How do you treat fibro

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Hi Marlene,

Welcome to the forum!

I wrote a reply to another new member a couple of days ago that answers your question, so I'll drop that here for you:


I don't know how much you've read up on fibromyalgia so far, but for most of us the crux of dealing with this condition is self-management. So, that means learning to lessen the triggers of our symptoms, as opposed to treating the impact of them. Sadly, there are no perfect fixes, but there are some things that can help. We're all a bit different, but you'll find some useful pointers here towards where to start. I really recommend checking out Sunkacola's pinned post at the top of the General Discussion section of the forum - she wrote a great guide to the basics of fibromyalgia self-management. You can start and build up from there. Things like pacing, sleep hygiene, experimenting with diet, stress management, light exercise, and mindfulness practices all can help - probably more than you imagine!

I remember how scary receiving this diagnosis was, and all of the emotions that come along with recognising that things will likely never go back to normal again - please know that you're not alone in this, and come and talk to us if it ever gets on top of you. The good news is that with some work on acceptance and learning how to find the edges of your new limitations, you are probably going to feel much better than you do right now - both mentally and physically. It can really feel like life's been turned upside down to begin with, but you will get your sense of control back as you find your way.

There are various prescription medications used to treat fibromyalgia, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), pregabalin (Lyrica), amitriptyline (Elavil) and milnacipran (Savella). Some people have great luck with these medications, but unfortunately not the majority. Each one tends to come with various side effects and potential withdrawal symptoms, so if you decide to go down the prescription route I recommend really doing your homework, so you know what to look out for. Forewarned is forearmed!

A lot of us have made small breakthroughs taking various supplements and through alternative therapies - so do have a poke around the forum to see what people are trying and where they are finding success. It's kind of a case of making yourself a guinea pig, and experimenting until you find something that works! When a handful of things each take the edge off a little bit, it can stack up to a really big difference overall.

Let us know if you have any questions - we'll do our best to answer 🌻
 
Hi Marlene,

In one way, there is no treatment for fibro, because nothing is known to work to make it get better, and no one medication relieves the symptoms for everyone or even for more than half of people with FM.

The first thing to do is make sure that is what you have. Get tested for all of the many other things that can look like fibro, and find out and get a true diagnosis.

The next thing to do is take matters essentially into your own hands. Don't expect doctors to cure you (they can't), or even to give you an effective treatment (most don't). Do your own investigation by trying different things to see if anything works for you.
Here is my post on the subject. Read it all and start trying things.
 
I was told that there no test for Fibro if true how do doctors diagnose what it is that is going on I also want to get the covid vaccine but I am terrified of side effects I have heard people who have Fibro have more pain experiences like I said I am terrified and fearful what do I do ?
 
I was told that there no test for Fibro if true how do doctors diagnose what it is that is going on I also want to get the covid vaccine but I am terrified of side effects I have heard people who have Fibro have more pain experiences like I said I am terrified and fearful what do I do ?
Hi Marlene,
Fibromyalgia is largely a diagnosis of exclusion - your doctor will look for certain symptoms such as widespread and lasting pain, sleep issues, and fog/depression. However they will also work to make sure that your symptoms are not being caused by another condition - something that may be treatable, or more serious. Several different issues can present similarly to fibro, so it's important to check.

Re the vaccination, while some people do experience side effects, it's also important to remember that a lot of fibro sufferers also have a tough time with and after covid. My feeling was that the risks of the virus were a much bigger threat to me than the jabs. When it came to it, I had Pfizer, and has no side effects at all. Good luck deciding what to do 🌻
 
Thank you for this information I know I have alot of anxiety about alot of things it is frightening someone had told me it could be the way I am is because of the unknown I was adopted I really do know about my biological family not knowing medical history I go by what doctors tell me and sometimes I have a hard excepting their diagnosis I guess it is a matter of trust thank you for your advice have a Great and Blessed Day stay safe
 
Thank you for this information I know I have alot of anxiety about alot of things it is frightening someone had told me it could be the way I am is because of the unknown I was adopted I really do know about my biological family not knowing medical history I go by what doctors tell me and sometimes I have a hard excepting their diagnosis I guess it is a matter of trust thank you for your advice have a Great and Blessed Day stay safe
I can understand you feeling frightened - especially if you're newly diagnosed - and lots of us with fibro seem to have a really hard time with anxiety, and have traumas in our past. I think the best way to look at it is fibromyalgia being the ultimate push to tell you to be extra kind to yourself, to take care of yourself properly, and to try not to worry about anything other than being compassionate to yourself until you start to feel stronger. Trust is a great word to focus on as you find your way. All of these things can make a big difference to helping symptoms calm down. I wish you every luck in that!
 
Thank you I am trying really hard to do just that I has been rough it is nice to know that there good and kind people out who is concerned and truly cares
 
Thank you I am trying really hard to do just that I has been rough it is nice to know that there good and kind people out who is concerned and truly cares
It's really not easy, I know. Best thing we can do is forgive ourselves when it doesn't work, and congratulate when it does 🙃 Glad you're here, adding more kindness to the pot!
 
look into LDN-low dose naltrexone. It completely took all my symptoms away. Started w/4.5mg and increased to 9mg for lingering symptoms.
My pain doc Dr.Samie at Torrance memorial introduced me to this miracle med. I will forever be grateful to him. I was living a miserable existence on pain meds now I feel like I’ve been given a second chance. I’ve researched online the dosages are smaller but I had no problems with the dosage. Only one week of insomnia and vivid dreams. I can’t believe I wake up every day feeling clear headed, happy, energetic, and pain free. Please try it. I cannot understand why this is not the first line treatment instead of narcotics.
I try to spread the word to help as many as I can. Please pass on this info to others.
 
look into LDN-low dose naltrexone. It completely took all my symptoms away. Started w/4.5mg and increased to 9mg for lingering symptoms.
My pain doc Dr.Samie at Torrance memorial introduced me to this miracle med. I will forever be grateful to him. I was living a miserable existence on pain meds now I feel like I’ve been given a second chance. I’ve researched online the dosages are smaller but I had no problems with the dosage. Only one week of insomnia and vivid dreams. I can’t believe I wake up every day feeling clear headed, happy, energetic, and pain free. Please try it. I cannot understand why this is not the first line treatment instead of narcotics.
I try to spread the word to help as many as I can. Please pass on this info to others.
This is not the first line of treatment because it is not effective with everyone.
Please take note that fibromyalgia is a varied syndrome that affects different people in widely different ways. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another, and nothing works for everyone.

LDN may be something to try, but should not be approached with, or promoted with, an attitude of it being a "miracle" because it is not. I am glad it works well for some people, but there's no one thing that is always effective for FM.
 
Altho OP hasn't been around for 2 months, I just want to repeat here that LDN can also increase fibro-symptoms considerably, so miracle for some, curse for others, nothing for yet others..
 
look into LDN-low dose naltrexone. It completely took all my symptoms away. Started w/4.5mg and increased to 9mg for lingering symptoms.
My pain doc Dr.Samie at Torrance memorial introduced me to this miracle med. I will forever be grateful to him. I was living a miserable existence on pain meds now I feel like I’ve been given a second chance. I’ve researched online the dosages are smaller but I had no problems with the dosage. Only one week of insomnia and vivid dreams. I can’t believe I wake up every day feeling clear headed, happy, energetic, and pain free. Please try it. I cannot understand why this is not the first line treatment instead of narcotics.
I try to spread the word to help as many as I can. Please pass on this info to others.
You have "tried to spread the word" here over and over, ........and over, Gardener.

As has been said repeatedly, this is not a miracle cure.

Your most recent posts on this have been deleted because you are overdoing your push to get people to use something that may have worked for you, but will not work for everyone.

Promoting things as being "miracle cures" is against our forum rules.

Any future repeats of your posts on LDN will be deleted. Anyone who is interested in that topic can read the posts you already made in the past, and there is no need for you to keep posting about it repeatedly. Please respect the rules on this matter in order to preserve your ability to participate in this forum. Thank you.
 
If there isn't a forum rule about cross-posting the same thing multiple times, maybe there should be?
The problem here is the subject matter, rather than many posts. To repeatedly post the same thing may be annoying and obnoxious but not actually against the rules, and doesn't seem to happen here unless the member is pushing something. Pushing "cures" or anything else like that is against the rules.
 
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