What do you do for your fatigue, pain, etc

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone!

I'm emailing my friends and family out of direction from my new Arthritis

self-help program which suggests that I ask everyone what they do for the

following ailments. Please just copy the list and next to each one, type in

what you do to help with that, whether it's drugs, or massage, some kind of

therapy, treatment, something your doctor provides, a supplement or herb,

etc. This would really help me out alot as I am trying to research new

things that could supplement what I am already doing. It might sound dumb to

you or you might not think it'll be helpful to me, but I thought I'd give

this a try. And if you've heard of any new treatments that maybe I haven't

heard of, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks!

Pain:

Fatigue/loss of energy:

Stomach upsets:

Depression/anxiety:

Any other tips you may have put here:

Whitney

--

Eat, sleep, dream and be the music!

Support Fibromyalgia - www.fibrohugs.com

Cave softly, cave often!

Inquire about The Purrfect Petsitter & Infinite Creations custom jewelry!

[Guest guest]

Hi Whitney,

I'm still figuring this out myself, and I tend more toward the CFS side

of the spectrum, but with joint and muscle pain in my upper body (but no

pressure points). But here is what I'm discovering so far...

Pain: 5-HTP

Fatigue: Major nutritional supplements with emphasis on B Complex,

Magnesium, and Ginko Biloba

Don't seem to have stomach upsets as a rule, but if I do, I usually use

peppermint or ginger tea

Depression/anxiety: 5-HTP

Sleep problems: melatonin for a while, but now I'm trying passionflower

Brain Fog: still searching, the SAM-e, 5-HTP, and Magnesium seem to

help, but not enough yet

Tremors and shakiness: Chromium picolinate to help balance blood sugar,

SAM-e, and I'm getting off Prozac, which seems to make it worse

Hope it helps.

Whitney wrote:

>

> Hello everyone!

>

> I'm emailing my friends and family out of direction from my new Arthritis

> self-help program which suggests that I ask everyone what they do for the

> following ailments. Please just copy the list and next to each one,

> type in

> what you do to help with that, whether it's drugs, or massage, some

> kind of

> therapy, treatment, something your doctor provides, a supplement or herb,

> etc.

[Guest guest]

Hi Whitney,

I've had FMS and CFS for about 8 years. I've done just about everything to

cope. I did the doctor thing, the pain management classes, the medication

route. I've lost jobs, spent multiple days in bed, etc. When I had my son 18

months ago I had to resort to natural relief. So here is what I've been

doing...

Pain: I use a product called Pain-A-Trate on my shoulders and neck. I resort

to Tylenol when the pain is more overall. Every once in a while I do have to

take Vicodin.

Fatigue/loss of energy: I take Vitality for Life vitamins. These have helped

tremendously with my energy level. I can't live without them.

Stomach upsets: I don't have this. Sorry.

Depression/anxiety: I take a supplement that contains St. s Wort called

Luminex.

Any other tips you may have put here: A few tips I would have is to definitely

get into a great support group or network of friends that are sensitive to what

you are going through. Remember there are lots of us that have this and you are

not alone. Take advantage of any programs that your doctor or hospital can

recommend. Good luck and take care.

Ali

[Guest guest]

*Pain:*

Hurt a lot, but I also take Tylenol 3 with codeine. It doesn't help a

lot, but some. I am still trying to get my meds right. I also do some

stretching, but gently.

If I had the money, I would be using alternative medicine also, getting

massages, using herbs more, hot tubs, but alas, I am not that wealthy. I

use the local free clinic and hospital monetary assistance.

*Fatigue/loss of energy*: I sleep with a C-PAP machine and get 8-10

hours of sleep most nights. I still wake up with headaches, pain and

fatigue. I take Flexiril (sp?) before I sleep and sometimes add more

pain med.

*Stomach upsets: *I have just started having stomach troubles, mostly

gas. I am not doing much yet, but plan to deal with this soon.

*Depression/anxiety: *This is a big deal for me right now. I am taking

Cymbalta at 90 MG @ day and still am struggling with deep depression. I

went to my 1st one on one counseling session (this go round) and cried

through most of it. She didn't think I was ready to deal with making

many changes yet. I have melt downs when I focus on what is happening to

me, and do not know what to do to make things better. I am hoping to get

a SD with the help of my Psychiatrist and physician, but still have to

talk with them about it first. I stay home, sleep while my hubby is gone

to work, going to bed between 3-5 am most days, and getting up at

noon-4pm. That way I do not have to face being alone.

I sometimes talk with family/friends/support on the phone or

occasionally visit with them and that usually picks up my spirits for a

short while. I read my list email and that sometimes helps also. You all

give me hope that maybe I can get better and have reasons to go on.

*Any other tips you may have put here: *Don't take the wrong meds for

you. I have not taken Zocor since Friday last and my brain fog is less.

I will talk to the Dr. about it, but will not push him on it. He knows

everything and is always right! A strong support system is advisable. I

use mine before I hit total bottom. Don't have anything more to add today.

Patience in Oregon

patience@...

[Guest guest]

I have CFS but not fibromyalgia, though I do have left leg cramps from spine

misalignment problems.

Pain: I awake almost every morning with a horrid headache. I take 2 aspirin and

some kind of sinus tablet, only one which is half the dose. I must get

vertical, can't lie back down or it hurts more. A cup of coffee takes care of

the rest of the pain. When I awake in the middle of the night I do this and

after about an hour I can go back to sleep with no problem-even with the

caffeine.

Fatigue/loss of energy: I take a good multivitamin, iron, B-12 tablets with

breakfast. I make sure I eat a whole grain, no sugar, cereal with raisins and

1/2 banana with 2% milk. If I " treat " myself to other than this healthy

breakfast I know I will not feel as well that day.

Stomach upsets: I believe in as natural stuff as possible. Baking soda in

water, especially if it's keeping me from falling asleep at night. During the

day a medium glass of Coca Cola sometimes with plain corn chips.

Depression/anxiety: Rarely have this but think it is from being over tired, the

cranky baby syndrome. I take a nap, go to bed early. Sometimes I take St.

's Wort. I firmly believe most prescription drugs for depression only cover

the symptoms and don't deal with the cause.

I cut out reading about or watching the bad news on TV, dramatic, angst-ridden

TV dramas, anything loud or clanging, even if it's comedy. I watch quiet

programs on the science or history channels or read something easy and calming.

I used to listen to soothing tapes and guided meditations. These natural methods

treat the cause and therefore can be lasting.

Any other tips: Learn to be happy and accept what is. It is easy to lament our

loss of energy and stamina and youth but it only makes us depressed and doesn't

help a thing.

Hope this helps,