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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 3/17/2010 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dr Mike and welcome. I'm moving your post to a new thread for you since newbies sometimes get lost in other threads.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

 

I was diagnosed in August 2009. I have suffered with this disease since 1988 not knowing what the problem was. Being male I decided to just "push through it" and that worked for many years. I would have days when I had great difficulty just coping but somehow made it. The pain I had was more of an ache I suppose because I forced myself to keep moving. In 1998 I ruptured three disks in my back and had to have surgery. After the surgery and general anesthetic I was pain free for about 45 days. I truly thought my constant flu was over. When the next flare came it was so bad it put me in bed for several days. I felt as if I had been hit by a truck. Next came the Costochondritis which stopped me dead in my tracks. Could not take a deep breath and my favorite activity - golf was impossible. If I forced myself to play I would be in bed for a full day to recover. I really never fully disclosed all the symptoms to any medical practitioner because I was already aware of FM and did not want that diagnosis on any of my medical records. Last year at age 59 I decided to see one of the preeminent FM docs in the country and was diagnosed with FM. He studied me for nearly two hours and then told me what to expect. He prescribed Klonipin and Tramadol. I could not tolerate the Klonipin but the Tramadol gave me some relief from the pain. I am a psychologist and have an aversion to Rx meds. I do not fault anyone who takes them, they are just not for me. I was elated to find this website with so much anecdotal and clinical information about FM. In FM 101 there is a thread about Vitamin D and Malic Acid with Magnesium. After researching this I have ordered the Malic Acid with Magnesium from Puritans Pride and bought the Vit D this am at Sam's club. I also began a good multi vitamin today. All this has come about because of recent changes that have forced me to look more deeply into FM. My legs feel as if I have walked for hours on a treadmill when I'm at rest. Then when I get up to walk they feel heavy until I have walked for a minute or so. Then I feel as if I could walk all day - till I sit down again. The phenomenon of swelling without swelling is also present with the typical aches and pains all FM suffer in varying degrees. I thank all of you for sharing your stories as they helped me make some decisions I have been putting off. I may not post often, but I will be reading and learning from others who suffer from this vicious disease. Thanks again.
Posted 3/17/2010 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to our family Dr. Mike. It is great that you have already checked out fibro 101.
Sherrine has compiled a great resource for us fibromites.

My fibro started after my back surgery in 2002. I too am unable to play golf anymore. I find
it difficult to even ride along in the golf cart with my husband, just to watch.

The Vitamin D is something many fibromites are deficient in. My levels were very low
and my doctor prescribed 50,000 IU weekly for 6 weeks to get my levels back up.
I now take 2400 IU daily.

Fatigue is horrible for many of us. My rheumy suggested that I start taking Vitamin B 12,
5000 mcgs daily to help. Exercise does help give me a boost, and I enjoy walking.

My legs ache alot, so I spend time soaking in a hot bath. Heat always helps make me
feel better, although not pain free. I take Savella 50mgs. 2x daily and use a muscle
relaxer for flares, cyclobenzaprine. Keeping active helps.

I'm glad you have joined us. There are wonderful caring members here that understand!

hugs, Robin
Posted 3/17/2010 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike!!

And welcome to the family. Finding others who truly understand what we live with on a daily basis is such a relief to many of us with fibro. We don't have many men join us although there are lots of them out there who suffer in silence the way you did. I sure can understand why most of them would but it's a shame that they have to suffer alone.

I do hope the vitamins and mag/malic acid combo does some good for you. I would prefer not to take medications but I can't seem to find any other way to get enough pain relief. I must admit that 2 months ago I did start on the mag/malic acid. It's a bit daunting to gag down those horse pills each day but I kept it up. Then I went down with viral and bacterial infections and stopped taking them. I do need to start again. I want to give it a good try and see if I can get off of some of the pills I take.

Stay in touch,
Chutz
Posted 3/17/2010 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Marlee2, crazykitty and Chutz,

Thanks for the encouraging words. I do hope each of you had a good day - if not good at least tolerable. I to hope that the vitamin regimen will work for me. From both Europe and Canada there are good results with this with a fair amount of studies according to my FM doc. I spoke to him today and he encouraged me to try this regimen since I'm skittish about RX drugs. I will do some research over the coming days to see if I can find these studies online and if I do I will share them with the forum. Hope everyone sleeps well tonight and has a great tomorrow.

mike
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