Both my naturopath and general practitioner are leaning toward me having Fibromyalgia. So I will be seeing a Rheumatologist on the 29th to see what's going on.

Just wondering if anyone else has chronic body pain. What do you do to help manage the pain? Anyone have any natural suggestions for healing my body and dealing with the pain? What questions should I ask the Rheumatologist at my first visit? What tests should they run?

My pain is basically all over my body, but mainly in my arms, neck and back, and it always feels like I have brain freeze in my head...not really a headache, but definitely some pain there. On a good day it is a level 1-2 on the pain scale. On a bad day it starts off at a level 3 then escalates by early afternoon to a 9 or 10. It can also start off at a 1 or 2 and then within an hour be at a 10. But usually the pain gets worse from late afternoon into the evening and usually by 8pm I am feeling the need to take some Vicodin. I usually don't take anything during the day and will take 1 Vicodin pill about an hour before bed, around 9pm so I can sleep. Tylenol and Advil do nothing. I have even taken 1000mg of Tylenol and it put a tiny dent in my pain.

Right now I am just continuing with the Vicodin at night until I meet with the Rheumatologist. I hate having to take Vicodin because it's a narcotic and it messes up the digestive system and puts a strain on the organs, but it's the only thing that helps me. And I figure that since I had to take it 24/7 for 2 months straight after two of my surgeries, my body should hold up to me taking once a day for a few weeks until I get advice from the rheumatologist.

I am also taking a good B Vitamin, Acidophilus, supplements for my adrenal and thyroid (I have low output from both) and eat a fairly balanced diet. I eat mostly organic and wheat/gluten free. And I've got several food allergies that also keep my diet in check. I eat chicken 2-3 times a week, red meat once or twice a week, tofu 2 times a week, salmon/fish once a week, and all veggie 2 times a week. And of course fruits and veggies every day. I pretty much have eliminated any artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils/trans fats, and any chemicals in my food that I can't pronounce. I drink a lot of water and rarely drink soda (if I do, it's half a coke can, or an all natural root beer). Is there anything else to my diet that I should try to see if it helps? Herbs, supplements, vitamins, etc.?

Normally I exercise at least 4 times a week, alternating hard cardio with strength training. But 2 months ago, my body gave out and I haven't exercised since. And since then my pain has increasingly gotten worse. It's generally the worst the week before my period. Then gets better during AF. Then I have 1 good week pretty much pain free. Then after I ovulate things start spiralling down again.

So if anyone else has similar issues, please write in. I just need to know that I am not crazy, that my symptoms are real, and that I'm not the only one (although I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy).

Thanks,
Sandra

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I have a form of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. We have a support group discussion forum which includes fibro patients:

Spondylitis Association of America - Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Disease Information & Support

Good luck getting a proper disagnosis.

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I have a disorder called Ehlers Danlos syndrome, and as of right now, I'm showing signs of type 2 and type 3. I do not make collagen correctly (or sometimes at all) so many, many of my joints are hypermobile and subluxate/dislocate on a whim.

Since all connective tissue is affected, I have a ton of other issues attributed - one of which is fibromyalgia -I have all the trigger points and the calcification of some muscles.

I have a host of other annoyances - including POTS, POH (those both affect my heart and blood pressure - neither is regulated properly), gastroparesis, GERD, restless leg syndrome, skin scarring problems, blood clotting problems, IBS, on and on.

What has helped me is to be on and STAY on a maintenance "cocktail" of meds that took us months and months to figure out. Each on their own does me no good, but with the right levels of each, I can live fairly comfortably - not always pain free, but manageable to a point where I can actually DO things.

For me, what works is a double dose of Ultram, a Zanaflex, and a Mirapex at night - ALL are things that make one sleepy - and my rheumy feels that interrupted or poor sleep is a BIG factor in pain management. I still get up to deal with DD, but I sleep SO much better. I then take Zoloft in the morning - it's an antidepressant, but as an SSRI it is helpful in treating nerve pain. It also help get me awake and going for the day - so I'm able to function and feel good at day, and sleep well at night. I LOVE it!

I have tried a variety of other meds - Neurontin, Requip, narcotics, etc etc. That is the mix that fit me. A year ago, I was in sheer misery - and filling out the application for Social Security Disability. Now, I'm able to work (when it's not a job that is getting me killed), and actually enjoy life.

My rheumatologist does blood tests on me about every 6 months. I know one of his big things is Vit D - which I always test very good with since I'm outside ALL the time, but many, many times folks with pain issues don't have enough.

Good luck!

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