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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
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!
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
Posted by Patty on February 22, 1999, at 13:02:56
In reply to Re: fibromyalgia, posted by quilter on February 21, 1999, at 23:31:31
I've been battling Fibromyalgia for many years, but it seems to sort of come and go. However, when I'm having an attack, I almost have to give up and go to bed. Two titers tested positive for Epstein Barr Syndrome (sp) and from what I've read, I really believe that I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:( Anyone hear of a product named Enada that is supposed to be a natural energy booster? Patty
Posted by shelley on February 24, 1999, at 20:09:34
In reply to Re: fibromyalgia, posted by Patty on February 22, 1999, at 13:02:56
Hi all! I have had fibromyalgia for six years (depression since I was a teen). I recommend rest, good pain meds, low doses of ADs, a bit of exercise (I like swimming and walking), massage every other week, heat/ice, saunas are wonderful, talk therapy with someone who understand what "chronic" means (this has helped so much), learning how to live within your limitations, laughter, and always being willing to try something new, especially a friend!! -Shell!
Posted by jane on February 25, 1999, at 21:09:13
In reply to Re: fibromyalgia, posted by shelley on February 24, 1999, at 20:09:34
if you are newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I suggest that you contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Assoc. They can give you some basic info and should be able to give you info on a support group. The support group can help you learn about FMS and its associated symptoms, pain, lack of sleep, depression, etc. They can also give you info on websites, newsletters, knowledgeable physicans, standard treatments and alternative medical treatments. Personally, I find proper meds, massage, hot showers, and SLEEP are the key issues in feeling better.
good luck - jane
Posted by Victoria on February 26, 1999, at 17:58:58
In reply to Re: fibromyalgia, posted by jane on February 25, 1999, at 21:09:13
Thanks to all who have replied to my post. I am trying most of the things you mention, plus acupuncture and meditation, and am feeling quite a bit better. But I'm still hoping for a more thorough improvement. I'm in a kind of Cathc-22 right now, in that I have just enough enerfy to do my job, but nothing left over for having a life! It's not a great situation. I wonder how much improvement anyone else has had over time?
> if you are newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I suggest that you contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Assoc. They can give you some basic info and should be able to give you info on a support group. The support group can help you learn about FMS and its associated symptoms, pain, lack of sleep, depression, etc. They can also give you info on websites, newsletters, knowledgeable physicans, standard treatments and alternative medical treatments. Personally, I find proper meds, massage, hot showers, and SLEEP are the key issues in feeling better.
> good luck - jane
Posted by Beth on April 15, 2000, at 10:23:18
In reply to Re: fibromyalgia, posted by quilter on February 21, 1999, at 23:31:31
> > 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
I was diagnosed woth FMS about 4 months ago.
I have tried all the new medcation for joint pain
but I seem to do the best on ultram 50mg,2 tabs,
3X a day. I do take ambien every night to help me
sleep. I have found that sleep dose help but the
best thing do do for FMS is exercise.
When I don't do a lot of moving around i find that
my joint and muscles are very stiff amd painful.
If i walk at least 5 to 10 minutes a day or ride
my bike around the neighberhood I feel a lot
better. The hardest thing is to get moving, but
once I do I feel much better.
I have done so much research on the internet and
every time I find the same answer. Exercise!
It is hard to deal with FMS, becasue it is a
quality of life issue, but even though I was just
dignoised with FMS a few months ago I believe
exercise is the best answer.No high impact
exercise, but just walking riding bikes, water
arobics really work well to make me feel better.
I hope this will help people who read this. I do
also suffer from depression and all the other things
that go with this disease, but if people with it
want quality of life I believe exersie is the
answer to at least help a little with the pain.
Posted by Deborah on April 17, 2000, at 3:27:40
In reply to fibromyalgia, posted by Victoria on February 19, 1999, at 17:46:44
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I was put on Neurontin for mood swings, and it also has papers written on it for the relief of pain in fibromyalgia. So, I take 400mg. 4 times a day, and it works, plus it controls moods swings and has the added effect of being an anticonvulsant, so it does a lot of stuff, I find it works well with little or no side effects.
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