Hello everyone. I have had Fibro for the better part of 20 years now and have tried numerous different medications for the pain. Some of which worked in the beginning but as time went by my body built up a tolerance to the meds. Now I just take Tramadol 50mg which doesn't do much and do yoga breathing and hope for the best. Have any of you learned any tricks to get you through the pain with out meds?
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: LostSoul666 1catsoup1 (08-07-2012), lehcarwoman (08-07-2012)
Hi and welcome to the board. I use heat pads, hot showers and swimming in a heated pool. Although I am sure you have tried all of these if you have fibro for 20 years. I cannot function for too long in a flare without painkillers, I take solphodol which are codeine based and difiene, I have young children and have to keep moving as much as possible.
I am sure you will get other replies with suggestions soon,
Although you asked about non med remedies, there are 3 meds that are used for fibro on a daily basis, that are not pain meds and not addictive. You may have built up a tolerance to the Tramadol, a pain med. One is Cymbalta, an anti-depressant but also used for chronic pain with fibro and peripheral neuropathy. The other 2 are Lyrica and Neurontin, which raise the pain threshold in the nerves. Since the Tramadol is not helping much, perhaps one of those would, and you could taper off the Tramadol. I would give it some thought and discuss with your Dr if you are open to those ideas. The other suggestions are good too, as well as a TENS unit, which replaces pain sensation with vibration or pulsations. Massage is wonderful too and worth a try.
I LIKE HEAT SOMETIMES,AND I "SELF-MESSAGE" MY little "trigger points"......ie: arch,ankle, heel, or other muscle group. I have 'flare-ups', which literally render me unable to bear weight, and unable to tolerate touch of any kind. I am on Neurontin 400 mgs 2x/day, per Primary. I have no neurologists. Nephrologist(kidney doc) told me to only use Tylenol, no NSAIDS, as they are toxic to my kidneys. He also took me off Metformin and changed it to Januvia, as ,again, he felt Metformin was toxic. am also on Vit D 3, 2,000 units /day
hi lost,
i do counting meditation and make myself walk as i do it. exercise for me is critical to keeping the pain of fibro down. i find anything fun takes my mind off my body and that eases the awarness of pain. i painted for years, then got into photography, now i am into reading again. lost that for over a decade due to fibrofog.
lots of water, deep breathing, gobs of suppliments, a few herbs, and relaxation teas. also went vegetarian 7 years ago. big help for me.
after 18 years i'd have to say attitude is my best friend for managing pain. that and laughter. i laugh a great deal, mostly at my own silly things i do.
peace,
bluelakelady
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: bluelakelady 1catsoup1 (08-09-2012)
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I try to keep my mind busy, less time to think about the pain seems to help me not feel it as intensely unless i'm in a flare. I also use a combo of prescription and herbs/vitamins and natural oils, use a TENS and a TheraCane to work out the tender points , knots and spasms. If I hit the spasms at the first twitch most of the time it helps me avoid muscle relaxers during the day.
It's all a hit and miss thing for all of us, what works for me may not work for you.
Osteoarthritis 
