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Jaw Pain, Headaches, Calf pain, knees, and so much more! How do you cope and What meds do you take?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/13/2011 2:24 PM (GMT -5)
I honestly feel as if a truck hit me head on! I've had Fibromyalgia since I was about 10 or 11 years old. I hate it! First symptoms were doubling over in abdominal pain, which my doctor thought I had Polycystic ovary symdrome.. NOPE.. IBS is what's going on.. I lost a BUNCH of hair one day when I was in the shower at age 26, after I had my 4th child. Now, I'm 36 and I feel so BLAH! At the present time, I feel tired, worn out/drained, muscles are KILLING me along with my bones, my temples are hurting and so is my jaw! It feels as if someone cracked me in my jaw! I can't think straight.. blah! The ONLY thing that helps is the Tramadol. However, to an extent. It wears off quickly!
Anyone on medications that actually HELP?
Please let me know! :(
Posted 5/13/2011 2:57 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Alikat, Welcome to the forum! I'm so sorry that the pain and fatigue is wearing you down. Stress can take its toll on us and add to our pain.

Doing what you can to relieve stress on a daily basis will really help. I have found that walking helps deal with the stress, builds muscle and gives me more energy. Taking time to do deep breathing and mediation helps too. Insomnia used to plague me,but the fresh air and exercise has helped me sleep.

My Rheumy suggested that I take 5000 mcgs of Vitamin B-12 daily, it has helped with the energy. You might want to get your Vitamin D levels checked. It isn't uncommon for fibromites to have low levels and that can add to achiness. I take Savella daily and use a muscle relaxer for flares.

We all tolerate meds differantly...what works for one doesn't work for another.

I have found that keeping busy doing things I enjoy helps distract pain. A positve attitude has gone a long way in helping also. Heat is a fibromites friend and I use it often to help soothe sore muscles. If you have time to soak in the tub, after your kids are in bed, you should get some pain relief. You must be tired...

Wishing you the best...remember to take time for yourself to relax.

Hugs, Robin
Posted 5/13/2011 4:05 PM (GMT -5)
Are you seeing a doctor on a regular basis for your fibro? Is he/she keeping up with blood work, metabolick work up to make sure you are not suffering any deficiencies. I ask because like Robin said, many of us here are low in Vitamin D. I also suffer with iron deficiency and b-12 deficiency. When any one of them have been very low my fibro flares are out of this world. I get pain, numbness, tingling, dizziness, burning muscle aches, very cold, hot flashes, irritable.....Fibro all by itself can do alot of that but you want to make sure that nothing else is too.

As for the meds. I also take tramadol but with tylenol in the mix. I take flexeril for muscle relaxing and Ambien to help me sleep (cant sleep at all w/o it) I also take all the above suppliments and will have to for the rest of my life (due to malabsorbtion issue not solely fibro). I would also strongly suggest having thyroid levels checked. they can play a huge part in how tired you feel if you are hypothyroid.

I know a lot of fibromites also benefit with antidepressants. they help regulate the seratonin levels in your brain which in turn helps with pain. I did not find any of them to be helpful but my daughter does.

I am so sorry you are suffering and I hope between you and your doctor you will be able to find something to get you some relief.

Please, let us know what you decide to do and what/if anything helps. we love all suggestions and really care about everyone here.
Posted 5/13/2011 4:55 PM (GMT -5)
Hi, Alikat, and welcome!  I'm glad you found us and joined the family.  You have gotten great advice from our members.  Fibro sure is a miserable illness but you can have a full and enjoyable life in spite of it. 

 

I tried Tramadol but it only put me to sleep so I don't use that.  I use ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements and vitamin D3 supplements to help with the pain and fatigue.  Then I add gentle stretching exercises, gentle daily exercises (I walk and swim), gentle massages and moist heat.  This combination works for me.  What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another so it's a trial and error type thing. 

 

I also have found that attitude plays a big part in this illness.  If I'm thinking negatively,  my mind will focus on how I am feeling and it's usually not a pretty picture.  Instead, I try focusing on other things and then the pain fades in the background...especially if I'm doing something I really enjoy.  I also make a point of counting all the blessings I have and all the things I can do with this illness.  Then it doesn't seem so bad.  Stress and anxiety don't help one bit.  They actually make the pain worse so, when I feel these rising in me, I head out the door for a walk and look at the flowers, landscaping, etc.  This really relaxes me and puts things in perspective. 

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  There are links about malic acid/magnesium supplements and also vitamin D3 and how these work in your body.  I am surprised at the help I get from these. 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  I hope to hear more from  you soon.

Sherrine 

Posted 5/13/2011 9:23 PM (GMT -5)
You're right Sherrine.. attitude definitely does play a huge role!

I had my vitamin D levels checked and they were really good.. compliments of the tanning bed.. I don't use it much, but try to go twice a week.. I feel wonderful when I come out!! After about 5 or 6 days, however, I feel nasty all over again.. The more I go, the better I feel..

I've taken B12 and B Complex but it only made me sick.. not sure why.. weird! Not much I can take.. I'm trying so hard to keep a positive attitude!

My older sister gets massages all the time and she said it helps her so much! She never complains! She has Lupus, RA, and Fibro! :(...... I'm a pretty strong person, however I've noticed these symptoms when I was just 10 years old or so..

I see a Rheumatologist regularly too.. I guess there isn't much he can do.. I haven't been able to explain ALL the symptoms just yet.. I forget everything I want to say to him by the time I get there! Now, I've written down a list of everything I've been feeling in the last several months.. :D

He also diagnosed me with Osteoarthritis and yet to diagnose me with other things.. I also have Scoliosis! Not sure what is going on with the IBS but it's BAD!!!!!

I'll have to update everything as I go along..lol.... Thanks so much everyone! :D
Posted 5/13/2011 10:05 PM (GMT -5)
You can ask your doctor for a referral to a pain management clinic. Though many people think they only prescribe medications that is not the case. Instead, they are there to find many ways to relieve your pain.

Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find those who treat fibro, so perseverance is necessary. Keep knocking on the specialist's doors until you find one who will help you.

Treatments from pain management specialists range from massages to therapy to anti convulsants to narcotics. The range is wide.

The best to you, Donnaeil
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