If you have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or any similar/related conditions, I would like to know what you have tried in the way of pain management?
Therapy, medicine, exercise, meditation, etc??

Thanks in advance!!

I have had CFS for over 10 years and have probably tried every therapy out there. I am not going to list them all, but I will list the ones that I find have helped me: yoga, pilates, guided imagery or visualization, extra B vitamins, CoQ10 (vitamin), and upping my lean protein. If things get really bad pain wise, I go for a hypnotherapy session with a friend of mine who is a hypnotherapist and I also sometimes take the muscle relaxant Norgesic Forte - but only when my muscles get out of control painfull and only for a day or two that is it. I do not like being on meds, my body is extremly sensitive to medications so I also am not a big advocate of Anti-depressants.

If you don't mind, what brand of B vitamins and Co10 do you take and how much?? Also, what is guided imagery, and what is hypnotherapy? Thanks!!

I think that much of managing the pain of FMS comes from managing your life. First of all you need to come to grips with the fact that the rules have changed. If you were superMom or super Dad or super person before, you need to cut back on your activities and change your lifestyle a bit.
All abuse of the body must stop, because frankly your body has had it's limit of abuse. If you have participated in social or daily smoking, alcohol and fast food consumption, it's time to stop. Allow your body to detoxify properly by drinking 2 quarts of water every day. Supplement with some good vitamins. A B complex and CoQ10 are good ideas. Calcium, magnesium and potassium will help the muscle spasms. 5htp will help depression and sleep. There are other supplements that can help support your body also.
Take a good hard look at your lifestyle, and give up anything you can. How many meetings do you attend? Are they worth being ill for? Time to let someone else serve. Maybe you can keep your favorite one. If you are a Type A personality, relax. Learn how to do less. Your house doesn't have to be a showcase, and you don't have to look like a model every minute of the day. Do less. Sleep more. I have read that FMS people do well with protein.
All of these things will help the pain and fatigue. For stronger pain, soak in a hot tub of water for 15 min. Lay on a steam heating pad. I used a blend of essential oils called PanAway, that really helped some of the muscle pain. Deep neuromuscular massage really helped reduce my pain. Others don't like it deep, but a more gentle massage. I have had success with acupuncture. Chiropractic visits have helped keep my back aligned. These are just a few things. If you haven't had a chance to read a book on FMS yet, I would recommend reading a couple. They are full of good information. I don't agree with everything written, but we are all different. What works for one may not for another.
Please note, that I'm not saying you are any of the above Personality traits I have mentioned, but they are things that need to be changed if they are a part of your life. Gentle exercise, especially walking is good. Caffeine can make your pain stronger.

Esoteric- Your post gave me some great ideas and a few questions, too. Do you have specific recommendations for a B complex and CoQ10 such as brand or ammount? I am unsure what 5htp is? Any idea where I can buy PanAway? Do most massage therapists do neuromuscular massage, or is that something that I need to look for a specialist in?
Thanks so much!! :)

Anonymity - I take Natrol CoQ10 (take 60mg per day) and Nature Made Super B-Complex with Folic Acid (1 pill per day plus my multivitamin). I take these because they are on the list of approved list of quality suppliments from Consumerlab. Consumerlab is a testing facility that is not affiliated with any of the vitamin manufacturers. They do independent quality testing of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other suppliments and give a list of the ones that contain what they say they contain on the ingredients list. You have to be really carefull with the suppliments you take, lots of them are not what they claim to be.

Guided Imagery and hypnotherapy are basically the same thing. Basically, you use "imagery" to see your body healing itself from within. You reinforce natural healing abilites in your own body using your subconcious. When you are hypnotized, you are in a relaxed state and you are able to communicate with your subconcious mind that way. You do not loose control over yourself and you are not able to be made to do anything you do not want to do, so don't believe everything you read about it. If you want to read up on the subject, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis has information and resources on guided imagery and hypnotherapy. You should also check out Consumerlab, you have to join in order to get the full lists. But I think you can still get a partial list of the top 5-10 products in each category without joining. Check it out, they are a good resouce and have been featured on many news shows and magazines for their independent quality testing.

[No websites or links, please, as per the board guidelines
members may post .edu and .gov websites. Thank you!]

[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 12-07-2002).]

As far as the massage therapists go, I went to one for about a year. It helped somewhat. Some days I felt worse afterwards. But that is me, I am sure others may have had a different experience. If you live in the NYC area I can give you his name.

Thanks for all your help! I know we can't post websites here, but from your post, I'd assume that the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and Consumerlab both have one, so I'll search them out! Thanks everyone! :)

Also, what kind of massage therapy did you have? There's so many kinds: neuromuscular, deep muscle, warm stone, etc, etc. Thanks!!!

[This message has been edited by Anonymity (edited 12-10-2002).]

Originally posted by Anonymity:
Do most massage therapists do neuromuscular massage, or is that something that I need to look for a specialist in?

Hi :)

No, most mt's do not do neuromuscular therapy. Special training is required. There are two main divisions of neuromuscular therapy. The American Method, developed by Judith DeLaney and The St. John Method, developed by Paul St. John. Virtually everyone teaching neuromuscular was once a student of St. John, including DeLaney, and he is considered the modern developer of neuromuscular therapy, though he certainly did not invent it. He does continue to advance the science through hospital and clinical research.

~p :)

You seem to know a lot about massage, plymouth. Do you know which kinds are typically the most helpful for people with fibro and/or chronic fatigue? (Obviously, everyone's different... I just am curious as to what you suggest.)
Also, do you know anything about rolfing or manual lymph drainage? Would either of these be helpful for me, or would they just hurt?
Thank you!!!!! :) :)

Hi,

I don't know about rolfing or lymphatic drainage.

Neuromuscular can be helpful for CF or FM people who have postural distortions, such as a short leg, tilted shoulders, pelvic tilt or pelvic rotation. Postural distortions create a lot of noxious input to the nervous system leading to pain and fatigue.

A good St. John therapist will do a postural anaylysis on the first visit and develop a treatment plan from the analysis.

And any ethical practitioner should refer you out if their modality cannot or does not get results.

Massage is wonderful therapy. Unfortunately it is true that standards, training, skills and experience vary widely. Most states don't even regulate it.

Too many therapists with only basic training treat symptoms and don't really understand how or why people hurt. You may feel better for a few days or weeks. That may work if you can afford regular visits.

That won't work for me. I need effective and efficient therapy.

~p :)

Hello
Im new around here but Im not new to CF/FM. Ive suffered these for over 30 yrs. I have regained alot of my ability to accomplish things during the day. I would like to share some of the things I have done to improve my health. I hope these may be useful for others.
Good sleep habits ;pace yourself dont try to be super person; no milk products they suppress a weak immune system and cause fatigue; no sugar; lots and lots of FRESH fruits and veggies, crunch on these vitamin packed goodies all day long; healthful servings of lean protien 2-3x daily; easy on the carbohydrates.
If you are on meds check with your doctor on when to take vitamins so they dont interact with your meds.
Vitamins/minerals-B complex 50 mg 2x day; zinc 50mg;calcium; magnesium; malic acid; vitamin A/E/C. Be sure to get fresh air daily I found that being indoors made me more tired.
Better health to you
Deb

Anonymity - any luck with the massage therapy? I had gone for deep tissue and did not like it. But I know a few people that had good success with it. Have you started any vitamin therapy yet? Also, as you can see they deleted the web sites - you can check out the CFIDS Association of America web site, they have great information on treatments, a listing of qualified doctors, etc. Also the CDC has a section on CFS.

Hello there,

The only thing I have had success with, to treat the pain from CFS is accupuncture. I go three times a week and I am slowly getting better. Hope this helps
michelle

I was diagnosed w/ FM about a year ago but have been suffering for at least 3. (I am 22) Once diagnosed I did some research - I was always pretty active physically so I believe that has kept my symptoms to a minimumu. But finding out that stretching and low-impact work was supposed to benefit not just FM patients but everyone - I joined a yoga class. Doing yoga regularly has benefitted me greatly. That with a combination of herbal therapy and proper diet. I hardly notice the pain - unless I stray from the above.

Hello, i"am new at this fibromyalgia. i suffer alot and i take all vit i can take yet i feel it dont work please tell me how can i deal with this iam on viox now and i feel worse maybe its just me. please im me and tell if there a dr i can see in the houma LA area i could go to thanks peggy

Hi

I was diagnosed with CFS in 1994 after an operation. Two years it 'progressed' into Fibromyalgia (both diagnosis' by specialists). I also have hypothyroidism. It is a struggle. I exercize 3-4 times a week and work long hours and sleep little and hurt alot! When will it get bettet? I am overwieght but don't eat much and also have environmental allergies. Should I just give up or is there hope for me yet?

Good luck to all