No narcotics

I'm 67, have had fibro for 27 years, and don't take narcotics for it. I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and a prescription muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has made a significant difference. There are links about the supplements in Fibro 101.

Sherrine

I tapered off narcotics this year !
Its aweful to have to take them but when its severe its severe !!

Once I found out how to detoxify my body and ESP lymphs and treat systemic infections the pain reduced and I'm off my pain medications. I was on high doses of extended release MS Contin and Oxymophone.

I am on nothing now !

Wanted to share this. Could help others.

Thanks Sherrine.

If that's your wonder drug then it tells you your pain is from inflammation.

Mine would wax and wane. Sometimes it was more inflammation and sometimes not as much.

Did you know they claim FMS pain is not due to inflammation ?

This was one thing that started leading me to try to find real causes to the pain itself. Digging into that helped me resolve the pain.

More doctors should help patients with that process and not just say sorry and here are your pain killers.

I take sometimes Ibuprofen for it. It doesn't help much. It does seem to help more with my my headaches, that and if it is sinuses I take Allegra D. Loratab is the only thing that will help the really bad pain and even then it only eases it doesn't take it away completely.

You probably need the lexapro for the ptsd and ocd, but it's possible to wean off the others. Just make sure your doctor is monitoring you during this.

I took a narco for the second time and developed a nasty drug rash. So I'm going to avoid it.

Thank all of you for your wonderful answers. I'm going to discuss titrating off narcs with my Dr. When he gets back from his vacation. I think I'll have better luck with him than the pain Dr. Who gives me the meds. I'm going to check those alternatives you suggested Sherrine also. What a wonderful group we have. Love you all, Azgram

Azgram, you asked what over the counter things we use to help with pain so that's how I answered your question but there are two other things that have helped me a lot with pain.

The first is walking. I walk every day for about a half an hour. This really works. I had a new neighbor move in and she has fibro and disc problems. When I suggested walking, she said she couldn't walk. I pointed out that she walked to the door to answer it. I told her to start out slowly and build up. Well, she listened. She now walks every day and yesterday she was jogging a little! She says she feels soooo much better now and has helped not only with pain but she has lost 15 pounds so far and it has helped her with her depression. This really works. I have less pain and more energy when I get back from my walk. In the winter, when I lived up north, I bought a walkikng in place video and used that since I didn't want to walk in the snow. Karen mentioned stretching exercises and I do those too. Any way we can use our muscles is a big help.

The second thing is maintaining a positive attitude. Studies have shown how this helps with pain and healing. I just look at all the positive things in my life and bypass the negative ones. There is a good link in Fibro 101 about maintaining a positive attitude when you have chronic pain. It really is good.

So I hope these things help you also. OH! Pace yourself when doing things. It all gets done but in a different time frame.

Sherrine

First and foremost for me: my attitude. I accept that I'll have this for the rest of my life and that I won't have one day without pain. Yes, I hold out hope that treatments will make me feel better and perhaps someday we'll have a cure, but I'm realistic. I don't have depression, but when I have a flare it is like my mental state changes and I have a mini-depressive episode. One of the things I've done is create a Pinterest page with inspiration so that helps me feel a little better mentally. I try to be kind to myself (and others).

Second, I've tried to keep off medications altogether but that hasn't worked; for me it's about getting to a better maintenance level and then trying it without the meds. Perhaps you could do something like that in reverse? Taper off one med, then another? I was taking Tramadol 2x daily until I got to my maintenance dose of gabapentin. I've been able to wean off the Tramadol and only take it when I really need it, which has helped it work better. (So many of us have overlapping conditions that I think it's important to make sure we treat those as well. I've started a new med for osteoarthritis and that helps with my stiffness in the mornings. Good to keep in mind sometimes the pain isn't just the fibro.)

Third, I second the ideas for exercise. I've been able to increase my daily activity over the past few weeks and I feel better just knowing I am contributing more to the household. I started a daily walking routine (this morning!) with my toddler in the stroller. This morning was a bit hard but it's worth it. I just keep telling myself that being outdoors is good for me and the little guy, being active is going to keep me going, and try to smile through the pain.

Fourth, I take epsom salt baths when I've had an overactive day and that helps my muscles relax. I've started using essential oils for various things and using them in the bath helps me relax too.

Fifth (!), have you tried an anti-inflammatory diet? I'm looking into this now...seems it would help with my overall health too.

Good luck! ~ Melissa