Vitamin B
- I am a 29/f who has been chronically fatigued/exhausted for the last nine years, at which time I developed mono. A very important point regarding myself personally - when I was 20 and had mono, I had been a vegetarian for the previous ten years. I was never taught how to eat 'well' on a vegetarian diet - never took supplements or protein powders or any of that. So, I think I started a ticking time bomb by not getting proper nutrients, especially vitamin b. I have been receiving weekly injections of both of these vitamins at my doctor's office for the past two months, in an effort to increase my presumably deficient vitamin b levels (due to my history of poor vegetarian diet). The results of my weekly vitamin b12 and b6 injections have been nothing but positive. It hasn't turned my life around, but I'm feeling better.
- —Guest Bridget
Heated mattress pad
- During the cold months a heated mattress pad really helps! It has 10 heat settings and has a duo control so my husband doesn't complain. It is wonderful.
- —Guest Helen L
Cold Pills
- When I had a cold, I noticed my fibro was much improved when I took cold pills. I now take two a day and have minimal pain. I do feel tiredness when eating bread and pain when eating chocolate. Almost any candy causes pain for me and spicy foods.
- —BelleUnruh
Hot Shower
- I've found that when I first get up in the morning, the longer I stand in a hot shower (as hot as you can stand) with a shower massager works great for getting my muscles warmed up. When I don't do this, I'm useless for the rest of the day.
- —Guest shastaholly
Electric Blanket
- I have found that what really helps my FBS is having an electric blanket on my bed and a transportable electric quilt to use on my recliner chair etc. because I can wrap it easily around me where I need it.Heat packs which I make myself from cleaned wheat in different sizes are really easy to transport too.
- —Guest Lisa Noomford
gluten free
- I recently went to a functional medicine doctor in an attempt to improve my health. They put me on a gluten free diet and my IBS problems have disappeared. I have suffered from IBS since high school and that is a long time ago. I also lost 15 lbs and completely changed my eating habits. I've had Fibromyalgia for around 25 years, I find heat helps tremedously, stretching and relaxation techniques.
- —Guest Linda
Bromelian
- I've been taking a tablet called bromelium ( this is an enzyme from pineapple ) it helps with digestion , is a natural anti-immflamatory and also helps healing . I've only been taking it for 3weeks and have already noticed a great improvement, especially with bloating and indigestion . A naturapast suggested this as an aid when lowering my dosage of prednisone and I have to say that I'm really impressed with the results so far !
- —Guest Claire
A few ideas...
- I am only 20 years old but have been dealing with at least some sort of FM pain and (extreme) fatigue my whole life. I've also hadnbad IBS that I've had to deal with on almost a daily basis. Recently I decided to eliminate as many carbohydrates as possible and I noticed an amazing difference in my IBS within 2 days and I also don't get sleepy after I eat anymore. I have a feeling that my IBS was caused by gluten but I have already been tested for celiac disease and my doctor told me I was fine. Recently I have started feldenkrais physical therapy which has also been very helpful. It teaches you how to move your body properly and to be aware of how you are moving and when you are doing something that could be causing you pain. My PT also suggested the MBT shoes which can significantly reduce back and leg pain. They're very expensive though so I haven't tried them yet but my PT said she had an FM patient who was wheel chair bound until she bought them so it's worth a try!
- —Guest Crissi
my tricks
- Here they are for what they are worth to others: * hot tub, heating pad, ice packs when esp. severe * gentle yoga (balance, mobility/flexibility, relaxation breathing) and Pilates (core strength/low back pain) * naps when I need them (without guilt) * gentle in-bed stretch routine every morning, even if it means waking a little earlier, and most evenings before bed *soft music on Ipod if I can't fall asleep, doing yoga breathing at same time *massage therapy *chiropractor * snuggling with my dog Good luck to everyone. A quote that helped me... You can have weak muscles that hurt or you can have strong muscles that hurt. The choice is up to you! (I choose strong, so I do as much exercise as I can within my limits, despite that fact that before FM I was a seriously sedentary couch potato. My doc says gentle exercise in the #1 treatment for FM.)
- —Guest T Eh
What helps me
- I was able to stop IBS by using noni juice, I also use some alternative things to help ease pain and stiffness. I used far infared wraps and magnets on my back and hips, that is the only thing that will loosen my back and hip muscles to calm them down enough to get to sleep at night.
- —Guest Robin
TENS unit
- Ive been going to a chiropractor for back pain faollowing a car accident. They were hopeful it would help the Fibro pain, but it only has helped the headaches. They gave me a TENS unit to use at home. I try to use it every night before bed and it does help. I have had a couple of times that it made my muscles spasm too much, but in general it helps.
- —wolftheef
Copy the elderly (but with a twist)
- I'm in my late 20's and have had FMS for 8 yrs.... I try to learn from my elders who have mobility issues / arthritis etc..... I have a cane with a very cool pattern on it.... I also have a shopper on 4 wheels which helps me do groceries but also helps keep balance because it's like a zimmerframe.... I got a load of fabric paints and had my friends decorate it with messages and pictures - always makes me smile - even when im in miserable agony! I had adjustable some ankle and wrist supports made for me in leather and silk (v comfortable) to help with joint pain - but had to go to a specialist s&m type shop to get them comissioned (rather embarassing, but hey - they really work!) good luck people ! :-)
- —Guest PinniePennie
Try new things, but be cautious!
- True, FMS/CFS is a "pain-in-the-butt". Years of looking for that "wonder cure" has taught me one very important thing...CAUTION. What works for one person, may not not only not work for others, but could be harmful. (Not trying to scare people here, and ever-so grateful to read hints etc, but just want to reiterate this point)! If I am going to try some “new” food or medication I make certain that it will JUST be the ONE thing I am trialling…(not 2 or 3 at the same time). Also, if possible, start off with half (or for me!!) quarter doses, and build up. One thing is for sure, having this condition makes you very attune to your body…and that’s not a bad thing!!
- —Aucklandecofarm
Alka-seltzer
- it helps for some reason. I really don't want to look up why, but I suppose it's a very good ingredient that help alleviates the pain for a while. Let me know if you use it and it helps.
- —walkingthroughit.shean
Share What Works For You
- Cathy had a response concerning soy oil. Does soy milk or soy fillers in vitamins present a problem? This could be something that is aggravating me as I too have IBS. I appreciate your help and thanks for your information
- —Guest Lucy
