Hi everyone.Is it possible for fibromyalgia to get worse?The last few weeks have been hell.I have started vomiting from pain and the painkillers im on, which are : neurontin,palexia and vimovo.The last 2 days have been the worst.I live the the republic of ireland so the weather is normally cold but recently there has been a heavy muggy heat and its really bothing me and im in more pain.I have inflammatory arthritis with secondary fibromylagia and ME/cfs as well as ibs chronic migraines,asthma and GERD.Im only 27 and i am fed up with all my health issues.Does anyone have natural ways to help with pain particularly back pain?I will try anything at this point.I am on disability and i have 3 friends but would love more friends but there is no way of meeting new people in my area.If anyone has any suggestions on how to relieve the pain and perhaps things to do to pass the time i would be most grateful.
I go through ups and downs. I will have a period of time where it is manageable, then have periods where I think I am just going to die. I am working on figuring out my triggers. I know for some people certain foods can triger it for them, I don't seem to have that. Cold is a big trigger for me, but since you are used to that maybe hot is a triger for you? I am not sure what kind of back pain you have, but for me Tiger Balm is awesome. They have a salve you rub on your muscles and it heats up and cools and it really helps my muscle pain in my lower back (but does nothing for my hip, but maybe that is because I have more fat than muscle there. LOL) I live in the US, so I don't know if you can find that in Ireland (so jealous, btw) but I'm sure you could find it on amazon or something. I hope you find some relief soon.
Hi Mandy,
Sorry you are going through such a time. I wish I had something useful to say. I know you are waiting a long time for the GI appointment. I wish you could get seen sooner. All the best
HUGGGGGGGGS
Suzie
Hello Mandy,
I am so sorry to hear of your problems, so many health issues, and a young 27, no wonder you are fed up! I have a few suggestions and I hope others will weigh in.
Personally I think Fibro can get worse, certainly in flares, but it also changes, moves around and throws up different things! With whole body and mind approach we can lead a fulfilling life. Have you tried mindfulness, gentle exercise warm water therapy, meditation, Tai Chi, Epsom salt baths,,,? Just to name a few different approaches. Maybe your meds aren't right, it sometimes takes a while, and then it changes...again! Please see your Doc and tell all this. As for things to pass the time, I do crosswords, word search and other similar puzzles, keeps my brain active! I know many who find colouring very therapeutic also. I am from UK and the best thing I ever did was to attend a pain management clinic, don't know if this would be available to you in Rep of Ireland.
Take care, Anne
Thank you all for your replies and kind words.I live on my own so i cant rub tiger balm on my back.I am an atheist and not spirtual one bit so i dont like mindfulness but thanks for the suggestion anne.i cant do any exercise it makes my cfs crash.i dont have a bath in my flat only a shower but i would love an epsom salt bath right now.Im going to a dr tomorrowso i will again i will briung up the sunject of the increasing pain level.I have to wait for an appt with my rheumy and see what she says about a pain management clinic
Hi Mandy, so sorry you've got so much going on and you are so young. All I can do is share with you some of the things I've found helpful for myself.
Since getting the FMS dx as secondary to my inflammatory arthritis I've had my nose firmly planted in a book, which I know has been mentioned here before, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain by Devin Starlanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland. Although it was written a few years ago I am finding it so helpful in understanding what is happening in my body and giving me some ideas as to how to maybe identify what is FMS in origin and what is inflammatory arthropathy (and possibly amplified by FMS?). I think this will help me communicate better with my docs. Certainly getting on to effective treatment (I inject a monthly anti-TNF biologic) for my arthropathy has been a game changer.
The book is packed with so many 'ah-ha' moments that I'm going to have to start making my own index. LOL. There are multiple seemingly, often small, random symptoms that I can identify going back nearly 20 years that I am now wondering if they could relate to FMS way back then. In fact, I even read a section where she was commenting about childhood which has got me thinking because I was "that" child who hated PE because she couldn't run and got 'stitch' from the slightest exertion and struggled to carry her school bags ... but I wasn't unhealthy or overweight and cycled or walked miles every day. I wonder????? So they say 'knowledge is power".
But the upshot of what I really wanted to say was this book, if you've not read it is packed with what I think are some really helpful self-help ideas and tools. It was a bit pricey to buy but I guess you could maybe order it to loan at your local library? She also talks about using mindfulness practice. I don't see mindfulness as either religious or spiritual. I take it simply as techniques to learn for how to relax or stay in the moment, a tool that you can use when pain, anxiety, repetitive thoughts etc start to take hold. I've also just read How To Be Sick by Toni Bernhard (who has CFS). This is Buddhist-inspired but I actually found a couple of gems in it that I've been putting to good use. Changing my mind-set is what has helped me cope with chronic illness the most and, in particular, finding peace within myself which helps the days pass when I can't "do" anything. The Frantic World site is great.
I wonder whether warm water pool work might help you. I've been going to the pool twice a week and gently stretching and exercising in warm water or on a bad day just floating with a couple of noodles which is heavenly comfort :-). As for the bath, have you tried just soaking your hands and feet in a bowl of Epsom salts? I can't get in/out a bath and I find I can make the whole of me feel better with a hand/foot soak.
And to finish on ways to pass the time ... what are your interests and hobbies? Think about anything you used to do before you got unwell and think if there are ways they can be re-invented to how you are at the moment. Feel free to throw them out here for us to come up with suggestions. An example for me is that I used to love decorating and interior design ... no way I can now emulsion or wallpaper ... so I buy cheap a cheap canvas and acrylic paints and make abstract art. I got my inspiration from finding these two artists on YouTube - Glen Farquhar and Cassandra Tondro but there are loads of alternatives and ideas on Pinterest. And you can often get well priced arty bits and pieces in the charity shops. Maybe your friends could look for you if you're not up to going out? What about a painting party with them?
Keep your chin up, I can't help but feel that if the docs can help you with getting your underlying conditions under control then you will be in a much better place.
Here is one of my paintings. It's a GREAT technique and very therapeutic because you don't need to be able to draw/paint/reproduce. You dob, spread, splash, dribble!
Let us know how you got on with your doc appointment.
I am so sorry to hear you are having such a rough few week! I used to get sick from literally everything I ate. I have ibs as well. My acupuncturist/ natural medical dr suggested I try digestive enzymes which have been a god send. You can find them at pretty much any health store. They help me better tolerate the things I eat as well as some of my meds. Maybe something to look in to? Acupuncture is another great thing that has made a big impact for me, especially with pain. Another thing that a lot of people don't believe in is essential oil treatments. I use a diffuser almost every day with oils to help focus my mind and relieve some pain. I know a lot of people think it is crap, but I have found a lot of relief from both things. Outside of that, I really wish I had some better suggestions for you. Please know you always have friends and a support system here! Gentle hugs!!