Posted 1/10/2017 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Dani, and welcome! Fear! This is causing you all the anxiety and stress which causes more pain. I went through this in the beginning. I was afraid I was going to die and I too had three small children. It's a terrible feeling and you feel totally out of control. (Fibromyalgia is not a terminal illness. It's a pain illness.)
My doctor put me on Valium and I pretty much became a zombie and it affected my personality. But one day in church the sermon was on fear and the scripture used was the one you can find in my signature. I chose that for my signature because it has had such an impact on my life! Once I realized it was fear causing so much stress and anxiety I could recognize it for what it was and have now been able to kick it to the curb...along with that awful Valium.
They don't know the cause of Fibro but, as I implied above, stress and anxiety can make the pain worse. It is important to keep moving with fibro. If you sit or lay too much you will be stiff as a board and have more pain. Gentle exercise is highly recommended for fibro...things like walking, swimming, and yoga. I walk daily. When I started out walking I could only go four houses down and had to turn around and head back home if I was going to make it. But I didn't tell myself I couldn't do it. Instead I headed out the next day and could walk a little further! Pretty soon I was walking all over the neighborhood and enjoying the sites and the beauty all around me. When I got home I had less pain and more energy too! So I have continued walking and my body has thanked me for it.
I didn't want to take those high powered medications either because I have had negative reactions to medications in the past. I decided to go the route of over the counter medications and supplements and it has worked for me. But, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. It's a trial and error type thing but to me this was a good place to start. If I hadn't gotten relief, I would have tried the other medications because it would have been a quality of life situation for me.
Now you are wondering what I take. 😊 I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and a muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has made a significant difference in my pain. The prescription for this tells me to take two tablets four times a day but I only need one tablet twice a day! It helps me and I don't get sleepy, can drive, etc. I just took what I needed to tamp down the discomfort. I don't try to be pain-free because I would have to take way too much medication. I also take krill oil and CoQ10 and both help with pain also. With all of the above I have lived successfully with fibro for nearly 29 years. My three small children are now all adults. I have done so much in my life and and have lived it to the fullest while having fibro. The more you focus on your life instead of pain, the pain will fade somewhat in the background. Put your life first...not the illness.
I also have a positive attitude. This has helped me so much...almost as much as medication. I count my blessings, realize things could be a lot worse, and am so thankful for all the things I can do. You have your children who will keep you active and busy. Believe it or not, it's a real blessing with fibro.
Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. There are links about magnesium malate and vitamin D3 and how they work in the body. Many of us are deficient in these nutrients and that can cause more pain. Also there is a wonderful link on how to maintain a positive attitude when you have chronic pain. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.
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