas I get everything going!
It`s very affordable too - we pay under $70 for a three month supply.
Good luck and hope this helps.

[patsy10]

I feel exactly the same way.  I have all kinds of pain etc.....All they'll do is give you meds and  more meds.  I don't like medication and I refuse to take it.  I have just learned to live with the pain and stiffness.  I don't let it stop me.  I exercise and am very active.  I rarely even talk about it but it's there.  Not to mention you'll probably get humiliated and told it's all in your head.  I cannot see living life drugged on medications.  Many of the meds cause weight gain and other symptoms.  Not for me!  You may want to at least get a work up to make sure you don't have a treatable disease like lyme disease or a rheumatologic disorder.

[dianebee]

All I can say is that when the doctor confirmed the diagnosis of fibromyalgia after doing the pressure test on the trigger points I was actually relieved.  It confirmed that there was really something wrong with me.  I was put on a medication to help with the restless leg syndrome so I could sleep at night and let my brain go into the healing mode during sleep.  That helped a lot.  I still feel pain but not as bad as before.  My body generally aches when I get up first thing in the morning but after a couple hours it subsides to a manageable level so I don't take pain meds.  I have found that a healthy diet helps and try to stay moderately active.