Cindi
Thank goodness you are strong and intelligent enough to know that it’s not you it’s them.Others less capable would suffer even more if that’s possible trying to cope with their story. What a lot we have to put up with.What more can I say other than it’s not you it’s them. Take Care Barb
Actually Cyndi, your class sounds a lot like what some of the top doctors researching Fibromyalgia are saying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aprthkmlE2Q . It may sound crazy but so much of pain management for us is eating healthy, remaining active, primarily with smoother forms of exercise, and maintaining a positive attitude and learning new ways to manage stress. According to the video I linked there is a sobering statistic the pain medication available tends to only offer a 25% pain decrease. The rest of pain management comes from what we bring into the fight by how we eat, how we cope, and how much physical activity we get.
It sucks that chronic pain is such an uphill battle. In many ways we all have to be navy seals, we're in the fight of our lives over our own health and well being.
Also some interesting research has shown that over 50% percent of our perception of pain, and in fact most of what makes pain feel painful occurs in the emotional center of the brain. We have indirect control over emotional processing through how we think and through our behaviors.
I'm sorry you're hurting, though this class may actually be worth a chance.
Research shows opiates do not help people with fibro.
It's true, and in the long run they help no one. Opiates are great for short term use, or occasional pain. However, with extended use they sensitize the brain to pain, which is exactly what they believe fibro is. Daily and regular use of opiates can actually make pain worse as the brain just compensates by increasing the signal.
With my endometriosis sometimes I need narcotics on a daily basis, and for the first few weeks I'm off I have to be super careful and use alternate methods of pain management exclusively. Everything does actually hurt more for a period of time.
Yes, you can’t use them all the time. I’ve done a lot of research on this. The brain is a pretty powerful cookie.
I agree Lori. It is so confusing with all the opiates, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories. I have to really keep track of my Meds, as I don't want to have an addiction problem or over-medicate. I have this fantasy that my doctor will come up with just ONE pill that can take care of all we go through with our Fibro. Realistically, I know this will never happen, but it's a nice thought! (Smile). Laurie
Hi Cindi,
No wonder you are frustrated. First thing you need to realize is that these Drs are being taught that narcotics will not help fibro, so if their thinking is correct, we have something besides fibro, OR they just don't know as much about fibro as they think they do. You would think that there have to actually be Doctors with fibro, the law of average should tell us that!
So where are they? You would have thought they would have written so many books on the subject their name would be a household word. After reading our moderator dee's, who is a trained nurse, postings about her training about fibro, chances are no one in the medical community wants to admit they have it!
I hope that you are seeing a Rheumatologist, but as I recall, with Kaiser, you see whoever is there that day, you do not have a 'regular Doctor'. There are pros and cons to this, but please see a Rheumatologist either way, I really do think that a good GP and a good Rheumatologist and Chiropractor are our very best Doctors.
I no longer go to pain management, I had all of the injections that they could give me, and it only irritated and escalated my condition. They really do help some people though, and you may be one.
Completing these classes may be necessary for you to continue to get pain meds, not sure what 'the fine print' of your insurance may entail, so you may want to ask that question.
So sorry for your frustration and pain, I hope that you can find a solution. Vent away all you want, just don't give up!
Wishing you well,
SK
Is THAT all that biofeedback is, Sandi? Major disappointment, as my rheumy wants me to go to a pain mgmt place that does biofeedback. Do these docs ever stop to think that this program isn't for everyone, like people who've been traumatized in the past and as a result get anxiety attacks when told to sit still and visualize while breathing deeply?
I can totally get what you're upset about, Cindi. You want to have a life again, in some manner, not learn how to breath through your diaphram and ignore your pain! Having a positive attitude is fine but I get that some people can't because their pain is too intolerable. And likewise, exercising is fine if a person isn't in too much pain to be able to do it. Why can't docs get this?
research show that opiates does not help many people with fibro. It is not an absolute. And I am one of the people that they help. I could not function the way I am without the MS Contin. I have noticed a big difference in my ability to perform activities on a day to day basis. Sure, I still hurt but my pain levels have decreased for the most part.
Hi Cindi,
In November, I went through the “Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic” program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. It follows the same sort of premise. They do recognize the need for meds such as gabapentin, Cymbalta, Flexeril, etc. but adhere to the teaching of no pain meds, opiate/narcotic or OTC. It seems to be the new wave of thinking in the treatment of FMS/CFS. I understand the difficulty this must pose for you and many, many others.
For myself, while not a regular user of opiate pain meds, I still find the need to have them on hand for my more difficult days.
I was diagnosed over 18 years ago and have been through many different forms of treatment, all based on the newest studies. I am not trying to discount the newest line of thinking of Kaiser or Mayo Clinic, but experience tells me it is seldom a ‘one size fits all’ sale.
I wish you only the best.
L