I'm not so sure Oswald acted alone

[Sally555]

Why do doctors never suggest ultrasound as a treatment for fibromyalgia?  I bought a machine off the internet for under $250, and it improved the severe pain I had for more than 20 years by about 80%, and allowed me to function better.  This technology is 60 years old, but it fell out of favour about the same time soft tissue injuries began to rise.   Coincidence?  Let me ask my doctor.  I spent $100,000 on shockwave treatments, which are basically just a ruinously expensive form of ultrasound.  I had to show the "experts" where to point it.
And why do doctors not warn people about NSAIDs like ibprofen?  The American Journal of Sports Med says they "significantly inhibit tendon-to-bone healing" (Am J Sports Med 34 (3): 362-9.  Not to mention GI bleeds.  And why can you call yourself an "expert"  if you've never successfully treated a single patient?  Let's do our own study.  You know where to find me.

[Sally555]

The purpose of my question was to inform others about ultrasound, because of the very good results that I got.  Sadly, there doesn't seem to be much interest.  I find it hard to understand why anyone would accept the level of pain that I was experiencing before I treated myself.  But it really isn't any of my business.  At least I tried.

Sally

[sfbaygirl]

I have heard heating pads aren't good for the bones, if you use them dry. I always put a hot wet washcloth on mine. Then I get the nice steamy heating, that is supposed to be better for your bones.

[Sally555]

I have a list of 29 studies that say NSAIDs weaken bones.  It's a well-established fact, but also a bit of a secret.  I have already given you two excellent web references for the American Journal of Sports Medicine.  Why don't you start with that before you tell me I'm wrong?  I'm trying to help you and you seem to be attacking me.  

If heat is a problem, you can turn that function off and just use the massage.  That was my main point anyway.  If sweating is more disagreeable to you than fibromyalgia, then you couldn't have a very serious case of it.  And everyone gets menopause, if they're lucky.

Ultrasound would fix your bursitis is no time, but for some reason you are very resistant to this advice, so I'm not going to waste any more of my precious time telling you the same thing over and over again.  It'll just flare up MY bursitis.  

BTW my fibromyalgia is in all the areas you describe plus fingers, hands, wrists, toes, groin, jaw, and shoulders.  In my humble opinion, yours will get a whole lot worse until you try ultrasound.

Sorry for trying to help.

Sally

[heart2heart2]

Sally, I didn't say NSAIDS are a good treatment for fibro. They aren't. I take NSAIDS basicly for other pain conditions, such as the bursitis in my shoulders plus to relieve pain from a herniated disc in my back. BTW - where did you get the information that NSAIDS weaken bones? I've taken them a long time and my bone  density scan shows I have excellent bone density.  I have Ultracet for fibro but it doesn't help much either. Some people take strong medications like Percocet for fibro but I stay away from that.  The new medications for fibro are Cymbalta and Lyrica but they are not without side effects so I'm still unsure as to whether I will try them or not.

I do use heating pads, I use them on my bad shoulder and back. Using a full lengh heating pad would be too much as I get night sweats (menopause) and I would be sweating up a storm at night. I have my fibro pain in my knees, ankles, elbow area, lumbar area, hips, collar, chest and back. My holistic dr. has tried a magnetic mattress on me but it didn't help and I can't afford to continue going back anyway.

[Sally555]

As I said above I got my machine at www.sonicrelief.com.  I paid $239 for it.  There are a few other sites selling them, so you may get a better price if you surf around.  The sonic relief site has lots of consumer reviews, and a money-back guarantee.  I got excellent result with that machine.  I just bought a new Facemate  ES330 from Ebay for $99, which is a new generation model.  I also got a full-length heating pad /massage thing off the shopping channel for $42, and it really helps relax my back.  It's important to get off NSAIDs, as they weaken bones, tendons and who knows what else.

I'm so glad that you responded to my post.  I have been telling all my friends about these tools, and not a single one will try it even once.  Let me know how you make out.

Sally

[Sally555]

You're right, of course.  Ultrasound wouldn't work if you're unwilling to try it.  However, if you really do want to get better,  treat all your joints, ligaments and muscle injuries with this safe, cheap and highly effective tool.  You may find that you are in much, much less pain and that this will help you sleep better.  For $42 you can also buy a massage/heating pad which will relax you and help you sleep without adding to your pharamacological cocktail.  Better sleep leads to less fatigue.  Then you can get outside and go for a walk, which will help your depression, and lead to even better sleep.  Maybe the next door you need to open isn't the one to the medicine cabinet.

If NSAIDs are working so well for you, why do you still have so many problems? But you don't need to believe anything I say. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, January 2003 edition, has an excellent article (www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/0103/stovitz.htm).

As for your cognitive disorder, I don't see any convincing evidence of it, my friend.  What you've written is clear and cogent, but you do seem a bit gullible to me.  I'm sure you think I'm being harsh, but I really am trying to help you help yourself.  Unlike your doctors, I'm not making a dime off this.

The greatest benefit of depression is that is absolves you from taking responsibility for your own life.  Depression is a refusal to do the things that would predictably make you feel better.  Others can lead you to the door, but YOU must walk through it.

I bought my ultrasound machine at www.sonicrelief.com.  They have a money-back guarantee.  At least read the reviews from other consumers before you decide I'm so deluded that I can't tell whether I'm in pain or not.  If you get off the NSAIDs, you will get better results from ultrasound.  Good luck.

Sally

[heart2heart2]

Sally, ultrasound treatment for fibromyalgia would not work. Fibromyalgia is a widespread disorder comprising of several symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disorder, widespread muscle and ligament/joint area pain, depression, cognitive disorder and so forth. I am a sufferer of over 30 years. I know well the risks involved with NSAIDS. They were the only pain killers offered years back but now newer drugs are coming out which do not have the gastrointestinal stomach bleeding effects - however they still have side effects. Keep in mind NSAIDS are still very useful For instance - I get bursitis and use NSAIDS to control the inflamation. What would my other choice be? Prednisone tablets? I already get cortisone shots!

I'm glad ultrasound helped you but I don't undertand how it did unless you were able to use it on 18 points of your body 24/7. It still would not help with the other debilitating symptoms of fibro.  

[patsy10]

What was the machine?