Fibromyalgia

[Marie0]

Hi ladies - just some ideas if anyone here suffers from fibromyalgia?

My DH suffers from fibromyalgia and is in constant pain which he manages with ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Sometimes different parts of his body ‘flare up’ and are particularly painful- for him these seem to be his neck area and calf muscles.

We are away for the weekend and enjoy walking and unfortunately the soles of his feet are in agony. Poor thing has been placing his feet on freezer blocks to try and ease them.

Anyway - just wondered for when we get home if anyone had tried any different treatments which made a difference?

He currently has weekly massages (mainly on his problem areas), which does provide some relief but only for a day or two.

He’s got a yoga mat and is looking into yoga at home - (too self conscious to go out to a yoga class), and in the past has tried physio therapy.

Was thinking of maybe trying acupuncture- anyone else try this? Also any herbal remedies anyone recommend?

Many thanks if you have any ideas

Epsom salt baths are good I just have to be careful of dizziness from the heat 🤦‍♀️😂

I was diagnosed with fibro about a year ago. I have gabapentin. My problem (along with the 'usual' fibro pain) was cramp/muscle spasms. The meds seem to have helped loads. Its a drug usually used to treat epilepsy as far as I'm aware.
Dont know if anyone has mentioned plantar fasciitis? If his foot pain is worse after resting try a brace for plantar fasciitis. My sister uses one and says it helps. I have the same but using the brace gives me cramp (yey, the joys of fibro)

Have you considered trying cbd oil? It seems to help with so many things. Might be worth a bit of research.

I have Fibromyalgia and I also get plantar fasciitis - a blue physio massage ball - works wonders - can do the same with a tennis ball; magnesium salt in a basin and soak my feet; reflexologist.
Years ago I needed to have my feet strapped by the physio until I was able to do it myself.

my dad has fibro that nothing touches. he has had everything possible and nothing comes close, from morphine plus.
it's been more psychological and coping mechianisms that have helped even a tiny bit. xx

Another fibro sufferer here.

I have a cocktail of meds which have really helped with fibro and osteoarthritis pain. What I take varies depending on if I'm in a flare up state. I was referred to a pain specialist while waiting for a knee replacement, seeing him has literally transformed my life from being pretty well bed ridden to being able to live a mostly normal life. I'm in Australia, so not sure if medication names are the same in UK.

So what I take is:

• A slow release paracetamol (Panadol Osteo 665mg available over the counter here) 2 tabs x 3 times daily maximum dose

• Naproxen 500mg anti-inflammatory 1 x twice daily

• Endep (Amitriptyline) 25mg at night

• Targin (oxycodone/naloxone hydrochloride 10/5mg or 5/2.5mg twice daily (reducing this dose as symptoms ease)

• Lyrica (Pregabilin) 100mg twice daily (reducing this dose as symptons ease). This is epilepsy med that is now being prescribed for pain management as it works on blocking pain signals from the brain)

• Catapres (Clonidine 100mg - helps with sleep) 1 x daily at night

I also take Magnesium and Vitamin D supplements daily.

** Panadol Osteo taken 2 tabs x three times a day which IS the maximum dose.

Certainly agree with heat, Epsom salt baths, magnesium and vit D. Make sure he has some supportive shoes too. I see a chiropractor which helps my pain but my fibro is secondary to JHS. When my back is playing up it triggers a lot of leg pain and spasms in my leg, chiro helps me keep on top of it.

I think different meds can sometimes lead you down the rabbit hole. I used to have to take medications to counteract the side effects of other meds. And some meds only worked when taken with others. Medication certainly helps a lot of people, but for me I tried lots of different concoctions but they made me feel worse. I'm not saying taking medications is bad, but when looking at things like gabapenying, you would need to think very carefully about potential side effects first

*gabapentin

The Doctor really needs to check your partners bloods for any deficiencies.

If he has perfectly normal levels of magnesium then taking magnesium supplements could cause other issues.

In my daughters case her magnesium was fine but she had really low selenium levels, she can’t produce folate and runs low on B12.

Pain management techniques can really help because there isn't a cure. Ask GP/consultant about pain management programmes. They look at all aspects of pain management including pacing activity, introducing exercise, sleep, pain killers, goal setting. They are proven to really help. Good luck.

So sorry you’re going through this. I don’t suffer myself but MIL does and she swears by jointcare vitamins that volterol emogel and a really Supportive insole and shoe. Xx hth

I don’t have it but noticed people saying about massages and hot baths. What about joining a gym or spa locally that has a jacuzzi style warm pool. Massage and hot water in one.

I have fibro and heat is definitely my friend, cold makes me a lot worse! I find my neck shoulders wrists and whatever the bone deep above your heel is are my worst. I also have chronic migraines and recently started Pizotofen for them (in combination with my usual preventatives) which has actually helped both conditions a bit. I also take 600mg ibuprofen and omeprazole for the pain. I have recently found a product called Jones the Bones and the oil really helps my pain for short term relief, have ordered the bath salt version to try too.

Had anyone tried using foot spas? The ones where you plug it in and it bubbles and hears the water.

Been thinking about things that really have helped in order: giving up wheat very strictly, acupuncture, good insoles, rest, osteopath, tumeric, magnesium,

I have fibro. Take tramadol, naproxen and at night a muscle relaxant called tizanidine. I also have regular intravenous magneseum (Myers cocktail) as magnesium isn't absorbed well orally, and b12 shots. And hot water bottles...

Cbd, check out Antonellas video on utube today. My partner has been vaping but think he will try the sweets

I have a similar issue but probably caused by damaged nerves. I couldn’t get on with amitriptyline so tried nortriptyline and cope much better on that, no drowsy feeling the next day. Couldn’t handle gabapentin and had an awful time coming off it. If possible avoid benzodiazepines and opiates, although I manage well on codeine once before bed and more if I’m need. I’ve tried stronger opiates but you always build tolerance and find them less effective which can be a slippery slope. I have baclofen for muscle tightness and am trying CBD oil, not convinced yet. The best thing I’ve done is get into the gym, our local council run gym has trainers who help disabled people so I felt safe in their hands. It doesn’t stop all pain but it reduces the pain caused by muscle spasm and wastage as they lead to maladaptions and more pain. I have found mindfulness very helpful but find it harder to prioritise than the gym or running weirdly. It can help sleep which also helps reduce stress and pain. I was spiralling into severe disability and now can keep up with the kids even if the pain remains or bites back later.

Brilliant- I’ve made a list of all the things I can get - many thanks for your input