any advice?

[Shanannagins]

Hi all!  I am new to this website and so far I am very impressed with the overall sense of caring I have encountered by it's members.
Anyways, I do not have a diagnosis at this point.  My Dr just calls it "multiple arthralgias", however he has thrown around the word fibromyalgia several times.  I have had cronic pain for about 6 years now though I have only been seeing a dr for a little over a year and since I don't have health insurance I am fairly sure he is not giving me a dignosis for a reason.  I used to be a heavy pot smoker and during that time my pain was managable most of the time.  I quit smoking pot about 3 years ago and it was at that point that my symptoms started to overwhelm my life.  I started getting pain killers illegally though I was not abusing them.  Eventually a friend of mine recommended a dr to me and that has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me.  
He put me on norco at a starting dose of 4/day which quickly went up to 6 a day.  Within a year I was taking 8 a day which is to be expected due to the tolerence one builds up to these kinds of meds. He also had me taking lyrica but I started getting migrains with that so I had to stop taking it.  Also it just makes me sooooo spacy.  I am in school and just can't afford to be out of it.
On Monday my doc switched me to 30m OxyContin 2x a day with norco for breakthrough pain.  That seems to be working ok.  He wants to switch me to the duragesic patch but I am a little sketchy about using that after reading about it.
My question is:  does anyone have any advice about the patch?  does anyone have any advice about fibromyalgia at all?  
I am normally a happy-go-lucky person but this pain is really starting to take it's toll.  I can't open water bottles because it feels like my skin is ripping off.  I can't wear certain clothes because it just hurts against my skin.  My joints are so painful that there are days I just can't get out of bed.  Sometimes I just wonder if I am crazy and that this is all in my head.   Does anyone have any advice as to something I can do for the pain that does not require drugs?  I am getting ready to start pharmacy school and I am really worried that all of the schooling I have done will be for naught if I can't get my license becase I am prescribed narcotics.  Any ideas?

[Shanannagins]

HAHAHAHA!  I know what you mean but I plan to educate him on my next visit.  The good thing about my doc is that he does listen to me.  Heck when he first made that comment to me I didn't even know if this illness was a real thing.  I know better now and soon so will he.
Thanks so much for your support and humor!  It always feels good to laugh, right??!!!

[kitonthemoon]

Can I, may I, like send your doctor to medical school and learn something about doctor's etiquette?  

Ditto to your spirt.  I feel exactly the same way.

Hugs,
Kit

[Shanannagins]

Thank you all for your advice!  I'm am so excited that I have found this forum and that is great since lately I have been very down.  My doc's comment to me about Firbo is that it is just a catch all for people who have pain for no obvious reason.  I (even more so since finding this site) completly disagree.  My pain is real.  Even as I type this I am in pretty severe pain especially in my knees and hands.  I feel like a big bruise.
I already use alot of the methods you all have mentioned, ie. hot pads, epsom salts, stretching, and I have found some relief in that.  My mantra has been don't worry about the things I can't control but to actively seek ways to control the things I can.  Even if I have no control over my body and how this illness effects it I do have control over how I choose to deal with it.
Again thank you all for your advice and support.

[kitonthemoon]

G'morning to all!! sepcially to Shanannagins.

It is quite possible that your doc isn't positive what is the cause of your pains.  I've found medication is pretty much a trial and error thingy.  Each one of us may have the same syndrome, the severity, variety of related symptoms, our age, our neuro impairment all plays a part in what is the best therapy and medicine for each.

For instance, I have both FMS and ME/CFS......which puts me in totally different light as far as treatment strategy is concerned.  I do yoga stretching and chi-gong to help relax me emotionally and physically.   I try to keep it my daily routine to prevent muscle atrophy.  Even though it is painful while doing it.....a day later my muscle thanks me.
When I lax, my mucsle tights up too like Melo mentioned.   I seldom take pain meds and rather tolerate the pains than the possibility of building up tolerence to them.

I do use pain patches combined with herbal analgestic pain relief lotion when pain gets too overwhelming.  In addition, I take warm bath with Epsom salt, heating pad.  To sum up,

If you worry about narcotics and getting your license....is it possible to wean off it a bit and see if you can bare the pains....menawhile try to use other means of pain reliever mentioned above and see where it will take you.  Sounds like a workable idea?

Hope everyone a pain less day.
Kit

[melo1224]

The best thing I can do for my Fibro is get moving! I know it's sounds just too simple,, or you may think you're hurting soo bad you can't move. But I've had Fibro a long time now. I haven't been on any long term drugs in years, I do take short term meds if I have a big flare but I haven't been on anything longer than just a few months. I exercise regularly, some days I can't do a whole lot but I try to keep doing something. Some days I may have a full work out with weights and Cardio. Other days I may just walk a little, it just depends on how I feel. I can tell a big difference when I don't exercise, it feels like everything tightens up, therefore every move becomes more painful. Usually if I have an obstacle like surgery or something where I can't exercise for weeks, I find it hard to get back into the routine. The first 3-4 days back are painful, but once I work through  it I start feeling good. If you're trying to avoid medications I think it really helps. So I'm not sure how active you are but if you've found yourself moving less and less try to improve. Good Luck with everything

[Shanannagins]

Thanks for the advice.  I have used a tens machine before for a torn rotator cuff and did not find much relief but I haven't tried it for this.  I think my aunt has a machine so I'll ask to borrow it.  Thanks again!

[kitty51]

As i tell everyone try a TENS machine at least you will get some relief hopefully as i do.its not a cure and it doesnt interfere with your mind like some of these meds do