Newly diagnosed heart condition and fibromyalgia flare - can't take any meds!

[NewFibroWarrior]

Hi all

I haven't posted yet because very soon after my fibromyalgia diagnosis a few months ago, my newly prescribed fibromyalgia medication (my first half a dose) sent me into hypertensive crisis. It turns out this is because I have an underlying heart condition, which makes it difficult for my heart to pump efficiently, and uncontrollable high blood pressure. I am on some medication for that, and are still having investigations before a treatment plan will be put into place. It turns out that the palpitations, breathlessness, swollen ankles and fatigue I experience is not all down to fibromyalgia!

I am really struggling at the moment as my cardiologist has warned me not to take anything except for the occasional paracetamol. the last few days I have been in constant agony in my neck and left shoulder with the pain radiating down my hand and down my spine into my left leg. It is steadily getting worse and becoming more widespread. I know I'm bad when I wish for the return of that low level of widespread body pain I live with daily.

I have tried Biofreeze, heat, ice, physio exercise and nothing has worked. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be very grateful!

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello and welcome, your a fibro warrior indeed I read alot ofmembers here juggle other health conditions, as if Fibromaylia is not enough , so because of the new medication it alerted the doctor to your heart condition , glad you found out but very hard when you cannot take certain medications to help with the pain. Warmth for me is most effective I do find if I do not soak in a warm bath every night with my Epsom salts I notice the diffference, I’ve also used bio freeze , wheat bag and my hot water bottles are differently a help , we’ve even got a Chair pad for massaging back but it actually heats up which is brill, I diffferently seem to ache more when it’s Winter as well. I’ve heard people use a hydro pool but I’ve never found one in my area , I think they do this on the NHS , you have to run everything by your medical team what is safe with the heart conditions as well. xx

[JayCeon]

Apart from symptom tracking and trigger hunting, professional gentle physiotherapy and working out which which of the many supps might help are the route for people like you and me that don't tolerate meds. The fibro supps got my blood pressure down too...

[NewFibroWarrior in reply to JayCeon]

Thank you JayCeon for sharing that. I’m wondering what supplements you have found useful? I need to run everything by my cardiologist so it helps to have something specifically to check. Thanks

[JayCeon]

You mean foremost for reducing blood pressure? Arginine, NADH, omega 3 (microalgae or fish oil), passiflora, pectin, CoQ10, quercetin, resveratrol & rhodiola. Also pine bark, but not taking that atm. All of these except arginine are either good for sleep/relaxation or pain and other FM-symptoms. So I can't exactly tell you which of these are working best, but I'd think the ones that (also) help sleep, i.e. passiflora to rhodiola except pectin. That help? Keep asking if not!

[NewFibroWarrior]

Hi, sorry I had missed this. I am being medicated for BP and fast HR. Cardiologist is just finding the right combination for that. I meant more about pain relief and sleep. I cannot tolerate valerian root as it leads to wild dreams. I love melatonin and 5HTP, but he won't let me take that. Nor glucosamine (really helped with join pain) or magnesium. Basically I have come off all supplements until further notice!