What have you tried to help you cope with your fibro??

From a conventional medical stantpoint, I use Lyrica, Effexor XR, Ultram, Xanax, and Singulair daily. I use Lunesta as needed for sleep. I also take a monthly B-12 shot (would love to have them weekly, but supposedly monthly is the max). Nonconventional: monthly chiropractic visit, daily: multivitamin with iron, acetyl-l-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, CoQ-10, magnesium, Then when I have an extra $60, I get a 1 hour massage. An occasionaly jacuzzi bath is wonderful too. Plus, I take 2 to 3 hot baths/showers daily just to loosen up. Hope this helps!

I recently started a discussion on this same topic, not realizing there was already one here. I am on tramadol and mobic. I normally take tylenol arthritis, as well, but have been out for a few weeks. I go to the gym three times a week, and do other exercises at home as well. My pain does not seem to flucuate much. I am in pain everyday. The mobic just takes the edge off, and the tramadol only helps for an hour or so. Exercise hurts when I do it and the day after, but the rest of the day following exercise is normally tolerable. I am a waitress, so my job keeps me moving, but also keeps me hurting. Baths and heat help, but only very shortly. As soon as the bath is over, or the heat is taken away, the pain is back. I was told swimming does help, but I don't have a pool near me.

I cannot tolerate many prescription meds so I deal with the pain & use plain old extra strength Tylenol. I guess my fibro is pretty moderate but I have bad days. My new doc sent me to physical therapy where I performed lots of neck & shoulder exercises. They also applied heat & some sort of slight stimulation (electrical?). This really did help but I haven't kept up with the exercises. I had pretty bad headaches for a while & had two sessions of acupuncture which helped quite a bit. Now my headaches are tolerable & they don't last as long. I highly recommend acupuncture - just make sure the acupuncturist is licensed. Yoga is also great - I think there are yoga DVD's out there just for people with fibro. Good luck & hang in there!

I have the Overly Acidic version of Fibromyalgia. Test Saliva pH and keep it as close to 7.4 as possible. No acidy foods. Neutralize any water or tea, etc that I drink. I also have the Serotonin Cluster of Symptoms so I take a small amount of Paxil at night. Wear eye mask and ear plugs to block out all light and sound for sleep. Although I have Extremely Severe Fibromyalgia, this method keeps me pain free, sleeping great, strong, flexible, no brain fog and happy. Has for over 8 years. There are 4 different versions of FMS. Treatment for each is a little different. www.FibroFix.com is all free. Tells how to do this with over the counter or prescription meds and the essential tricks and tips to make it all work. Annie

We are using Guaifenesin (expectorant), Phenylephrine (decongestant), an SSRI at night, and alkali to keep pH up. Also wear eye mask and ear plugs to sleep. Even though I have the most extreme form of FMS, I don't hurt, can think clearly, have strength and energy and can sleep well. Everyone says it's impossible, but almost anyone can do this. It's important to know which version of FMS you have. 90% of us have the Overly Acidic Version. It's so important for all Fibros to test saliva pH. Most also have the Serotonin Cluster of Symptoms (depression, anxiety/panic, obsessive/compulsive, and procrastination. That's what the SSRI is for. When you know what you are dealing with, you can beat it. Anne at FibroFix