Debbie Hall
I have tried alternative medications and herbs and water soluble vitamins. I use to be in so much pain I couldn't function for the "black" headaches and out of focus feeling along with the muscle pain and knots. Fibromyalgia was finally diagnosed in 1980’s along with CFS and sarcoid in 1992. I've had problems with asthma, lung glanulomas, coughing until my stomach muscles ached and/or I became sick; depression, varicose veins, endometriosis, urinary tract infections, digestive problems, colitis, iritis, swollen ankles and burning feet; just to name a few; there are more! In 1994 predisone put 40 lbs on me in about two weeks – up to 192 lbs.; that was more weight than when I was pregnant.. [FYI: My mom died in 1994; she thought the doctors were going to cure/fix her; she was up to about 40 different medications. For me after 4 years of depression as a result of my mom dying and acquiring the list of ailments above, I decided I had to buck up and get a handle on this – I had two teenagers who needed a mom. I had 2 popcorn tins full of prescriptions. I saw myself in the same situation as my mom, without emphysema; but with lung glanulomas. And I prayed for help.] I remember I use to drag myself around; I ached in the worst way. NOT ANYMORE. Pain drains you of energy. I've overcome the PAIN... at least to the point of very tolerable pain most of the time unless I overdo... IT IS NOT IN YOUR HEAD IT IS REAL. I find that stress is a big factor in the debilitating fibromyalgia agony. Don't believe "no pain, no gain"; especially with fibromyalgia. I remember just how bad it was; I sat and cried, holding my head in my hands; never getting comfortable to sleep and then waking several times during the night; always unrested and tired; and EVERY MORNING always waking with that "black" headache. It felt as though I had been in a rear-end car accident. I tried deep massage (which resulted in spasms ending in migraines that evening or upon waking the next morning), naturopathy and many doctors. Another step I took was that I changed jobs, not careers, to work with a very NICE person; get rid of stressful people. Occasionally a chiropractor helps when the neck is overstressed (which is an onset to migraines). Today the severe migraines do not exist: I see the flickering white lights; however, the severe eye tenderness to light is no longer a symptom and a must have quiet, dark room is no longer necessary, nor do I have such nausea I become sick every time or feel the exhaustion. Lastly, you MUST EXERCISE/MOVE your body, if only to a 5 count of three or four movements [strengthen your body]. You will ache more if you do not move your muscles. It takes a long time to feel better, but you WILL feel better. I am looking forward to going back to the spa to work out 3 days a week again – WITH WEIGHTS. I never thought it possible. Currently I am able to take charge of other things that I was physically and emotionally unable to deal with; i.e., our 2200 sq. ft. house is getting weekend cleaning, rather than never as before. The family helps with clothes and lifting heavy objects [pulling and pushing], and carrying in groceries up the front 6 steps. I am able to focus on trying to loose weight with diet and walking - not on PAIN - also light exercise, but careful not to overdo (to deter the flu-like symptoms). Know your body’s limits. I haven't seen a regular doctor in over a year since I have been working with these herbal medications and vitamins. I take acetaminophen for headaches and no other chemical rx's. Nor any inhalants. The pain medications dissolved my stomach lining. Today I have to be careful of what I eat. I've been on the herb/meds for at least a year. It is wonderful about how well I feel ... and I am now looking forward to getting in better shape - back to my youthful years or at least I hope so. FOCUS on life, not pain, is real again. If you are interested in what helped and what I continue to do at present with alternative medications, May you also experience painfree days again.