HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New here, any suggestions for making the pain more tolerable.

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/21/2014 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
So after months, maybe years of dealing with a progressively worse body aches and pains, I may finally have an answer. I am a 28 year old female.

Over the summer of 2013 I saw many doctors to help with depression, sleep issues and migraines. I had success with getting my migraines under control as well as less depression issues occuring. In September 2013 I began noticed that my whole body would be achy the whole day. My body felt sore and trying to feel comfortable was out of the question.

In late March my body got to the point where it hurt to do normal daily tasks. One morning in early April I knew something was very wrong because it became unbearable to pick up my 9 lb dog. I decided to go to my primary, who couldn’t really understand why I was in her office. I said, “I am in pain.” My whole body is covered in pain. Along with the pain, I have what I would describe as large muscle cramps and muscle twitching. My body felt like there was what I call, “creepy crawlies” under my skin. My doctor was sure it was just depression pain. That is when I became furious. I have dealt with depression on and off for over 14 years and I had never felt pain like this before. She did mention Fibromyalgia but was very sure it is just depression.

I ended up in the ER the following afternoon because I was in a complete fog and was in so much pain it hurt to leave my bed. No medications, Advil, Tyelonol, Aleve, etc helped ease the pain. Right off the bat the ER doctor said everything I am experiencing is symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

Later on the night while trying to relax with my husband (he has Colitis, so he understands chronic illnesses), I broke down. I was a crying mess. I couldn’t understand why my body hated me so much, why this was happening. I have still yet to get a solid diagnosis (I have appointments next month with specialists) but we realized that every symptom I had been having for about a year makes sense to that of Fibro.

While I am waiting for the doctor appointments, does anyone have suggestions of ways to help make it easier to get through each day? I am still going to work and school, but I did miss one class, which was the day after the ER. My husband has pushed me to get out of the house and just walk our dog around the block to keep my body moving.
Posted 4/21/2014 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, SaMac.

Welcome. It does sound as though maybe you have Fibro - of course, it's impossible for us to say. Take a look at "Fibro 101," our 1st thread at the top of the list. You'll find a wealth of information.

Yes, you do need to keep moving, but no one knows your body or your pain like you do, so sometimes what that means looks to other people like you're not doing anything...know what I mean? It is important to not stay in any one position too long.

I'm sorry you're having such pain, but you have found a great place for support. We do get it and we're here for you....

Debbie
Posted 4/21/2014 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
Welcome to the forum !
We understand what you're going through. My doctor told me she thought I was depressed too, and I thought, is this why I am paying you, to tell me that I am depressed? Since then I never saw her. Then I went to see a rheumatologist and she got it right.
My suggestions would be doing yoga. I think it is amazing, it helps with my Fibro at least 80% or more. You can also check out arnica montana it helps me too, it's a muscle relaxer.
It heps to know that it is fibro, then you know what is your next step compare to not knowing. It gets better once you know and learn how to deal with it.
Best!
Posted 4/21/2014 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
I take gabapentin, tylenol, and tramadol. I use muscle rubs and aspercream. Hot tub soaks, ice packs, heat wraps.... I throw the whole shebang at it.

The most I can do is calm it down to a dull roar.

I hope you can get some help and feel better soon.
Posted 4/22/2014 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Get a memory foam pad for your bed, and a large heating pad to rest aching muscles on. Try to swim or stretch a bit each day. Don't be afraid to try different medications, but make sure you understand what type of medicine you are taking and also understand that most things cannot take away all the pain. Welcome to the forum; hope you find a sense of friendship and common story as I do.
Posted 4/22/2014 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your kind words and support. I have found it difficult to talk to people about this. I have found that only a select few in my circle of family and friends have been supportive. I am glad there is a place like this to turn to, with those who understand first hand. I will take all of your suggestions into consideration. I think once I get an official diagnosis I will know better which directions to try. But for now I will do what I can to calm my pain as best as I can.
Posted 4/22/2014 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum. I know ow you feel looking for some relief. That is why I ended up here, I was desperate and looking myself few years ago. I finally started just trying things that others mention. Eventually I developed a treatment plan that work for me. Try not to get discorage. You will find out you will learn more here and from books and not from our Dr's office. Getting some great books on fibro really help me. I finally realized all these symptoms I had for years was real and it was right here in the book.

It took many years to get to the point where I am at with pain control. Many years ago they treated fibro with narcotics. Well, I became very dependent on them. I finally had to make a change because they were causing havoc in my life. I tried to take nothing, but couldn't stand the pain. Now I am taking subutex for pain. It takes care of most of the pain. Exercise is probably the best thing or fibro pain. I know it doesn't make sence, but it's the truth. I use lots of heat source. I just got a memory foam bed. It was costly, but all worth it.

I also seek professional mental health for chronic pain. It gave me lots of tools to work with so I could handle the chronic pain.

The supplements such as magnesium, calcium and vitamin D has been very helpful in my pain. I know my levels were not bad except for vitamin D, but I still took them. The muscle pains improved in about 3 weeks. So there are so many things you can do to help your pain. Reducing your stress is a huge factor in reducing pain in fibro too.

Please let us know how your doing. My life has turned around since I found this forum. There are great postive fibromites here. I hope you can learn to cope with your pain soon.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 4/22/2014 1:43:44 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/22/2014 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, SaMac, and welcome! Ah....it's all in your head. Many have been told it's depression and others have been sent to a psychiatrist. Maddening, isn't it.

But, try to see a good board certified rheumatologist. They will run you through a myriad of tests to rule out other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibro before a diagnosis will be given. Any doctor that just looks at you and says you have fibro is not very good, in my estimation. There is no good test to rule fibro out so we have to have other things ruled out first.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are good links about fibro and you will learn a lot there. All of Fibro 101 is good but good starting links for you would be the ones called Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia. You just might see yourself there.

What I do to help be in control of the pain is use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and I take a prescription muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has made a significant difference in my pain. There are links in Fibro 101 about the supplements and how they work in the body. I also walk and/or swim daily, do daily stretching exercises, and I pace myself when doing things. All of the above has helped me be in control of my pain.

BUT, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another with fibro. We are all so different so it's a trial and error type of thing. You will find what helps you and then you will get in control of the pain and live a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness. I know I have.

I also have found that being a positive thinker has helped me a lot. I look at all my blessings and not the negative things that are happening. There is a good link in Fibro 101 about how to maintain a positive attitude when you have chronic pain. Your hubby might like that one, too!

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine
Posted 4/23/2014 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Wow. I am thrilled that there are people like you who can give advice and tips, while I wait until my appointment in May. Hopefully then I will have more answers and an official diagnosis. Today I bought a memory foam pillow, hoping it helps with the endless shoulder and neck pain. I've been trying to walk around more, but today it seems my right leg didn't agree with it.

I will keep you all posted on my progress.
Posted 4/23/2014 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SaMac,

I'm sorry about your pain. It seems unbeareable! My close friend suffered with pain from Fibromyalgia for a long long time and she tried using Power Strips. For her, it worked really well, then when I got muscle aches/pains/strains, I decided to give them a try. It worked wonders for me! Maybe you might want to try it? They are all natural and they are FDA approved as a class 1 Medical Device. There have been lots of people that use it for Fibromyalgia and rave about it.

Hope you find relief real soon!
Good luck!

Please read our forum rules.

Sherrine

Post Edited By Moderator (Sherrine) : 4/23/2014 4:38:03 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/25/2014 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
So I have using a memory foam pillow for the last few days, but have really noticed much difference yet in the way of pain relief. I am not really looking for tips on medications, since I have not been to the doctor yet for the official word. My appointment is in the middle of May. Right now I am looking for holistic and non medication relief.

It is just getting harder to be at work with the aches and pains and thankfully my physiology class is done in the next couple of weeks. I honestly cant believe I got a B- on my last exam because I was having major brain fog the entire day. (My class is from 9am - 3 pm on Sundays).

I have been noticing the brain fogs much more often and have also been having what feels like small charlie horses in my legs. Not fun. I think I am still going through what my husband calls, a grieving process, and I am still trying to understand what it is actually my body is dealing with.

Thank you for all the warm wishes and get well soon's. It means a lot.
Posted 4/25/2014 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
The fog is terrible at times for me. I've found that those days just try not to think so hard.
Posted 4/28/2014 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
I m so much older than you but I too have depression most of my life. I haven't been to a specialist yet and my primary docter has run all kind of tests. They have all come back normal. He hasn't mentioned fibro to me but tomorrow I am going to ask him about it.
It is hard when everyone including the docters look at you like you nuts. I have wondered that myself many times. The pain is real and so I too am just hoping someone will put a name to it. Hope that you can get to the root of the problem and they assumed its depression. Good luck in getting a handle on your problem and pray that they will listen and not assume. I feel your pain and you being so young makes it worse because you still have so much to look forward to without having to live in pain.
Jabeau
Posted 4/30/2014 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Try injectable vitamin B12, it worked for my Mom and she was in rough shape. Really, it helped a lot. After years of trying to help her with this very simple tool has been of great assistance. Not a cure but its extremely helpful.
Posted 5/1/2014 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
I was having very serious memory and cognative issues ... the members i have recently met here have called it the "fog" wich fits it to a T.. my big topper at the time was sleep. The pills they where giving me where not helping. Outt of desperation i turned to using marahuana medicianaly .... did i spell either of those right?? Anyways taken before bed it did me a world of good and i didnt wake up because of pain every time i rolled over either. Just a thought. Its ingestable if you have breathing issues. It does not stop the pain but it does reduce the creepy crawlies and you will find it easier to put the pain aside for the evning. The doctors i have had never had a prob with it they where and are very understanding.
Posted 5/5/2014 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SaMac85
Welcome. I recently found this forum and was comforted by all. It is frightening when our body has so much pain. Being alone in it was really hard for me. You are so young. I thought at 50 I was too young to be stricken with pain and not able to do what I love. I hiked a lot in the forest living in Canada in the mountains. I can't walk on uneven ground now. My best friend and I worked together on a farm and hiked everyday. Now she goes without me and I mourn the loss of what we did together. Now we work hard together to find things that we can do to maintain our friendship. Some things I have done to help myself. I use medicinal marijuana in a candy form daily. I never get stoned from it as I take a very small amount. It is just enough to take the edge off the pain and I can manage to get around.

I take high doses of B12, regular dose of B-complex, 2000 ml vit D, Magnesium powder at night for sleep, along with a product called Sleep relax as this is herbal (I am an herbalist and nutritionist so happy to have non medical ingredient going into my body) it has; Passion flower, Hops, Valerian root and skullcap for pain) I sleep way better with this formula but am a bit groggy in am from the Valerian root. It passes in an hour from waking. This formula makes me drowsy during the night so when I wake up, the pain doesn't really register in my brain as much. I also take tryptiphan (spelling?) at night to help me produce more serotonin. More serotonin equals more sleep, more happiness and more pain killing hormones to turn off the pain message in the brain. I also take St.Johns wort, tryptiphan, vit D, and rodiola for depression. I take ginseng and Rodiola as adaptagins which help me adapt to the situation better physically and mentally. They help me rebuild after stress and this level of pain is stressful on the body everyday.
I started to take Malic Acid in a formula with Bromalain (anti-inflammatory)and Boswalia (painkiller). The malic acid helps me produce more energy in each cell. This is helping.

Mentally, I care for my mental condition by seeing a councilor once a month to have someone to watch over me and guide me with tools to handle the depression and the mental frustration of being ill. I use heat on hot spots. I drink camomile tea daily to remain calm. I walk my dog daily even if it is just around the block. I use a rubber band to exercise my muscles as they are atrophying and I am loosing strength. I recently went to physio to help me learn how to keep my body strong.

I removed some things from my diet: caffeine (chocolate coffee and tea) as it was a stimulant that I didn't need, it increased my pain by decreasing my serotonin levels, lessened my ability to go into deep sleep and left me jittery. Also I don't drink alcohol and don't eat any form of sugar now for the same reason as caffeine.
The barometric levels affect me also. So on cloudy rainy days I am extra good to myself and don't ask a lot from my body. Hot baths if I can get into the tub...very painful but once there I relax.
I bought a memory foam mattress and that really helps with pressure points while sleeping. I have not found a way to ease the neck pain especially rough at night except heating pad. It helps but after I lay sleeping for a while I wake up with extreme pain in neck upon moving it and same with knees.
My friend bought me a car seat made of jel. I use it everywhere now because it eases the sit bone pressure points.

I manage my life trying hard to not allow any extra stresses. Stress robs me of sleep and therefore being able to produce the hormones that strop the pain message to the brain.

I throw all this at this situation and it is helping.
Sorry this is so long winded but I see that if we share what we are trying others might find it helps them too. I am throwing the book at this situation...not really but do believe that many approaches are more helpful.

I also noticed that in the am if I have not sleep well (which is almost every night) I am more melancholy and more depressed. Sleep seams to be the solution to producing this natural pain killing hormones that we produce to tell the brain, thanks for the pain message,....we got it...you can stop sending pain messages now.

Hang in there and like someone said in this forum...when given lemons...through them right back.
Fight back.
Posted 5/6/2014 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome,

I geta fair amount of help woth topical pain relievers...like soothanol x2 and pain erase... Anti inflammatories help me a lot..but can mess with your vit d level which i am just learning the hard way...try cold packs or heat..and when your body does not agree about exercise..lay on the floor or bed for stretches..or do chair yoga.

Lm
Posted 5/7/2014 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
I am interested in your comment that anti-inflammatory mess with vit D levels. Is this a prescription anti-inflammatory?
I use Bromalain and Turmeric combo for anti-inflammatory and to my knowledge it does not interfere with vit D levels.
cheers
Posted 5/7/2014 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I heard you say that you are having leg cramps. Leg cramps are often caused by dehydration. I know in fibro research they speak about most who have fibro are dehydrated. I lost my leg cramps when I started to ingest more water.
hope that helps
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply