Does anyone have fibromyalgia',..What do you do to help with pain?

I've had FMS for a number of years. I've found that I need to do several things to manage the pain:
- I get regular chiropractic care, and this helps immensely.
- once in awhile, I get lidocaine shots in my upper back, which relaxes muscles pulled by rigid connective tissue.
- do not drink ANY soda, and the best diet for FMS is the Zone Diet. Any time I go off I am in trouble.
- I also use Mucinex (blue bottle), as the guafenisin protocol works, but I can't do the whole thing. I just keep taking Mucinex (guafenisin) and I'm OK. Again, when I stop (which I did for about a month), the pain becomes almost unbearable.
- I had a very bad day this week, and went to a massage school and had a massage.
- I do water exercises, the ones for arthritis, in a heated pool. It feels great!
- I take anti-depressants which helps with pain. I also use a lightbox (10,000 lux) which oddly helps with pain.
- I use melatonin at night -- it helps me sleep and I think FMS sufferers have a shortage of it.

I know people who have had success with Lyrica, but the drug has many side effects. You might want to try for a month or two.

Massage can help manage the pain caused by fibromyalgia. Neuromuscular therapy or positional release can be used to treat tender points. Massage also boosts serotonin levels. Serotonin is a natural pain inhibitor.

If you have trouble sleeping, which most people with fibromyalgia do, massage will help you increase your quality of sleep.

Fibromyalgia is beleived to be a disorder of teh centrla nervous sutem.

anyone who claims to have cured it-never had REAL fibromylagia--they had something different from normal pain due to lifestyle, depression, vitamin deficiency, to any number of otehr conditions.

5HTP may work--although I don't know of any research-it mimics prescriptions that work on neurotransmitters...

gentle exercise may help
vitamins may help if you do actually have a deficiency taht is aggravating teh FMS
most people say heat helps---but cold helps me
a also use pillows to position myslef and compression braces...

Chiropractic, acupuntcure did NOTHING for me---the problem is in teh brain-not the back/neck

My mom has had Fibromyalgia for years, done lots of research online, and tried a number of products (including but not limited to nutritional programs that were supposed to help), but she hadn't found much help until I had her try a few things.
She found great help from a combination of Malic Acid, Methionine, TMG (Trimethylglycine), and a B-Vitamin complex. I've also heard of people getting benefits from D-Ribose for Fibromyalgia as well, but people who are sugar-sensitive (diabetic/hypoglycemic, for example) shouldn't take it. Good luck!

The best thing I have found to help with the pain is massage therapy. It loosens the muscles and provides some good temporary relief and minimizes those horrible headaches. Other than that I use some Robaxacet from the pharmacy at night to easy the pain and help me go to sleep.

I never found anything to help with the pain. It is the most strange kind of pain that doesn't seem to respond to anything. However, I did find a cure. Here is a link if you are interested. It wasn't an overnight cure, however. It took 2 years and 4 months, but it was worth it. Don't be put off by all the talk of old people.

http://maul.samara.ru/~paracels/


good luck, and remember that even before it goes away, you will have good times and bad times with it. The bad times won't last forever.

I was diagnosed about 1 yr ago. I'm 32. I'm on Cymbalta. I was on Lyrica and it didn't help much but I've heard several people say they liked it. Lyrica made me gain weight which didn't help my condition. I also go to physical therapy 2 times a week and it helps a little. They teach me stretches, a few strengthening exercises and do massage. They also have a hydro-bed which is very nice. The main thing I have learned that helps is to get as much rest as you can. I have 2 kids so it's not easy but it's essential. I wear comfy shoes and try to stay somewhat active but don't push myself too hard or I'll flare. My rheumatologist suggested yoga which I plan to try. I hope some of this helps. I know it's frustrating but just know you aren't alone.
T.