[mj778]

Hey,
I joined here to deal with my Fibro and Chronic Myofascial Pain. I know they recommend therapy, but after Dr bills and pills, I can't swing a therapist too. I thought this may be a good alternative. Not sure what to say or do, or how this works. Any thoughts would be very welcome.

[(JD)]

I have CMP among other maladies.

Make a list of what you know that helps, and what doesn't ... as you go along. Keep it accessible for when the pain engulfs you and you can't think what to do.

I have a typed list that fills a regular page!

I know you can do many things to help yourself, without a doctor. I have PT but still have to take care of myself in between being stretched out....(can't maintain, need the PT to keep me from digressing. )

Stretching is really tops on the list, because if you don't work the trigger and tender points (in your case) then they knot up and that begins a cascade effect for all your muscles and joints and and and as you probably know.

Next, ice or heat, depending upon your results.

Rest.

Medicines?

Reduce stress

Breathe, eat, drink lots of water, keep your mind off the desperate feelings.

TC

[lorna]

welcome MJ,
Just an fyi, if you are a student there is often counselling help at the school level or if you have a job that has employee support program it can provide free conselling and connection to resourses. I hope you enjoy the info here, and it helps you. Take care, Lorna

[mypinkroses]

Hi. I am also new, and have Fibromyalgia, and am taking medicine for Lupus, but I don't even think it is working since I have been ON the medicine for a whole month, but still got a bout of Fibro 2 days ago. I was going from store to store returning a few things, it was a bit stressful for me since the stores were all far away in different towns.
My nighttime my knees were aching me, and I spilled my soymilk all over my bed cause when I picked it up I spilled it since my wrists hurt so bad. I think I just get it when I am stressed and do too much, and I just need to LAY LOW AND REST as much as possible. That I believe is the best thing, or it will not go away!!! Any other suggestions I am open to. I have been doing the stretching.

[lynn09]

Hi mj788! Everyone here has made some good suggestions. I was diagnosed with fibro and CFS back in 1984, have tried every medication available since then, but nothing has every helped except for injections of corticosteroids directly into the trigger points and joints. Over the years I have learned that gentle exercise, consistent rest, good diet, reduced stress, etc., produce the best results.

As for exercise, swimming is especially good since your entire body weight is supported so there's no stress on the joints. I avoid sitting in one position for more than 15-20 minutes. I also have found that if i take meds to make me sleep too deeply, that I feel worse because I don't move enough during the night.

Also, a good way to handle those pesky trigger points in the back that are hard to reach is to take a tennis or racket ball and put it between your back and the wall or the floor. I find using the wall better because lying on the ball can be too intense. Then I just move around gently massaging those trigger points in my back with the tennis/racket ball. Really helps.

It's difficult to anticipate what level of activity is going to produce a bad attack, but over time you learn to read your body and know that a little activity can go a long way, and so can a little stress. Just listen to your body and it will tell you what it needs. Hope you feel better soon. lynn09

[mj778]

Thank you all for your posts. I need more time to be able to come back here more often. I work 45 hours a week with a 35 minute drive each way. My fiance and I have 5 kids between us (3 mine, 2 his). I work days and nights and never seem to have the time for me. Since I last posted, my fiance now, proposed to me for my bday, and we have spent so much time planning for the wedding. We also decided to put up a house on my mom's land so that she can be close to me. (she has been worrying about me alot since I got sick). I also hate saying I am sick, because I am not. It is the only way other people understand what I am saying. Oh my gosh, do I ramble. Sorry!!
Thank you all,
mj778