ocassional meds or other handy tips for flares

[Hollyhock123]

Hi,

I’ve had fibromyalgia for about seven years and so far I’ve been fortunate and not needed additional medication. However, I’m finding that when my body is fighting a virus I have flares which knock me for six for days at a time.

Has anyone had experience of having meds during these times to take the edge off it? Or any other tips that I could try. I’m going to try to get some kind of appointment at the surgery tomorrow.

Thanks

[Diddidi]

That sounds like me Any illness or injury seems to lead to a flare up but otherwise I manage to avoid regular meds. For a flare, I just dose myself up with paracetamol or ibuprofen, heat packs or my TENS machine for the worst affected areas and plenty of rest. Once the worst of the pain is over, I try to get moving by going for a gentle walk and then gradually build that up again - all the time going back to the OTC meds and heat treatment but less each day. Hope this helps with some ideas.

[Hollyhock123 in reply to Diddidi]

Thanks, I hadn’t thought about a tens machine. I take paracetamol and co-codamol, I can’t take ibuprofen because of my RA meds.

I’ve managed to get a duty dr call for today, so I’ll see if they have any understanding (sorry that might sound harsh but I need long term management). Hopefully will get a conversation going at the very least.

[KimiJay]

After about six months to a year after my diagnosis, I started taking D Ribose. Energy-wise, I feel it gave me half my life back quite a lot of the time. Sometimes you need to take a rest from it though!

[Hollygreen]

Hi, hollyhock, I have to be on meds all the time. If I reduce, it can be OK but as soon as I go into a flare up I take the max dose for several days. Tramadol 2 tablets 4 x a day is 400mg a day and with 2 paracetamol each time I take 100mg tramadol I can just about walk and get dressed. The pain makes me want to be sick and faint. It's disrupted my digestion severely and I have to take meds for that. I also have very severe restless legs syndrome and I cannot lay down without 4x Pramipexole every evening. I'm also on other very powerful and effective meds. I have a great GP and MSK specialist prescriber as I have chronic fatigue and major depression and generalised anxiety too. I hope this is helpful. I don't have an addictive personality so I'm fine with tramadol. Others have said it doesn't suit them. Let us know how things go if you want to do that. 🙂🐕

[Hollyhock123 in reply to Hollygreen]

Thanks. My GP (and my RA hospital consultant) are both lifestyle before medication for fibro. And generally that works for me. I’m glad you have found what works for you.

[Miloloco]

I have buprenorphine patches and take naproxen and codeine when I'm in bad pain but they knock me out so I try not to take them if possible! I find laying in a hot bath is one of the best things for me, and my vibrating massage cushion helps relieve tight pain.

[Hollyhock123 in reply to Miloloco]

Ooh yes, a hot bath can provide some relief for me too. I try to have one each evening as I think it also helps me sleep better. I also use a little magnesium oil on my legs after. I’m finding at the moment I can’t tolerate more than paracetamol.