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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 9/4/2011 1:03 AM (GMT 0)

Well, hello to everyone here.
Not really sure where to start, so I'll do what I can. Memory does suck, so bear with me.
Newest symptom for me is very stiff and painful shoulders. It's to the point where I find my
neck leaning towards the right because my left shoulder is so stiff.  Not to mention the pain
in my neck that accompanies it. Along with pain in my arms. The left shoulder is the worst,
but the right has also been just as painful. Other than that, my energy levels aren't all that
good. And most of the time I just don't feel like doing anything. I should also add that I have
been diagnosed as being bipolar as well.
I have been pushing myself on the days that I do feel good, and I am also fighting with doing as
much as I can. I have gained 40lbs, and don't want to gain anymore. In the past during the summer
I would be around 130 - 140, and the winter no more than 150. Now at the end of summer I am
at 170.
Any advice anyone has to anything, would be appreciated. I am doing as much as I can outdoors.
And will keep trying to do as much as possible outdoors. I don't have a doctor at the moment, only
a nurse practitioner and she is leaving it up to my neurologist, to see what he is going to do.
The doctor I had left the state, to be closer to family. Well I think that is enough for now.
Thank you to all, in advance.

Posted 9/4/2011 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

Welcome to the HealingWell Fibromyalgia forum. Yes, memory, I know. I go through the same thing at times. Most of my pain is in my left shoulder too. It always has been. My shoulders get really tight. I find that moist heat helps with that. I use what is called a "bed buddie". You can get them at Walmarts in the pharmacy department. You heat them in a microwave, wrap in a towel and place around your neck. It is a tube filled with rice. It works really good. Puts off a moist heat for a long time. When my shoulders hurt, they get tense which leads to headaches and what not.

I saw a nurse practitioner for a long time myself. I now see a DO. And he is pretty good. I was seeing an MD for a long time, then he retired. I don't see any kind of specialist though. Just the DO and a psychiatrist for my depression. But he also helps me with the fibromyalgia too.

When you get a chance, check out the thread called "fibro 101". It is the second thread on the forum. It has a wealth of information in it. I think you will find it interesting.

I hope that you feel better soon. Keep moving around and doing stuff outside. I walk a lot and it helps. Also do a lot of stretching.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 9/4/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hiya~

Glad to meet you and welcome! I'm sorry you've been having so much pain lately. My shoulders are one of my most painful areas also. Mine is often my right and it can get bad enough where I can't use my arm for anything for a while. Even typing can be painful in the shoulder area.

With how you described the should pain, have any of the doctors looked further into the problem? You may have more than fibro going on there. I have arthritis in my neck and that also contributes to shoulder/neck pain. It pinches nerves that go down my arms also. Often with fibro it's hard to know what to blame for the pain...the fibro or something else or both!smhair

Hope you stay around~
Chutz
Posted 9/4/2011 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there Hellboy, I'm so sorry that you are so much pain. Are you taking any medication or pain relivers? In the meantime soak in the tub with as much hot water as you can stand, pour half a cup of Epson Salt in there, it works wonders.  Also you can use a heating pad. Hope this helps, keep us updated
Posted 9/4/2011 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Yes I am taking some meds, just not much right now, Tried Cymbalta,but couldn't take the side effects. Made me very dizzy. Back on Neurontin along with a anti-inflamatory. But those aren't doing much right now. Will be seeing neurologist shortly. Have to see what he does next. Have a clay filled hot/cold pack, helps a little, but only as long as I'm using it. Will try out that bed buddy. What area are you in Karen? I know different areas carry different things. I'll see if Walmart has it. If not maybe they have it online. Walking doesn't really help me much. Legs get stiff, and my back really tightens up. I also have 3 bulging discs in my lower back, so that is a problem as well, also suffer from sciatica from time to time. Already looked at Fibro 101, going to look into things more on that thread. Just taking my time, and making sure I remember things.
Posted 9/4/2011 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
I will be thinking and praying for you and send healing thoughts your way. Don't worry, everything will be ok, just hang in there and try to take one day at a time. We are here for you
Posted 9/4/2011 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome here. I think we can understand about your pain. Pain can be so tiring itself, not counting on the other symptoms. Hopefully you will be able to find a regimen that works for you. Since I have been on this forum, I have improved greatlty with my health. I have learned new ways to tackle my Fibromalgia. I too suffer from pain almost constantly, but over the years I have learned a lot of coping tools. You will find out this is a great site for support.
Posted 9/4/2011 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
I am in Michigan,

We have cold winters here. I have seen the bed buddies in the sporting goods for hunters. They are nice in the winter to put by your feet in bed. lol.... Where are you from?

Hugs, Karen
Posted 9/4/2011 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome!
Posted 9/4/2011 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hellboy, you can make your own bed buddy if you want.  Just take a tube sock, fill it with rice, and tie the end.  It works great.  After a certain amount of heating, the rice needs changed, it starts to smell.  Kohl's also carry a great bed buddy..I have 2 of them, got them on sale for around $5-8.  I keep one in the freezer and one for heating.  I find sometimes cold feels as good as warm.

I find it amazing how different we all are, and yet some so much alike.  My left shoulder is my worst pain area, and I also deal with sciatia, which isn't fun.

Getting By....do you ever find you have pain in your shoulders when you walk, like it doesn't matter how you stand it hurts?  I try to walk everyday, weather permiting.  I do not walk as far as I did last year, yet I walk every morning before breakfast.

Posted 9/4/2011 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum! My left shoulder is my worst part too...appreciate the info on the bed buddy too. I use a heating pad and I have a schiatsu (sp?) neck massage thing with heat/vibration I use also.
Posted 9/4/2011 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Newly Dx'd (just last week) but neck/shoulder pain is my worst complaint and has plagued me for a few years. I found analgesic patches at The Christmas Tree Shop. I will find out the name and let you know. In addition to heating pads (I have one that has a cloth you can wet and stick inside the pouch, to provide moist heat), I have used these patches and they feel wonderful. They do smell though, a bit like Ben Gay (sort of minty), but they're good for 8 hours and definitely provide some relief.

Just started Neurontin; hoping it helps.
Posted 9/4/2011 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'm from Massachusetts, and yes, no matter what I do, when my shoulders hurt. I can feel it, from walking, to just moving around. And to make a correction, it wasn't cymbalta I tried, it was Lyrica that I did that made me dizzy as all hell.
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