Any Ideas? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

Kathy287 · 08-22-2004, 08:22 AM

Hello!
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of some help for Fibromyalgia. I am extremely sensitive to drugs of any kind. I have to even be careful taking tylenol or advil. I was diagnosed officially with Fibromyalgia in 2001 and then in 2002 with Epilepsy. I have just gotten my drivers license back so anything that would mess with my meds at all would be out of the question.
My insurance fights to pay for chiropractic so I wait until I am bad to go...probably not a good choice. I also have a herniated disc in my lower back and a stenosis in my neck. I do use an electric massager a lot. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I was also surprised to find that the "fibro fog" you describe...I thought it was me!!! Now I don't know whether it is side effects to my meds or just from fibro. Also, anyone else who has both, I would really love to hear from you and how you are doing. Thanks in advance!
Kathy

pa235 · 08-22-2004, 08:44 AM

Hello, you have got the same problem I do. I have not found a drug that helps me without a side effect, I can use tyenol, take an anti-anxiety drug and that is it. I cannot take allergy meds. any more the side effects are so bad. I take tyenol, use a lot of warm gel packs and see a chiro every week. Seems like there a lot of fmers who have the same prblem, they are over sensitive to the meds or need a truckload to help.

Hope fully someone else has some input for you.

Linda

Icefire · 08-22-2004, 08:57 AM

Hi,

I have the same problems with the meds. All of those awful side effects. I use ice/heat a lot and ibuprofen. If the Chiropractor is helping you, I'd ask your Dr. to write a letter for you to the insurance company. Even though they don't give in a lot, there are cases where they will later pay for what was denied originally. It worked for me.

Good Luck
Chris

taurus3 · 08-22-2004, 11:17 PM

Hi Kathy,

Just so you know I have been pill free for nine months with my pregnancy but I still have the same amount of brain fog. So I really think it's the fibro and not the pills. My doctor initially thought the problems were drug related too but now she's convinced things just aren't working right.

My grandmother had epilepsy so I know having both must be extremely difficult.

Acupuncture helps me. Turmeric, ginger, valerian, gingko biloba and ginseng all help with fibro. It seems like a full time job sometimes just taking basic care of myself and my son plus addressing my symptoms each day. I'm my own nurse and PT coordinator.

Hope some of that helps! - Andy

Kathy287 · 08-23-2004, 12:14 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Andy, the vitamins you mentioned, are there any of these that seem to word better than others or do you really need them all? The reason I am asking is because I currently take Tegretol and Depakote prescriptions which I have $30 copays per month on each and then I also take cranberry, zinc, magnesium, and selenium twice a day to help with side effects so this really adds up. Thanks in advance.
Kathy