hope21
07-09-2001, 03:29 PM
Hi all,
I'm new here and to FMS. I enjoy reading the board and have learned so much by visiting.
I was struck in the forehead last August with an airborne golfball. I've been battling post concussion syndrome for 10 months now. In December of 2000, I was diagnosed with FMS. My rheumotologist feels quite strongly the FMS was triggered from the poor sleep I've had since the concussion.
I've read in many articles that FMS is a permanent condition with no cure. Although, I've recently read on this board to be alert for underlying conditions. Does this mean once the underlying conditions have been resolved the FMS symptoms will diminish. Is there anyone out there who has experienced such? I'm looking for feedback...
I'm new here and to FMS. I enjoy reading the board and have learned so much by visiting.
I was struck in the forehead last August with an airborne golfball. I've been battling post concussion syndrome for 10 months now. In December of 2000, I was diagnosed with FMS. My rheumotologist feels quite strongly the FMS was triggered from the poor sleep I've had since the concussion.
I've read in many articles that FMS is a permanent condition with no cure. Although, I've recently read on this board to be alert for underlying conditions. Does this mean once the underlying conditions have been resolved the FMS symptoms will diminish. Is there anyone out there who has experienced such? I'm looking for feedback...
Sponsor
Allen
07-09-2001, 05:43 PM
Sorry for your accident and induction into the Fibro Hall of Fame. Hope you are getting adequate help for your pain. Fibro cannot be cured, tho it's symptoms can be treated. Many have times of relative remission followed by flare-ups. While the majority of Fibro folks are still able to work, sometimes they have find more flexible, less stressful jobs. Please make certain it is Fibro you have. I ended up getting several opinions--too many ailments mimic Fibro. Get better and welcome to a great site! God bless, Al
Valerie
07-09-2001, 09:55 PM
Hi Hope and welcome to the board! So sorry to hear about your concussion and FM diagnosis!
It seems that if you have some kind of underlying condition that has similar symptoms to FM, then if you can fix that underlying condition, such as a thyroid problem or severe candida overgrowth, then you get rid of the symptoms. As Rachael (Ciocc) and Kim and Gary and many folks here can tell you, the search is often long and difficult because there are so many possible causes of these symptoms and not all of the tests are good and few doctors are aware of all the possibilities or how to go about testing for them. That's why you will keep reading here that it is important to keep learning and pushing your health care providers and take primary responsibility for your own health care, including seeking specialists, changing docs, and so on.
I will go on my guaifenesin bandwagon again and tell you about a dr. who has developed a treatment for FM that doesn't cure it, but that puts many people into remission from their symptoms. Dr. St. Amand is an endocrinologist who began treating patients having FM symptoms with gout drugs (uricoserics) about 30 years ago. The patients improved. About 10 years ago, he discovered that guaifenesin, an expectorant that has been around for a long, long time, also puts people with FM into remission with fewer or no side effects compared to the gout drugs. He isn't sure exactly why it works, but his theory is that people with FM have a genetic predisposition to this. He observes that some people have the symptoms from birth, while others develop them after some kind of traumatic event, such as your concussion, or a car accident, or a very stressful life or health event, such as having children or going through menopause or losing a dear one or divorce. He believes that the genetic weakness prevents the kidneys from excreting the excess phosphates that are produced as a byproduct of basic cellular metabolism. The body doesn't allow the excess phosphates to remain in the bloodstream, so they are stored in various sites all over your body, which is why the symptoms of FM are so many and varied and why so many body systems are eventually involved -- as the phosphates build up. Because there are excess phosphates in the cells where they are stored, it disrupts the action of calcium and messes up the Krebs cycle, with the result that the mitochondria in those cells fire and fire, until they become exhausted. He calls FM, MPS and CFIDS "dysenergy diseases." The guaifenesin (or the gout drugs) sits on the receptors in the kidneys that aren't working to remove the excess phosphates from the bloodstream and allows the kidneys to function correctly, so that the excess "stuff" is scoured out. Over time, the excess phosphates that are stored in cells all over the body are pulled out, back into the bloodstream, and then excreted. As the cells are relieved of their burdens, the mitochondria begin to work properly again, which means that your energy comes back and all the symptoms eventually disappear. Guai is not a cure for FM, but is something you need to continue taking in order to keep the phosphates from building up again. But many people who take it literally get out of their wheelchairs, go back to work, and resume normal lives.
The "catch" is that the reversal process causes your FM symptoms to be exacerbated. At first, just about everywhere you have stored phosphates is involved, so you may experience every FM symptom you've ever had at once. Then, the guai seems to concentrate on particular areas in your body, and you will have symptoms in those areas as they clear. It seems to work on one area at a time, so you will have pain in your back, for example, for a few weeks or a month or so, and then it will suddenly stop, you get a few good hours, days or weeks, and then it will go to work on another part of your body. Over time, however, this "cycling" eventually stops and you just have the symptom-free state with energy and it's over. The longer someone has had FM and has been storing phosphates, unfortunately, the longer it will take to reverse and the more "cycling" they will have to go through. Dr. St. Amand has treated over 3000 patients with guai by now, and it does seem to help most of them.
So, this is a long answer to your question and I'm sorry. But since you are new to this dd, I wanted to tell you about it because it might work well for you without alot of cycling and symptom exacerbations!!
Take care,
Val
It seems that if you have some kind of underlying condition that has similar symptoms to FM, then if you can fix that underlying condition, such as a thyroid problem or severe candida overgrowth, then you get rid of the symptoms. As Rachael (Ciocc) and Kim and Gary and many folks here can tell you, the search is often long and difficult because there are so many possible causes of these symptoms and not all of the tests are good and few doctors are aware of all the possibilities or how to go about testing for them. That's why you will keep reading here that it is important to keep learning and pushing your health care providers and take primary responsibility for your own health care, including seeking specialists, changing docs, and so on.
I will go on my guaifenesin bandwagon again and tell you about a dr. who has developed a treatment for FM that doesn't cure it, but that puts many people into remission from their symptoms. Dr. St. Amand is an endocrinologist who began treating patients having FM symptoms with gout drugs (uricoserics) about 30 years ago. The patients improved. About 10 years ago, he discovered that guaifenesin, an expectorant that has been around for a long, long time, also puts people with FM into remission with fewer or no side effects compared to the gout drugs. He isn't sure exactly why it works, but his theory is that people with FM have a genetic predisposition to this. He observes that some people have the symptoms from birth, while others develop them after some kind of traumatic event, such as your concussion, or a car accident, or a very stressful life or health event, such as having children or going through menopause or losing a dear one or divorce. He believes that the genetic weakness prevents the kidneys from excreting the excess phosphates that are produced as a byproduct of basic cellular metabolism. The body doesn't allow the excess phosphates to remain in the bloodstream, so they are stored in various sites all over your body, which is why the symptoms of FM are so many and varied and why so many body systems are eventually involved -- as the phosphates build up. Because there are excess phosphates in the cells where they are stored, it disrupts the action of calcium and messes up the Krebs cycle, with the result that the mitochondria in those cells fire and fire, until they become exhausted. He calls FM, MPS and CFIDS "dysenergy diseases." The guaifenesin (or the gout drugs) sits on the receptors in the kidneys that aren't working to remove the excess phosphates from the bloodstream and allows the kidneys to function correctly, so that the excess "stuff" is scoured out. Over time, the excess phosphates that are stored in cells all over the body are pulled out, back into the bloodstream, and then excreted. As the cells are relieved of their burdens, the mitochondria begin to work properly again, which means that your energy comes back and all the symptoms eventually disappear. Guai is not a cure for FM, but is something you need to continue taking in order to keep the phosphates from building up again. But many people who take it literally get out of their wheelchairs, go back to work, and resume normal lives.
The "catch" is that the reversal process causes your FM symptoms to be exacerbated. At first, just about everywhere you have stored phosphates is involved, so you may experience every FM symptom you've ever had at once. Then, the guai seems to concentrate on particular areas in your body, and you will have symptoms in those areas as they clear. It seems to work on one area at a time, so you will have pain in your back, for example, for a few weeks or a month or so, and then it will suddenly stop, you get a few good hours, days or weeks, and then it will go to work on another part of your body. Over time, however, this "cycling" eventually stops and you just have the symptom-free state with energy and it's over. The longer someone has had FM and has been storing phosphates, unfortunately, the longer it will take to reverse and the more "cycling" they will have to go through. Dr. St. Amand has treated over 3000 patients with guai by now, and it does seem to help most of them.
So, this is a long answer to your question and I'm sorry. But since you are new to this dd, I wanted to tell you about it because it might work well for you without alot of cycling and symptom exacerbations!!
Take care,
Val
Mamanell
07-09-2001, 10:39 PM
Hi Hope. Welcome!
Many of us do believe that there are underlying conditions but finding them is not easy. If you have read posts from Rach (Cioc), then you know that she has hopefully found at least what was causing most of her problems. She's still working on recuperating from her surgery, so it will be a while before we know for sure.
One thing that I think we all agree on is to be absolutely sure that you do not have something that can be treated. Make sure your doctor has tested you for lyme disease, MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and anything that may have symptoms that you are having. Many people have FM along with arthritis and other conditions.
I was only diagnosed in March but I believe that I have had FM for at least two years, maybe longer. I don't think I have fully accepted the diagnosis as I am still searching for something that can be "fixed".
In the meantime, my doctor told me I could help myself more than he could with diet, exercise and a positive attitude. I take medication for the pain. The sleep meds didn't work well with me so I just rely on Benadryl and Cal-Max. I am sleeping better most nights. While you're searching for underlying conditions, you gotta find something to treat the symptoms so you will be able to continue the fight.
We're all here to help each other. Hope you'll stay with us.
Chin up and good luck to you!
Nell
Many of us do believe that there are underlying conditions but finding them is not easy. If you have read posts from Rach (Cioc), then you know that she has hopefully found at least what was causing most of her problems. She's still working on recuperating from her surgery, so it will be a while before we know for sure.
One thing that I think we all agree on is to be absolutely sure that you do not have something that can be treated. Make sure your doctor has tested you for lyme disease, MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and anything that may have symptoms that you are having. Many people have FM along with arthritis and other conditions.
I was only diagnosed in March but I believe that I have had FM for at least two years, maybe longer. I don't think I have fully accepted the diagnosis as I am still searching for something that can be "fixed".
In the meantime, my doctor told me I could help myself more than he could with diet, exercise and a positive attitude. I take medication for the pain. The sleep meds didn't work well with me so I just rely on Benadryl and Cal-Max. I am sleeping better most nights. While you're searching for underlying conditions, you gotta find something to treat the symptoms so you will be able to continue the fight.
We're all here to help each other. Hope you'll stay with us.
Chin up and good luck to you!
Nell
cioc1212
07-09-2001, 10:57 PM
Hi Hope,
In my case, I did have an underlying condition that was at least contributing to the FM symptoms. I am a lot better, it's still early, my surgery was June 13th. Do I still have FM? Yes, I'm afraid I do. My goal now is to find any other underlying conditions and then to work on things to alleviate my symptoms as much as possible, this includes some lifestyle changes, possibly medication and taking better care of myself than I have been. So far, what has worked for me(other than radical brain surgery,lol) has been a combination of vitamins & supplements,careful exercise,support from friends on this board who KNOW what I'm feeling, support from friends and family off the board who love me. I need to work on quitting smoking and eating better and I think I'll at least be functional and have less pain than I have the last few years. It's a long road though and the best thing you can do for yourself is to find a very GOOD doctor who will run tests to rule out other conditions and work with you on medications,exercise,etc. Mine is a DO and I found him through this board. Look for the "New to this board?" post to find the site for the good doctor list.
Good luck!
Rachael
In my case, I did have an underlying condition that was at least contributing to the FM symptoms. I am a lot better, it's still early, my surgery was June 13th. Do I still have FM? Yes, I'm afraid I do. My goal now is to find any other underlying conditions and then to work on things to alleviate my symptoms as much as possible, this includes some lifestyle changes, possibly medication and taking better care of myself than I have been. So far, what has worked for me(other than radical brain surgery,lol) has been a combination of vitamins & supplements,careful exercise,support from friends on this board who KNOW what I'm feeling, support from friends and family off the board who love me. I need to work on quitting smoking and eating better and I think I'll at least be functional and have less pain than I have the last few years. It's a long road though and the best thing you can do for yourself is to find a very GOOD doctor who will run tests to rule out other conditions and work with you on medications,exercise,etc. Mine is a DO and I found him through this board. Look for the "New to this board?" post to find the site for the good doctor list.
Good luck!
Rachael
hope21
07-10-2001, 09:57 PM
Hi all,
Thank you all for your responses. I've been tested for many things, arthritis, lupus, arthritis and lyme disease. I've had anegative mri and ct scan. I've tried many meds since January including, elavil, neurontin, ibuprofen 800mg, naprosyn, imitrex, zomig and trazadone (sleep). The elavil kept me in zomby state -- unable to do anything but sleep. I had terrible stomach cramps with the neurontin.
Six weeks ago I came down with stomach problems and started having wicked stomach cramps and severe nausea. It was much worse directly after eating or drinking but would stay with me throughout the day. My doctor ordered an ultrasound to rule out gallbladder problems. I'm now off the pain meds completely as my doc believes I most likely have an ulcer due to the meds I was taking. I've been told that most HMOs will not cover the "good meds" until you have a proven stomach problem. Since this time I've been taking Nexium and giving my stomach a couple months to heal before I try anything else.
Since January, I've continuously reduced my work schedule. I'm a self employed graphic artist/web developer. Due to the intense pain and memory impairments, I've been forced to slow down. Tasks I can normally do with my eyes shut have become extremely difficult. My mind doesn't seem to process info like it used to. I love my work and it was quite difficult at first to face reality. I would often push my self so hard that I was in so much pain I would just sit and cry. After several months of this, common sense set it. I'm a single parent and have an 11 year old daughter to look after. She is more important than anything and she needs me to care for her!
I find that activity level and stress play a major roll in how I feel. Pacing helps alot (this is something I've never had to do, I'm a very stubborn, hardworking single mom, always being able to push my self just a little further). I'm unable to do much of anything for a long period of time, sit, stand, walk, just holding a cup sends me into a spin! There are days my hands hurt so badly that I can barely click my computer mouse, let alone type. I have noticed some relief since spring/summer. If I attempt to "perform" in a normal manner, I get major flareups. A 2 hr. trip to the mall with my daughter will often set me off. The other day we went to play miniature golf, by the time we got to the 9th hole, I'd just about had it.
Another major problem I have are the post concussion headaches and memory problems. I have wicked migraines, severe constant pressure in my right temple and forehead and stabbing head pains where it feels as though someone is driving a metal stake through my scull. Intense concentration, driving, stress and activity worsens the PCS headaches. Both FMS and PCS cause migraines, sleep and memory impairment. I'm curious how bad the migraine/memory problems will be when the post concussion subsides.
ONE BIG THING I'VE NOTICED - Weather plays a big part in how I feel. Humidity, rain and cold effect me dramatically. If the temperature drops to 65°, my symptoms increase. Even air conditioning. There are times when I'm outside and it could be 80°, if a cool breeze hits me, I get major aches throughout my body and goose bumps. Weird??? Out of all three, I have to say that the cold air effects me most. There were times last winter after going outside in the cool air, I could barely move afterward, let alone walk. My body would get extremely stiff and crampy. I felt like 34 going on 80. I've seemed to have some relief since the warm weather has moved in. Although, I've been trying to figure out if my relief is due to a combination of factors, 5 hr. vs. 45 hr. work weeks, I'm exercising regularly, eating better, and completely stopped drinking coffee and again summer weather.
Thanks again,
Hope
Thank you all for your responses. I've been tested for many things, arthritis, lupus, arthritis and lyme disease. I've had anegative mri and ct scan. I've tried many meds since January including, elavil, neurontin, ibuprofen 800mg, naprosyn, imitrex, zomig and trazadone (sleep). The elavil kept me in zomby state -- unable to do anything but sleep. I had terrible stomach cramps with the neurontin.
Six weeks ago I came down with stomach problems and started having wicked stomach cramps and severe nausea. It was much worse directly after eating or drinking but would stay with me throughout the day. My doctor ordered an ultrasound to rule out gallbladder problems. I'm now off the pain meds completely as my doc believes I most likely have an ulcer due to the meds I was taking. I've been told that most HMOs will not cover the "good meds" until you have a proven stomach problem. Since this time I've been taking Nexium and giving my stomach a couple months to heal before I try anything else.
Since January, I've continuously reduced my work schedule. I'm a self employed graphic artist/web developer. Due to the intense pain and memory impairments, I've been forced to slow down. Tasks I can normally do with my eyes shut have become extremely difficult. My mind doesn't seem to process info like it used to. I love my work and it was quite difficult at first to face reality. I would often push my self so hard that I was in so much pain I would just sit and cry. After several months of this, common sense set it. I'm a single parent and have an 11 year old daughter to look after. She is more important than anything and she needs me to care for her!
I find that activity level and stress play a major roll in how I feel. Pacing helps alot (this is something I've never had to do, I'm a very stubborn, hardworking single mom, always being able to push my self just a little further). I'm unable to do much of anything for a long period of time, sit, stand, walk, just holding a cup sends me into a spin! There are days my hands hurt so badly that I can barely click my computer mouse, let alone type. I have noticed some relief since spring/summer. If I attempt to "perform" in a normal manner, I get major flareups. A 2 hr. trip to the mall with my daughter will often set me off. The other day we went to play miniature golf, by the time we got to the 9th hole, I'd just about had it.
Another major problem I have are the post concussion headaches and memory problems. I have wicked migraines, severe constant pressure in my right temple and forehead and stabbing head pains where it feels as though someone is driving a metal stake through my scull. Intense concentration, driving, stress and activity worsens the PCS headaches. Both FMS and PCS cause migraines, sleep and memory impairment. I'm curious how bad the migraine/memory problems will be when the post concussion subsides.
ONE BIG THING I'VE NOTICED - Weather plays a big part in how I feel. Humidity, rain and cold effect me dramatically. If the temperature drops to 65°, my symptoms increase. Even air conditioning. There are times when I'm outside and it could be 80°, if a cool breeze hits me, I get major aches throughout my body and goose bumps. Weird??? Out of all three, I have to say that the cold air effects me most. There were times last winter after going outside in the cool air, I could barely move afterward, let alone walk. My body would get extremely stiff and crampy. I felt like 34 going on 80. I've seemed to have some relief since the warm weather has moved in. Although, I've been trying to figure out if my relief is due to a combination of factors, 5 hr. vs. 45 hr. work weeks, I'm exercising regularly, eating better, and completely stopped drinking coffee and again summer weather.
Thanks again,
Hope
rhody
07-10-2001, 11:53 PM
Yes, someone with fibromyalgia symptoms can be cured. I'm one of those people. There are others too, at least one which had posted here and is now gone.
See my latest messages in the arthritis section. Note that I wrote symptoms. Each of us are different, and we have to find out what is best for each of us.
I was told to not run more than a hundred yards by a doctor over 20 years ago, and tonight I'm going out for my 6.5 mile run. I'm back on track, after some more recent muscle pains, that apparently was aggravated by eating too much meat (or possibly chicken).
You might want to try changing your diet to healthy foods and see what impact that might have on your system. (Or switch to other foods and take notes.) Changing eating habits is extremely unpopular for some, but I feel it is so very important. I think also cutting out alcohol and tobacco use would be wise also (except maybe some alcoholic beverages in moderation).
Could someone describe some case studies or literature that declares that FM cannot be cured? I find that it is so hard to believe that 100 percent of FM patients cannot be cured, especially those that embrace positive lifestyle changes which are things like a healthy diet, no toxins, and light to moderate exercise etc.
Have any of you made such healthy changes, and found no difference at all? I would imagine that there might be some. I was just curious. It's so sad, that some people have to endure these pains.
Even though I do not have the crippling pain that I once had, I really feel for all of you that do. My life was a total wreck, until I discovered that the mercury-silver dental amalgams were giving me so much trouble.
Take care everyone.
See my latest messages in the arthritis section. Note that I wrote symptoms. Each of us are different, and we have to find out what is best for each of us.
I was told to not run more than a hundred yards by a doctor over 20 years ago, and tonight I'm going out for my 6.5 mile run. I'm back on track, after some more recent muscle pains, that apparently was aggravated by eating too much meat (or possibly chicken).
You might want to try changing your diet to healthy foods and see what impact that might have on your system. (Or switch to other foods and take notes.) Changing eating habits is extremely unpopular for some, but I feel it is so very important. I think also cutting out alcohol and tobacco use would be wise also (except maybe some alcoholic beverages in moderation).
Could someone describe some case studies or literature that declares that FM cannot be cured? I find that it is so hard to believe that 100 percent of FM patients cannot be cured, especially those that embrace positive lifestyle changes which are things like a healthy diet, no toxins, and light to moderate exercise etc.
Have any of you made such healthy changes, and found no difference at all? I would imagine that there might be some. I was just curious. It's so sad, that some people have to endure these pains.
Even though I do not have the crippling pain that I once had, I really feel for all of you that do. My life was a total wreck, until I discovered that the mercury-silver dental amalgams were giving me so much trouble.
Take care everyone.
gnasher
07-11-2001, 03:57 AM
Mamanell, please could you tell me more about Benadryl?
Is it a cough mixture. Although the trazodone works for sleep, i am so tired of people telling me how tired i look!! I too have a regular, stressful job where I absolutely HAVE to be awake in the morning and as I do data analysis I have to be very accurate too.
Thanks again
Gnash
Is it a cough mixture. Although the trazodone works for sleep, i am so tired of people telling me how tired i look!! I too have a regular, stressful job where I absolutely HAVE to be awake in the morning and as I do data analysis I have to be very accurate too.
Thanks again
Gnash
cioc1212
07-11-2001, 10:37 PM
Rhody,
"Some" people with FM have an underlying condition and till that is fixed, nothing will make them better. How do I know? I'm one of them. Done and tried everything.
Someone else asked about Benedryl, it's a relatively safe medication to take for sleep, I don't know that I'd take it every night but it certainly doesn't hurt once in a while. Tylenol PM contains the same sleep aid as Benedryl. Again, talk to your doc before taking it every night. A better choice may be an anti-depressant that helps with sleep AND pain such as Elavil.
"Some" people with FM have an underlying condition and till that is fixed, nothing will make them better. How do I know? I'm one of them. Done and tried everything.
Someone else asked about Benedryl, it's a relatively safe medication to take for sleep, I don't know that I'd take it every night but it certainly doesn't hurt once in a while. Tylenol PM contains the same sleep aid as Benedryl. Again, talk to your doc before taking it every night. A better choice may be an anti-depressant that helps with sleep AND pain such as Elavil.
robste
07-11-2001, 11:01 PM
Different medications work for different people...some people love Elavil...it just made me sleep well at night, but left me groggy the next day...it never really helped with my (assumed) fm (or whatever it is) pain. After suffering for 12 years with chronic pain, and going thru all the routine mri's, bloodtests, etc....my dr. put me on Effexor XR to try to help with the pain...I was skeptical (nothing else ever worked for me), but two months later, my pain has lessened by about 60-70 percent. My dr. guesses that my seratonin level was low and that my brain had signaled my body for the past 12 years that I felt pain and we needed to break that cycle. I'm not saying that this will work for everyone, but those of you with fm who have "tried everything" might want to ask your doctor.
cioc1212
07-11-2001, 11:30 PM
I got great benefit from ssri anti-depressants......for about 2 weeks till the effects wore off.......
lj-111
07-13-2001, 03:04 AM
BENADRYL is a great med for sleep, but can leave you hung over, It is used to counteract allergic reactions..
If you want to take a more natural approach that works great for a lot of people including myself and does not leave you drugged up, try Kava Kava found at drug stores and even Walmarts vitamin section..
Elavil is real bad about Zombie state..I can't take any of that stuff it makes my pain worse and I don't want my brain "ELAVATED"..lol We are all different and what may work for one may not for others!!
So Good Luck!
lj
If you want to take a more natural approach that works great for a lot of people including myself and does not leave you drugged up, try Kava Kava found at drug stores and even Walmarts vitamin section..
Elavil is real bad about Zombie state..I can't take any of that stuff it makes my pain worse and I don't want my brain "ELAVATED"..lol We are all different and what may work for one may not for others!!
So Good Luck!
lj
cioc1212
07-13-2001, 02:14 PM
Elavil is sedating which is why it works so well for FM if you aren't sleeping. Many of the people on this board have gotten tremendous relief with it! Initially it will give you some daytime grogginess but that should wear off within about 2 weeks. I've been on and off it for years and never had major problems till I tried to take it this fall, with all my other symptoms it just wiped me out. Definite zombieland. I'm starting now on Pamelor in tiny tiny doses, Pamelor is a kissing cousin to Elavil. And back onto the Effexor also. Sigh.
beaner
07-13-2001, 10:24 PM
I just wanted to throw my two cents in and jump on my valerian bandwagon. It's an all natural root that can be found in pill, powder or tea form in any health food store. Celestial Seasonongs has alos put it in their new "sleepytime extra" tea. Iworks great at putting me to sleep and not leaving me groggy in the morning. Another all natural sleep aid it melatonin. While benadryl may not be harmfull in moderation, it seems a little scary - I saw dumb college students od on the stuff before.
------------------
Keep on keeping on!!
beaner
------------------
Keep on keeping on!!
beaner
cioc1212
07-14-2001, 10:00 AM
Beaner, I tried both and nada, no help at all. That Valerian sure does smell nasty too!!
fawnmarie
07-18-2001, 12:01 AM
Beaner,
I was just diagnosed with FMS a couple of weeks ago. While waiting for the blood work to come back, I decided to try valerian & kava kava + melatonin until the results came back and my Elavil prescription was written. I'm actually a long-time amateur herbalist (20 years), so I decided to try that first and the results were very good.
I've been taking the Elavil for about a week. It worked great the first night, but after that - nada. My doc said to up the dosage after a week if the 10 mg didn't help. Well after the first night, I didn't sleep better (insomniac), I just felt doped up and started scavaging for food constantly.
I think I'll go back to my herb/melatonin mix plus magnesium & malic acid.
They don't make me empty the refrigerator every night.
My condition is pretty mild, though, and this last was my third flare up, when I was diagnosed. The only reason I went to the doctor was because of the chest pain. A couple of years ago I actually ended up in the ER because of them. I was very stressed out and thought I was having a heart attack - at 35! They've come and gone, but this time they stayed.
Anyway - I agree. Despite the fact that it smells like troll feet - valerian helps. I have to take it in capsules and hope I don't burp.
I have high hopes for the magnesium and malic acid. Just bought it today on my way home from work. Wish me luck. I hope it just sort of fades away again, like it has in the past.
Fawn
I was just diagnosed with FMS a couple of weeks ago. While waiting for the blood work to come back, I decided to try valerian & kava kava + melatonin until the results came back and my Elavil prescription was written. I'm actually a long-time amateur herbalist (20 years), so I decided to try that first and the results were very good.
I've been taking the Elavil for about a week. It worked great the first night, but after that - nada. My doc said to up the dosage after a week if the 10 mg didn't help. Well after the first night, I didn't sleep better (insomniac), I just felt doped up and started scavaging for food constantly.
I think I'll go back to my herb/melatonin mix plus magnesium & malic acid.
They don't make me empty the refrigerator every night.
My condition is pretty mild, though, and this last was my third flare up, when I was diagnosed. The only reason I went to the doctor was because of the chest pain. A couple of years ago I actually ended up in the ER because of them. I was very stressed out and thought I was having a heart attack - at 35! They've come and gone, but this time they stayed.
Anyway - I agree. Despite the fact that it smells like troll feet - valerian helps. I have to take it in capsules and hope I don't burp.
I have high hopes for the magnesium and malic acid. Just bought it today on my way home from work. Wish me luck. I hope it just sort of fades away again, like it has in the past.
Fawn