fibromyalgia

[Brandy2020]

hi everyone I just wanted to see if anyone has had any benefits getting acupuncture for fibromyalgia, I’ve only just been diagnosed last year and have had a rough time and been off work for 3 weeks, I also have lupus which is under control with hydroxychlorquine, I’m still learning about fibromyalgia and I’m on 120mg duloxtine, any advice would be appreciated, thankyou x

[Cat00]

Acupuncture had no effect on me, she said with my level of problem I would need it everyday.

[Brandy2020 in reply to Cat00]

Ok thanks I’m currently having a horrible flare atm and been so so tired and pain migraines,had to go on the sick I’m on 120mg duloxtine which has help me sleep better than I was but this fatigue and Brain fog is getting me depressed 😔 I’m just looking to help myself with this condition I work full time and swim when I’m not to tired with flare up, is there anything else I can do I wonder?

[Cat00 in reply to Brandy2020]

Some people take CoQ10 supplements for fatigue and brain fog. I tried it for a while but its quite expensive and I kept forgetting to take it, you have to take it several times a day and of course it takes a couple of months to work.Personally I do a lot of exercise and like you I swim when I can't do weights or cardio. I'm very sore in the morning but by the time I leave the gym I usually feel a lot better for a few hours at least. I have to push through the pain barrier until I get warm enough though, but I like being around other people in the exercise classes. Because I go during the day I'm mainly there with women in their late 50s and older so I can keep up with them!

[Brandy2020 in reply to Cat00]

Thanks for that I’ll look up that medication ☺️

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Brandy2020]

I had acupuncture at my local pain clinic, it was pleasant and relaxing but that was about it. I agree about the exercise, exercising regularly has been the best therapy for me, both physically and mentally. Its probably the last thing most Fibro sufferers feel like doing but it has proven benefits.

I take D Ribose powder which was recommended to help with energy. Often used by those with CFS, its meant to power the mitochondria in the body's cells. Which can be depleted in chronic conditions.

[Brandy2020 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Great thanks I’ll look that up, really appreciate it x

[Cat00 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Do you think the D Ribose helps you?I read all this stuff about different experiments with fibromyalgia muscle. They took biopsies of the muscle to test various theories like the theory fibro people had lack of microcirculation of blood around the tissues so the mitochondria had less access to oxygen etc. Apparently they found we had normal amounts of circulation it's just that mitochondria wouldn't take it up etc. They are all small studies probably out of date now, but that's why I tried the CoQ10.

I'm hypermobile and they say we have more blood pooling in the muscle than non hypermobile people. So I do a much more active warm down than others and I found this made a really difference to my muscle pain after exercise.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Cat00]

Yeah I have EDS, so all too familiar with muscle pain. I do find the D Ribose gives me stamina and energy. Its often used in chronic fatigue so I figured I'd give it a go.

[Cat00 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Ooo might give it a go then! I have suspected EDS, probably why I keep breaking my ankles.....

[Vandenbergers in reply to Brandy2020]

Hi Brandy, I tried acupuncture and found I got a little relief for a few days. What has really helped me, although it is expensive, is massage. I save to have a massage once a month. A relaxation massage can make me feel better for about two weeks. Just be sure they don't do it too hard or it actually makes things worse.

[Brandy2020 in reply to Vandenbergers]

Thankyou I loveeeee massage normal treat myself on holidays x

[Brigga]

yes. I had acupuncture focussed on my knee joints. My goal was to improve my knee pain so that I could walk more easily. I had very low expectations but the results were incredible. I went from not being able to walk up and down stairs without excruciating pain to walking up a steep 40 minute walk up a hill on a day out. Unfortunately the results don’t last. After 8 sessions I felt like I wasn’t getting any further improvement so I stopped. The results of these sessions lasted 2-3 months. I’m going to start again soon so that I will be able to walk when I go on holiday in April. I’d also like to try it for my shoulder pain at some point in the future. At £30 per session I can’t afford it all the time but for me it’s the only thing that has really ever helped my pain, including physio and meds. I think if you just focus on an area where you have the most debilitating pain it may help rather than trying to treat the whole body at once. Make sure you see a very experienced practitioner.

[Brandy2020 in reply to Brigga]

Thankyou for that I’m lucky I’m in a good job that has a wellbeing fund I put into so I can get some money back for things like this to try , really appreciate any feedback on help x

[Brigga in reply to Brandy2020]

The guy I see has been doing it for several years. Sometimes it’s a bit uncomfortable or I feel heat or tingling at the site of the needles. Years ago I had acupuncture with a GP who was just a beginner and that didn’t help at all. Also I didn’t get any of the sensations of heat etc that I get with the experienced practitioner.

[Brandy2020 in reply to Brigga]

Thanks x

[RGriff]

Hi I get acupuncture every month or so, depending on how much pain I'm in. I find I do get great relief from it.

The room is lovely and warms which really helps the joints.

I'm not sure if all acupuncturists do this but the lady I got to does the Chinese suction cups as well as the acupuncture. Very good for relaxing, improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation. Plenty of benefits from both. Maybe give it a try and see if it suits you. Hope you get some relief.

I've had fibromyalgia since 16 and I'm still learning about it. I've also found that certain foods can trigger my pain. Turmeric garlic and ginger are very good too for reducing inflammation.

Rose

[Brandy2020 in reply to RGriff]

Thankyou it was my first session today and we spent a lot of the time talking about my conditions and his knowledge, then I got 5 needles one in my forehead 2 in my arms and 2 under my knees, he said it was to just reset my body and for anxiety and he wants to see me again next week, so I’ll see how it goes x

[RGriff in reply to Brandy2020]

Oh very good. Just see how it goes. Yes the first session does take time but they need to get to know who you are and what your going through to know where to place needles etc. I really hope you get some relief from it. I suffer bad from neck and back pain so usually I get the acupuncture in my back. It does help. Can I ask do you smoke? Just wondering from my own experiences

Let me know how it does 🥰

[Brandy2020 in reply to RGriff]

Thankyou I used to smoke years ago but not anymore, occasionally if I’m out I will vape tho? Why u ask? X

[RGriff in reply to Brandy2020]

Oh ok.. I was just wondering as I found that smoking really aggravates my joints. Did you try the acupuncture x

[Brandy2020 in reply to RGriff]

I did it has intrigued me I felt really well for a few days weirdly, so I’m going to keep at it and hope for some lasting results 🤞

[RGriff in reply to Brandy2020]

That happens to me too. I find it helps but then after about two weeks ,I get bad pains again, it's meant to be very good though for many things. I hope you get some relief X

[Brandy2020 in reply to RGriff]

That’s good to know, thought I was just imagining it but a cpl of weeks relief is better than nothing, got another session on Saturday x

[RGriff in reply to Brandy2020]

That's good. Your so right any relief is great .. hope the session goes well for you 🥰

[robin_of_loxley]

Hi Brandy. I tried acupuncture for months it did nothing for me. I have also tried most of the recommended drugs. They did nothing for me. My worst symptom is neck and headaches. The thing that helped my head the most (but not anywhere else) was muscle relaxants. At the moment I am on 30mg baclofen a day. This has taken my head pain down from a 10 to a 7.

Best regards rob

[Brandy2020 in reply to robin_of_loxley]

Thanks for feedback and good luck to you finding something that works for you it’s a nightmare this fibromyalgia

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Brandy2020]

It is, especially if you dont respond to or tolerate any of the usual Fibro meds. Its why alternative therapies and supplements are worth a try. You never know something might help.

[Charob2]

I swear by it, it allows me to carry on working and having a life, I know it can be expensive but it is worth it, also my acupuncturist practises chinese acupuncture not english and having had both his works, I hope this helps.

[Brandy2020 in reply to Charob2]

Thankyou everybody you have all been so helpful I’m really grateful ☺️

[KimiJay]

I have been using acupuncture for years for migraines initially. Then for other conditions.

I cannot stress how important it is to find a practitioner you can relate to. Also one that has had training in traditional Chinese techniques, especially proper needling and a five elements approach. - I understand that Chinese who have trained in China study medicine for a year before embarking on the traditional knowledge.

My acupuncturist is a really good friend too and I have a full hour with her. Her knowledge of anatomy is spot on and she notices things just by watching me and put me on track to get over a bad attack of vertigo. It is simply another kind of medicine and sometimes you get a strong reaction when healing starts. They can read all the pulses in the wrist and this gives valuable information of what meridians need activation by needle stimuli. Needles are incredibly fine and relaxing into them is the key.

Really worth a try over a period of time.

[Brandy2020 in reply to KimiJay]

Thankyou for that I’m more than willing to try I’m keeping everything crossed it helps me, even if it just helps me with one of my problems, ibs/anxiety I’ll be happy

[Brandy2020 in reply to KimiJay]

how often do you recommend having it? I went in Friday and he wants to see me again in a week, once a month I could manage financially x

[KimiJay in reply to Brandy2020]

You've done it! ... Well done! - I seem to remember I started off going more often and I tend to go every three weeks or a month now. It was much longer in Covid and I felt b awful! I should level with the guy about the money side if you find it's been helpful. Negotiation is always possible and a treatment is something you could suggest to anyone who wants to give you a birthday present and doesn't know what. - Good luck with this and hope you feel the benefit of it soon.

[Brandy2020 in reply to KimiJay]

Thank you ☺️ the day after it was weird I just feel abit lighter/brighter and not to get to graphic but I went to the toilet like I use to years ago in a normal way 😂😂 I had a cpl of days feeling quite good so I don’t know if it was the acupuncture or not, but I’m definitely going keep it up 👍

[KimiJay in reply to Brandy2020]

I'm not sure we will ever really know. What I do know is that I don't really bother much with the Doctor now. The lady one suits me quite well as she is gently intuitive and open to things but she is part time. Just not keen on men doctors.

So pleased you've given it a go and hope you get to experience some of the magic that I have. xx