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struggeling with weakness. anyone have any success with increasing energy?

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Posted 5/23/2011 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings all,
I have had Fibro for 10 years and I have sort of gotten the pain under a semblance of control. What I am looking for is some way to give myself instant energy for emergency situations. some type of stimulant that would allow me to walk when I can't on rare occasions when I have to.

Has anyone had any success increasing there energy levels?
Posted 5/23/2011 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you are looking for a miracle. All I can think of are energy drinks like 5 hour energy shot. I know Coke helps give me a boost.
Posted 5/23/2011 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Well, no. I am not looking for that. I am looking for information on strong stimulants such as Amphetamines that may have been tried by others. I have tried every form of energy drink and most base there stimulant powers on caffeinated products which does not do much in the way of strength. I am also looking for information from anyone who has had success in increasing there strength at all.
Posted 5/23/2011 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi cogizance and welcome to our fibro family, I have no answers for you but just wanted you to know that I am at the end of my energy resources also. For me it is a struggle because of the fibro and the cancer medication I am on. I know that gentle exercise like walking or yoga would help me immensely but havent even been able to force myself to do these. Hope you find some help soon.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 5/23/2011 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Oh sorry Cog, I misunderstood.
Posted 5/23/2011 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi :) Know what you mean about zero-zip energy. Some people on here have mentioned their docs prescribe them adderall. From what they've said on this board, they seem to take it a couple times early in the day. Perhaps that would be a possibility for you? about the most & best boost I get out of anything is Emergen-C.
Posted 5/23/2011 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I don't know if this will help or not, but I will relay what I have done.

First of all, I have had fibro for over thirty years, most of which I worked and raised a family. The last 11 years has seen a real decline and I have lost energy, can no longer stand or walk for any lengthy distance. For instance, I can walk from the house to the car, or walk from the car into a store, but cannot walk inside the store without the use of a wheelchair.

Recently, I was diagnosed with cancer and had chemo and radiation, which just about zapped all my strength that I had remaining. After the treatments, I decided, I must do something to gain some energy, so here's what I did.

Everyday, I walked further in my house. Then I did one thing of housework, like loading a load of clothes in the washer. Each week I would add another chore, if I was up to it. Slowly, but surely, my strength came back. It was slow going, but at least I can do a few things in my house now, and I am very grateful to God for helping me restore some of my strength.


Hope that helps somewhat. God bless you in your endeavors.

Lindaloo
Posted 5/23/2011 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with Linda, and I've also had cancer treatment, and a serious accident on top of the fibro. I've recently been struggling with chronic sinus infections from the smashed nose in the wreck, which makes me feel sick all the time.

My docs will not prescribe anything that helps. My rheumy won't even prescribe anything for sleep! The only thing I can do is take my pain med (tramadol), and that was even cut to 2 a day, then exercise when I'm not in level 7 or higher pain. It's a real struggle to get off the couch, but my mom was my inspiration.

My mom walked a mile each day to stay in shape for travelling. Up to age 90, even though she had little energy after a major open heart surgery, she drove herself to a local pool and swam. She had pain from various ailments and kidney failure too. If she could do it at that age I can too.

Most information recommends exercise for fibromyalgia. There just don't seem to be any cures or even good tretments. The only other thing you can do is keep working with your docs to find any other conditions which can be treated, low vitamin D levels, arthritis spurs and such.
Posted 5/23/2011 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am new to the forum but not to fibro,

I agree with Lindaloo about doing a little bit more everyday.  Have you tried juicing?  Sometimes that gives me energy naturally. Also protein shakes with fruit.  I can't have caffeine or stimulants but that helps.  I have started out slowly and worked my way up to excercising and eating really good and yes I still have my bad days but good days are there also.  Also pacing yourself throughout the day helps and if possible drink plenty of water. 

Yes my doc also recommended excercise and I thought you have got to be kidding and at first it was really hard but now it really has helped relieve the pain. 

I hate that everyone is different with fibro but it is good to share what works for us and maybe it will work for some others.

When I need something to sleep because of the fibro aches, pains and burning I take a tylenol pm...it does help me :-)

 

Posted 5/23/2011 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for the info and the support. I have been exercising for about six years. Mostly walking and doing what I have to. When I knew I couldn't work in all the fields that I had experience in (physical or repetitive work) I put some thinking into what I could do. I was fortunate to be able to slowly over six and a half years work my way through college with the support of my wife who has been my my side from the beginning.
It was hard and I missed a LOT of classes and even tests, but I did a lot of work at home and really pushed through. I have never suffered too badly from the Fog so I was able to pull of some great grades that financed most of my school.

I have been working as an thermal engineer now for almost a year and I have not been fired yet! I have a great boss who is very relaxed with my schedule so long as get my work done. Today for instance I couldn't get up I was so stiff and weak despite my best efforts, and went in for 8:45 instead of 7:30. No problem. I cant be leave how blessed I am to have work. Sometimes I can't stand to go to the printer even I am so weak, but...I still get work done.

I was on my back for two years trying to collect disability and living off credit cards. Now I am debt free, and I can earn my living. Sure it took almost seven years and I was hauled off the school sidewalk in an ambulance more than once, but it was all worth it. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of returning to school to think of the job you could get and how it would work for you physically and then go for it. It changed my life.
Posted 5/24/2011 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
One thing that helped tremendously with my energy was a high dose of Vitamin D, but then again, my levels were extremely low, so I assume that added to my fatigue. But I still have my days, especially the past few months after not being very active on bed rest, and then baby #3, but the Vitamin D is still my biggest energy booster, next to a little bit of sun and fresh air, and a large amount of caffeine! I've heard of other people having success with Vitamin B-12 injections, and I keep meaning to ask my doc about the validity of that, but I get down there and always forget until after I've left, along with half of the rest of what I planned on asking/telling him. Hope you find something that helps!
Posted 5/24/2011 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
I have a friend who was prescribed Nuvigil for fatigue. I was surprised her doctor gave it to her because it's a very strong drug and her fatigue doesn't seem that bad to me (she works full time, runs half marathons, and doesn't even try to get enough sleep).

I have been prescribed Adderall in the past, and for me it was a double edged sword. It helped me to think more clearly and made me less fatigued at first, but it also increased my anxiety, especially physical tension, and the physical tension eventually exhausted me. My doctor said I was the exception, not the rule though. about 90% of people can tolerate stimulants, I just happen to not be one of them.

I'm going to a class in June about pacing, which is what my doctor recommended for fatigue.
Posted 5/24/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
My husband tried Provigil which really helped him but expensive. Iuse adderall very sparingly, because it IS an amphetamine. It helps my focus but also increases anxiety and some nausea.

And sometimes "you have to fake it til you make it".
Posted 5/25/2011 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on # 3 Dori18!
I have 4 myself. 8 6 4 2 and we found out today that there is a new one to love on the way. My wife said that my 4 year old comes in to bed early in the morning to "say good morning to the baby". It is so cute. My wife is a super hero, and we love our kids so much. They regularly help me to walk around and even my 2 year old will come and sit by me when I fall from weakness patting my head until I can get up. It seams I can always face another impossible day when they are with me.
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