Struggling to deal with the pain of fibromyalgia

Hi Chloe,

doctors make me very angry at times, they are as their title GP means - General Practioners, not specialists.  You need to ask your GP to refer you to a Rheumatologist who will carry out various tests, bloods, Xrays, Scans etc to rule out certain things before making a final diagnosis.  He/She with your input, will then decide on the best course of treatment to help with your pain.  

I have to be totally honest here, I cannot tolerate a lot of the meds as they affect me so badly, but then other people are fine with them.  It's a case of finding something that suits your body.  Good luck and please let us know how it goes.   Big Gentle Hugs x

I'm sure others on here will come through with how they cope, I know some have some tried and tested things that might help.  It's all very well for doctors to say go out for a walk, which makes me think that they either feel it's all in the mind, which is rubbish, or that they really do not understand how much pain you are in.  

I have bad days and I have really bad days where I can barely stand up let alone go for a walk.  I lock up if I sit for very long, so I do push myself to move around, even if it's with help from my hubby or leaning on furniture as I go.  I also have Osteo, some Rheumatoid, and Spondylitis.  I'm a bit of a wreck really, but there's always someone far worse than me. 

Good morning,

   While it's hard to believe the kind of mindset with doctors that you have described still exists, sadly it does. I understand your delima having myself faced a doctor who told me I needed a physiatrist. You definitely need to seek out a different doctor even if you have to drive to a different town. Hopefully not to far away. Being told there is no medicines or help for Fibromyalgia is a complete falsehood.  I have been taking Tramadol for my Fibromyalgia for years now. While it is not a cure all it definitely has given me a quality of life I would not have without it.   I hope you find a compassionate and knowledgeable doctor very soon. Don't give up. There are some out there that have taken the time to educate themselves concerning Fibromyalgia instead of relying on their very misguided opinions. 

You sure did strike a nerve in me! That's awful that you were offered NO RELIEF! Have you only seen a regular doctor or a Rheumatologist? There is a BIG difference. I'm 53. For YEARS I suffered with symptoms and my family doctor sent me to therapy, orthopedic surgeons told me to exercise...blah blah blah! All my back pain, shoulder pain and burning, my legs hurt to the touch, my lower back hurt to the touch etc. After many years on pain meds and trying MANY pain meds my symptoms were getting worse. My family care Dr. finally scheduled me with a Rheumatologist. It took SIX months to get in. He finally diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome. Like I hadn't known this years ago everyone in the medical profession I saw said that wasn't my problem. Finally someone believes me and did the necessary poking and prodding to PROPERLY diagnose me. I can't say they didn't suffer a bit themselves when I said "please be careful when you touch me" and they didn't realize how sensitive I really was...I punched the first Dr. I was so embarrassed. I've never done that. Anyway to get on with this...lol I was put on Lyrica. You start out at a low dose then go up in disease after so many days. I will say however it helped until I got to the highest dose then my vision was very blurry so I had to cut back. It doesn't take the pain away but it helps. Its extremely expensive even with insurance. I just finished my first prescription and the Dr changed me to Gabapentin. Don't know about that yet. Went yest to try and get medical marijuana. Its like he'll trying to get it! I already have two docs that recommend it now I have to PAY UP FRONT $250 for my next "Interview" then another after that with a Pharmisist before they will consider me. So for me it's been a wicked long road. I hope the doc who diagnosed you wasn't a rheumatologist. If so go to someone else if not get your primary doc to refer you. You shouldn't have to live like that. No one should. I hope my rambling helps

Hi Chloe I'm 25 i take codiene, tramadol, amitriptyline and oramorph for pain and other medications for things associated with fibromyalgia. Definitely ask for a Rheumatologist referral, it's taken me years too. I also have RLS, RA, Menieres, IC, allergies and IBS. There are so many related conditions and it's so different for each person. There's lots of advice on here about diet, excersize and rest. Good luck  

Hi Chloe, you are definitely not alone. I've had doctors actually tell me it was in my mind, but luckily I didn't not accept that. Definitely as suggested ask to be referred to a rheumatologist. I tried physio, paid a chiropractor, acupuncturist and had massages for short term relief, tried lots of different Medstead before finding something that allows me to carry on with day to day activities. Stress aggravates the pain, so look at ways of managing that. Yoga and breathing exercises help to focus mind away from pain. I have also started to speak to a therapist to help me deal with acceptance of what is happening to my body and managing the stress. Hope you find ease soon, big hugs

Hi

I have an endocrinologist and rheumatologist that have offered new drugs...old drugs..have tried some but generally I have managed my pain with very few drugs. I am lucky to have doctors who are gung ho with my own plan of eating raw fresh cut pineapple!!!

Yes. While it actually has pain reduction qualities it also has fatigue and drag reduction. I am considered a very high functioning fibro patient. Don't get me wrong I still have those days when I forget to eat it in 4-5 days.

Bromelain is an enzyme in the fruit. It is called the flesh eating fruit. The theory is that the bromelain forces muscle cells to regenerate faster as your metabolism in part of your bodies functions are running slower. When you exercise ....the acid in your muscles and the sore feeling goes away in a day or two with a good night sleep and muscle repair. 

Fibro people may have a slower metabolism in this regard. This is why quality sleep is so important.  So if abnormal person takes a day or two to recover muscle soreness...it takes about 2-3 days for the bromelain to work. Have it everyday after meals for a dessert. Do that for a week and then slow it down to every 2-3 days. Eat about 1 cup. Or 2 full rings cut about half inch thick. Keep pineapple in fridge. 

Pineapples robust you can buy two of them and keep in fridge for up to two weeks.

If its green and not sure if it's ripe..hold it about 2 inches from nose. If it smells like a pineapple...it's ripe.  Keep in fridge. You can keep an unripe pineapple in fridge about two weeks. 

I couldn't t understand why I would have these random two days where I felt young and healthy and with no drag..I'm not a fan of pineapple but I would of eat it at catered events if they had it fresh cut in a fruit salad...and it took 2 days after I ate it to feel good. Hence, why it felt random and not associated by a food I ate. I had an epiphany when I remembered having the most awesome day..thinking wow..ok what did I eat this week that was different...I remembered thinkIng WOW This pineapple is sweet and I kept eating it. 

Its the cheapest most effective thing that has helped!!!

I do keep Lyrica by my bed at night...just in case I have extra pain at night and I only take 50mg.  I haven't taken one in 3 months!!!  Quality of sleep is needed to work with it in the beginning. Its the time your muscle repairs!!!

Thank you everyone one for the help and support it's really helping and I will try the pineapple. I just got back from the Dr's now and I feel so bad because he was so dismissive he told me it was all in my head basically and I asked could I be referred to a rheumatologist and he had the cheek to belittle me and say he would never send someone with fibromyalgia to one because they don't want to see because I wasn't physically swollen anywhere they always make me feel like I'm crazy but still in soo much pain but he did eventually give me painkillers so hoping they will help for now but fed up of being told it's all in my head