Fibromyalgia

Updated on February 25, 2008
D.M. asks from Land O Lakes, FL
17 answers

I am a mom with fibromyalgia. I take tramadol for the constant pain. My husband also took this medication - he had a grand mal seizure (he has no history of seizure activity) and the docs took him off of the med because it may have been the cause of his seizure. I am now nervous about continuing to take this med. I would like some homeopathic remedies for fibromyalgia pain. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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N.K.

answers from Tampa on

Hi D.,

Please take a look at http://www.luminahealth.com/images/Fibromyalgia%20Study%2... which is a study done regarding the use of Cellfood for fibromyalgia. I have a dear friend that has fibromyalgia and he has had great results with Cellfood. You should be able to get it at any lo0cal health food store, or by visiting www/cell-food.biz. My husband is a right-arm amputee and has gotten a great deal of relief from both the phantom pain he lives with daily. I hope this helps.

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J.G.

answers from Jacksonville on

I also took Tramadol for pain and had a very bad reaction to the medication. I did not have a seizure however my sister did have a grand mal seizure while taking Tramadol. The reaction I exprienced I would not wish on anyone. I am now taking Lyrica for the Fibromyalgia and it seems to be working very well. I have not found very much when researching homeopathic remedies. I take a lot of Magnesium and that seems to help. Lyrica was just recently approaved for use with Fibromyalgia. I did find that at night I use China Gel and rub it on the areas that hurt the most and that seems to help as well. China Gel is all natural. I can give you the info on where to order it just let me know. Hope this helps. Best Wishes!

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M.M.

answers from Orlando on

Ask your doctor about Lyrica. In my office, the patients that are diagnosed with fibromyalgia are using this medication I have yet to hear any complaints

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S.V.

answers from Tampa on

D. -

Watch this video at http://www.DrSpeaksOut.com for some great information from a real doctor. Understand that we do not say we can "cure", but the body is a miracle and when you take care of it, it can do amazing things!

The best of luck to you and your husband. If you would like more information please feel free to contact me.

S.

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M.N.

answers from Tampa on

Hi D..
I have Fibromyalgia, as well. I do have tramadol to take for when the pain is not going away with the other methods I've learned to use - which happen to be mostly "alternative." I have found that doing meditations during my rough times, is the best thing I can do for myself. (We all know that stress is a big trigger, but there are other things sitting in our subconscious that will often trigger a spell and we won't know the "why.") (You can also learn Reiki - an energy source of healing - for Reiki, check with serenitynowbooksandgifts.com; and Adamantine from adamantinesystem.com - this is something you can learn on-line, taught by a wonderful couple in Ecuador - he has his PhD, in alternative systems.)
Doing meditation requires doing some deep breathing and this is bringing in more oxygen to your system - the same as doing yoga will. You practice breathing and relaxing your muscles at the same time. Meditation will allow you to get more "focused" on what triggers your Fibro flare-ups.
I've also heard that getting acupuncture helps some, but this isn't always covered by insurance. Getting a "deep-tissue" massage once a week is another good thing to help release those signals we've been sending to our muscles to cause pain, too. (Go to the schools teaching massage to get this done at a reduced cost!)
The other thing that truly seems to help me the most, is doing pool therapy. It is done in a heated pool, with a routine of simple exercises that will allow you to stretch, but not stress, your muscles. It is great exercise, too! You will feel energized, but also pain free, if you keep with this program!
Lyrica is the best medication to take for Fibromyalgia - which the FDA has now recognized as a real condition, deserving a real treatment! Check with your Rheumatologist - if you don't have one, I strongly recommend Dr. Karen Zagar in Palm Harbor! I've gone to 3 others and she is the best!! SHE LISTENS TO YOU!! (she recommends the massages, too, along with the exercise)
Good Luck!!

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S.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold, usually when given with certain other meds. You would probably be fine but I understand your worry now. I'm not sure about any homeopathic remedies, but I was wondering if you've tried Lyrica. It's recently been approved by the FDA to treat fibromyalgia and I do know it has been very effective treating neuropathy.
Something else to consider is yoga. I have sciatic pain and yoga really helps me (when I do it!).
Well, I've just seen that others have recommended Lyrica too!

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A.A.

answers from Pensacola on

D.,
I am sorry to hear that has happened to your family. I too have Fibro and some days are worst than others..I find stress, cold weather and lack of sleep don't help it. At least that is what I experienced before I found some wonderful vitamins from a wellness company. And the great thing is they are natural so you don't have to worry about harsh chemicals messing with your system. Each of the vitamins help a specific area of the body and then the combination of them work together to help the Fibro. I have found I sleep better, my circulation is better, muscles don't hurt and I have more energy. I have tried different medicines from the doctors but with all the different side-effects I had I don't take them but rely on the natural ones.

I would love to tell you more about this so you and your husband can feel better as well. Fibro is not something any of us should have to live in pain with when there are natural things out there to help us be at least somewhat pain free.

A.
My email: ____@____.com

A little bit about me: Stay at home mother of 3 girls. 2 are in school and one is home during the day.

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D.N.

answers from Tampa on

Hi,

I've heard of people getting great relief from Fibromyalgia by taking BarleyLife. I've been taking it for years and I love it. I have a friend who suffers from the same thing and she takes it faithfully. In fact, she's the one who told me about it. Here's the web address if you want to check it out: www.BarleyLife.com

If you decide to try it, they will ask you for a sponsor number (they give one to every member) so you can just put it 627891.

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P.O.

answers from Tampa on

Hi D.,
As a person who has long suffered with the chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis I can relate very much so with your condition. My sister has fibromyalgia, the problem usually is that no one takes her seriously about it, her husband cracks up everytime the disease is mentioned. Now about tramadol, I have been on tramadol for well over 2 years. I take 2 tablets, three times a day. I have not had any adverse effects. The pain management doctor I went to suggested some kind of psychotropic drug, I don't remember which one, maybe xanax or valium which seems to help with pain at bedtime (I think it relaxes the muscles). Who diagnosed your fibromyalgia? Are you seeing a rheumatologist or did the GP diagnose it as a "diagnosis of exclusion"?
I know you realize that every person is different and medications works differently in every person. I would check with the doctor, voice your concerns about the seizures the medicine induced in your husband and see what he says. Is the tramadol working? Maybe it is time for a change. I hope this helps.
Regards,
Trish O.

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B.A.

answers from Tampa on

Hi D.. I have a little bit of an idea what you are going through. My mom has fibromyalgia, and she has found some natural help through Herbalife products. I don't know all of the details, but this stuff has worked miracles for her. You should get in touch with her. Her name is Colleen Mazzella and she is an Herbalife distributor. Her email is ____@____.com her I sent you. I hope this helps!
B.

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G.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi D.,
My Name is G. and I Teach a technique called raindrop therapy. I am an Independant distibutor for Theraputic grade essential Oils and have done this technique on over 450 clients.
I Have have Worked on many people who have had fibromyalgia and have had nice results.
If You are interested please email me at
____@____.com
Thank You and God Bless.
G.

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T.M.

answers from Orlando on

I know someone who had really good luck with an accupuncturist.

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R.

answers from Tampa on

I don't know alot about Fibromyalgia,but my husband and I just signed up to get our DNA tested. They do a cheek swab and mail it to thier company. In around a month you get a 80 -100 page report on your DNA. Besides telling you what disease you may possibly be predisposed to it also tells you the foods that affect your body in a good way and bad way. They also can tell what vitamins/supplements work best with your body and what it is YOUR body needs. It has really helped so many people. They make daily individualized vitamins packs for you. It only costs $299 per person which we think is a great deal especially since my husband is adopted, but still we are excited and can't wait to see what foods affects us and how. They offered many stories of helping people rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, etc... Anyway it makes sense to me and I would imagine to you being a nurse that this could help you figure out what it is that your body needs to help you feel better. I learned about this through my chriopractor's office. You can call them for the info if your interested. Dr. Stan Pierce (St. Petersburg, FL)
###-###-#### Good luck on your search and God Bless!

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B.H.

answers from Naples on

I'm not sure how open you are to alternative methods, but go to emofree.com. You can download a free e-book that can give you some great information. Hope it helps you! :) B. H

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T.Z.

answers from Sarasota on

Hi D.! I have a good friend that has fibromyalgia and she too for a while took tramadol and it did not help her she is now on ultram i believe but I like she dislikes taking meds of any kind if it is avoidable so we are now trying the Drink Monavie. I have read so many testamonials to the fact that people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes and more are becoming pain free and symptom free that we had to try it. My husband was having lots of trouble with his blood sugar going up and down and it has been staying in the low hundreds and for him that is excellent. I do not know enough about it yet to stake my life on it but I am giving some thought to becoming a distributor. If you think you want to check into this give a jingle to the lady that may be my sponsor.Better yet go to www.Monavie.com and read about it. I do know that the Acai Berry is the number one super food and it was on the Oprah show as well. I do hope that if you do decide to try it that it works well for you. I just recently moved to Florida and there is so much to do here that you need to be healthy to keep up with everyone here. If you want to talk drop me an email.I am a 48 year old happily married for nine years to the absolute love of my life. I had five boys all grown he had three girls all grown and we now have 29 beautiful grandchildren and counting. take care and God bless! T. ( Tropical Granny)

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R.W.

answers from Tampa on

I have fibromyalgia. At one point it was so bad I couldn't walk. I have never taken medication for it. I exercise more when it bothers me. Warm bubble baths help. Avoiding stress and not worrying also help alot. I know it's almost impossible to avoid stress but I have learned to let the little things slide. Also holding anger against anyone makes the pain worse. But I also found out I have hypothyroidism and since I have been taking medication for that my fibromyalgia has eased up some. I know when a bad attack is coming on because it is normally the same times every year. But I monitor what I am doing and know to change it in the following year. Like for example Thanksgiving day was always one of my worst times. I no longer stress over the holiday. This year my daughers did most of the cooking for me. The day before instead of cleaning I watched a movie with my family, took a nice bubble bath and relaxed. Was a wonderful Thanksgiving and my fibromyalgia didn't bother me. I am learning to not be such a neat freak and take a walk or read a book or chat on the computer more. You will be surprised what relaxing more can do for you. I would have never believed it a few years ago. Things are good..Hope this helps.

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V.T.

answers from Tampa on

Hi D.
I also am a mom with fibromyalgia. I have had constant leg and arm pain since 2000. I have been to numerous doctors to no avail. I was reading an article at my daughter home about a supplement called D-Ribose and how it helps people with contant pain associated with fibromyalgia so I pretty much diagnosed myself. After talking to my doctor he has had me on tramadol, lyrica and cymbalta. Nothing worked. I now am on amitriptyline and take 2 pills 1 hour before I go to bed. It does help me sleep. I also take advil during the day. Exercise is important and avoid caffeine. I know in our busy schedule it is hard to fit walking in but it has helped me. I do cat rescue in the evenings and on the weekend and I know it is hard to fit the walking in but it does help. Along with the amitriptyline I also take the d-Ribose, garlic pills and acidopholis. It all gets me through the day. Stay focused on the good things.
God Bless,
V.

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