Is there any fibromyalgia relief out there?

[ITSuperGirl]

I am a 34 year old woman with diagnosed fibromyalgia.  I went through many different doctors, many tests, etc to get this awful diagnosis.  I was diagnosed about 8 years ago.  The diagnosis came after shortly after having Lyme Disease.  I have tried many different therapies for relief, but nothing has worked for any length of time. For example, I have tried massage therapy in combination with a chiropractor, acupuncture, lyrica, yoga, etc. I don't want to be on pain meds my whole life. Is there any other therapies or ways to get relief that I can try?  I was devastated when I got this diagnosis knowing that I would have to live with this pain the rest of my life.

[ITSuperGirl]

Thanks for your comment! I do take muscle relaxers as well. Without those I probably wouldn't be able to function! I can remember in the beginning pre-meds, it took all I had just to get from the bedroom to the kitchen! The meds do help. But I'm having a hard time mentally digesting that I am going to be on them the rest of my life. As with all meds, your tolerance increases so the medication level increases. And over time they can effect your liver.

[ITSuperGirl]

Thanks for your comment! I do take muscle relaxers as well. Without those I probably wouldn't be able to function! I can remember in the beginning pre-meds, it took all I had just to get from the bedroom to the kitchen! The meds do help. But I'm having a hard time mentally digesting that I am going to be on them the rest of my life. As with all meds, your tolerance increases so the medication level increases. And over time they can effect your liver.

[ITSuperGirl]

I've tried it all! Acupuncture, massage, chiro, you name it! I live in the northeast and yes the weather definitely affects my symptoms. I have also noticed that stress directly affects it too. The higher the stress level, the more I tense up and spasm. I did get some relief with a combination of yoga, massage and chiro. But working full time, taking care of my 1 yr old, a dog, a house, and a pain in the *** husband(lol) I just don't have the time for that type of regimen.

[Ahbh]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 20 years ago.  I have learned the true resolve of symptoms is diet (stay away from large amounts of preservatives and artificial ingredients), exercise, and emotional support.  However, the challenge will always be mustering up the energy to exercise.  Swimming tends to be the best exercise.  On a medication level, i would recommend muscle relaxers to help with spasms.  In addition, for the emot
ional support - make sure your loved ones are educated on your chronic condition.  It can cause much frustration when the emotional support lacks.  In addition, minimize areas of physical or emotional stress.

Do i follow all of this to an exact - not all the time.  But this is what i have found works.

[Lamina777]

Oh My!  8 years?  It's only been 8 months for me and I'm going insane with the pain.  Where to you live?  Does the weather affect your symptoms?  And Lyme disease too?  Have you tried meditation?  

What's wrong with pain meds if they help?  I've been learning that there's no magic bullet, but rather a cocktail of items specifically designed for every one of us that gets the awful diagnosis'.  Is anything working for the variety of symptoms you must be experiencing?  My sister-in-law has had FMS for 15 years, and she's on Methadone and Hydrocodone.  She use to use cannibas, but stopped that about 8 years ago.  I'm not sure what all you've tried, but from what I know the treatment is as individual as we are.

I've been on 15 medications for pain over the last 3 months, NONE of them worked, so I can understand your frustration.  I just had my first ultrasound/ laser therapy today, and hope to get some relief.  I'll let you know how that works out.

Lamina777