[EMQ_Chick]

Hello everyone

I am new to this site and whilst the existing threads are great for info it would be good to have feedback on my own issues.

I have two things going on at the moment that are causing me grief. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 4 years ago now after I had all the signs and symptoms (much like my grandma and mum, even though they say its not hereditary)...anyway I am taking Effexor 75mg/day for the fibro pain which seems to keep it at a reasonable level, and I also take SAMe tablets which are a non-prescription tablet and they have been really good at keeping my aches under control. I am currently going through a big flare up and I am not sleeping well and popping myself full of various pills but nothing seems to work at the moment. I have also had 3 back operations in the past 3 years and whilst they have been successful to a point I am still taking heavy medication to relieve the pain. I am on Fentynal patches 50mcg/hour and have Endone, Panadeine Forte, Tramal, Valium and more for break through pain.

I guess there is no real point to my thread as everyone here is obviously in the same boat in one way or another, but if there is anyone who has similar to me it would be good to hear what you do for pain relief and other therapies that may help. The pain specialist found that my facet joint around L5/S1 was causing most of my pain so I had the radio-frequency nuerotomy done for the first time about 3 months ago, but I think its wearing off already. Does anyone know how many times you can get this done and whether subsequent treatments may help or make it worse? I am thinking about going to a physiotherapist to see if they can help because I get intense pain around my facet joint and at night I wake up in so much pain around my thighs/pelvin region and have no idea if that is connect or not