seaturtle
06-29-2008, 08:58 PM
I can't raise my arms very high because the shoulder joints hurt so much. Also have very bad leg cramps at night, and I can't even lie on my back in bed. My arms hurt, my head hurts.
The physical therapist I've started to see doesn't seem to know what to do. She just says "You're in a flare."
Any suggestions as to what I might do? I do take the gurafenisin, which helps some, and magnesium maleate, acidopholus, but from time to time, it really get bad. Reduces me to tears sometimes.
I have Vicodin and Flexeril, but I am really resistant to taking meds. I've been doing the stretching exercises the PT gave me, but I'm getting worn out from the pain.
Sigh, maybe I just have to go through it?
Best to all, and thanks for listening. I hope all goes well for everyone here.
Seaturtle
The physical therapist I've started to see doesn't seem to know what to do. She just says "You're in a flare."
Any suggestions as to what I might do? I do take the gurafenisin, which helps some, and magnesium maleate, acidopholus, but from time to time, it really get bad. Reduces me to tears sometimes.
I have Vicodin and Flexeril, but I am really resistant to taking meds. I've been doing the stretching exercises the PT gave me, but I'm getting worn out from the pain.
Sigh, maybe I just have to go through it?
Best to all, and thanks for listening. I hope all goes well for everyone here.
Seaturtle
Sponsor
bevann26
06-30-2008, 10:23 AM
i feel so bad for you and know where you are coming from with the shoulders and arms. i have fibro there and also have degenerative joint disease...so there is'nt much bone left in my shoulders.
i find temporary use with a tens unit, also a heat wrap i microwave that covers the neck and shoulders.
hope this helps some...please feel better soon, but there really is no pain free days....take care, bevann
i find temporary use with a tens unit, also a heat wrap i microwave that covers the neck and shoulders.
hope this helps some...please feel better soon, but there really is no pain free days....take care, bevann
Jane23
06-30-2008, 03:40 PM
I also have problems with my arms and shoulder/neck area to the point that there are days it hurts even to lift a remote control ... so I feel your pain. I've found that (if you can stand it) massage therapy helps me quite a lot. I don't recommend going when you're having a bad flare, but you might give it a shot and see if it helps.
Hope you feel better. =)
Hope you feel better. =)
sherryrenee0423
06-30-2008, 03:44 PM
If you are hurting that badly, then you should consider taking your pain medication. I have read that it can be harder on your body to be in constant pain than to take pain medication. Just think about the stress your body is under right now. Flexiril helps my back tremendously. Try taking only half of a pain pill, put some soothing music on, and sit in a hot bath. This will help quiet your body and your mind. I'm so sorry you are hurting so badly.
seaturtle
07-02-2008, 01:03 AM
Thanks, everyone,
My doctor won't give me pain meds, says they're just a "quick fix." ( I could use a quick fix, though!).
I went to PT, and they hardly wll touch me because they can't even touch me all over my back and shoulders and neck beause of trigger points. I can't even lie on my back; the trigger points are too painful.
Any suggestions besides Norplex and the like to stop the muscle spasms? I can actually see the muscles moving and knotting up under my skin .
Thanks for all the responses. I guess I have to wait until this one is over.
Hope everything goes well for everyone here,
Seaturtle
My doctor won't give me pain meds, says they're just a "quick fix." ( I could use a quick fix, though!).
I went to PT, and they hardly wll touch me because they can't even touch me all over my back and shoulders and neck beause of trigger points. I can't even lie on my back; the trigger points are too painful.
Any suggestions besides Norplex and the like to stop the muscle spasms? I can actually see the muscles moving and knotting up under my skin .
Thanks for all the responses. I guess I have to wait until this one is over.
Hope everything goes well for everyone here,
Seaturtle
Glojer
07-03-2008, 12:25 AM
seaturtle I would think the doc could give you something to help relieve the spasms and pain. I take a muscle relaxer and that does wonders. I take baclofen now. I too have shoulder and neck pain and hope to see my doc soon for my neck again. I am sure she will send me to PT. I fought taking medication for a long time, but I have found if I take the right amount of meds to keep everything under control it allows me lead a more normal life.
Hot bath and some lavender scented candles or lotion to help you relax may help some.
Glojer
Hot bath and some lavender scented candles or lotion to help you relax may help some.
Glojer
mista0316
07-05-2008, 09:17 PM
Hello seaturtle,
I feel for you. I may be able to help you. I hope so anyways. Here goes.
I also go to Physio everyday. I have the same problem you have. My physio does this thing called STRAIN AGAINST STRAIN. It's a way to work the other muscles to relieve the pain. It works so good. Ask you physio to try this.If she hasn't already. I am telling you my physio didn't know what to do with me and then they all got together to talk about my situation. This was the only thing that they didn't try. Now, it's what they do every other day. It's really helps when you're in a flare up. Let me know.
Hope this will help you.
Take carem
M
I feel for you. I may be able to help you. I hope so anyways. Here goes.
I also go to Physio everyday. I have the same problem you have. My physio does this thing called STRAIN AGAINST STRAIN. It's a way to work the other muscles to relieve the pain. It works so good. Ask you physio to try this.If she hasn't already. I am telling you my physio didn't know what to do with me and then they all got together to talk about my situation. This was the only thing that they didn't try. Now, it's what they do every other day. It's really helps when you're in a flare up. Let me know.
Hope this will help you.
Take carem
M
seaturtle
07-06-2008, 03:27 AM
HI, all,
Glojer, thanks - and how are you? It's been a very long time. I am very resistant to taking the relaxants. I have orphenadrine, and only took it a few times because it makes me so wuzzy and drugged. Never took it on a regular basis. Do you have to take it regularly for it to work?
Mista- My physical therapist has no idea of what to do. I went 2x last week, and all they did was put some heat on my neck. They couldn't even touch many points on my shoulders, shoulder blades, and on my back around the shoulder blades and next to the armpits. I jumped through the ceiling.
They asked me to bring my TENS unit in and recommended I use it on a low setting. But the last person I saw said No Tens Unit, and I've found it can aggravate things and start on a migraine.
I don't think they're going to do me much good. I"ll ask about the Stress method, but I would doubt they know about it. Mostly, they deal with sports injuries and surgery recoveries, and they never treated anyone with FMS before. Sigh...
Anyway, it's good to know I am not alone, and I really appreciate everyone's response to my post. Happy Fourth. I am celebrating today because one of my kitties, my ShakerToy, a great big panther of a guy, almost died this week, and he made it through!
And Motor, a lady, had sugergy last week and is fine. Cause for gratitude (and wondering just how much more I can pare off my SSI in order to make payments on these, lol).
Best to all,
Seaturtle
Glojer, thanks - and how are you? It's been a very long time. I am very resistant to taking the relaxants. I have orphenadrine, and only took it a few times because it makes me so wuzzy and drugged. Never took it on a regular basis. Do you have to take it regularly for it to work?
Mista- My physical therapist has no idea of what to do. I went 2x last week, and all they did was put some heat on my neck. They couldn't even touch many points on my shoulders, shoulder blades, and on my back around the shoulder blades and next to the armpits. I jumped through the ceiling.
They asked me to bring my TENS unit in and recommended I use it on a low setting. But the last person I saw said No Tens Unit, and I've found it can aggravate things and start on a migraine.
I don't think they're going to do me much good. I"ll ask about the Stress method, but I would doubt they know about it. Mostly, they deal with sports injuries and surgery recoveries, and they never treated anyone with FMS before. Sigh...
Anyway, it's good to know I am not alone, and I really appreciate everyone's response to my post. Happy Fourth. I am celebrating today because one of my kitties, my ShakerToy, a great big panther of a guy, almost died this week, and he made it through!
And Motor, a lady, had sugergy last week and is fine. Cause for gratitude (and wondering just how much more I can pare off my SSI in order to make payments on these, lol).
Best to all,
Seaturtle
Glojer
07-07-2008, 12:36 AM
Seaturtle, I do take my muscle relaxers on a regular basis. I take two at night and one in the morning. I also add a fourth one either at night if I need it or during the day if my neck and back and shoulders tighten and cause a headache. I take a 10mg baclofen. It does make me slightly on the sleepy side but if I take one during the day and keep going I don't feel any effects, just relief from a headache once in a while.
Medicines effect everyone differently, I would hate the dizzy feeling myself. I'm sure there has to be something that can be done to give you relief, just keep pushing the docs and PT's make them think a little harder.
I am doing well, I think better than I have in a long time. Just went through some rough up and down flaring last winter. It seemed like a bad winter for everyone. I am up and running now and trying to keep the exercise going and hoping to stay on top of things. I will be going to get the kinks out of my neck though. Just as soon as I have time.....giggle..... or when I can't stand it any longer......whichever comes first. Isn't that how it always is.
Glojer
Medicines effect everyone differently, I would hate the dizzy feeling myself. I'm sure there has to be something that can be done to give you relief, just keep pushing the docs and PT's make them think a little harder.
I am doing well, I think better than I have in a long time. Just went through some rough up and down flaring last winter. It seemed like a bad winter for everyone. I am up and running now and trying to keep the exercise going and hoping to stay on top of things. I will be going to get the kinks out of my neck though. Just as soon as I have time.....giggle..... or when I can't stand it any longer......whichever comes first. Isn't that how it always is.
Glojer