Hey there All,

I'm having a really bad attack of FM

I never knew just how devastatingly painful it could be. I know it paralyzed me once when I was younger and that was painful but now I can hardly breathe with the pain; I can hardly move without getting hot spears run through me, almost every part of my body inflamed. Having frozen shoulder on top of it really, really hurts so badly.

I prefer labour pains to this because at least I know labour pains have an end; this has been going on now for weeks. The result of falling on a train which is something I didn't need. The pain is awful.

Can some of you please tell me what pain relief you use? everything I've got here isn't strong enough and I need to ask my dr for something specific,


Thanks in advance for your help,

Rhiannon

Surely theres someone with some ideas? I have managed with with excersize hot baths or showers and 175mg of Endep (tryptophan) but thats not doing a thing now. I take one 50mg in the morning but that isn't working either. My Dr is going to ask me what I want for pain and I don't have a clue what to tell her because it's never been this bad before...

...pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaasssssssseeeee

Are you getting PT for the frozen shoulder? Any meds or muscle relaxers for that?
What kind of meds are you taking now?

[Anti-depressants are often prescribed as part of the treatment, which elevate the mood of the patient. Muscle relaxants and sleep aids may also be recommended. Since fibromyalgia sufferers are often found to be low in manganese and magnesium, both of which help balance thyroid function, nutritional supplements may prove beneficial as well.

Physical therapy is another essential component for fibromyalgia pain relief, as it teaches patients methods of walking, stretching, and exercise that reduce muscle tension and fatigue. A physical therapist will also teach patients how to make use of ergonomic tools in their daily life, like padded chairs and special keyboards designed to minimize muscle strain.]
http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Look-at-...algia&id=68696

this might be helpful also- Holistic Health Approach
http://www.healthynewage.com/196515.html

You might look thru older threads for what others take, or do a forum search for pain meds.

Your Dr should have some idea on pain meds, and have some samples for you to try...

It sounds like you are in a flare right now - plus the painful frozen shoulder.
So you should be having PT for the shoulder as well as a muscle relaxant at the very least I think.
During flares extra meds & therapies are often needed.

you can search all forums here for frozen shoulder to find posts on it.

What other medications have you tried? What are you allergic to? Neurotin or Lyrica, Cymbalta. Percocet, Lortab.
Since I have no other information about you dont know what else to suggest
z

Thanks so much for that Jo*Mar, Pooh_ac

I live in an isolated place so PT is about 2 hrs away. I take Neurontin but only a small dose that's for epilepsy. Tegretol, tryptophan, Magnesium, xanax, cymbalta all low doses except for the tryptophan which is 175mg ...

It's flared up before but never like this, I feel like screaming but I won't; thanks so much for your help I really appreciate it,

Rhian

I'm sorry to hear about the frozen shoulder and I know just how painful it is. I had it in both shoulders at the same time. I couldn't shrug even the slightest, I took really hot showers, and an orthopedic surgeon helped a lot.
He told me that sometimes they have to put people to sleep and tear the muscles.

I don't have the range of motion I did have and I hope I never have it again.

Have you tried Lyrica? I hope you feel better soon!!

have you tried Lyrica for the pain? I take 150 mg 4 times a day, and it does pretty well in keeping the pain in check...when the pain is bad I sometimes take Vicodin for the pain as well...have you tried any muscle relaxers like Zanaflex or Flexeril? I find taking the Zanaflex during the day helps, as does the Flexeril at night which helps me sleep. Other folks have listed other meds, you might look at the posts which suggest different meds so you can go to your dr and say, this is what was suggested online. Other than that, don't have a lot to tell you. Right now I am fighting a very knotted left side of my neck which means I can't bend my neck down or flex it backwards, and leaning to the left or right I can't do. I am going to have to ask my neuro what else I can take if it doesn't go away soon. Hope you have some info you can take to your dr now!

Jewels

Hey COK,

Ooh I couldn't imagine having 2 frozen shoulders that must've wrecked you! I was give all sorts of exercises to do; I looked at the Doc and said "Geesh Doc! if I could do those exercises I wouldn't have a frozen shoulder".

I've read that Lyrica is supposed to be good for FM; so I'll speak to my Doc and ask her if she will try me on it.

I've also looked at the ergonomic keyboards in the link Jo*Mar posted, I love one but it's over $200 so I'll have to save in other areas to buy one...

Thanks for your replies I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me,

Cheers,

Rhian

Hey Jewels,

Thank you for this, my left side neck is bad too, that was how I knew it was coming on in just felt like a tightening at first then it became very painful and I can only turn my head to the right, not the left and every time I took pain killers it didn't shift it so I knew I was in for trouble; I just didn't think it could ever hit me with so much pain. I've had pain before and I have a high tolerance for pain but this put me down for the count. I can honestly say that it is chronic, past chronic. The throbing is paining the entire left side of my body.

I'll mention the meds to my doc and see if she is ok with trying them. Someone mentioned a pain pump under the skin. I wouldn't normally think about something like that but this has gone on for weeks and it's showing no signs of abating and that bothers me.



Rhian

Since PT places are 2 hrs away - ask Dr about Rxing a TENS device or an Interferential {IF}stimulator - those are something you can use on your own.

I like the info at this place-
http://vitalityweb.com/backstore/painindex.html


Also you might think about a moist heating pad, or even an infrared heating pad.
more info -
moist IF heating pads - various size/shapes-
http://www.promolife.com/heated-clot...prod_2519.html

I have RSI/TOS { chronic soreness in neck/shoulders/upperback & arms etc} and I use a EMS stim {muscle stim - no rx needed} a swell as a far infrared heat pad & some stretches , inflatable exercise ball helps to roll out the soreness & stretch.