Managing pain

[millymollymrst]

Hi im new to this forum. Just wondering what people use to manage pain?

[achydunlin]

Gabapentin 300 mg twice a day. I have been on naproxen and then meloxicam which have left me with a stomach ulcer. I also use paracetamol (with varying results) and hot water bottle. Sometimes I just have to go to bed and ride it out (I'm 'lucky' in that my flares usually last a day at most just leaving me exhausted til the next one - the dull ache in my arms and hands is constant though). I have to say though nothing really gets rid of the pain 100% only a long bout of hot dry weather - my pain is very very dependent on the weather. In the end I use different strategies to cope depending on whether I'm at work that day!

[millymollymrst in reply to achydunlin]

Thanks im on pregabalin but it doesn't touch it , I cant take gabapentin because of other medication. I also cant take naproxim for the same reason. Im waiting to go to the pain management clinic. Im surviving if you can call it that on hot water bottles and paracetamol. Unfortunately the smallest change in anything sets off a flare which can last a week. So fed up.

[Painny in reply to achydunlin]

Agree with the weather bit, I am on no medications as I end up in hospital if I take any., I had 25 injections in hospital for Covid but I am now paying for it. I was given Omeprazole for the fume in my chest and the pain but I managed it for 6 days only meaning I was throwing up and crawling on the floor every day as it had too many side effects as well as causing extreme dry mouth despite drinking 3 litres of water a day. As soon as I came off it I had no longer suffered from dry mouth. As with anything in life there are pros and cons ☝️

Take care

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome to our community. Here you will find information support friendship and laughter too. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our main website fmauk.org

Medication helps me to keep my pain levels manageable majority of the time. I also use CBD as drops and tea. Heat pads, weighted blanket, pacing, exercise/activity, distraction, mindfulness, relaxation, aromatherapy muscle rubs etc. Some days one thing works better than another - it can be trial and error to find what is going to work at that moment. Nothing takes the pain away but I can usually take the edge off it

[veggiefan70]

I use Tramadol and paracetemol. I also have a heat pad, and use Ibuprofen gel on tender points, occasionally. Slow, stretching exersizes can help, too. I know some people use Amitriptyline, but I can't tolerate it. Pregabalin is helpful for some, but one of the side effects is a weight gain, and I avoid that. I think carrying extra weight makes pain worse. But what works for some doesn't for others.

[Welshcatlady]

Hi, and welcome to our group, as others have said that meds that work for some don't work for others. When I was first diagnosed I was prescribed Amitriptyline gradually increasing to a 50 mg dose a day, that didn't help too much so my GP put me on Gabapentin again gradually increasing the dose to 300 mg a day. I was also taking Co-codomol most days taking the full dosage of 2 tablets 4 times a day. But after a while my body got used to the Co-codomol and it didn't help much with the pain. I gradually reduced the Co-codomol and now only take it when the pain is really severe, and it helps. I have also weaned myself off the Gabapentin. So now I only take the Amitriptyline before bed.

I have a long soak in a bath with epsom salts when my pain is unbearable, I also use Ibuprofen Gel on my legs. I have recently invested in a weighted blanket, and where my legs and arms were stiff in the morning and I had trouble moving around, that has gone. I have started using a lavender and chamomile pillow spray too, and now I am getting a good sleep most nights, which helps me confront the day ahead.

I also go for a slow walk whenever I can, I use a Rollator with a seat so I sit and rest when necessary, I find that exercise helps with the pain too.

[JayCeon]

Meds don't help me. So: For the Big Ache: cryotherapy or just cold shower or cold wash, all short, TCM/acupressure, a breath-holding exercise, watching & analyzing symptoms for reasons & sweet spots, legs & arms up... Pains: osteopathy, acupressure, arnica cream & hot water bottle...

[Painny in reply to JayCeon]

I like the phrase....cryotherapy!!

[JayCeon in reply to Painny]

Hehe, never thought about that. 2am, body feeling dead-tired but yukky as heck, hated/hurt going in cold shower - don't know what made me 'cry' more - but now I'm reset and can sleep like a baby again... *sigh-of-relief*

[lioncub]

I try to pace myself as my pain increases if I do too much when my battery level is low. Heat packs help relax muscles and distract the brain from neurological pain. I only use co-codamol at bedtime when the pain is really bad, to help me sleep as poor sleep affects battery level. I stretch every morning which is when I am at my worst but only do gentle floor exercises as standing exercise uses too much energy. Just getting the circulation going and releasing contracted muscles. Feeling relaxed and low stress levels also decreases my pain.