Hi, new and really could use some help!

Hi Bella,

And welcome to the fibromyalgia forum.  You have come to a good site.  If you get a chance, check out fibro101, it is a wonderful thread.

It is hard to get pain meds these days, due to the abuse of them.   Doctors are reluctant to prescribe them.  Give the other meds a good six weeks to reach their full effect.  These meds take time.  They do not work over night, as some are antidepressants and they have to build up in your system.  So be patient. 

I take norco, which is a low scale pain killer.  But it does help.  Though I still have pain, it is not as bad as it could be and I can tolerate that.  Keeping your mind busy helps.  It puts the pain in the background and you don't notice it as much.

Keep moving, that helps too.  If you don't , you will be in worse pain and be as stiff as a board.  I also take muscle relaxers and that helps.  There are other ways to help with the pain that don' t require medications, and they are all in fibro101.  So please check it out.

I hope that you feel better soon.  Walking is another good thing to do, also GENTLE stretching.  Going to physical therapy also helps, and swimming.  So please try to be patient, it takes time, and a little work by yourself to get through this.  You will get there.  You will never be pain free, but you can get it under control so that you can tolerate it.

Hugs, Karen

Hi Bellasplace, and welcome. I'm sorry you are in so much pain right now. It is a tough diagnosis to deal with.

I know it is so hard and frustrating to be in pain. Our natural instinct (of course) is to want it to go away, completely, right now. One of the things about fibro is that although the pain can sometimes be severe, it usually doesn't stay at that level forever. It typically waxes and wanes. Most people have some level of pain most of the time, but the severe pain does tend to come and go.

I know you feel overwhelmed right now, but you will learn to cope with and adjust to dealing with the pain. Many doctors don't like to prescribe narcotics for fibro long term because the available research doesn't definitively support it. If that is the route you choose to go, you may have to try several doctors.

There are lots of other things you can do to help too. First, take a deep breath, take a step back, and try to relax (easier said than done, I know). :) Motrin, Tylenol, hot showers, heating pads, muscle relaxants, massage, meditation, can all help. Also, a lot of us find that the cold really makes things worse. Living in Alaska, you might need to be aware of trying to keep your muscles warm.

There is a great thread at the top of this forum called "Fibro 101." You will find some great info. there.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Soft hugs - Austen

Thank you all for the advice. I am truly at a loss at how to handle this. I have such a low tolerance for pain that I am and will admit to being a baby with this. lol! However, last night I did find tylenol having a muscle and pain medication and it helped a little last night. I was very grateful for the pills. I finally got in about 3 hours of sleep which helped but still tired.
I am glad to have found you guys and will be around often but promise not to whine to much..hehe!!

Bella, I use ibuprofen with food and extra strength Tylenol.  I alternate them and I don't wait until I'm absolutely miserable before taking them either because it takes longer for them to kick in.

 

I also take malic acid/magnesium supplements and vitamin D3 supplements.  There are links all about these in Fibro 101. 

 

But, be sure to ask your doctor before you try anything.  I did and this is what has worked for me for decades.  I have not been without pain but I am in control of the pain and can live a full and enjoyable life with it.  You need to accept the situation and then look to find what works best for you to keep the pain under control.

We are here to help you so don't hesitate to ask questions.

Sherrine