Concerned Male
11-15-2004, 10:15 PM
I have been dealing with severe fatigue for over a year now. I also have concentration problems, my short-term memory isn't good, and my neck gets really stiff. The doctors can't seem to find what is wrong with me. What things do you recommend to take to help with the fatigue and concentration problems? I'm barely getting through each day. I can hardly do anything at all.
Sponsor
fibrofighter
11-15-2004, 10:40 PM
Hi There,
Gingko Biloba helps me with the brain fog. Ginseng helps with fatigue. My Mom who has fibro takes provigil which is is a drug for fatigue that seems to help her.
I find the better I control my pain the less tired I am.
I hope that helps a little. FF
Gingko Biloba helps me with the brain fog. Ginseng helps with fatigue. My Mom who has fibro takes provigil which is is a drug for fatigue that seems to help her.
I find the better I control my pain the less tired I am.
I hope that helps a little. FF
Concerned Male
11-15-2004, 11:53 PM
Thanks,
When you first started taking Gingko Biloba and Ginseng, about how long did it take until it started to help?
When you first started taking Gingko Biloba and Ginseng, about how long did it take until it started to help?
fibrofighter
11-16-2004, 06:55 PM
With the gingko it was about a week that it seemed like my brain was working better. The ginseng gave me more energy right away. Siberian ginseng is the best.
Feel better - FF
Feel better - FF
Concerned Male
12-09-2004, 02:30 PM
What doses of Gingseng and Ginkgo Biloba do you recommend?
Any other suggestions from people?
Any other suggestions from people?
goldenwings
12-09-2004, 02:57 PM
Hiya,
So sorry to hear you're feeling so bad. Do you work with computers? If so, could this be part of the reason for the stiffness in your neck? Or do you do any repetitive type of work that doesn't allow you to move your upper body freely? If the doctors haven't been able to diagnose anything, don't give up. Go back and ask to see a rheumatologist. The fatigue part of it doesn't seem right at all.
I personally don't take any herbal remedies so I cannot comment on that side of it.
Hope you get a bit better soon.
goldenwings :angel:
So sorry to hear you're feeling so bad. Do you work with computers? If so, could this be part of the reason for the stiffness in your neck? Or do you do any repetitive type of work that doesn't allow you to move your upper body freely? If the doctors haven't been able to diagnose anything, don't give up. Go back and ask to see a rheumatologist. The fatigue part of it doesn't seem right at all.
I personally don't take any herbal remedies so I cannot comment on that side of it.
Hope you get a bit better soon.
goldenwings :angel:
Concerned Male
12-09-2004, 03:18 PM
Thanks for the reply goldenwings,
I don't work right now. I'm too exhausted to be able to do much of anything. My concentration and short-term memory has gotten worse. Has anything helped your fatigue at all? Do you also suffer with brain fog like me?
I don't work right now. I'm too exhausted to be able to do much of anything. My concentration and short-term memory has gotten worse. Has anything helped your fatigue at all? Do you also suffer with brain fog like me?
goldenwings
12-09-2004, 10:21 PM
Hiya,
Yes I do have memory problems and my concentration is really awful. No, I honestly can't advise on anything for the fatigue, except to rest if at all possible when you feel totally done in. I have lupus and one of the main symptoms is fatigue, this added to the fibromyalgia makes me realise now when my body has had enough. I sometimes nod off which I find quite embarrassing. I never used to though, but I think because I fought and fought it that it is now all catching up on me.
Please feel free to ask anything else.
goldenwings :angel:
Yes I do have memory problems and my concentration is really awful. No, I honestly can't advise on anything for the fatigue, except to rest if at all possible when you feel totally done in. I have lupus and one of the main symptoms is fatigue, this added to the fibromyalgia makes me realise now when my body has had enough. I sometimes nod off which I find quite embarrassing. I never used to though, but I think because I fought and fought it that it is now all catching up on me.
Please feel free to ask anything else.
goldenwings :angel:
amgoingtoheal
12-09-2004, 11:01 PM
I also take ginsing and it has helped with the concentration and just getting my brain back to feeling normal....whatever that means!?!? Also, make sure you're supplementing with a high quality multi-vitamin, malic acid, magnesium (very important!) and take something to help you sleep...thats so important for the pain and fatigue. When I don't sleep well, I walk around like a zombie the rest of the day. Melatonin works pretty good if you don't have a big problem with sleep, ambien works wonders (but can be addictive). Also, listen to your body now, it obviously is telling you to take a BREAK.
caden/logan_mom
12-10-2004, 04:23 AM
Hello concerned male--
I too suffer primarily from fatigue, it is my worst and most debilitating symptom. The pain sucks of course and I do have brain fog and memory trouble as well but the lack of energy and fatigue bother me more than anything. I am also looking into help for those things in particular and not getting a lot of it. I am going to try the ginseng suggestion and see if it will help me. I don't have sleep problems and I am not sleepy but very exhausted and tired, my body is tired like after a bad flu and I need to lie down but not necessarily sleep. Whenever I mention fatigue to a doctor (rheumatologist included) they seem to emphasize sleep disturbance which I don't really experience, so it is frustrating. In my search I have heard wonderful things about Provigil and I got a prescription, my insurance however wouldn't cover it as it's use was "off label" and it's too expensive for us to afford. I have tried Phentermine, which is a weight loss drug, and it helped also but my body gets used to it very quickly so I can only use it sparingly on my worst days, it is also expensive but not as bad as Provigil. I have also heard about Ritalin extended release twice a day which some people say helps them quite a lot and I am going to ask my doctor about this when I decide it's time to go back again. I would rather not use the stimulants and stick to natural stuff but at the same time, whatever works -- works! I find the opposite of Fibrofighter that when I am more fatigued, I hurt more rather than vice versa. If you do hear of anything else, let me know! Thank you for starting this thread as this topic weighs heavy on my mind also!
Take care and hang in there!
Shawnee
I too suffer primarily from fatigue, it is my worst and most debilitating symptom. The pain sucks of course and I do have brain fog and memory trouble as well but the lack of energy and fatigue bother me more than anything. I am also looking into help for those things in particular and not getting a lot of it. I am going to try the ginseng suggestion and see if it will help me. I don't have sleep problems and I am not sleepy but very exhausted and tired, my body is tired like after a bad flu and I need to lie down but not necessarily sleep. Whenever I mention fatigue to a doctor (rheumatologist included) they seem to emphasize sleep disturbance which I don't really experience, so it is frustrating. In my search I have heard wonderful things about Provigil and I got a prescription, my insurance however wouldn't cover it as it's use was "off label" and it's too expensive for us to afford. I have tried Phentermine, which is a weight loss drug, and it helped also but my body gets used to it very quickly so I can only use it sparingly on my worst days, it is also expensive but not as bad as Provigil. I have also heard about Ritalin extended release twice a day which some people say helps them quite a lot and I am going to ask my doctor about this when I decide it's time to go back again. I would rather not use the stimulants and stick to natural stuff but at the same time, whatever works -- works! I find the opposite of Fibrofighter that when I am more fatigued, I hurt more rather than vice versa. If you do hear of anything else, let me know! Thank you for starting this thread as this topic weighs heavy on my mind also!
Take care and hang in there!
Shawnee
JenniferEvelynn
12-10-2004, 12:34 PM
Hi all,
Fatigue......fog.....concentration.....n ot being able to get words out of my mouth....I also have all of these symptoms. In the past I was a very good talker. Now.... well, lets say I skip over some words when I talk and my tongue sometimes feels "heavy" or "twisted." I know the words I want to say but can't seem to articulate them. Short-term memory... what is that? I seem to have forgotten! All of this makes me feel so bad sometimes - like I'm a lesser person than I was before. I'm no longer me.... but I try to deal with it because everything changes, especially with this disease.
God bless, Jen
Fatigue......fog.....concentration.....n ot being able to get words out of my mouth....I also have all of these symptoms. In the past I was a very good talker. Now.... well, lets say I skip over some words when I talk and my tongue sometimes feels "heavy" or "twisted." I know the words I want to say but can't seem to articulate them. Short-term memory... what is that? I seem to have forgotten! All of this makes me feel so bad sometimes - like I'm a lesser person than I was before. I'm no longer me.... but I try to deal with it because everything changes, especially with this disease.
God bless, Jen
noinwi
12-10-2004, 01:06 PM
Fatigue is a large part of FM for many people. Fatigue is caused by many things...sleep problems, chronic pain, depression, etc. And these symptoms all affect each other. It is a vicious cycle. Some supplements can be very beneficial if you can afford them. Others can be stuck taking only what their HMO will pay for(allopathic meds). Gingko and vinpocetine(do a search) help with "fog", SAMe helps with mood, but is cost prohibitive. Anything that helps you with deeper sleep(melatonin?) may help with pain and stiffness.I know you're exhausted, but caffeine can be your enemy here. If you drink a lot of coffee, cut back slowly and try to stick with just one or two cups for morning, otherwise it will stay in your system and interfere with sleep(even if you feel sleepy).As far as pharmaceuticals, I haven't tried provigal, but it came up when discussing ADHD meds with my doctor as an alternative. I take a relatively small dose of sustained release ritalin 2 or 3 times a day and it helps lift the fog, increases concentration, and helps with fatigue, pain, and even sleep. But everyone responds differently to these meds. Most people that are helped by these meds do not become addicted(the big controversy). If I stop taking the ritalin, I do not have withdrawal symptoms. Do a search on FMS/ADHD and you'll find quite a bit of info. FM is complicated...you have to try many things until you find what works for you. Good luck.