Not depressed - VERY fit- but in pain?

[Katie66steps]

For some reason depression is linked to Fibromyalgia, I am not depressed in fact I have a great life. I am fit and an active walker and participant in life. I have had fibromyalgia for about 12 years and take just 10mg of Amitriptyline of a night, I've managed with pain to some degree but over the years have suffered flare ups. I doubled my meds during flare ups and again dealt with the associated pian. Sadly recently the pain is beyond horrific. I am reluctant to go back to my GP in the knowledge there isn't much they can do and if I'm honest I hate the thought of putting drugs into my body if I can help it. I don't like the idea of all that chemical crap in my body. Does anyone else have my mindset and how do you deal with your flare ups .

[Dinkie]

Hi Katie

I can't take any prescription meds as the side effects are too much for me so I have to rely on other methods of pain control. I use hypnotherapy, epsom salt baths, tens machine, hot water bottles and electric heat pads, sometimes also use biofreeze gel. Sometimes it takes time to get the right combination for any particular flare. Hope you find some relief soon.

[Katie66steps]

Thank you, sounds like me your search for pain relief will be never ending. Even though in horrible pain I refuse to jump on the bandwagon of being depressed, I am not depressed I am in pain. This seems to disagree with the medical professions vision on Fibromyalgia!

[ninjananna]

I, like you, hate the fact that chemical medication is NOT the way forward! So many side effects, and for what? Have you looked into CBD OIL? I have mine sent to me from Ibiza. I've come off antidepressants and reduced tramadol by half since my venture into natural remedies! I pay €79 and that lasts e 2-3 months. Inbox me if you want the name of my friend in Ibiza (who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 6months to live,, but turned his life completely around and is still here 8YEARS LATER!!🙏🏾💕💕💕💕💕💕

[Katie66steps]

Thank you so much for your reply and offer of help. I have tried CBD, regrettably it left me feeling sickly with an extreme after taste? Have no idea why, friends get along fine with it, it must be me, but thank you so much for your time and kindness to write

[Hidden]

I’m same as Dinkie , had too many side effects from prescription meds so use as many small things that help. Tens machine is a godsend, different gels and creams, Epsom salts, turmeric tablets. Heat via hot water bottles, electric blankets and hot baths. I’ve found it’s just a case of treating the symptoms as they flare.

[KateMaguire]

When I have a flare up I tend to treat each problem separately, ie hot bath with Epsom salt for achy muscles, amitriptyline for nerve pain and to aid sleep etc. If you don't want to add anymore drugs to your regime maybe just up your amitriptyline and try muscle rubs,heat/ice packs etc? Are you able to talk to your doctor about other therapies-my gp is quite enlightened as regards alternative medicine. Hope you get some help and a swift recovery. x

[Katie66steps]

Thank you Kate your routine is basically my own approach. GP once sent me for pain therapy sadly I found it pointless it does not alter the fact that pain is crippling. I am being referred back to my specialist, haven't seen them in 12 years. He is said to be one of the top doctors in his field in the country that is. I am hoping since being diagnosed much has developed in their approach to dealing with the flare ups. I have noted in the past two years, heaven forbid the flare ups are increasing!

[Midori]

I'm with you all the way!

I have cut down my meds to just Ibuprofen and an Occasional Co- Dydramol. I top up my vitamins each day, Vit D, Magnesium and C particularly. Don't like taking the B complex as I got some strange effects with them some years back.

I used to get depression, but no longer, I get angry with the Fibro instead! OK, I can't do most of the sporty things I used to, but I can still get around to see them and talk to folk about the activities. Mind you, my age is against me, but 71 is just a number! My mind refuses to believe I'm that old.

[swmartin in reply to Midori]

Re the Vit B complex. Most of the B complexes are very unbalanced and way too high a dose for some of them. Also, some people struggle to process some of the Bs - B6 particularly and should be taking the reduced form of it (P-5-P) and should be taking the active form of folate (methylfolate) and B12 (methylcobalamine).

Lamberts do a reasonable B complex (Methyl B) and BioCare do a multi-vitamin and mineral with these B's (Methyl Multinutrient). There may be others but these are the ones that I have used.

[Katie66steps in reply to Midori]

I love that you have a positive mind, I too am angry that I have Fibromyalgia but I am NOT depressed. I think people i.e. Doctors want to use the word depressed because it is a scapegoat. Something for them to hang their hat on, something to blame, to say it's a psychological problem, when the truth is, it is, out and out pain, FULLSTOP. It's very strange you had a problem with B6, jeeps, so did I, so stopped taking it. Sadly my body at present has had enough Ibuprofen, it's really upset my system. I was in so much pain I took a rolling block of paracetamol and Ibuprofen, on top of doubling up my amitriptilin, from 10mg to 20mg whilst the really bad flare up is on. I wish I knew why flare ups happen, it may help me to accept and deal with it, this last flare up has been crippeling, it's only today that its is starting to ease, the joke of it is I've just stopped taking the meds a couple of days ago as they were upsetting my system so much!

[Midori]

Thank you, I was unaware of the fact that they are unbalanced. It answers why I reacted to them. I might try them again.

[Spider395]

Hi, sorry to hear you are suffering at the moment. I find now that if I have a flare I can get them under control by increasing the amount I walk & by listening to meditation/ self hypnosis on YouTube. I think it probably allows me to zone out & therefore get the pain under some degree of control where I can manage it.

[Katie66steps in reply to Spider395]

Thanks Spider, I do very much the same as you, good to hear from you.