Pain Management and energy levels

[zebralemon]

I have been struggling for some time but have finally been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. What works for people trying to manage the pain and the exhaustion? Diet changes? my brother says I have to stop eating gluten. My family don't seem to be able to understand it so keep expecting me to handle everything, Work, clean, cook, shop, all childcare etc I am failing hugely. My daughter bless her tries to help but she is only 10, she has been suffering as a result because she has a mummy who just cries and can't do things with her any more.

[snowyday2020]

Pacing. I have a 8min task to a rest time. Task is getting dressed. A pain diary for 2weeks might show patterns of when you are exhausted and when you need to rest.

[zebralemon]

A consultant at hospital has diagnosed me with it, but I have not been able to get to doctors as yet, that is next step. just waiting for appointment now.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi zebralemon and a warm welcome to our community. Here you will find information, friendship, support and laughter too. You will find more general information about fibromyalgia on our website fmauk.org. You may find it useful to order a patient information pack from fmauk.org/resources

Key things to remember is that one of the most important ways of managing fibro is pacing.... Trying to find the balance between doing what you need to and taking plenty of small rests in between tasks (bigger tasks can be broken down into smaller chunks).

Keeping yourself as active as possible helps, although with a young daughter I imagine you are always on the go.

Medication may help - meds don't work for everyone and it can be trial and error to find a combination that works for you. There are no actual medications for Fibro, but common ones that are used include amitriptiline, duloxetine, gabapentin, Pregabalin and Paracetamol, cocodamol and tramadol.

Dietary changes might help but there is no fibro diet, so do not eliminate food types unnecessarily. Generally a healthy, varied diet is recommended.

Meditation, mindfulness, holistic therapies etc are all other things that people try xxx

[Sailingtrio]

Hello

I really feel for you. It is so so hard especially seeing the effects on children. I was in a similar place to you and was barely coping. I didn’t know where to start. I had to drop something and for me that was work. I am lucky that I have a stable job and got paid sick leave for 2 months. I took the time to get my head around it all, and I had to make changes. I had to go part time to help me manage home( I am a single mum) and that has helped hugely.

Can your family afford a Cleaner perhaps? I have a 13 year old who helps a lot around the house but I feel

Guilty for that!! I do a monthly shop online for the heavier things. I build in rest periods into the day.. exercise a bit if I can and have learnt to relax. Medication haven’t really worked for me due to the side effects and I need to work.

Take care, think of taking a break from something (work?) and try and get the family around you.

🦋

[Jamesmac100]

I’m prescribed pregabalin for my fibromyalgia and it helps my brain fog so much. My brain fog usually used to happen when my body would shake with my M.E & Fibromyalgia would kick in, then the pain would hit me and my brain would get brain fog due to the confusion in my body/brain. The pregabalin really helped me out because it stopped my body getting the shakes and escalating to pain and brain fog. Now I just get exhausted from my M.E and get the occasional pain when I overwork my body, but this is so much better than feeling like I have to live a sheltered life. I know it might not work for everyone but for me it’s the best thing for me so far. I’ve also felt that tramadol is amazing if the pain is excruciating but i have bought a electronic massager to use before bed on strenuous days as well as biofreeze which both work very well. I hope this might help

[Hidden]

Hi hunny I'm 32 3 kids my oldest is 11 I'm literally in bed now in so much pain not knowing how to carry on my legs arms I feel like I've been in car crash for a year I've been up a&e finally I'm seeing specialist in March docs think I have fibro ,I'm confused a lot and just in chronic pain ,your daughter will understand and love you regardless and hopefully now u can get the right pain medication from specialist ,good luck darling try cutting out sugar that flares me up big time I also get my girls to help tidy up I just feel sorry for my kids and husband I'm just a mess at the momment xxxxxxxxx

[Midori]

See your doctor and ask about this. Going gluten free is not the answer to everything. Get a coeliac test first. I first noticed that my morning porridge was making me nauseous and my barley thickened stews were doing likewise. Later, the supermarket bread was giving me problems. I switched to artisan sourdough breads which, due to their long ferment, do not provoke the nausea. I have also found that Brioche, with it's high butte content does buffer the gut too.

Note; this is what works for Me, it may not for you.

Cheers, Midori

[Lydia200]

Hi.

I use

400mg of vitamin B2 for brain fog

400mg of Magnesium citrate (200 am and 200mg again at lunch) for muscle pain.

40mg propranolol am and again at lunch for migraines

500mg green lipped muscle am and again at lunchtime for any inflammation.

1500mg Omega 3 fish oil for inflammation and brain function.

I also take Gabapentin for pain but that's a very personal dosage. I went to 900mg three times a day but I found it made me depressed. Over a year I've gone down to just 300mg a day. Which isn't a recognised dose but it works for me.

Inflammation causes pain so I saw a lady called ruth tophill in maidstone who tested my food . And that made a big difference to me. I'd also recommend

Slowly building up walking. I couldn't walk 50 yards without a migraine but 5 years later and on correct, food and meds I can do 2 kilometres.

Pacing is the first step though.

Best wishes xxxxx