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It has been 5 weeks of non-stop flare, what do I do?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 3/13/2010 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
I have been in a flare-up for 5 weeks now, and I feel like I can barely function. I'm trying to get into a pain clinic, but they are scheduled out until late May, so that does me no good right now.

Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to try and get through this? Everyday feels worse than the last, and my usual remedy of extra strength tylenol, heating pad, and sleep hasn't done me any good. confused
Posted 3/13/2010 7:18 AM (GMT 0)
Have you been to your family doctor or a doctor that specializes in Fibro that could prescribe you something to help manage the pain and or symptoms? I don't take any narcotic pain medication but I do take Cymbalta and Topamax and they seem to help keep the pain manageable most of the time. If it gets really bad I do have a prescription of a non narcotic pain reliever that I can take. Your doctor may be able to help you until you can get into the pain clinic. I hope you start feeling better soon and you find some help.
Posted 3/13/2010 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you are going through this.  It is pretty miserable, I know.  Extra strength Tylenol helps me some but ibuprofen with food helps me much more.  When I'm in a flare, I'll take 600 mg. ibuprofen with food.  Three hours later I take 1,000 mg. extra strength Tylenol.  Three hours after that, I'm back to the ibuprofen.  I do this around the clock.  You will end up taking the maximum daily allowance of both of these but this has helped keep me on my feet and going.  BUT, be sure to talk to your doctor about this first.  I did and he knows I do this.  He has me taking Prilosec to help protect my stomach from the NSAID.  When the flare subsides, then I can start to back off the meds.

 

Even though you hurt like the dickens, go for a walk outside, if possible.  Gentle exercises really do help and they lift your mood, too.  You will feel happier and more flexible.  If you sit or lay too long, you will be stiff as a board with fibro.  Gentle stretching exercises help, too.  You can find some good ones in Fibro 101.

 

Moist heat helps, too.  Baths, showers and using a Bed Buddy that gives off moist heat does help, too.

 

Find something you can focus on, too.  It will take your mind off the pain and it will "fade" somewhat in the background.  I usually will get on this forum or work on genealogy when I'm in a flare.  But, I do get up every 20 minutes or so to walk around the house to keep loose.  I also use the stretching exercises.

 

I hope some of this helps you.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/13/2010 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Are you getting any exercise??? I know, when I first joined and they told me I had to keep moving I thought they were all nuts but we really do have to keep moving and stretching our muscles or they will hurt worse. There are some stretching exercises in the fibro 101 thread. I'm actually starting to hurt cause I have been on the computer too long this morning and I'm going to have to get up and move around and do something.

 

Five weeks is a long time for a flare to last so I hope you find something that works to relieve the pain. Have you tried heat???

 

I do not take narcotics unless I am really, really hurting and then I will take a little vicodin. I rely on moving, heat and distraction when I'm in a lot of pain but everyone is not that fortunate and do have to take narcotics.

 

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

 

 

Posted 3/13/2010 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I just got done with a horrific 2 week flare, and you have my sympathy and prayers!

I only take prescription meds when I'm at my worst.  When I AM at my worst, everything goes on hold, and I have to rest more.  I tried both heat and ice, and the ice (or packs you put in the freezer) seemed to help most.  I absolutely had to FORCE myself to move and not sleep all the time.  I think that helped me be just a little more flexible.  Warm baths or showers helped too.

Posted 3/13/2010 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
@tiggerrluvr

Unfortunately for me my body doesn't seem to react to pain killers. I have tried vicadin, percuset, tramadol, and one other and no results whatsoever. I actually felt worse after taking them, they seemed to amplify my headaches.


@Sherrine

I haven't been very good about taking the tylenol, mostly because it doesn't seem to help at all. I'm going to spend the next few days taking it around the clock though, maybe I will finally see some results. Maybe I'll take the dog for a walk today, try to get some fresh air; I feel like I've been cooped up in this house forever!


@Marlee2

I try to walk around the house at least once or twice every hour, it is so hard though to find the energy. My insurance won't pay for any more physical therapy, which really seemed to help, and it is difficult to find the willpower to go too much exercise. I am terrified of doing too much, or not doing enough. Either one just makes things that much worse.


@Luvzminis

I might have to try ice again, I haven't had much luck with it, but maybe things will change. A warm bath with relaxing music sounds nice, if only it wasn't 80+ degrees down here in Phoenix. Way to hot to be thinking about a bath.
Posted 3/13/2010 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
When I am flaring I do very gentle yoga stretches and warm (hot) baths. The stretches seem to help a bit and the bath relaxes me. I also try to keep my mind focused on something...read, watch a good movie.

I hope you find something that will help you.

Tammie
Posted 3/13/2010 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
You should be able to walk and, if you have access to a pool, swimming or just walking in the water is good for you.  When I started out walking, I couldn't go far but I kept trying.  Now, I start out the day by walking at least a mile with my dog.  Plus I do a lot of walking around the house.  Being sedentary will make your pain worse.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/14/2010 8:10 AM (GMT 0)
@Tamz @Sherrine

I did do some very gentle yoga today, and it did help. I was surprised about how much better I felt after just a few minutes. Hopefully this turns out to be a good path for me, it would relieve so much stress. I could only hope to walk a mile every day, that would be a major accomplishment.


Thank you everyone for your input. I feel better knowing that I'm not alone in this, and that I have a community that supports me.
Posted 3/14/2010 10:20 AM (GMT 0)
I would go for the baths too, or warm showers. I know that it is hot, but generally when you take a warm or hot bath, when you come out, you feel cooler. and the swimming is a really good suggestion. I have what it called a bed buddy. It is a tube filled with rice that when heated in the microwave gives off moist heat. I think you might want to try that. I put it around my neck where the pain and tension is the worst. I know that more heat doesn't sound good, but it really helps.

Wishing you a better, painfree day.

Hugs, Karen
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