Fibromyalgia-I have been diagnosed with?

Ashley- I Googled fibromyalgia treatment. None of the first 10 returns recommended the use of narcotics or benzodiapines. Most of them had recommendations to the contrary.

Inasmuch as you have an incurable condition, I think that you will find most docs unwilling to prescribe addictive substances to you over the long haul. If you feel that you require benzos for your anxiety, it may be best to see a psychiatrist. Conditions such as anxiety are what they specialize in.

I would think that they would be more willing to use benzos over the long haul, if they felt it was the best choice. I wish you well in dealing with your illness. JayR JayR.

I was diagnosed 3 years ago and by the grace of God live in an area where doctors treat and acknowledge that FMA is a real medical issue. My doctor says that it is a jacked-up reaction to pain and that it is very hard to not be depressed when you are in pain. For the past two years, I have been on a program where I do yoga at least 3+ times per week, do accupuncture at least quarterly and take only one drug, no pain meds.

I take a very low dose anti-depressant for energy only. The yoga has been the most critical part of learning to manage FMA. Stress triggers all of my flares.

If you can learn to mange the stress, you sleep better, feel better, etc. I also will take 5-HTP- a supplement currently being studied for the depression side of FMA. If you decide to try the 5-HTP, make sure to buy the pharmaceutical grade that is standardized- (Google Thorne Research & 5-HTP- more expensive, but worth the cost) My pharmacist recommended a good quality magnesium glycimate supplement- 400 mg daily @ bedtime- again, buy the good stuff- Kal or New Chapter- don't buy the cheap stuff. The magnesium really helped me sleep at night- no more ambien, lunesta, pain meds, etc..... Lotsa luck!

PS- It seems odd to me to type PS at the start of a letter. Thank you for a terrific answer. It will not be a rubber stamp for everyone, certainly, but it shows that taking care of yourself does oodles of good for this problem.2TU4U.

I Googled Mg glycimate and got nothing except the question, "do you mean magnesium glycinate. Typo or different compound?JayR.

I wanted to thank you for your info on my issues! My dr. has put me on prozac and also amitriptyline which I have heard good things about. I pray it works for me too!

I have 2 kids to keep up with so they are what keeps me going! I even got wrote up at work for my 2 call ins. It didn't matter that I had an illness!

That just made the depression worse! I have learned that I don't think the strong pain killers are the answer. Iv'e been feeling better without that in my system.

Anyway just wanted to say I appreciate your time and concern! Sincerely, ashley.

Maybe he figure if you were on the pills for 8 years he should try to find the cause of the problem rather than mask the problem with pills. In my experience fibromyalgia doesn't respond very well to pills anyway, and most of the pills have alot of side effects or their new to the market another good reason to avoid them. Depression and fibromyalgia do seem to often come toghether the question is which is the cause and which the effect.

See if he's willing to at least help you find a good depression therapist that way you couls find what might be the psychological cause and the physical cause of fibromyalgia.

If you have these symptoms, Depression, Anxiety/Panic, Obsessive/Compulsive, and Procrastination, and they came with the Fibro, talk to your doctor about an SSRI med. That cluster of symptoms comes from Serotonin not working correctly. It's important that we treat this because Serotonin affects so many things in the body.

SamE or 5-HTP are non-prescription solutions to the same problem.

Ashley, I can tell you that while I'm male and there may be male/female differences in how we perceive pain, I can tell you wholeheartedly that I feel for the pain and suffering you are obviously going through. I would suggest finding a good pain specialist as most family doctors are not willing to treat chronic pain patients on an ongoing basis. Despite what the few people who might get relief from non-narcotic pain medications, I can tell you that if you've tried over the counter pain medications and got no relief, you need to try other medications your doctor can prescribe.

I can tell you that the Lyrica you see advertised so heavy on Tv as being approved for fibromyalgia did absolutely nothing for my pain--even at 150mg times three plus times a day. Obviously, it would be worth while to at least try this, for some do report good results with it, but I've tried this, the prescription meds celebrex, relafen, and other anti inflammatory meds and none did anything for the fibromyalgia pain; they did help the general arthritis type pain, but for the burning, tearing type pain between the shoulder blades, nothing but narcotics and muscle relaxers helped that. The best muscle relaxer I found to help was Soma 350mg, but because too many people who don't need it abuse it, even my pain management specialist won't prescribe it anymore as too much ends up on the black market.

I've had Lortab ( hydrocodone ), codeine--Tylenol 4, percocet ( oxycodone ) and oxycotin ( time delayed oxycodone ) and have found all 4 of these to work good, with oxycotin the most effective, for its time delayed and you don't have to take it as often; but, most patients on oxycotin require a short acting version of oxycodone ( percocet ) for what we call break through pain. I have all been prescribed demerol, but only a few times, for that's more toxic on the liver and was prescribed only for the most intense flare ups. Many doctors will not prescribe narcotics at all for fibromyalgia and to me, I only wish they had to experience the pain we do and they'd snap out of they're old school of thought.

I've been on various narcotics since 1991 and they've never once caused a problem ( for me anyway ). I wish over the counter medications and Lyrica would work for me, for so many people have such negative thoughts about someone taking narcotics, but from the studies I've read and from what I've personally experienced, the addiction rate for someone in chronic pain is less than 1%. Yes, you will develop a tolerance to the medications and they'll need to be titrated ( more medication over time to achieve the same results ), but under a doctor's supervision and regular blood work to test for any complications from the use of these pain medications, narcotics can be used safely and there is absolutely no need to deny someone adequate pain medication if other methods have been tried and failed.

I can tell you that I bought a heavy gel pack I can heat in the microwave and that helps the pain a lot, especially when its used in conjunction with the shiatsu massager. The main thing is you should not have to suffer needlessly when there are safe medications out there that would allow you to lower your pain threshold down a lot and allow you to function at a greater capacity. A good heating pad is also a true help for back pain and other pain issues as well.

I'd get a referral from your general family doctor to a good pain management and I'm sure he or she can help you considerably, especially if they are not shy of using adequate pain medication and other therapies, such as trigger point injections, nerve blocks, sleep management, etc. If I can help in any way, please email me directly at Markcs1956@aol. Com and I'll do what I can to help you get the relief you so desperately need. Mark Savage.

I have, I believe, FMS (Fibro. ) since a major car wreck in 1981. I was diagnosed in 1996.

I went through all the anti-depressants and such with NO releif. I have a dregee in nutrition and would first suggest you see someone locally about your menus. I have found great help with pain in ridding myself of ALL of the night shade family.

They include; POTATOES, TOMATOES, EGGPLANT, ALL PEPPERS AND TABACCO. All of these aggrivate FMS profoundly. I always say, if your immune system is a healthy one, these are very good food items, but for us try to limit.

I cannot tell you the difference it has made in my life. I am able to get on this pc, for one. I was mostly in bed.

I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV but I have had lots of feedback from FMS frinds/clients who agree wholeheartly with me. Eat Well, Be Well, Peace, Rev. Pamela ps- Go ahead try the meds to see if there is help there and don't feel quilty. I have pain meds on hand when I "don't think I can make it.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.