Does physical therapy work for fibro?

[Sunshine1960]

Hi - I love this Community - I have been dx w/fibro 2 mths ago but know that I have had it for awhile. The pain has really worsted since I was put on Tamoxifen for breast cancer last yr in March 2008. I am currently seeing a pain manag.doctor & we are trying to find the right combo to ease the pain. She recommended physical therapy and it seems to make it worse. The next day after - I could hardly move and work the next day. You know that means more pain meds that day. My heart aches for all of us. To live our live in pain is horrible. Can someone help me? Has physical therapy worked for anyone? Angel hugs for everyone who is hurting, Kathy

[strut526]

get yourself a new Dr.!  you could be taking cymbalta or any other meds to help you and your pain..
  what the heck, has he had his head in the sand or what?! shame on him.
he must be from the old school, where the pain is all in your head..:(
  

[Sunshine1960]

It sounds like you need to see another doctor. You need a doctor who is going to listen to you and then support you and try to help you with the pain. Fibro is hard enough to live with and when you do not get the support of your own doctor - that's going to be even harder for you to have a good life. What kind of doctor is he??? He does not sound very nice or considerate for your feelings. I would see a Pain Management doctor, that's what has worked for me. She really listens and reads what I log when days are really bad. She checks the trigger points and adjusts the pain meds. I don't think I would have survived this long without her. Good luck and if I can help, please ask. I have had Fibro for some yrs. but I finally went for help with the pain and dx in Jan. I have had several Breast cancer surgeries, infections, radiation and so on - this was the results in my case. I know how you feel and that's why being here on this board really helps. Everybody understands and can offer some help and support. Remember you are not alone. Hugs, Sunshine

[tia77]

I was just diagnosed on Tue.  My doctor basicly said there is nothing you can do and no meds you can take and don't let anyone tell you different.  He said the only thing I can do is excersize 5-7 days a week and get my heart rate up to 80% for 50 minutes.  I obviously am not feeling too good about all this.  I see alot of people do take pain meds.  The only thing I have tried is motrin 600mg 3x a day it didn't work and I got yelled at by the rhem doc when I went.  He said if it wasn't working why was I taking it.  I said my primary told me to.  I think I might have to switch doctors.  He dosn't sound like he is going to be willing to help with any new treatments.

[Sunshine1960]

I went to see my PM doctor last night and told her how horrible the pain was this week. I kept a positive outlook, went to physical theraphy on Mon & Wed I felt fine. Then come Thurs morning it felt like I went into a brick wall. I hurt from head to toe. She now wants me to go to accupunture and increased my pain meds. The muscle relax - 3 x a day, off of nicodin and now on norco, 2 more steroid shots in my lower back so that i can walk now without severe pain. I am totally going to give my body a break from anyone touching it. My sister bought me a book Treating & Beating Fibro & CFS a step by step program i am going to start today. I am excited. Has anyone read this book? Can you let me know how it has helped you? I totally understand that what works for one does not always work for someone else. Just looking for some input. Every little bit helps when you are in so much pain all the time. Thank you everyone for all your support and will be waiting to see what happens. God Bless, Sunshine

[strut526]

Did anyone happen to catch montel on oprah this past week..all about his pain with the MS and dealing with it..has anyone read his book? i though it was a very good and informational show. we all deal with pain, and his coping with it, seemed to get him through his days.

[annaroseannadanna]

I have not had good results with physical therapy either after being diagnosed with FM 5 yrs ago.  both times I had it turned out with me in bed for several months.  I had a good therapist knowlegable in treating FM..but I just did not react positivily to it.  I think it is just a matter of what a persons physiology can tolerate.

[Sunshine1960]

Thank you so much for helping me out!!!! It means so much to hear from Fibro sufferers and get some guidance. I really helps - I know that there is not a one size fits all for Fibro - but it's good to see that I have more options out there. Must get back to work - God Bless You, Sunshine

[deedee332]

I just wanted to say that the my new rheumatologist, Dr. Kendra Zuckerman told me not to do any type of excersize until she figures out whats going on.  My last rheumatologist just kept saying join a gym and take this medicine.  I didn't like that besides the fact that he didn't spend the ample amount of time that I felt comfortable with.  He said, you have fibromyalgia and you are going to have it for the rest of your life and you will take medicine for the rest of your life and join a gym.  Yeah right, I told him to join a gym, had to drop him.

[ncnana]

I am new to this community (actually first one ever).  Just wanted to say that I, too, have been wondering if physical therapy has been beneficial for anyone else.  I have therapy a number of times in the past, sometimes with positive results but most of the time with negative results. I am in my second week of PT this time and have been unable to get out of bed for a day or two after each session. The therapist is wonderful and quite knowlegable about FMS. She is taking it very slow, but I am struggling to do the (very gentle) exercises she has given me. I try to have a positive attitude and keep hoping and praying that this will be the time it works.

[deedee332]

Hello Sunshine,  I can't tell you how some Fibro sufferers make it day to day and still go to work.  I had to eventually stop working back in July 2008 just couldn't do it anymore.  Over the last 9 years I have had steroid shots, chiropractic services, physical therapy, joined a gym at work which had water aerobics and the water was too cold so my muscles would tighten up and I would leave there taking pain meds.  They said that the temperature in the pool was 81 degrees but it never felt like it to me.  I did notice when I went to Atlantic City last month that Harrah's has this new area which they built up and The Pool is what they call it has about 10 hot tubs along with a pool, bar, cabanas and so forth, with the area looking like you are on a tropical island, really nice but, the women that were in the pool were saying come on in, it's warm, NOT, the water was freezing to me.  I decided to get into the hot tub which had a temperature of 104 degrees felt wonderful.  Anyway, it seems like I am babbling, be careful with the PT stuff and any pools,YMCA etc.  As far as medication, I only have at this point Vicoden, Lidoderm pain patches and AmbienCR.  This is not my perfect combination.  I haven't found it yet. But it helps with a little relief where I can move around most days. I have taken Ultram, Vicoden and Soma together but I can't remember if that was effective.  I do know that that is when I stopped working, got tired of pushing myself to get up and go to work everyday, calling out sick and so on.  I am scheduled for a Sleep study next week by my new rheumatologist whom I believe is a good referral that I received from someone on another website.  My new rheumatologist feels that she has to get to the bottom of whatever problems I have.  Good Luck to you, remember that you have to be your own advocate.  Do not settle for what they say just because it's a doctor who we should believe in.  It took me a while to realize that and at the present I am semi-at peace because in the beginning I was spinning my wheels and was very frustrated.  The caring people on this site are very supportive and that is what helped me.  If it had not been for them I would be stir crazy for real.  God Bless You

[Sunshine1960]

I would like to know how ALL the other Fibro sufferers make it day by day and still go to work in so much pain. I can't take this anymore. I walk to hurts, I drive it hurts, I sit it hurts, I can't even blow dry my hair without all the back pain. I have had 4 steroid shots in my hips and 6 in my necks and shoulders. I am now on the Linocain pain patch (12hrs on 12 off), Nicodin and Skelaxin 800mg 2 times a day. Has anyone have advice as to what has helped them? Please HELP - I see my PM doctor tomorrow and I would like to discuss it with her. The above has helped - but I really need more relief. Thank you all for all your help in the past and present. I could not make it without all of you. Waiting for help, Sunshine

[strut526]

Great Advice from all! I am so glad i found this site!

[Caroline565]

PT can be very effective or it can hurt you. It really matters that it be treated non-aggressively and by someone that truly understands FMS/MPS. You need to ask questions before you sign up with a therapist--as in what methods of PT they use. Stay away from "sports medicine" or any place that treats your condition aggressively as they can hurt you. If they tell you to do as many reps as you can, beware!  They should be instructing you. Remember, you won't feel the pain until later, and then often times, the damage is done. I know this because I did this and suffered greatly for it.(several months)If it is done right, they can teach you appropriate stretching exercises, and  use techniques to reduce your pain, allowing you to begin exercise. Breaking up trigger points prior to exercise is very important too. There is a difference in being sore from PT and causing more damage---expect to be somewhat sore but not in a state of agony. Strengthening your muscles will help with your FMS. Just remember, not all physical therapists are the same. Chose one that is familiar with your condition(s)!

[Sunshine1960]

Thank you everyone for your response. I know it's going to be hard to find the right meds and exercise. To bad they don't have a one-fits-all for fibro. I am going to see if we have a YMCA in my area. I am going to do research on stretching for people with fibro. For years I thought this was in my head, it feels good to now know that there is alot of support. My sister is my biggest supporter, she told me about this site. I am on here for Breast Cancer, Fibro and Pain Management. I pray for everyone to find peace from pain even for a few minutes, that would be sweet. Hang in there everyone, You all are Great !!! Staying positive plays a big part I heard, I am lucky & able to go to work everyday. Peace for everyone, Angel Hugs.

[VaBreeze]

Therapy is good for Fibro, but the key is working at your pace...not that of the rehab. spec.  Sometimes they tend to want to work us like they do their patients who are in after surgery...and we can't go at that pace.  Begin slowly and lightly, building yourself up to where you feel comfortable.

I would also suggest warm water aerobics. This is very low impact and great for circulation.  Stretching exercises are also good, as long as they aren't overdone.  Anything that you do is likely to cause some discomfort until you get in the routine...but nice and easy is the best approach.

Take care.

[strut526]

How about trying a pool in your area, YMCA . Usually the arthritic foundation has a set water temp. for this kind of therapy. It is worth checking out.  you may even be able your Dr. to "order" it, and then maybe your insurance would cover it..

i felt better after a time, doing the "curves" program..the first week i was so sore,,but hubby asked me to keep doing it for a bit longer..going at your own pace is the best. exercise releases endorfins(SP)..to help with pain. it is so hard to stick with anything..we all hurt so bad..that even if light exercise is recommend, we can barely get started in any program.

[kiddthekatt]

Hi;
  You know, some people do have luck with theraphy but I wasn't one of them. I tried it for several weeks and had to stop going. I couldn't get out of bed the next day and sometimes the day after that. This is a wonderful forum and the members are special. I had to f=go through the hit and miss on med combos also, we all probably did, but right now I'm taking Ultram ER 200mg 2 X a day, and Norco for break through pain. He changed my Norco to a stronger dose and it seems to be helping.

  My prayers are with you and I do hope that you find the right combo in meds to help with the pain. Take care.

gentle hugs
Angel