FIBROMYALGIA feels like I have the flu. The aches and pains I had
were mostly contained in the neck, arms, and legs. I was tested for
EVERYTHING, including LIME desease. I also suffer from depression and
anxiety and have been treated clinically the 14 years. The Fibromyalgia
symptms did not arise until 2 years ago and lately have been harder to
control. My physician(s) have found the Nortriptoline (Pamelor) is one of
the best medical treatments to this condition.
Unfortunately, I have also
been diagnosed with Degenerative Osteoarthritis. The medications used for
Fibromyalgia, unfortunately, do not help the painful arthritis. Arthritis
pains are mostly contained to shoulders and hands. Both conditions are
not constant. Some times I do not know if it is the Fibromyalgia symptoms
acting up, or the arthritis, which is even harder for me to know how to
treat it, especially when the symptoms of either one may only last for a
few days or so.
I also have encountered Restless Leg Syndrome. I wake up
in the middle of the night with this feeling and it may last as long as 7
or 8 hours. I have found that most of the time I have restless legs, is
if I have taken a cold medication or some other over the counter
medication that conflicts with the Pamelor, causing the restless legs;
therefore, I don't take anything when I have a cold, cough or allergies.
All I know is that for the last couple of years I thought I was going
crazy feeling bad most of the time and not being able to pinpoint an exact
feeling. My hands burn, that I am sure is the arthritis, but muscle pain
the the back, neck and legs must be Fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, I am not
getting pain relief from any of the over the counter medications and my
doctor gave me a prescription for Ultram, which doesn't help either. I
have a high tolerance to pain medications and that makes it even worse to
relieve the pain. I have taken all the Anti-inflammation, nonsteroid
medications that the rhuematologist could prescribe, with little relief
and lots of pain the in stomach. It is such a hopeless feeling when the
symptoms occur. It surely doesn't help the depression (which has nothing
to do with my arthritis or fibromyalgia. The physician I saw told me that
Fibromyalgia is something that needs more research and he suggested that I
go on-line for more information.
If there are any medications out there that might relieve the pain,
it sure would be nice to know about them. Some doctors are hesitant in
prescribing pain medications because of addiction or mis-use; however,
what are the pain medications there for if they cannot be prescribed? I
sure would appreciate any help or information that might help me. I am
only 44 years old and have a lot of living to do.
Rapid Response:
Re: How fibromyalgia feels
FIBROMYALGIA feels like I have the flu. The aches and pains I had
were mostly contained in the neck, arms, and legs. I was tested for
EVERYTHING, including LIME desease. I also suffer from depression and
anxiety and have been treated clinically the 14 years. The Fibromyalgia
symptms did not arise until 2 years ago and lately have been harder to
control. My physician(s) have found the Nortriptoline (Pamelor) is one of
the best medical treatments to this condition.
Unfortunately, I have also
been diagnosed with Degenerative Osteoarthritis. The medications used for
Fibromyalgia, unfortunately, do not help the painful arthritis. Arthritis
pains are mostly contained to shoulders and hands. Both conditions are
not constant. Some times I do not know if it is the Fibromyalgia symptoms
acting up, or the arthritis, which is even harder for me to know how to
treat it, especially when the symptoms of either one may only last for a
few days or so.
I also have encountered Restless Leg Syndrome. I wake up
in the middle of the night with this feeling and it may last as long as 7
or 8 hours. I have found that most of the time I have restless legs, is
if I have taken a cold medication or some other over the counter
medication that conflicts with the Pamelor, causing the restless legs;
therefore, I don't take anything when I have a cold, cough or allergies.
All I know is that for the last couple of years I thought I was going
crazy feeling bad most of the time and not being able to pinpoint an exact
feeling. My hands burn, that I am sure is the arthritis, but muscle pain
the the back, neck and legs must be Fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, I am not
getting pain relief from any of the over the counter medications and my
doctor gave me a prescription for Ultram, which doesn't help either. I
have a high tolerance to pain medications and that makes it even worse to
relieve the pain. I have taken all the Anti-inflammation, nonsteroid
medications that the rhuematologist could prescribe, with little relief
and lots of pain the in stomach. It is such a hopeless feeling when the
symptoms occur. It surely doesn't help the depression (which has nothing
to do with my arthritis or fibromyalgia. The physician I saw told me that
Fibromyalgia is something that needs more research and he suggested that I
go on-line for more information.
If there are any medications out there that might relieve the pain,
it sure would be nice to know about them. Some doctors are hesitant in
prescribing pain medications because of addiction or mis-use; however,
what are the pain medications there for if they cannot be prescribed? I
sure would appreciate any help or information that might help me. I am
only 44 years old and have a lot of living to do.
Competing interests: No competing interests