Advice for Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Acupuncture does work.

I have Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, and Bursitis in my hips. I often feel like my torso has sunk down between my hips, causing severe pain in my lower back. I can hardly stand or walk. The Acupunture allows my muscles to calm down and get more circulation. I feel things move back in place while I lay there. It also helps straigtens out my gait when I walk. Sometimes I even fall asleep.

I tried acupuncture once a week for about 6 months for my fibromyalgia, which developed after I had surgery. The first time the acupuncturist put needles in, it took about 30 seconds before I was screaming from pain. I believe he called it a Herxheimer reaction, and said it was the worst he had ever seen. His strategy obviously changed, and I stuck it out. While subsequent sessions were very relaxing, I did not notice any improvement in pain.

Acupuncture works really well for musclo-skeletal pain that occurs with fibromyalgia, particularly in conjunction with massage and stretching.

However, it didn't really help me with the nerve pain that I also have to endure, as my FM has gotten increasingly debilitating. I, too, often fall asleep. Apparently that's a good thing because it indicates a high degree of relaxation, which makes the body more conducive to the treatment. On another note be very careful who you go to! My first experience (with a different poorly-trained doctor)was horrible. He had me sitting up and stuck needles in front and back at the same time; I had severe muscle spasms which bent the needles and then I passed out. I was lucky the needles didn't break off inside me. Later on I found out that he had used the largest needles available (only rarely used in mainland China) and had no idea what the effect could be on someone with the pain threshold of FM. It took several years until I was willing to try again - so I understand how ChgoKate must have felt, except I wouldn't have continued on with the same practitioner. Acupuncture, done correctly, does not hurt EVER.

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the JH site. I have had FIBROMYALGIA since the 70's when they called it the "yuppie disease." They said it was all in my head. The chronic severe pain that I have endured until someone finally believed me is almost cruel. What I would like to ask any of you is about medications. Acupuncture did not work for me. I went to a Chiropractor and it helped a lot, but was costly. I also did water aerobics and that made me more tired. I am on 6 medications. WELLBUTRIN wore off after one year on it and now I am on my 4th CYMBALTA capsule (30 mg). My rheumatologist said that after ONE month it will be increased to 60 mg. Fibro is not considered "terminal" but I am almost disabled - well I am disable. I cannot sit, walk, talk stand, sleep, etc. for a long period of time. Because it is not considered terminal though, I am afraid that the meds are going to harm my kidneys and liver. The doctors dole out a lot of the new meds. IT seems that I am not tolerant of many of the medications out there and have severe nausea, dizziness,headaches, dry mouth, MORE fatigue than normal, cannot concentrate (more than normal), and I am just surviving and NOT living a life. Do you have any ideas? I will be glad when the weather here gets warm because this extreme cold really bothers me a lot. THANK YOU!

I am new to this site and to searching for info. My pain is ever increasing so I am forced to find my own resources for help. I've been dealing with symptoms for many years and, as of 1 year ago, was relieved to find out it wasn't "all in my head". I've been taking Lyrica but am growing more and more out-of-it, just foggy from the drug. For now the benefits are outweighing the side effects, which is why I'm looking here for different experiences and treatments of fellow FM sufferers. What are some of the vitamins or therapies you are using aside from the acupuncture? Every time I go to another site I find more information about the disease and the latest in symptoms and treatment. Thanks for sharing.

I have had fibromaylgia for most of my life. I am 53 now. I was diagnoised in my twenties for SLE (lupus) but my Rheum dr felt i had something else going either along with the Lupus or on it's own. I got lucky and got a very nice and informative Rheumatalogist..in the late seventies/early eighties there were hardly any..my internist had hard time one. But here is what he always told me..everyday do something you love in moderation, outside. Such as gardening, or painting..reading. Everyday go for a walk in the woods or park is best since nature relaxes us. If i do not keep using my joints i will lose them..so no matter how bad they hurt move. I also learned hypnosis for my pain and used acupunture. Both helped. The acupunture i also had horrible pain when he hit places...i was sore for weeks. The hypnosis i still use daily for pain relief. I also use Rescue Remedy..from the Bach flower treatment they use it often in Europe and you can find it in any health food place. IT is great if you get suddenly ill and need to function just to get help. It has never let me down ever. My main problem is i moved to small town. So how do you find a reputable acupunture? Are they certified? Also i am open to any sites that you all have found that give accurate usefull information. Oh...another thing, when i walk i use walking sticks to help. There is even one kind that has a cane handle top so it looks like walking stick but you can use it exactly like a cane. I found it in Sporting Goods catalogue or places like REI. OH...i also have aniexty and PTSD...i am looking for connection to this and how it affects Fibromaylgia and Lupus or other diseaeses. So any help on this i would greatly appreciate. I do not have depression...drugs like wellbutrin, cymbalta just did not agree with me and did not help with pain at all. Health and Happiness to you all! thank you for any help. also am very exhausted now so hope my mess makes sense

I was diagnosed three years ago and have had my rounds with trying meds that will work. I like several of you mention seem to suffer more of the side effects than I get benefits of the medicine. I'm reading all the info I can to find help and others that understand. I'm at the point of being concerned about loosing my job. I had to take the whole month of December off due to a flare up of the cold weather. I'm single all most out of all of my leave and don't know what my financial future holds if I can't continue to work. I turned down a supervisor job that I had always wanted to eliminate any more work stress. I have to sometimes work 12 and 16 hour days and shift work and no one understands that I'm doing good to get an 8 hour day 5 days a week. It seems that the pain is spreading from it originally was mainly in my shoulders but, now I have more of the over all body aches and numbness and tingling in my arms and legs. Any suggestions?

I have had FM since the early 80's and have been diagnosed since 1988. I am very fortunate to have a rather mild case. Or a case that I have been able to manage to some degree. I have never been bed-ridden because of my FM, but I have had severe flare ups. I would like to say that about 6 years ago, we bought a tempur-pedic bed (memory foam). Withinn 2 years my pain level had dropped to very manageable and my numbness and tingling has also decrease. It is almost completely because this bed has allowed me to get more sleep and better sleep...and that has significantly helped me. So, I would advise doing anything you can to get better sleep and this type of bed might help you too.

Also, I baby myself. I don't overdo, I tell family and friends I have FM, so I get help when I need it, I tell them that I need to manage my stress and I do things that help with stress such as meditation, relaxing baths, listen to music, etc.

So, as much as possible, please try to find a comfortable bed and other ways to get better sleep and try all ways that you can to reduce your stress.

God bless you all and may you find treatments and/or ways to manage your FM that give you relief.

Has anyone tried the Savella? What results are you getting? Beth

hello everyone, I am new to JH. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in the early 90's. I was told that the pain and symptoms were all in my head. I was treated very bad by some of the medical people in this country. I could not walk, talk, dress myself and not too mention get out of bed without help. Three years ago, I woke up in a rehab center for physical therapy. I lost several days of my life because of the meds I was on. One night I was in bed, my husband of thirty years asked me for a divorce. He was tired of taking care of me and listening to me cry all of the time. Well to make a long story short, I am doing okay. I live alone and have to take care of all my needs. The only pain medicine I take is lyrica and motrin once in awhile. My pain is tolerable. But, I did find out that a lot of the severe pain was caused by gout! Please take good care of yourselves. I know your pain. My fingers are hurting right now. Good-Night!