"Carol" <carolshinde@y...> wrote:

> Hi,
> I wanted to respond earlier but I've been bombarded with illness
> these past few weeks which, of course, sets off the fibromyalgia.
> Just can't seem to get beyond that. Does anyone have any advice
on
> how to treat the symptoms? Does it help to lose weight? Does it
> help to stop taking sugar substitutes? I hear so many different
> things from people yet I would really like to understand this
thing a
> little better. I really want to do what I can to be there for my
9
> month old. It's hard when he see's mommy always in bed because of
> the fatigue and the pain. I also have other issues with Cervical
> Spinal Stenosis, NASH, polyneurapathy, muscle degeneration, and a
> herniated disc at the moment. Told ya I've been bombarded :o)
Any
> suggestions are welcome. I just want to do what I can to get this
> thing under control. Thanks :o) Carol


Hi Carol! Welcome to the group. I'm so happy to have you and
everyone else here. Boy, you sure are going through one tough time.
I know I can sympathize with you, as I'm sure do most of the other
members. I'm sorry to hear about your pain. No one deserves to go
through this, it's awful. But we have been dealt these hands for
whatever reason, so we must make the best of it and cope as best as
we can, right? I always tell myself that no matter how bad I feel,
there is always someone out there who is feeling so much worse. Of
course, I have many times when I ask God "why me?" and I wallow in
my pity, but who doesn't? We're only human, after all.

I cannot personally imagine what it must be like to be in your
condition and have a small child for whom you must provide care. Do
you get any help, such as a nanny? Friends or family? I hope you do.
I just looked at your profile and see you are in CT. If I was closer
I would try to help you as much as I could. That's what we're all
here for. I have been wanting a child for so long but so far I
haven't been able to have one. I lost my only pregnancy which was
about 2 years ago. I would love to have a baby, but I fear I will
not be able to care for it. I just offer it up to God. If I am meant
to be a mother, I will be.

I will certainly keep you in my prayers. Are you in a great amount
of pain? Is your pain being managed? I found that once my pain was
being addressed, I wanted to live again. I have only had adequate
pain control since this past June, but it seems like a world of
difference from when I had nothing but Ultram. Finding a good doctor
is key though. Are you on SSDI?

What symptoms are you looking to treat? I have other illnesses
besides the fibromyalgia also, so I know how when one illness acts
up, it makes the fibro all that much more worse. Right now I am on
methadone 50 mg. (30 mg. in the AM and 20 mg. in the PM) for the
fibromyalgia pain. I also take Zanaflex, which is a muscle relaxer
for the stiffness. These two meds seem to work very well for me
compared to anything else they gave me. I was previously on Ultram
and Skelaxin and also trazadone. I experienced terrible side effects
from the Ultram and trazadone and did not get any relief from the
Skelaxin. After three years of going from doctor to doctor, I
finally found my current PCP who Rxes the methadone and Zanaflex.

I hope you find some help and answers in this group! I am going to
try going back on 5 HTP. I don't know if you have ever heard of it,
but it's supposed to be good for people with fibro. I was on it
years ago, before I even had fibro, and I did notice positive
results. It is supposed to help with insomnia, sleeping problems,
migraines, pain, cramps, weight loss, etc. Read up on it if you are
interested. It's just a supplement, it's not a prescription. But,
like everything else, it has it's warnings and drug interactions so
I don't recommend it to anyone unless their doc's approval. I will
keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there and remember,
we're always here for you if you want to chat and even just vent.

Take care- Gentle hugs-

Kerrie