Fibromyalgia?

[Guest BERNESES]

Something is wrong......I ache all over. first I thought it was TMJ/teeth grinding related because I have both as well as arthritis in my neck and lower back. But something else is going on.

I was feeling pretty good until about january when I cut my klonopin down. Previously I had been on something much stronger for anxiety and muscularly (?) it was the BEST I've ever felt in my entire life. It was like I didn't have arthritis at all. It was GREAT! But I couldn't stay on it because of some serious side effects.

so, as I cut my klonopin down I became progressively achier (I've gone from 3 mg to 1.5 over the course of a year). When I made the cut from 2 mg to 1.5 back in january was when evrything kicked up. At first I thought it was withdrawal but now, 5 months later, it's not getting any better.

I wake up every morning feeling like I ran a marathon and lifted weights in my sleep. My jaw kills as does my face (I know it's killing you all too). Mosst days I need Tylenol to deal (I try really hard not to take ibuprofen).

I'm seeing a physiatrist tomorrow and I am going for chiro adjustments but I'm really starting to think it might be fibromyalgia.

[Lisa]

B:

If you feel that bad, it's doctor time. Make an appt for some testing. I don't know anything about your aches and pains, but, please get it checked out.

I hope that you will feel better soon.

ooo xxx Lisa

[mouse]

I have suffered for years with Fibro and every medication a Rheumy had tried - never worked. So, I basically gave up and thought that I would have to live with it. When I first went gluten-free, my pain decreased by about 80% and it stayed that way for a year and a half. Last August it started up again and just kept advancing so that I would wake up about 6 to 8 times a night to change my body's position. Then my new Rheumy said was I interested in trying something. He knows how I just don't want to add more drugs to my arsenal. So, by this time, I said I would try anything. He put me on Cymbalta 30 mg, that I take right before bed. It is an anti-depressent that targets the pain receptors in your brain. From the first night I slept straight through and woke up in the morning with no pain. After several nights I found that I woke up in a different position then when I went to sleep. For years I have not been able to change positions unless I come awake. So, to me this drug has been awesome. I am so sorry that you are having such problems, but I second the vote that you need to get to a doctor. Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon. HUGS

[Judyin Philly]

Hi Armertta & Lisa & Bernese---

Bernese, I sure feel for you. I couldn't deal with this without my chiro weekly visits.

She's kept me walking for 4 years...good luck with your apt tomorrow. Let us know what you find out..maybe she has other pts who Lisa's drug helped. i'll ask mine Wed.

I've been struggling with it for 10 years. took me long enough for my rhymy to tell me i had it.

My swimming pals told me they found zoloft in none threapudic dose helped so started 25 mgs and helped b/p too and now i take 25 mgs and 2 ex strenth excedrine and 1/2 5mg valium and it usually helps but now it's 'periodotic leg movement' do to 'sleep apena' and they want me on a anti seizer drug...don't want to do it but the fibro and of course the old IBS was the dx. Was better on the gluten-free diet now 10 months into it, it's comming back. interested in this drug Lisa.

judy

[JodiC]

I too have fibromyalgia and wasn't sleeping. My doc put me on amitriptylin 10 mg 1 hour before bed. What a godsend!!!!!!!!!! I am able to sleep through the night and the pain is so minimal that I can get through the day. I am even going back to work. This drug is also an antidepressant, but is very affordable. It also works on some of my digestive pain. Definately talk to your doctor.

[Guest barbara3675]

I had fibro before I realized I had a glutend intolerance. I take Mobic, an anti-inflammitory; magnesium with malic acid which many people with auto-immune conditions are low on, and one of the older anti-depressants, Doxepin for sleep (if I don't take the Doxepin, I cannot get a good night's sleep)and get along pretty well. Still have flare-ups when stressed and over tired, but feel that it could be much worse. Barbara

[Ursa Major]

I also was diagnosed with fibro six years ago. I was in so much pain that four years ago, I was put on 50 mg of codein contin (12 hour slow release) twice a day. The pain went away at first, after going gluten and lectin free last October, but came back around Christmas. Then I figured out the salicylate intolerance, and my pain is nearly gone on the low salicylate, no lectins and no gluten diet.

And that after being in pain from the age of THREE!

I would encourage everybody with fibro pain to FIRST explore the possibility of other food intolerances, before going on any painkillers.

With me, lectins (and gluten is one of those) cause horrible joint pain, back pain, awful digestive problems (gluten and soya being the worst culprits, but rice and eggs aren't far behind), brain fog, malfunctioning joints (knees buckling on the stairs), headaches, migraine and many others.

Salicylates cause the awful muscle pain, and the hurting skin, as well as many other problems.

The nightshade family contains both high levels of lectins AND salicylates. And by the way, Aspirin is 100% salicylic acid, and could cause anaphylactic shock, and is to be avoided at all cost by me.

Personally, I think that fibromyalgia is likely ALWAYS caused by food intolerances. Either gluten, nightshades, salicylates or, as in my case, a combination of all three.

I realize that it is not easy to face the severe diet restrictions I have. But isn't it better than being in terrible pain, and being drugged? Not to mention, that people with fibro often end up having rheumatoid arthritis in the end, and the possibility of cancer, due to eating foods that harm your body.

[Guest BERNESES]

thanks everyone- I really appreciate all your feedback. Ursula- I checked out your links and I am going to look more into this as well. I'll let you all know what the doctor says today.

[Guest BERNESES]

Well- it looks like Fibromyalgia! So after gall bladder surgery (tomorrow) I'm going to do PT for the TMJ and then gradually work back into an exercise program. He also gave me Skelaxin (a muscle relaxer) which I can take before bed and as needed. I took it after I had a ski accident last year and it worked well. We'll go from there.

I'm also going to try to find out if any foods trigger it. Ugh! Well, at least I'm getting treatment. Thanks for all your feedback and support.

[jerseyangel]

Beverly--I'm really glad you're getting things figured out. Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow! I'll keep you in my thoughts

[jenvan]

Hi Armertta & Lisa & Bernese---

Bernese, I sure feel for you. I couldn't deal with this without my chiro weekly visits.

She's kept me walking for 4 years...good luck with your apt tomorrow. Let us know what you find out..maybe she has other pts who Lisa's drug helped. i'll ask mine Wed.

I've been struggling with it for 10 years. took me long enough for my rhymy to tell me i had it.

My swimming pals told me they found zoloft in none threapudic dose helped so started 25 mgs and helped b/p too and now i take 25 mgs and 2 ex strenth excedrine and 1/2 5mg valium and it usually helps but now it's 'periodotic leg movement' do to 'sleep apena' and they want me on a anti seizer drug...don't want to do it but the fibro and of course the old IBS was the dx. Was better on the gluten-free diet now 10 months into it, it's comming back. interested in this drug Lisa.

judy

Judy- so that has helped you? had an interesting appt today, on this topic too--will write u later.

Bern- Sorry for the pain! I can relate... have the FM pain for several years now. Exercise is a biggie...good for muscles, helps keep the flexible, strong and it raises seratonin levels...which is one of the ways FM has found to be improved. I just started taking a Pilates class and think it is a good form of exercise for those with FM who can tolerate it. My instructor's mom has FM and she does it in part b/c of being more likely to have it herself....