Working and Fibromyalgia

kit77

I am wondering if anyone can offer tips or advise for working and living with Fibromyalgia.

I was diagnosed almost 5 years ago although have probably had it for the pas 20 years.

I cope okay most of the time however at the moment i feel a flare up comming on. Most days are hell normally but I always manage to cope however the last few weeks I have been finding it harder and harder to cope with the pain.

I work nightshift currently so there is no way I can go back to the dr's to get aprescription for amitriptyline to help with the sleep issues although funnily enough I find being shattered after a nightshift has helped me over the last 2 years with sleeping better.

Apart from pumping myself full of pain killers does anyone have and hints or tips to help me.

Thanks

Indie_Kid

What job do you have?

sweetnothings

hi Kitt apart from the pain killers the only other thing I find helps is relaxing your muscles often, Ive tried a lot of holistic therapies including accupuncture, massage, reiki and all have benefited to an extent but simple things like epsom salts in a warm bath and relaxation cds can help short term too, good luck )

Cotton_wool_katie

Hi kit

Sorry i cant offer any advice

But as a fellow suffer i would love to hear others advice and experiences.

Love katie x

DomRavioli

Amytriptyline can be a little hard to use in all cases, so are rarely prescribed unless necessary because its pretty easy to get addicted. Bit like codeine! I find that diclofenac works wonders if I take it at least an hour before I'm going out, it counteracts some of the stresses I put on myself, and your GP is usually only to happy to prescribe it. Failing that, I'd have to say get yourself a massage chair topper with heat, if I'm having a bad day its one of the only things that makes me feel anything like human! Tried acupuncture with no success, but I know of people who swear by it!

kit77

Many thanks for the replies.

Think the best thing to do is to speak to my Dr's again.

I do a desk job for a bank. The people are great and I do not have to worry about childcare so it suits me at the moment.

I always have a hot water bottle to hand to ease the aches.

I have used diclofenac before but have not had this prescribed for afew years and have since changed Dr's but will def see if they will prescribe this for me.

I went to a chiropractor who suggested I took magnesium tablets, he is french and this is how the french apprantley deal with Fribromyalgia. So i bought some but am ashamed to say have never taken any so maybe I will try them. Not actually sure how they help.

I have also hear of accupuncture has being helpfull but not sure about letting someone stick needles all over me lol.

Indie_Kid

Have you had an assessment to see if there are any adjustments they can do? Like give you a better chair, desk, etc.

dojoman

My wife suffers terribly with this and I would be really interested in other sufferers treatments.

starchild1972

It does depend on what caused the fibro. Mine is hypermobility/EDS with fibromyalgia (25 yrs) so many things like Yoga and pilates, chiropractor use are not advisable as in my case they can cause more damage than ease.

It is doubtful you will get a long term prescription for diclofenac, the most they will give you is 2-3 weeks at a time. Low dose anti-depressants do seem to work though in establishing regular sleep patterns and relaxing muscles.

Reiki, well placebo effect is a great thing you know.

Arthritis Research did a study on the use of alternative/complementary therapies and please be aware, natural does not equal safe and the same goes for vitamin supplements all can interact and contradict prescription medications.
DO NOT take any supplements if you are prescribed medication without talking to a GP/Rheumy first.
No complementary therapist should EVER tell you to take any supplement without giving you that warning. They could lose their registration! (He was registered, right?)


A good healthy diet should do away with any need for supplement taking.
People complain about Big Pharma but Big Vita is just as bad (5 years in the "health" food industry taught me that. Just as dirty and money grabbing as Pharma, it was only a few years ago that overdose warning were brought in, even now they are not compulsary on vitamins and minerals)

I have tried most things around, a LOT of them scams (some as part as research). Go to your GP, get a referral to a rheumy, listen to what they say & ASK QUESTIONS.

Jo_King

Hi Kit. I have FMS and work. It is a bit of a struggle I admit - I've been working the 11 years since I was diagnosed, and things have been slowly, gradually getting worse. I'm not sure I'll survive another year of it, but hey ho, needs must!

Here are some things that have helped me:
1) Keeping regular times. My body needs to know when it's going to get sleep, and when it's going to be forced to get up!
2) Pacing. I know it's the watchword of pain management courses, but it is really important.
3) GENTLE exercise in water. The reality is that very gentle exercise does help - but it needs to be very gentle and regular
4) Taichi - because it loosens tight muscles
5) A combination of tramadol and lyrica. I finally listened to my dr and now stay on a low does of tramadol - because he pointed out that, by the time I started taking them in flare, my body was already so tensed up, it took more for them to work.
6) Shiatsu massage. It costs a fortune, but is based on similar principles to acupuncture, and it works, for me at least
7) Alter your shoes, your clothes, your desk, and whatever else you can - ANY extra comfort is precious and will make a difference.

Hope some of that helps!

kurgon

I don't see the issue with amytriptiline. It is not biologically addictive and can interfere with the pain pathways, which is what you are looking for. Also, the recommendation regarding magnesium is only half correct as there is evidence of poor uptake of both magnesium and calcium in Fibro, but as previously advised do get advice before taking any supplements. The only other thing that may help is to ask for a referral to a podiatrist as there is often a misalignment in your feet. It won't cure the problem but can offer assistance. Avoid tea/coffee and reduce salt intake. Drink pleant of water and reduce your wheat intake. May be best just to experiment with the advice you are given as some will help and some won't....