Fibromyalgia

Careful_with_that_Axe

sukysue, you're not butting in at all! Anyone is welcomed with open arms.

It's difficult to know what tips to suggest for your mum without knowing what she has difficulty with? I think the depression goes hand in hand with the pain and limitations that that the Fibro causes.
The only thing I can say at the moment is for you to reassure her that she's not alone in her suffering and listen to her when she needs to rant or let off steam.
Am sure someone else will be along who's a bit more compos mentis than I am at the moment and can add some more.

bigzippy

Sukysue does she have any other complaints as well as the FM? What are her levels of mobility and how well does she get on with technology? You could always recommend, for example, for to come on to a forum such as this so that she can let off some steam and get a bit of commraderie (sp?) or maybe there's a local support group? People on here seem to get relief from everything from hydrotherapy and reiki, to chocolate (*grin*) and wooly mittens... The folks on here (as a collaberated effort definitely!) have a good idea of the meds available and I'm grateful that I was reading about it all on here cos I managed to get on some much more effective meds than I was on, which can make a huge difference.

Don't feel afraid to "butt in" or to ask as many questions as you like! We're a friendly bunch...most of the time Hehe.

sukysue

Ohhh thanks for replying mum has very bad (she explains them as muscle spasms) pains in her back and around her ribcage.She suffers from arthritis and hypothyroidism and irritable bowel syndrome as well as high blood pressure, poor love the only one she hasn't got is diabetes ! Anyway she gets these terrible pains (spasms) and can't seem to get any relief she takes co proxamol and voltarol along with a valium when the spasms are too much but was wondering if there was anything else available I have read abouyt capsicum pepper rub but no one seems to have heard of this any info would be great thanks very much.

bigzippy

Hiya Sukysue. Someone posted (I think on here cos I'm not sure where else I'd've seen it, lol) about that capsicum pepper rub...I think it'd be about 30pages(!) ago now?

I also have IBS (as do a few on here) and I recommended a page a while ago (probably more like 50 pages ago!!) that talks about the bonuses of bee pollen and also one about the difference between soluble and non-soluble fibres (you're not supposed to have non-soluble when you have IBS).

As for the pains I know very well those ribcage pains. They're awful aren't they?! I can fully sympathise. To give you some idea of my pain meds I have: cocodamol (30/500), diclofenac & tramadol (which is an opiate) on a regular basis. Perhaps she could ask about the Tramadol (my dad was surprised I had this as he was prescribed it for after his ribs had been spread for the heart bypass op)? I'm also on Amytriptyline 20mgs at night and Lyrica/Pregabalin 75mgsx2/daily which makes a massive difference to how I sleep and therefore how much pain I'm in and nerve/spasms I get.

Hope this helps?

bigzippy

Hi Pebbles :wave:
The pain you describe could very well be fibro. My diagnosis came when I started getting really bad pains down my left arm (so of course NHS Direct immediately assumed heart :rolleyes:) and like a blue vein would show on the inside of my arm from my arm pit. It was all like a trapped nerve feeling too and would have horrible sensations from my chine through my shoulder to my finger tips. I still get it now but not so severe. I know you said you became too tolerant of the Amitriptyline but perhaps it might be more effective if combined with pregabalin (like mine now is, and apparently a recent conference reckons that that combo plus tramadol is the best solution they've come up with for fibro...or something in that vein anyway)...? Perhaps it's time for a meds review anyhow? Sounds like whatever you've got isn't quite enough..?
Plus the more you go back and pester the GP/relevant consultants, the clearer a picture they have of you and the better they'll be able to assist you with your benefits claims.

Welcome back BushBaby :wave:

Raeh I think I'll have a proper look at all the comp threads etc when I've moved house and settled. I can't think about anything else right now I don't think!

Jamla that chocolate munching smiley made me laugh!!

Auntie Axe aren't you the health and safety freak? What are you doing without a working smoke alarm to warn you of the melting phone handset??

On the subject of feeling a bit lonely (and I know what you mean about when it's quiet on here too btw) - is anyone on here on an instant messenger?

Pcl, Auntie Axe, etc low energy light bulbs are a pain in the @rse! I got fed up with struggling to change the bulb at the top of my (steep terraced) stairs so put a low energy thing in it. To be fair I've never had to change it, but it drives me (and everyone who visits the house!) mad cos it takes about 5 seconds to come on after you've switched the switch, and because the switch is next to two others (for living and dining room) you end up with a strobe light effect if you're in one of those rooms when someone's trying to switch the right one for the stairs and can't work out why there isn't instant light!

Raeh please never mention the grabbit now section again! :shhh: I'll be in there like a shot and that would never do!

I'm absolutely wiped out this weekend. Methinks I peaked too soon with the packing and juggling wedding dress shopping - even if I do feel better (mentally) for having done it. I'm on countdown mode for both the house and the wedding now so I may get a little stressy in the not too distant! :rolleyes: Managed to blag my way into Country Basket (don't ask how!) with OH today and got the card/envelope sets (blank) for the invites and have ordered the 2mm diamante stickons from eBay tonight so I should, when I get the 1" butterfly punch and the right colour card, have the stuff to make the invites with when I've moved into the house...once I've blagged a working printer anyhows! Managed to pick up a birthday present for a friend while I was in there for a not too shabby price too so it wasn't a bad trip.

I ended up going for a "nap" when we got back though, about 6ish, and OH only woke me at 8.30pm! I'm still knackered though and I have to be up to take MIL2B for a GP appt 10.10am and then another one in another town in the arvo So even if I don't take OH to work in the morning I still don't get a proper lie in He's gonna try catching the bus for a fair bit of this week though so we'll see how that goes I think I'm getting quietly excited about the dress I saw on friday, but not sure if it's cos it's the only one I've seen and liked? Gonna take a friend on Wednesday I think so see it again...so I guess we'll see then. Sorry guys, but you might end up being my wedding vent as well as illness (and house move!) vent!!

I should really go to bed now, esp while I'm still a bit snoozy...otherwise I'll wake up too much and it'll be like 4am again :cool:
Catch you all tomorrow...between MIL2Bs appointments :rolleyes:

purplecatlover

thats why my lights stay on until i go to bed, living room and kitchen form whenever i notice its too dark and turn them on, landing is on from morning till im getting into bed. i sometimes remember to turn kitchen lights off when i go out, but rarely tbh. there is nothing i hate more than being in a dull room trying to see to do something.

i have msn messenger, though i have had it set to sign me ina s appear offline for the past weeks and told a select few people to try me anyway if they wish to talk as i might actually be here. its purplecat@catlover.com.au if anyone wants to add (but thats not an email i use ever so dont email it).

Careful_with_that_Axe

bigzippy wrote: »

Auntie Axe aren't you the health and safety freak? What are you doing without a working smoke alarm to warn you of the melting phone handset??

I'm not the proud owner of 2 working fire alarms

Trialia

bigzippy wrote: »

Yeah it did look a bit more complex than Deep Space 9 I think once I'm in the new house and I need to make myself relax from overdoing it during the move/wedding faffing :rolleyes: I'll make myself sit/lie on the couch and plough through them. OH's best friend (and our best man) has the box sets so shouldn't be too bad. I might end up doing the invites and order of services at the same time, like M'Afraid Mary McDonnell means nothing to me at the moment (gimme a few weeks ), but I'm guessing it's one of the main chicks in it? lol

Lol, yes, considerably more complex than DS9! Darker, too. And Mary McDonnell is the redheaded leading lady She looks a lot younger than her chronological age, and is very hot. *tries not to drool*


AFA medication's concerned, since we seem to be disclosing... I'm on Tramadol, 50-100mg as necessary at the moment. It barely makes a dent in me. Nothing else for FM right now, but I'm trying Lyrica next.

bigzippy

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

I'm not the proud owner of 2 working fire alarms

Should that be "now" Cwta? :cool:

Consider yourself named and shamed!

Trialia how come you're getting to meet her then? And erm, AFA?

bigzippy

p.s. I added you on msn PCL
PM me for mine if you want it peeps