Hello everyone: I was diagnosed with Fibro today. I kind of figured I had it b/c of the research I've done on the internet and from having all the symptoms that it entails such as: IBS, Vulvodynia, TMJ, headaches, muscle pain everywhere, insomnia, depression, anxiety, etc. It was suggested that I take calcium before bed and sublingual B12 twice daily. I've been taking calcium before bed for quite awhile, but it hasn't helped me sleep any better. My predicament is that b/c of my IBS and acid reflux problems, my system doesn't tolerate most medications. I get really bad heartburn and diarrhea, etc. from most meds. Several years ago, I was given Serzone for depression and that was a disaster and a couple years ago I took the lowest dose of Elavil and couldn't tolerate that either, so I don't know what meds. if any I'll be able to take. It's so frustrating. I guess I'll try natural stuff, even though those things can also cause stomach upset. Does anyone else have problems taking meds. b/c of IBS or acid reflux? Thanks for letting me vent. Sue

Hey Sue,

I'm sorry that you're depressed.. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif If it helps, depression is fairly natural after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.. After all, when a doctor tells you that you are probably going to be sick for the rest of your life, it's not the most exciting or happy news..

Have your doctors ever put you on anything to help treat your digestive disorders? I know there are a few decent drugs on the market, but you might have to go to a gastroenterologist to get real help..

As for calcium, it didn't help me sleep any better either.. A fairly gentle (and non-prescription) medication that I take to help me sleep is benadryl - just the regular pink kapseals.. I'm not sure if that would be too hard on your tummy or not, but it might be worth a try.. I take one about 3 hours before bedtime, another about an hour before bedtime & I usually sleep like a baby..

I know a lot of anti-inflammatories are very evil on the stomach, so I'm not sure what you will or won't be able to take either.. It'll probably be a long process of trial and error, unfortunately..

Anyway, I hope your grief is short lived and that you start feeling emotionally better soon..

Take Care,
Melanie

Ask your doctor about SSRI antidepressants. They're for anxiety and depression, and you need something to sleep too. A low dose may not bother your stomach. Sleep loss intensifies symptoms. Serzone didn't work for you but maybe something else will. Many of us have tried different meds. It's trial and error with fibro. good luck!

I've found that Nexium works very well for the reflux. I take it every night. I've taken it for almost a year now. If I miss a night or two I know it. It allows your throat to heal so it doesn't burn anymore.

Ambian also will help greatly with your pain symptoms. You need to get a deep sleep. I hesitated going on this because my husband is a deep sleeper and we have kids. I had dead bolts put on our doors and bought extra fire alarms and put them all around the house so I would feel more comfortable sleeping. I can still wake up if I need to and I don't feel like I have a hang over in the morning.

I have held off on the antidepressants. I know I get depressed but I don't want to be dulled any more than I already am.

I went unmedicated totally for a year. I finally couldn't take it any more. Once I got medicated I realized I was putting my family and myself through more stress than was necessary. I have more going on than just fibro. I was trying to be stoic and "strong" by handling it without pain killers. Now I can smile and laugh again at times. I still have that grimace but it has lightened up a little. If you need meds, get them. You might have to try a few until you get the right ones. I tried a few lemons until I got the right ones. I flushed a few bottles and returned a few bottles back to my pain management dr, wasted some money but I finally have the right combo. I'm not pain free but I am manageable.

If you are afraid of pain killers like me, take as little as you can, just enough to take the edge off.

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Hey sunshine,


Do you have tmj, too ?

HI Pinky: Yes, I do with about a million other things. After one session of stretching at the PT, my bite has closed up a little more. I go back today for more. I just want to get all of this overwith, so I have time for other things besides Drs, dentists, PT, etc. I'll be seeing the Rheumy on Aug. 4th. Have a great holiday. Sue

Are you sure tmj isn't causing the fibro symptoms?
Do you have to have tender points?
who diagnosed you?

I'm with you in thinking that my Fibro is caused by the TMJ and tight muscles, but I'll get the Rheumy's opionion in Aug. While I'm there, I'll see what she suggests for the pain in my knees (Chondromalacia). Sue

Did you know that tmjd can also affect muscles all the way down to your feet?

I get calf cramps and spasms

Yes, I read that on the board yesterday. I don't have the calf or foot cramps that you do. That sounds painful. My main pain is in my neck, shoulders, lower back and knees. Sometimes, I have tendonitis in my elbows for good measure. I don't get the bad TMJ headaches or facial pain anymore. Sue

Yes it is painful, my tmj specialist has been bringing my bite down and I think that is what is causing the muscle spasms

Regarding the acid reflux, I used to have problems with that continuously, but when I stopped eating all sugar except whole fruit, it disappeared entirely, and has not come back for a year. It might be worth a try if you include sugar in your diet now.

I hope your muscle spasms will go away soon!!!! Sue

I have the reflux problem also. Taking any sort of antiacid with your meds will not work. It coats your stomach so then your meds don't get digested. Take your meds at a different time before you take your previcid, nexium, pepcid, etc. Effexor has helped me greatly with the depression, I have had to go up on it recently. The antidepressants don't make me zoned out.
Now anti-anxiety drugs do, which I have to take some times. I have osteo-arthrtis in both knees and no cartlidge in either of them, neuropathy in hands and feet, CFS, FM, IBS, MPS, insulin resistant, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure. My Dr. doesn't like to give me pain med's as he feels I will over do it. I live in constant pain and have to use a cane to get around because of my balance. Has anyone had any luck with getting disability? I stay so depressed because I have no insurance and no money. My husband had a staph infection in his back several years ago and had an infusion. He did real well for 5 years now he is back on disability and we don't get very much $$ at all. I am in the appeal stage and it going on 10 mts. now. Sometimes I feel it is not worth the effort to get up in the morning, but I have such a wonderful husband that truly understands. My family and friends try to but they don't do a very good job of it. They see me when I am at my best so they can't understand how I can go down so quickly and in just a few minutes.
Thanks for listening...

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Glenda And Bill

Glenda, No wonder you are depressed! I've been feeling sorry for myself lately because my husband has bipolar disorder and no job, my 20 year old has FMS and no job, and I am trying to support my family on my teacher's salary even though I feel I am at my breaking point for enduring painwith FMS,MPS and herniated disks. It sounds like you are having it even rougher-you post touched me. I'm so sorry! You said your doc doesn't like to give you pain meds because you'll over do it??? Find a another doctor!!! I know that's not so easy to do when you have no insurance, but you really, really need to do this for yourself.You should not have to live in the amount of pain you have. The new thinking on pain relief is that if you need it, you should get it. Also about your disability claim: my sister-in-law hired a lawyer who got her SS disability very quickly, and it included retroactive pay. He took a percentage of her retroactive pay for payment and she had no up-front fees. I know its hard to be pro-active when you feel like we do..but unfortunately, no one is going to do it for you, unless you have a fairy godmother you're not telling us about!! Best of luck to you.

debabc---
Oh honey we are all in bad shape it seems. I have a wonderful friend in Ga who is a school teacher and has the biggest heart in the world. She sounds just like you! Her husband was just diagnosed with bipolar also and has an 18 yr old and her Dad!!! Now talk about a Saint!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif She had a knee replacement last year and now need one on the other knee. But we get by. I have a lawyer, but seems I have done everything. I print info off the computer for him, called my congressman, had a Dr. type me a long letter and she even did a report that tells how much of everythingI can do. (which was a big fat 0) I am just waiting!!
I beg samples from Dr. so I can stay on my antidepressants and antiinflammatory meds and B/p I take nine pills before I go to bed. And of course I have to take OTC stool softeners and sleep aids. The last couple of days I have had this terrible itching. I have never had that before. Hope its not here to stay. Well thanks for the chat. I need to look around and see if anyone knows of anyone whose had a pain pump. They are talking to my hubby about putting one in his back.. He is afraid of it. I said if they could do something for my pain, I would gladly let them do it. God bless!!!

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Glenda And Bill

Hey Glenda, Check out posts for the pain pump on this board. I can't remember (fibrofog) who has one, but she has mentioned it a few times and thinks it's great.for info on pain pump. It sounds promising, but I fear to even mention it to my HMO doc because I know she and the HMO would never approve it-too expensive and my condition is not "life-threatening" (just life-ruining!)I don't feel I am taken seriously at all when I tell how much pain I have. PS.-can't believe how similar your friend is. I also have a 27 year old and a wonderful 6 yr. old granddaughter who is my life-light and gives me a reason to live. I guess it helps to count our blessings whenever we can.
Deborah

[This message has been edited by debabc (edited 07-07-2003).]