Newly diagnosed

Sorry to here that you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia I'm currently on lots of meds but I will say pregabalin has saved my life if it wasn't for that drug I would of killed myself by now. There are so many things you can try, so unfortunately it's trail and error

Sadie x

Hi Belinda,Firstly want to make it clear eating Organic foods does not make a difference as some suggested,the only difference it will make is to your pocket! I eat alot Veg an false myself to drink a Kale smoothie,As directed by my doctor,i also find light excersise helps a little,even if you do a few leg lifts whilst sitting down,I am now on the highest dose of Amitrpylline it helps with sleep an eases the pain,it took alot of trial an error to find the right medication,but have found it now,Also one member said about cannibis ,a joint at night really does help with the pain an sleep.Warm baths help an hot water bottles.As for benefits you should be able to apply for Employment An Support allowance,If your unable to do things for yourself you may elligible to Personal Independence Payment.Hope this all helps an remember to be patient with the medications,give them time to work,Good luck an gentle hugs x

I think that in the last few years I must have tried most of the pain relief available on prescription, but nothing really helped. For two years I was on 150 mg of morphine each day, but still unable to sleep because of the pain, unable to walk or do much of anything. The specialist who diagnosed me put me on Oxycontin immediately and within days the pain became manageable. I sleep now without pain for the first time in many years. I am stiff and not very supple so bending to pick something up for example is still very difficult, but not because of the pain. I know there are a lot of people in this forum who seem to manage with health supplements and scented baths, but I can't see how that helps with the agony of fibromalgia. Lots of medication has horrible side effects, nausea vomiting etc, but I have been very fortunate with this latest medication it combats the pain and does not seem to have any adverse effects. Whatever medication you try you need to start on very low doses and build up gradually until you get acceptable pain relief. My doctor prescribed a high dose of Oxycontin at the start. It helped the pain but I felt very ill, so I cut the dose right back and increased it every few days until after a month I was on the original dose with no side effects at all. After so many years of severe pain I can't begin to tell you what a difference it has made to be able to sleep without pain. I can't walk much or climb stairs without suffering, but it'a a lot better than before. The specialist I saw said Oxycontin is the only drug that works with fibromalgia. I don't know if that is true, but I have tried everything else available and it is certainly the only medication that has worked for me.  Take care

Whatever pain relief you take will be down to trial and error. Be assured though that every drug tends to have some side effects.

. If you are in employment or need to drive or use machinery you need to be cautious as some of the side effects can make you drowsy.

I am still not diagnosed other than having a chronic pain condition. I have been like this for 5 years and have had every pain relief drug going.

I would recommend pain councilling if you can get it. Other than that try not to be hard on yourself and give yourself time to accept the change.

Good luck.

Welcome Belinda to the club nobody wants to be in.  I'm afraid fibro is different for us all and what works for one may not work for another. Trial and error here to find what works.

Firstly - learn to say no.  Gets easier the more you practice.  True friends will stay around and understand that if you can do things one day it doesn't mean you can do it another.

Pace yourself.   Again easier said than done.  Look up the spoon theory if you haven't come across it before.

Don't be proud - ask for help when you need it.

Cook from scratch when you have the energy and freeze batches so on bad days there is always something in the freezer.  I am not going to comment on the organic/non organic argument - do whatever you are comfortable with.

I use epsom salts or dead sea salt in the bath when muscles are bad.

Also BioFreeze helps. My chiropractor first put me onto this one and it really helps me.

I see a hypnotherapist occasionally now. Used to be more regularly but she taught me mindfulness and relaxation so I use it to help.

Gentle exercise - this sometimes feels impossible but believe me even the most slow amble outside will make you feel better if you can muster the energy to do it.

I take various supplements including vit D and B vits.   Ask for a blood test first before supplementation as you do not want to overdose and have further problems. Pain can be related to low Vitamin D.    Try and be upbeat - hard this one but positive thinking has it's place along with everything else.  Hope this has given some insight into my regime but as I said it's personal and different to all of us.