New to Group - Need Help With Medications, Herbal and Supplement Info.

[Karen K. Jaggard]

I have had severe chronic pain since 2002 and have had 2 upper back spine surgeries.  Docs believe I have permanent nerve damage which cause my 24/7 pain.  Have not been officially diagnosed with Fibro. but I believe it is in the mix.  Live in a very rural area of N. CA mountains with Specialists over two hours drive away.

My main problem is that I have extreme side effects to pain meds (any opiates) and can only take a small amount of tramadol.  I was able to take Lyrica for over a year and it helped me greatly.  I then began experiencing swelling of my gums, toungue and lips so was told to stop the Lyrica.  Has anyone else experienced this?

I would greatly appreciate any information from members on meds., supplements, etc. that have been helpful or not helpful. I also take valium but it depresses me and I'm worried about addiction to it.  Any info would be greatly appreciated!  I've read your comments and people have mentioned meds that I'm not familiar with or abbreviations that I'm unsure of.

You probably know how isolated and afraid I feel.  Thanks for any responses, also links or info. on other web sites, books, etc.

Can't sit at a computer or type long without days of pain so I write with breaks in between.  

Thanks for any friendship you are able to extend.

Karen

[e-mail]

[Clarissa Shepherd]

Karen, I'm so sorry for your pain. I'm a 17 yr. survivor of Fibromyalgia and CFS. If you haven't done so ,please read my discussion "I Want You to know me " For four years I was bedfast and from there did my own research into how to build up my body and immune system . Many of the members here are using my techniques and are getting relief from their symptoms. My goal is to help others for I know the loneliness and isolation of these illnesses. A good doctor can detect FMS by pressing certain points on the body , knees, back, neck, elbows, shoulders etc. They must know what they are doing or they'll miss it. The things that I've written in my book got me out of bed and are natural. You may read an article about this in "All About Women " magazine by clicking on the following link. We have a great group here and they understand and will help you when you need it. Please feel free to write in the group and talk to the members . I 'm so glad you found us. I don't believe in coinecidence. I hope you feel at home with us. Blessings to you.
http://www.aawmag.com/story/14352/1

[Ellen Rogers]

I know this is going to sound crazy but try to stay away from script drugs. They really do cause other problems.Mine started almost 20 years ago. I have been thru it all. Reservetrol helps. Synthovial Seven helps. These things come from the health food store or online.You must take your vitamens and minerals.Protein is very important in our diet,you get more energy!

[B Grace Jones]

Dear Karen,
I also was bedridden. My journey out of three years of disability from Fibro & Mono led me to try a lot of things Clarissa describes, which do help to manage symptoms. I finally found a healing protocol to address and release the cause and the symptoms. I have been practicing it for 18 mos. and am almost completely recovered. This simple skill you can learn online (link below), #69 in my favorites is the "How To" video. Follow along and try it. I had to do a lot deeper work than what is demonstrated, but this is the basic process. Let me know if you have any questions.
Love & Peace, Grace [phone]
http://www.youtube.com/beyondfibro

[Lace Strother]

HI

I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL ... I TOO HAVE TRAMADOL AND LYRICA ... NO SIDE EFFECTS SO FAR, BUT MY DR JUST ADDED A NEW DRUG ... SAVELLA ... TO SEE HOW MY FIBRO RESPONDS SO THAT THEY CAN SLOWLY REDUCE MY LYRICA INTAKE HOPEFULLY. IF YOU WANT A SCRIPT ... TRY THE SAVELLA ... I HAVE FELT AN IMPROVEMENT WITH IT.

I TAKE A LARGE VARIETY OF HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS WITH MY EXTENSIVE VITAMIN REGIMEN. THE RESULT IS I HAVE VERY FEW DAYS WHEN I AM BEDRIDDEN ... I STILL HAVE TO REST DAILY AND SUFFER GREATLY WHEN I PUSH MYSELF TOO HARD ... BUT I AM ABLE TO ENJOY A QUIET LIFESTYLE. ONE THING THAT HELPED ME GREATLY WAS THE DISCOVERY OF THE 5-HTP AND ST. JOHN'S WORT COMBO ... IT WOULD ALSO CANCEL OUT YOUR USE OF VALIUM ... WHICH IS VERY VERY ADDICTIVE. I ALSO TAKE THE RESERVETROL MENTIONED EARLIER ... AND SAMe ... AND TRIPLE OMEGA 3 ... AND A GOOD GLUCOSAMINE/CONDROITIN MIX AS WELL AS OTHER BENEFICIAL SUPPLEMENTS.

YOU MENTIONED LIVING IN A RURAL AREA ... I HAVE BOUGHT ALL MY VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR YEARS FROM PURITAN'S PRIDE ... puritan.com. THEY ARE NOT A 'RESELLER' OR 'BROKER' ... BUT THE ACTUAL MANUFACTURER ... AND THAT RESULTS IN HIGH-QUALITY, FRESH SUPPLEMENTS. SHIPPING IS A FLAT RATE OF 4.95 ... I USE THEIR FANTASTIC BUY 2 GET 5 AND STOCK UP MONTHS AHEAD ... THEIR PRICES ARE VERY VERY REASONABLE, AND DESPITE THE HUGE BOX THAT RESULTS FROM THIS PRACTICE, MY SHIPPING IS ALWAYS MINIMAL.

MOST OF ALL ... CONTROL YOUR STRESS LEVEL ... PRACTICE FOCUSING ON THE BLESSINGS IN YOUR LIFE ... THAT WILL HELP A GREAT DEAL ... IT'S SO EASY TO LET THE PAIN AND MISERY OVERWHELM ... I FOUND THAT WRITING A GRATITUDE JOURNAL ... DEVOTING MYSELF TO LISTING FIVE THINGS EVERY NIGHT THAT I AM GRATEFUL FOR ... NOT ONLY HELPS MY PEACE OF MIND, LOWERS MY STRESS, BUT ALSO HELPS ME REST BETTER AT NIGHT ... AND AS WE ALL KNOW ... NO REST JUST INCREASES OUR PAIN LEVEL.

MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ... GOD BLESS

[Gloria Luongo]

I was diagnoised with Systemic Lupus 17 years ago. Shortly after that I was diagnoised with Fibromyalgia. After working at a job that I loved for 17 years at a Hospital as a Lead CPD tech. I had to go out on disability appr. 5 years ago. After going out on disability I was diagnoised with MS. There are days when as You all know, when I can't get out of bed or get myself to the bathroom.........I get migraines so bad that at least 3 times a year I am hospitalized for the pain...Up until 6 months ago I was on at least 9 different medications. I have taken injections for MS. Then I decided that I was going to take control of what was going into my body. So I am now down to 3 meds a day. I do not take Meds for the MS anymore. That was my decision. No one was giving me a straight answer if I actually had it or not. Some Doctors said yes and Some said No. I am a survivor. I pray and I meditate. No it hasn't cured me. But it HAS helped with my symptoms of my illnesses. I know that Fibro is not in my head and there are days that every inch of my body hurts. And when people ask what I have I explain to them what it is..My most common answer is I have Lupus and Fibro(But they don't have Me). I am so sorry for everyones pain, my heart goes out to each and everyone of You. My prays are with You All. I know that I am not cured, but for Me taking control of what medications I will or will not take. I've been feeling better. I am no way telling anyone not to take Meds. I just saying what works for Me. Yes I still have bad days...And I still end up in the hospital. But in a weird way I feel in control, not the illnesses. God Bless Each of You!

[Ellen Rogers]

Not by Jeff Foxworthy jokes: If everyone else in your P.T. class is graduating and moving on and your not you just might have FIBROMYALGIA!!!
We started having snow again this am at approx 6:00am. Rumored to be continueng thru til tomorrow night.By the way it was my physical therapist who diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia.

[[e-mail]]

Karen, I am so sorry that you are in so much pain. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about ten years ago. At first they didn't know why I had so much pain and tried all the pain medications on me but I am allergic to all medicines with Codiene in it. So there is virtually there is no pain killers that I can take. I can take Demerol but my Doctor will only give me ten at a time when I am in so much pain that I can't stand it. Finally, Dr. Barbara Bennett in Huber Heights, Ohio became tired of seeing me in pain and said we have to do something to help you. She found out I was Anemic and needed a Nurse to come to the House once a week to give me Iron by IV for six weeks. She kept drawing blood and found out that I also had Hypothyroidism so I went through tests for that. I now take Synthroid for that. She eventually diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia and then didn't know how to treat me. I saw the Ad on TV for Lyrica and asked her to let me try that to see if it would help. I also had started taking Valium 5mg in the morning and 10 mg at bedtime for the severe spasms in my body. She treated my extremely high Blood Pressure with Lisinopril twice a day and Metopropolol. I began taking the Lyrica and within three days the pain began to leave my body. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so I was still down with that. I heard about Provigil for Narcolepsy and seizures and it kept the patients full of energy and awake. I asked her about that to see if it would give me more energy and she gave me a Prescription. I don't take it all of the time because it really wakes you up and makes you want to do everything possible in a days time, then it is hard to sleep at night. I tried one half and that worked better. I don't take these all of the time but when I know that we are going someplace or I need to be wide awake I will take one if it is early in the morning. I also have an Enlarged Heart with two leaky Ventricles that the Heart Specialist watches. I had four Angioplasties, three were for them to remove a clot in my Artery to my left Kidney. I must say that I was frightened with all of them and put up such a fit to be put to sleep that they gave me Versed to give me Twilight sleep. I didn't feel a thing except with one and that one was excruciating. I could hear myself screaming in pain. My husband was standing by the Dr. (he is in the Medical Field) and he said that he had to stab my leg nine times to find the Artery and that I had a really rough time getting through it. That is the reason that I have very high blood pressure. My Heart Specialist just looked at me calmly five years ago and said that with my heart working so hard that she would say that I only have ten years to live. I didn't really understand or take in what she was saying until I got into the Car. Then I cried for all the things that I would be missing. It has been five years now and I don't see myself dying in five more years. I really look forward to watching my grandchildren have their babies and watching them grow. I also don't want to leave my husband alone so I think that I will not accept her verdict for me. I am looking forward to living many more years. If God wants to take me home then I pray that he takes me when I am sleeping. Right now I am just so thankful to have my Lyrica back and up out of the bed again. I feel like I am alive once again. My prayers are with all of you that your Doctors take you seriously and keep trying medicines until they find just the right ones for you.
Sincerely,
Tamara Lesley
www.spiritual-harmony.com