Posted by quilter on February 21, 1999, at 23:31:31
In reply to fibromyalgia, posted by Victoria on February 19, 1999, at 17:46:44
> Has anyone been diagnosed with fibromyalgia? I just got this diagnosis and, while it makes a lot of sense for my symptoms now, I'm confused about how it overlaps with depression and not too happy that, unlike depression, it seems most often to be described as a chronic condition with few if any well-documented successful treatments. If anyone has it, what has helped? Does anyone know about the work of Jay. A Goldstein, MD (ie., read his books or tried his treatments)? Thanks for any info. you can supply!
I was diagnosed with FMS about a year ago but had suffered from it for far longer. I have also been depressed for many years. I have found that the only really effective pain medications are not practical in the long run so I depend on other methods for the most part.
Massage is a great help when I can afford it, Heat helps most when I can exercise in the hot pool, but microwave heat packs are good too. Biofeedback and relaxation techniques help but only if practiced regularly, Stress reduction is a great help but easier said than done.
For me, Sleep makes a great deal of difference. I find it hard to differentiate FMS symptons form depressive symptoms and med side effects sometimes. It helps that I have something specific to complain about now, but management of both problems seems to mean addressing whichever of them is worst at the moment.
Currently I am taking Effexor-300mg, Ativan-2mg, Celexa-10mg, Cytomel-25mcg, Ambien-10mg and ibuprofen 600-800mg up to 3 times a day until it eats my stomach and I have to just live with the pain until my stomach heals for a while. Tylenol-codeine works well on the pain but only if I can't function any other way because it puts me to sleep. I would love to hear other opinions on these problems especially options for pain control. Celexa is replacing nortryptiline and was begun about a month ago. Depression is much better but pain is worse.
Sorry to be so long winded but this barely scratches the surface.
Quilter
poster:quilter
thread:3073
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990201/msgs/3127.html