As most of you know I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 2 years ago after the birth of Avalon. Well, after Nova things have gotten worse... much worse. I need pain meds to function due to chronic pain, I am exhausted and achey and forever feel like Ive been run over by a mack truck. And it makes it incredibly hard to be a good parent to 3 kids 3 and under when your health is going down the tubes. My migraines are chronic.. at least twice a week, and I wind up in the ER several times a month becasue the pain in my head is so bad I just cant take it anymore.
Nova is up to 17 lbs and he's to the point where he' so big it physicaly hurts me and makes me very tired just trying to hold and care for him. I feel like my life has got a hold of me and is sucking all my energy and strenghth right out of me. I HATE IT! I just want to lead a normal life and feel healthy again.. sorry about the rant.
I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I know how hard it is to deal with chronic pain while being a mom to young kids at the same time. And feeling like you can't do the things that you should be able to, that normal people can really sucks.
Have you looked into any alternative treatments to compliment the medication you're on? There are several things that you can try that might help with the pain. MSM has been really helpful for my fibro, and I've had some success with homeopathics that are specifically for treating fibromyalgia. For me, I realized that my body cannot handle Splenda at all. I stopped eating anything with Splenda in it and my symptoms improved a lot, not fully but it's helped. I accidently had a small cup of yogurt on Monday with some in it and my fibro symptoms have been so much worse, I could barely walk for most of this week. Even a slight exposure causes unbearable pain. I also react to MSG.
I have a feeling that there are other things in my diet that are causing my symptoms to be worse, so I'm starting an elimination diet this weekend. Basically cutting out anything processed, all dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, sugar, corn, chocolate etc. I'll only be eating vegetables, fruits (non citrus), rice, garlic, vinegar, water, chamomile tea, olive oil and honey for at least a week to see if it helps my symptoms and if it does adding foods back slowly to see if I react to them. You can eat certain meats with that, too, but I'm not a meat eater.
I've heard from several people that acupuncture has helped with their symptoms as well. Also, I don't know if you've tried it, but I've found that HeadOn migraine helps dull migraine pain for me. Maybe on top of what you're already doing it could bring a bit of relief.
Wow, I don't have any experience, with your specific condition... but I wanted to say that I am sorry that you are feeling so crummy... and I wanted to give kuddos to CanadianMamma for all of her great suggestions. I'm a huge fan of alternative therapies... even just nettle infusion daily makes a big impact in my life.
i am so sorry hun!!! you deal with so much. I know exactly how you feel!!! i miss my phone buddy and just being able to rant about everything with you. you are one of the few who understand me completely. things have gone down the drain for me health and otherwise. just yesterday i was crying and critter was trying to push me to talk to a friend of ours and i was just like "NO! I need AManda!!!" its horrible. im going to try to get to a phone asap and call you and we'll have a vent session k??? hang in there love!
i just thought of something. we should set up a time to get on facebook and chat. let me know k?
Ooo jeez. I am sorry to hear that you are going through all of this.
I know that the doctors hypothesized that I have fibromyalgia. They didn't really care to help me at all....soo I had to take things into my own hands.
There is a new anti-depressant on the markety (not that I am one to hawk anti-depressents. They definatly come with a list of cons that I wont go into on this post, but I would happily provide if needed) Cymbalta. The claim is that it helps people with Fibromylagia in regards to pain management. Now, that being said, I am not 100% sure if it is available in the states, and I do know that it Canada it is about 6$ a pill. I could't personally afford it...however if you have a drug plan, it can be something to be considered.
Also, I am not promoting illegal activity or anything, and again... becuase I am Canadian, and we are very lax over here when it comes to Marijuana laws.....but I did find Marijuana to be helpful in controlling intense pain. Where I am from, Marijuana can be legally obtained for theraputic uses, and Fibromyalgia and Severe Migraines are on the list of illnesses that benefit (according to our government) from Marijuana use. In ontario there are "compassion centres" that will help you obtain marijuana, and educated you on "responsible" uses, and how to injest it with little damage to your bodies (i.e. through cooking it into foods, using a vapourizer, etc). There is also a "THC Pill" on the market, as well. Again, I am not promoting irresponsible behaviour, I am just suggesting that Marijuana is a natural drug (one of the safest on the market), with no added chemicals. Many, Many people with Fibromyalgia swear by it. Personally, I found it really helped the pain ease, and though I didn't smoke it often...when I did....It took the edge off quite a bit. (I am not using it now, as I am pregnant.)
I found Yoga really helped a lot. I had to ease into it slowly, and listen to my bodies cues, but it did help short-term.
I wish I had more advise. I really am trying to figure this one out on my own, and its just not easy. Finding a doctor who is on board is really helpful too...most arn't.
I wish you luck, and hate to hear it when other people go through this crap. Its awful.