Let me start by saying that I am not a doctor and I would never presume to give advice that would replace or supercede your doctor's care. Please take the information in this blog as what it is, my experiences with different treatments for fibromyalgia. What works for me may not work for you. No two people with fibromyalgia are ever the same. We all respond to drugs differently and we all have different feelings and expectations for our treatments.

From the research I have done, I have concluded that fibromyalgia is an imbalance in our bodies. Most of us are low in serotonin and usually have deficiencies in several minerals and vitamins. We all have pain that is greatest in some of all of a specific set of pressure points. We all hurt! That's the only sure things that I have ever found in the research. There are some who think it is genetic but, to my knowledge, there has not been any specifics found.

I wish that when I had first been diagnosed, I could have found someone that could honestly tell me what drugs and treatments had worked and to what extent they worked for them. Then maybe I would have some plain of reference for my doctor and I to start with. This blog is meant to be that plane of reference. You do need a doctor and you do need to discuss ALL your treatments and therapies (holistic and medical) with him!! NEVER leave your doctor out of the loop.

Finding a doctor that is comfortable with your condition can be a traumatic experience in itself. We will leave my advice on that for another blog. Once you find him or her though, it makes all the difference. I also recommend visiting a pain clinic if at all possible. A pain clinic can help you learn to cope with your condition and all the emotional stuff that goes with it. I fought going but, my best friend talked me into it (practically forced me to go) and I have never regretted it. (For more information on my experiences with pain clinics, see my blog on pain clinics.)

At some point, (usually almost immediately) after you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a doctor is going to hand you one, two or several prescriptions. He may also advise you to use over the counter drugs and vitamins. If he is more into new age treatments, he may even suggest certain herbs.  For many people, when that happens they dutifully go to the pharmacy and fill whatever prescriptions they have and take them as recommended. What they miss is a step that is very important for everyone, especially patients with chronic pain. Skipping is can cost you your life.

The step is to ask questions. Which ones? Below are some that I recommend:

1st:  What side effects does this drug have?  Will it make me tired, sleepy, irritable, gain weight, change my appetite, effect my sex life, etc.

2nd: What exactly is it supposed to do for me?   Is it supposed to replace something I am already on?

3rd: Can I drink alcohol or caffeine with it?  What will happen if I do?

4th:  How does it interact with other drugs and are you sure it will not interact with what I am already taking?

Then, before you go to the pharmacy, go to your friendly computer, and look all those questions up on the internet again.  Not all doctors stay up on all the side effects and interactions of drugs.  There are hundreds of sites that you can get information on.  I usually start by searching google for the drug itself and then go from there. 

Make an informed decision.  If you do not think that the benefits outweigh the side effects, go back to your doctor and look for alternatives.  Do NOT be a drone and just do what you are told.  Take control of your care.  Be involved and do your research.  I can't say that enough so, I'll say it again.  Do your own research!!

Make sure you follow the same procedures for vitamins.  You can take too much of some vitamins and herbs.  Some vitamins and herbs interact with each other and with some drugs.  They can reduce the effectiveness and can cause deadly side effects. (Yes, you even need to research your herbal teas.)  You are your own best advocate.  Know what you are taking and what to expect when you take it. 

I'm not going to tell you that any holistic or Eastern treatment is bad.  I'm also not going to tell you that any are perfect.  There are some that seem to generally work and some that don't .  The are worth researching and many definitely do help.  You have to decide (with your doctor) which ones are right for you and which ones you can afford because face it, many of them are expensive.  I don't have a money tree growing in my backyard and I am going to assume you don't either.  Some of the treatments that work the best, are expensive.  Unfortunately, many of us can't afford them.  That being said, there are tons of treatments out there that you can afford and while they may not cure you, they can help.

I am personally terrified of needles.  Even the site of a hypodermic needle gives me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I love to stitch needlework and sew but, the idea of a needle in my skin, (or anyone elses) makes me queasy.  So, obviously acupuncture is not something I am going to try.  However, I do know people with chronic pain that  have and do use it and it works amazing for them.  If you don't have my adversion to needles, I suggest you try it.

I also strongly suggest massage.  If you can get your spouse or significant other to learn how, all the better.  If not, it can help sometimes more than anything else.  A massage can have lingering effects that lasts for weeks.  If you can't afford to pay someone to give you a massage and don't have a willing partner, you can message your feet, and several other areas of your body yourself.  You can also try one of the thousands of massage machines on the market. 

Most people have heard of magnetic theory and while I can't say that I think it helps me, my mother swears that it does her.  She has several very pretty bracelets that have hidden magnets and she swears that they help.  I have tried them but, my personality may not be as magnetically attractive as hers. (Just joking Mom! )

Then there are all the electronic gadgets and gizmos. 

Some of them work very well with massage therapy.  One specifically that I have used was an infrared light.  You rubbed it over the injured or hurting area.  I don't have the patience to use it often but, if I have a muscle that is in agony, I have gotten some relief with this device.  I have wanted to try the heated stones too but, I haven't gotten there yet.

One of my friends has a tens machine (I'm not sure I'm spelling that correctly)  She says it is amazing.  I do know that it seems to help her move better when she is in a lot of paing.  I tried it once and didn't like the feel of it but, again, it is a personal decision.  This kind of device is attached to you by little tape strips and it sends an electrical pulse through your muscles and nerves.  My dad's chiropractor used something similar on my dad after his cancer surgery and he did end up with much more range of motion in his shoulders than was ever expected.  If you don't mind the sensation, it might be worth checking it out.

I personally swear by one gadget.  It is called an ionic cleanse machine.  Maybe I'll write a whole blog on it.  It has made more difference for me than any of my medicines.  Basically it is an electronic machine that pulls the toxins out of your body.  It was a little expensive but, the lasting effects are so great that when I use it correctly (and don't get too lazy to do so,) I take less thank a fourth of the drugs that I have to otherwise.

There are hundreds more other devices out there and you will have to do your own research to find whats right for you.

Something that doesn't cost you a thing, that I strongly recommend it meditation.  Taking time to meditate will help you release some of the tension in your life which will help your muscles to relax more which will cause them to hurt less. 

One thing that your doctor will probably tell you is that you need to exercise.  For someone suffering with fibromyalgia, that can feel like telling them to jump off a bridge.  It is also one of the easiest things for us to "forget" to do. 

My advice, is to make yourself do it!!  There is nothing that gets the blood moving better in our bodies than exercise.  I am not telling you that you have to go run a marathon.  Start by something simple, like maybe walking around the backyard a couple of times.  Keep increasing it a little at a time.  Do as much as you can but, just do something.  It is very important in the fight to keep your disease from getting worse.  It also will help you with the battle of the bulge. 

You can choose walking, riding a bike or yoga.  It doesn't matter, just make your body move.  Exercising helps our hearts, our circulation and it releases good pheromones and endorphins from our brains that make us feel better, sleep better and boost our moods. 

In summary, having Fibromyalgia doesn't mean the end of your life.  It just means that you need to be smart, and do your research.  You need to participate in your treatment at all times, even if you are tired and sick.   You need to be responsible, keep up on the latest research and keep looking for what works for you.