Pain is impossible!!: Hello Newbie... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

59,469 members66,515 posts

Pain is impossible!!

fluteyjess1 profile image
22 Replies

Hello

Newbie/first post.

I’m 57, overweight, and fairly inactive, trying to change everything gradually, but ASAP at the same time. I’m type 2 diabetic treated with 4 injections daily, have fibromyalgia and am in indescribable pain at the moment. I’ve recently gone back to taking 2 doses each of paracetamol and ibuprofen per day, but thinking of adding a third dose - just reluctant to be rattling with tablets again.

BUT pain in outside and back of right knee and calf and right hip are getting impossible to live with - burning, cramping, in spasm. Lower back starting to join in. Started not sleeping at night because of pain - this hasn’t happened for months.

Try to do stretching exercises , 3 x 2 minute sessions gently on an exercise bike per day, and one slow, gentle dog walk a day. Trying to sit down for 20 minutes maximum at a time. Going slightly nuts.....

Written by
fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
22 Replies
Sosbach profile image
Sosbach

Hi fluteyjess1, you will find as many different approaches to chronic pain here as you will find contributors. It seems to be a bit different for everyone. It sounds like you are in the middle of a flare, hopefully the intensity will not last for too long. For me it’s just reassuring to hear the other voices on this site and of course to get some tips, encouragement etc.

So for my part, getting my thyroid sorted really helped and also taking melatonin to help with sleep. I also think the further you get from menopause, helps re rogue hormone fluctuations. I am also plagued with hip and back pain that is pretty relentless. Recently I’ve also started getting v painful feet though small mercies, this comes and goes. I got very desperate too at one point, thinking I could not go on. I researched pain and read as much as I could about pain management. I got to a point when I understood I either had to learn to live with/in a new way or..... or what? (there was only one other alternative....) So I started doing mental exercises on rethinking the pain, distancing myself from it, dissociating from it. It can be done. Sometimes I forget I can do this and it comes back with a fury, or, the accompanying fatigue hits like a brick and seems to rob me of my super powers, BUT, I do always remember, and get the control back. I am mentally much stronger for it. Until they come up with a cure, for me, it’s the only way. I hope you find your way too.

fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1 in reply to Sosbach

Thank you for your words. 20+ years down the line, it feels as though I’m still learning and trying to find what works! Just about to start meditation and gentle yoga to try to relieve it.

I’ll cross fingers for you. X

Sosbach profile image
Sosbach in reply to fluteyjess1

Yes meditation or any other kind of mental work / control. All pain originates in the brain. The brain is the most powerful tool we have. Change your brain change your pain.

Dizzytwo profile image
DizzytwoModerator in reply to Sosbach

I totally agree with you 😊👍

YASMINTINA profile image
YASMINTINAFMA UK Volunteer

Hello there and welcome, you are certaintly being postive as trying gentle excercise each day, I’ve just turned 59 and put on weight a mixture of middle age , meds, and having to give up- my regular swimming each week as I have cfs as well and just suffered after, I do find it hard but still try and keep moving and staying focused, I cannot take paracetamol etc as makes me feel sick , but stretching out , having a soak in my Epsom salts bath each night helps. Sometimes we find ourselves in what’s known as a flare or mini ones as I call it when some days is a no go or just really slow, I just go with my flow think our fibro bodies have a way of slowing us up naturally . Great you are trying the yoga /meditation, take care x

Pennie1 profile image
Pennie1

Oh bless you, I’m 54 and over weight, I’ve fought hard over the last few weeks with trying to loose weight, I’ve lost just over a stone by using the weight loss shakes, I just get whatever brand is on offer on Amazon and have 2 a day and they seem to help raise the energy enough to go out with the dogs for about 45mins. I’ve gone from being just under 16 stone to 14.12 and it feels great just to have dropped to 14 stone something and that really spurs me on. My pain is of the scale and due to the trouble in America with the opioids my gp has taken me off oxycodone tablets, oxynorm liquid, amitriptyline and naproxen. Just before lockdown I awoke with such back pain in the middle of the night, it was so bad. My go rang back surgeons and they wanted me in for an MRI, it showed 2 discs have bulged and were compressing my cord. Now wait for apt to see if I need an op, back on oxycodone, paracetamol and naproxen 😳 please try to keep going, I’ve shed so many tears and spent so much time in bed with pain and depression but we have to keep fighting, take care and stay safe my lovely 🥰

fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1 in reply to Pennie1

Thank you so much. I’ve just done week 1 of weight loss and gained 1 lb!?! Definitely, exercise is the problem, or lack of it. 7 of Lower 8 discs bulging, but I’m not bad enough to operate. I had come down to 1 dose daily of paracetamol and ibuprofen now up to 2 ibuprofen and 3 paracetamol for moment.

This morning was horrendous, a little better at moment. Mainly feels like knee, calf and shin are burning and cramping all the time. Trying to do gentle stretches to get muscles waking up and loosening a little.

CheetieCat profile image
CheetieCat in reply to fluteyjess1

Have you tried magnesium? Magnesium spray works really well for cramping & muscle aching.

fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1 in reply to CheetieCat

No, I hadn’t heard of that - will look into it. Thank you. X

CheetieCat profile image
CheetieCat in reply to fluteyjess1

Your welcome, hope it helps x

Shazzzy profile image
Shazzzy in reply to Pennie1

You have done really well to lose that weight and cope with extra pain of bulging discs. Very inspiring.

fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1 in reply to Shazzzy

If you look at Facebook page “Turmeric Support Group People & Pets” you will find all sorts of advice, recipes, etc. You have to join the group. You then have to read various Units (in top banner). Also information to read about medications, and whether golden paste will clash.

Shazzzy profile image
Shazzzy in reply to fluteyjess1

Thank you

Sosbach profile image
Sosbach

Keep asking for thyroid and importantly, thyroid ANTIBODY tests! The antibodies show if you have hashimotos and it can be SUBCLINICAL for a long time...ie doesn’t show up as low thyroid on yr blood tests for quite sometime, or doc may say you’re only just borderline ...in the meantime everything else is getting thrown outa whack: blood sugars, blood pressure, weight gain even on diets, liver function, reduced mental clarity, stronger pain and stiffness, plus the thyroid is getting damaged/attacked all the while....

When a new doctor (young), finally checked my thyroid antibodies and diagnosed hashimotos/ got the right hormone replacement dose, so much changed. All my bloodwork came back into the normal range, including blood pressure (and they’d started saying I was prediabetic and had signs of non alcoholic fatty liver disease, which was baffling as my diet/lifestyle was SO clean (apart from not getting enough exercise))....

If you haven’t pursued this, (thyroid antibodies test) please try. The fact you can still gain weight while dieting may be a sign. Goodluck fluteyjess1.

fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1 in reply to Sosbach

Thank you. X

LaurieLee profile image
LaurieLee

Hi, firstly have you tried adding some natural supplements to help bring your blood sugar down and helps also with bring blood pressure and is a. Natural anti-inflammatory , which can help with Fibro.

After 35 years of Fibro, etc. I tried Simply CBD, which has a Support Users Group on FB. If you join, they will answer which is best for you. Sometimes you may have to try a few different ones and different doses., but th Support Group will help you. Plus to this site is they are really reasonable prices, unlike other sites. Give it a try. So glad I did.

fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1 in reply to LaurieLee

I’ve tried cbd oil but not sure I was taking the right dose, so I’ll look into this. Thank you.

LaurieLee profile image
LaurieLee

Sorry forgot to put, natural anti inflammatory is CURCUM or TURMERIC. I used years ago CINNAMON to bring my sugar levels down and it worked. Sorry, but my Fibro fog is bad as changing medication for my BP.

fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1 in reply to LaurieLee

Funnily enough, I’ve joined a Facebook Group to do with turmeric use for humans and dogs (we have an elderly Springer Spaniel with joint problems, too).

I’ve just taken delivery today of turmeric powder to make up my own batch of golden paste to try on myself and the dog!

Shazzzy profile image
Shazzzy in reply to fluteyjess1

Hi what is golden paste and how do you make it please ?

LaurieLee profile image
LaurieLee

Actually the SIMPLY CBD started with treating Dogs holistically with CBD oil and they also treat dogs and cats. My cat has severe arthritis and could barely walk. Couldn’t go out or get on bed or sofa. Now she’s like a different cat since taking the oil. I would advise for you to try for YOURSELF, to try GREEN for pain. If that does work, try the GOLD. Try it, it’s so worth it.

fluteyjess1 profile image
fluteyjess1 in reply to LaurieLee

Thank you. I will try that.

You may also like...

Does anyone else find it impossible to stand without excruciating pain.

still, without excruciating pain? I find it impossible to stand up, the pain creeps very fast up my...

Exercise... I hear most say it's impossible...

them that cause abdominal pain. Any suggestions for pain improvement. My pain is always between...

fibro pain and tiredness

the moment, although I’m trying to eat better. I’m trying to get different pain killers but doctors...

joint pain, back pain ,

have had veery bad joint pain for a long time now . but the pain in my back is getting worst...

Gym for back pain and fibro

out with very minute hardly any back pain at all, to pulled muscles. I now have a back problem. I...