1. Does anyone else get random mobility issues with their hands?
Mine will randomly lose sensation and it makes it a little more difficult to carry on with my day but it never seems to last more then 30 minutes. I went to a neurologist years ago and all they could tell me is that i was having "migrane headaches without pain so basically brain swelling is cutting out some nerves" that was about the only answer they could give me but with finding out that i have fibro i didn't know if they could be linked.
2.Are there days were you can be in a good mood then out of the blue, with no reason at all, you just start to feel really sad?
This happens to me every so often and its so rough on me.
3. What are some good ideas for pain management?
I've considered trying other alternatives to pain management to also go with my medication and i don't know which would work better. I've thought about accupuncture.
Hello, JNM and welcome to our site! I'm sorry that you had to visit us under such circumstances but we'll try to help and support you as much as we can.
I've definitely heard of people with fibro losing sensations in their limbs. And people with fibro tend to get a lot of migraines. Do you know what type of migraine you get? If you do, I could do some research on it and find info for you.
There are days when my mood worsens, but usually I end up feeling irritated and angry out of the blue. I don't like this at all but I'm sure that it's the pain doing it to us and our brains. There really is only so much our bodies and brain can take before they both say "enough!" and do this to us. Since you're finding it rough to deal with (and rightly so!) may I suggest that you talk to a therapist or your GP? Your GP could help you with anti-depressants if you wish to go down that path. I know they help keep me sane through all of this.
Pain management - I've found some over the counter pain patches called SalonPas. They come 40 (small patches) to a box and are under $6.00. They are a temporary fix but they do help manage my pain some, especially when it's high and I'm not ready to take another pain pill. And my sister just purchased a massage pad that goes on a chair. It cost about $200, which is pricy, but I tried it at Bed Bath and Beyond and was smitten! It has a kneading selection that feels just like someone massaging you. It really helped my aching back relax some. I'd suggest that if you're interested to try one out first, since some folks don't like massages at all. But considering that a massage costs $75 per session, the chair is a pretty good deal.
Some people like to soak in Epsom salts. I can see where that would be soothing and relaxing but I can't get that far down anymore thanks to my bum knee, and I don't like taking baths at night in the winter (too cold when getting out.)
Ice helps me some, when my back or knee hurts terribly.
My rheumatologist recommends water aerobics (not in the winter, brrrrrr!) and tai chi (too exhausted after work.)
I'm sure you'll get a lot of excellent advice on this thread.
Thanks for bringing this topic up and I'm so sorry that you're facing this. Fibro stinks!
Pet, I have the salonpas on my shins, elbows, shoulders, achilles tendons, and ribs right now. I agree that they help reduce pain but they are just too damn small. And the larger ones are a bit expensive. Just today I bought two I.C.E./Heat reusable gel packs with wraps. It is a pack you can heat in the microwave or put in the freezer and then it has the wrap with it. You put the gel pack in a mesh pocket of the wrap and then put it wherever you want it and the wrap velcros in place. They were about $15 each and I think well worth it.
They never told me which type of migrane that i get. I honestly didn't know there were different types haha. Most of the time i just get docs that pick an answer and go with it because i am forever finding doctors that have problems figuring out what is wrong with me.
You have problems with your knee? What kind? I am wondering because i was told at one point they think i have knee issues because my muscles don't hold my knee cap in place. I was a bit put off by that because they instantly went into discussing surgery. (I've never had stitches and had a panic attack when i had to be put under for an endoscopy so the thought of surgery freaks me out haha)
I am currently on a mood stabalizer (xanax) i was on zoloft but couldn't function with it. I've tried alot of different meds but so far xanax is the only one that seems to help and keep me alert. I have to remain alert because my job involves alot of manual labor and i handle horses and i need to be awake and not in a fog for that.
I may have to just try the pain patches because some days are worse then others and with being on the hunt for a new doctor, my meds have been getting low so that will def help.
Baths are nice with epsom salts but i share a bathroom with 3 men and i have seem to lose all intrests in taking a bath now.
Thank you so much for all your insight im so glad i found this website to better educate myself and also not feel like im alone with all the craziness of fibro.
The problem you are describing with your knees is very common and usually does not require surgery. There are exercises that can be done at home and are easy and require no equipment. I have posted a link to an article that describes them. If you do these for a couple of months and see absolutely no improvement then it is time to talk to the doc about other options.