Fibromyalgia and medications Do you take?

Regular doctors seem to have a hard time diagnosing fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrom. I've been diagnosed with it by Natualpathic and Homeopathic doctors. I've taken supplements that seemed to help, plus, I think this problem is made worse with depression, as I've notice the more stressed out I was, or the more depressed I was, I would feel the pain and fatigue of these afflictions more and more. I've had to treat my depression, change my diet, I've taken certain supplements that did seem to help (Noni juice is terrific by the way), I've had to adjust my whole way of seeing myself and the world, and gradually I've gotten alot better. Sometimes all I need is Aleve or something anymore. I know B-vitamins are essential. If you haven't seen a Homeopathic doctor, I recommend that you do, from my own experience, they've helped me a whole lot more than conventional doctors.

I just mention some Iron pills they work great for me.

I never take anything unless it's something my doctor says I REALLY need to take in order to get better. I don't want all those chemicals in my system if I don't have to.

I don't necessarily consider Tylenol 3 a narcotic. I did take oxycontin for severe menstrual cramps but it didn't really work and it certainly didn't blend well with the Tylenol 3's. I had to make sure they were completely out of my system before I took the Oxycontin. Tylenol 3's help, as well as heat. I think heat helps a lot more. Mag-Citrate helps with every day pain. When I was without it for a week I noticed an increase in pain so it definitely does make a difference. Most of all I think that exercise has made a difference. If I push myself too hard I do feel pain, but easing up helps ease the pain. I walk 3 miles a day so if I am walking too fast and the pain starts to kick in, I slow down and the pain eases up. By the end of the day I can be in a lot of pain as a result of my walk but eventually with Tylenol 3 and heat the pain can be decreased. I just have to make sure I don't push myself too hard with my exercise. I prefer not to take medications but I do take the ones that are necessary - Wellbutrin, Tylenol 3, Naproxen (for sleep) and Prevacid (for Acid Reflux). There are lots of natural products at the health food store that can help for different symptoms.

I do not have fibromyalgia but my mother does. She is 52 and has had fibromyalgia for a long time, I do not remember when she was diagnosed. She also has degenerative bone and disk disease and a torn rotatorcuff so basically she is in pain all of the time. Over the years she has built up a resisstance to some pain medications, but now she is on a low dose of oxycontin, some lortab and a medicine called cymbalta. Her new pain specialist doctor person said her old doctor was not treating her in the most effective way so he changed it around, the narcotics she is on are controlled release so that they can help dull the pain more and the cymbalta is to help the depression that accompanies chronic pain as well as help with the pain. So basically, she is in pain every day of her life, and will always have to deal with these problems, but with the medicine, her life is more enjoyable than it would be and she is able to do more things, limited though they are.

I don't currently take anything except the occasional ibuprofen, mostly to help with tension headaches and general body aches. At night I often drink chamomile tea as it helps calm my nervous system, and ginger in various forms helps with my digestion. Exersice is helping a lot. Generally I am in a state of "remission" at the moment, although this winter caused somewhat of a flare up. In the past I took a couple medications that I unfortunately don't remember the name of, but both caused heart palpitations within a couple days. The one thing I have found to work very well was Neurontin, which kept me capable of working on bad days a few years ago when my fibromyalgia was acting up a lot more. It made me a little spacey sometimes, but then that can be because of the fybromyalgia anyway.

Although narcotics took the adge off, I felt and so did my doctors, that it would be better to get off them since I had so many OTHER health problems. I certainly understand people taking them. Have you tried Cymbalta? It is an anti-depressant mixed with a pain reliever especially designed for fibromyalgia, in one pill. If you haven't tried it, it might help. But something that helped me very much, was going to the chiropractor. I always thought they were quacks, but this guy helped me more than any of my other doctors ever thought about.

i take otc pain pills such as ib profin or tylenol...and sleep medication...my diagnosis of fibro is out there (had to switch drs due to my original drs retirement). Thus being the case, i have done some research on chronic fatigue syndrome and believe i have that maybe moreso than f/m...i go for an mri at the end of march (then i can go see a rhuemie :-) hopefully he will get it straightened out for me :-) will let you know!!

My case is quite severe. I take Vicodan, Ultram and Tylenol for it, but as you say, it just takes the worst of the edge off. I take 27 pills a day, so I have to stand with the necessity of the medication. I know how disheartening it can be, but being full in fibro mode is unbearable. I do take vitamins, eat right (sortta) and walk for exercise. Seems keeping the joints flexible helps that and my arthritis. The best of luck to you, honey.

I take 50mg tramadol with 500mg acetomenophine 1-3 times per day. This NEVER takes all of the pain away. I don't like to take the medication but due to the pain I can't function without something to take the edge off. There are still days that almost bring me to tears even with the medication. I imagine I could get the dosage increased but I am always afraid of getting hooked. I never thought I would be an advocate for pain medication beyond the OTC's but I definately am now.