New to the group - Fed up

[TaylorCat]

Hi; My 1st post. Im in my early 40's and got a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia early this year after having chronic pain in various parts of my body for just over 10 years. I was always very sporty and slim, and after getting a few injuries reduced my activity levels due to the high levels of pain. It started with occipital neuralgia 10 years ago after having a really bad sinus/ear infection then having several operations and a joint replacement on my foot, and shoulder surgery and knee damage, then having surgery last year to help with endometriosis which I have also had for 13 years (after having my 1st and only child). I then got diagnosed with IBS, which I think was due to them not coming up with suggestions for my stomach pain, which was confirmed as the endometriosis. They then put me on anxiety medication as they thought I was anxious! Not thinking this was anything to do with being fed up of the weight gain due to not being able to exercise, and the constant pain Im in. Im just managing to maintain my full time job in a library but its such a struggle. Due to see yet another physio tomorrow, but I really cant see that they can fix very part of my body! Sorry for the moan, I know a lot of you have had it soo much worse than me. Im trying to cope as best as I can. Ive had nerve blocks, steroid injections, and tried various meds but to no avail. Really hoping that eventually I will find something to manage the pain. Thanks for listening. C

[Janet28]

Hi TaylorCat welcome to our wonderful forum ☺ I'm sure you will come to find the forum invaluable in chatting to others who are going through the same experience as you, talking to others at different stages of their lives with Fibro and learning from their experiences.

It does help with the whole process and I wish I had found the site years ago. I have had Fibro for nearly 30 yrs and I'm still learning about it, like we all are.

I'm sorry you are in so much pain, have you been to a pain clinic ? They can refer you for various holistic therapies, hydrotherapy, accuppuncture etc. It can be a lot of help for some people. Distraction is also a good way to block pain, colouring therapy or crafts.

Please do go look at the mother site where you will find all the information you need and lots of useful links on Fibro and I look forward to chatting to you on the forum.

fmauk.org

Peace, luv n light

Jan xx

[SheilaA]

Hi Taylor and welcome. It sounds like you've really been through the mill. I've only been on here for a few weeks and have found everyone to be really friendly. My favourite tip so.far has been the Epsom Salt baths which really help with my pain.

[Cape_Cod_Sharon in reply to SheilaA]

Unless you are a diabetic SheilaA. They tell us to stay away from the Epsom salts.

If you have an infection or any swelling, the soak could make it worse.

Diabetics must take caution when using Epsom salt because too much magnesium in the body, absorbed from the salt, can cause uncontrolled fluctuations in blood sugar. Also, frequent soaking in Epsom salt can increase dry skin, especially in extremities such as toes prone to circulation problems.

[source: ehow.com/facts_5918180_epso...]

[naturalnikki]

Sorry you have been dealing with all that, I hope you can Find some things to help relieve some of your pain.

Weare all different and get relieve from different things.

Here are some things that I have found relief with

Stretching/&/range of motion exercise

Foam rolling/ myofascial release

Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables

Apple Cider Vinegar with mother drinks with lemon and raw honey and water

Magnesium chloride oil diluted with distilled water

Spirulina/&/Wheatgrass tablets

Fish oil

I'm sure there is more, just can't really think of anymore right now.

I wasn't doing all of these things at once, buti do combine several of then.

Right now, I could not imagine how my body would be without ACV drink every morning. It had really surprised me at how much it has kept me functional. Juicing, I try to do it every day or every other day.

Stretching/ foam rolling really helps tension and muscle issues.

I have really changed my diet. Cut out as much processed food as I can and eat as much whole foods as I can. Trying to eat mostly Vegs and fruits.

I try not to be too active or too stationary.

Ok. I've been distracted and now I'm not sure if there was any more I was going to say.

I do hope you can find some stuff to help you.

Try one thing for at least a month before giving up. The ACV took about 3-4 weeks before I noticed its real affects.

Anyways take care××

[Purr]

Hi TC. Welcome to our friendly, helpful site. I joined a few week ago and haven't looked back. We are all to some extent in the same vein as yourself. If you follow my meaning. Pain is awful and is very debilitating. It's like a leech in some respect, sucks the life from you. On this site I've found the opposite. Our wonderful fibro friends help us to get through the toughest times and offers advice and support plus we can moan all we want too. Good luck with the physio tomorrow. Keep going and remember we are here for you. So scream, moan & complain as much as you like. Squishy, gentle hugs. 🤗🤗🤗🐾🐾xx

[neesey10]

So sorry to read about what you have been through - you have done the right thing joining this forum I find it very supportive. Neese.

[TheAuthor]

Hi TaylorCat

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance.

I am so genuinely sorry to read of your suffering and struggling. I cannot help but think that you have been through so much with injury, operations and illness that it could be that you are suffering as a result of all of this? There is a medical condition called: Complex regional pain syndrome, and this occurs after illness and injury. It may be something to talk to your physiotherapist about?

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Cape_Cod_Sharon]

Hi TaylorCat,

Wow, you have been through so much. I can empathize with a lot of what you wrote, chronic pain, surgery after surgery after surgery, taking 10+ years to get a proper diagnosis, one thing after another...it's been my life for 25 years and people who know me wonder where I get the strength to keep fighting. I'm not a quitter and I'll fight this thing 'til my dying breath. Unfortunately this is my cross to bear. As for my pain... I take 10 mg. hydrocodone/acetaminophen every 4 hours, 800 mg. gabapentin every 4 hours and a muscle relaxer to help with the spasms and 'twitches'. I am still in constant pain, a 5-6 on a scale of 1 to 10 [most days]. The meds take the edge off so I can try to function. I take a total of 24 pills a day for various ailments. You have to be careful with your meds, be sure they are working together to help you rather than working against you and making things worse. [no negative drug interactions]

I also will use aqua therapy, from time to time...doing low impact exercises in a nice heated pool. Some people call it pool therapy. I usually feel better for a few days afterwards.

I hope you can find some relief from your chronic pain, you landed in a good place. This is such a caring and helpful group. Tons of compassion and lots of suggestions/good ideas.

~Sharon