Dorothy, welcome to the group. Sorry to hear about all those accidents that triggered your Fibromyalgia symptoms.

My joints kill me all the time. I take Bromelain which is found in Pineapple. I also take Tart Cherry actives, Willow bark (a natural NSAID), and Boswellia Serrata for pain. Too many side effects associated with aspirin which is a byproduct of cracking petroleum. 

There is always some joker who thinks Fibromyalgia is "AIYH" or all in your head. I've run into a few of them myself over the years. Lucky for me that my brother has Fibromyalgia too. Nobody picks on us. Even his wife has CFS.

A great book I think you would enjoy is, The Sinatra Solution by Dr. Stephen Sinatra. You would be amazed at what he suggests for CHF with natural supplements. I myself have the arrhythmia, and I've followed his suggestions for that which are actually the Myhill-Sinatra-Cheney protocol. CFS is a type of heart failure, so I think you would like to see that article. I will post it on here again.

 [ send green star]

Debbie S., I’m just amazed that in 2002 that a doctor would act like Fibromyalgia is all in your head. I hope you reported him to the state medical licensing board for his incompetence. That’s just uncalled for, and should not be tolerated, ever.  The new doc, needs to learn that depression is not Fibromyalgia.

Have you tried the Myhill-Sinatra-Cheney protocol? I’ll post the protocol. This is what I follow, so does my Mom.

You’ll have to pace yourself better by breaking up tasks like cleaning the garage into smaller bits taking several days to complete.

I used to do all of what you did. I was very active in the martial arts, running, weights. So now I’m not any thing like that. My activity is therapeutic riding for 6 months out of the year. Other times, I have a problem walking so I don’t do it that much. I recently got an all-terrain folding 4 wheel walker with ergo hand breaks, a basket, and a padded seat. So my plan is to do some walking. I’ll start out very slow, and slowly build up.

 [ send green star]

Hi all, I was diagnosed with fibro in the 1980s. At the time, I hurt all over but I "toughed it out". In fact, I continued to teach self defense classes to corrections officers until the late 1990s. Every so often, I would have to take time off from work because I was just exhausted but I kept on keeping on. Suddenly, in early 2002, I became unable to even get through 8 hours at work. I saw loads of doctors (which wasn't easy given my HMO). Every time I got upset with a doctor for being an idiot, I had to find another one from the list of "approved" primary care physicians. One of them actually winked at my husband over my head and made a comment about it all being "in my head", nod nod, wink wink. Talk about a slow steam. I never saw him again. Then there was the doc who told me to quit complaining about the increased prescriptions to vicodin and just accept the fact that I was getting old and that being old hurts. I'm sure you all have similar horror stories. I have a pretty good doc now but he seems to be convinced that I'm depressed and that is causing the symptoms. I don't want to get another new doc so I'm going to have a heart to heart with him tomorrow. Anyway, like many of you, I have other problems that exacerbate things such as a disintegrating spine - I've lost 4 inches in as many years; arthritis and Parkinson's. Still, I've weaned myself off of many prescriptions (at one point, one of my doctors had me taking 320 mg/day of oxycontin) and am trying more natural things now, such as Vitamin D, DHEA, B12, and physical therapy. I have a question that is sort of an aside here -- how many of you have been through chemotherapy or radiation treatment? I went through chemo in 1981 for 4th stage cancer (which obviously I got better from) and it seems that may have set the fibro in motion. I know of others this has happened to and was wondering if any of you have seen a relationship. My biggest problem in this is that I still feel like that active person who spent hours in the garden weeding and planting, who could walk for miles, who could teach self defense, and lift weights for hours, who could play baseball with the kids/grandkids, etc. My body has turned on me and, frankly, that ticks me off. If I spend an hour cleaning the garage, I spend 3 days in bed and that's just wrong! I'd love to get to know some of you better. Mostly, I'm looking to make friends with people who are feeling in control of their lives and who refuse to accept what this is doing to them. I want to learn your coping skills. Thanks for letting me join this group.

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Hi All!!!

I have been reading alot on this sight. My heart goes out to u all. Guess we never know how good we have it until we see someone worse. I am here because I was diagnosed back in the 80's. It at that time was something that was brand new. They knew nothing about it. I lived with this fibro. for over 20 yrs.

I am here because I didn't have fibro., what I do have is vascular disease...It causes the same symptoms as fibro. I was real close to dead. Please ask your Dr.'s to check your arteries.

My heart was getting 1/3 of the blood it should of

Left arm was 100% blocked , blood reversed from back of head to keep my arm alive.

From the top of my heart to the middle of my neck, and rt. arm was 90% blocked.

I am a true miracle, very blessed, I have been getting fixed for the last two yr. I just can not stress enough check it out and don't take no for an answer Love to all, Vera

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Welcome to the group.  You have come to the best place for information and exhange of ideas.  Dillion is very prolific about posting all the information she comes across and also hosts a help group in  her home town. 

Most of us, I think, have found that changing our diets radically and adding supplements are the best solutions.  However, many of us (myself included) do need to rely on pharmaceuticals to ease the pain while we reset our bodies.

I was diagnosed in 1999, after going to doctors many years and getting nowhere.  I now have a team of doctors, all who practice both Western and Eastern medicine.  This allows me to see them, while they bill my insurance company (western) but they also guide me in supplements, diet, massage, yoga, pilates and aqua therapy.  It can be exhausting at times and as much as I really hate to say this (I really get angry at my doctors when they do!), you really need to keep moving.  Even though it hurts, small movements, gentle exercise keeps your muscles from atrophying.

Best of luck to you both in improving your health and thanks for joining us here.

 [ send green star]

Thank you for letting me join. I really have needed to tell my story for along time. My heart goes out to each and everyone having to go through this.

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Hi everyone,
My names Heather I'm originally from North Carolina, but I have lived in Georgia for a little over a year now. I was diagnosed with Ulcerated Proctitis in 1999.  I have always had problems with hurting here and there over my body since I was little, and have always been told it's growing pains. It got really bad when I first moved down to GA. I kept going back and forth to the doctors and nothing was being done , but giving pain pills and being sent back home. But in Sept. this year it got to where I couldn't get out of bed, and I hurt all over. The doc finally told me to go see rheum. doctor an he found out I have Spondylolisthesis and FM. The rheum. doc sent me home with no advise or anything. I later found out that my grandmothers on both sides has FM and so does my mom. Me and my husband got married in April this year and he has been very understanding of everything, but hates that he can't help me. I don't know to much about FM and what to do for it so I hope to learn what I can on here.Thanks for letting me join your group.

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Welcome to the group, Pete. I had to give up most all physical activity, including Aikido. What muscle mass I had built up has dwindled to almost nothing. I had been a runner, a weight lighter, active in shooting sports, archery, teaching hunter safety to adults, and teens. Now I participate in Dressage in a therapeutic riding center.

I think I know what you mean about the muscle pain. I have lots of that, but through my research I have been able to reduce muscle pain/inflammation with supplements, and herbs.

If you can check out any of our Vitamin D threads, reduced levels of that vitamin (and also Fish Oil) lead to inflammation in muscle tissue.

Besides me taking now 4,000 IU daily of Vitamin D, I take 6 grams of cod free fish oil, and lately Salmon Oil from Norway. Recently I read about MSM reducing inflammation, so I take 3 grams of that daily with Buffered Vitamin C to increase adsorption. I have found that this really helps me. I also take Choline to reduce muscle pain. In fact I started with Choline/Inositol and Vitamin D in Jan. 08 to see what that would do for me. I was surprised how well that worked. I sure was desperate too.

Besides this I follow what we in some of the Yahoo CFS-FMS groups call the Myhill-Sinatra protocol, which consists of Niacin 500 mg of the non flush variety [I have recently substituted the sublingual NADH for extra energy and being able to be awake all day]. Then I couple that with Source Naturals Magnesium Malate 1,275 mg daily, L-Carnitine 3 grams a day, CoQ10 300mg a day, and 15 grams of D-Ribose  a day. So in the morning I take the NADH sublingual, then wait 30 min. Then I take 1 gram of L-Carnitine, 100 mg of CoQ10, , 2 tablets of Source Naturals Magnesium Malate, 1 gram of cod free fish oil, and 5 grams of D-Ribose. I repeat this process 3 times a day for energy. These supplements act directly on the mitochondria.

Now, for other stuff like blood sugar and insulin resistance I take cinnamon, ALA on a daily basis. For the inflammation in my muscles, and joints I follow this: Fish Oil, MSM, SAM-e, Tumeric (Natural COX-2 inhibator), Tart Cherry (also Natural COX-2 inhibator), Choline/Inositol, Ginger root (natural COX-2 inhibator) not grown in China, Boswella, Glucosamine/Chondroitin, Cayenne pepper. I take garlic, and eat dark Vermont Nut Free Chocolate, or Vermont Nut Free Cocoa in organic coffee. 

Then I make my own pro-biotic drink, Kefir from acutal Kefir grains. So I have the leaky gut problem covered natually. Then I also besides the herbs, use homeopathy. I'm allergic to most drugs, especially the opioid pain drugs, including Ultram.

If I'm going to be in a Dressage competition, or if I'm going for a Dressage lesson--I fuel up on extra D-Ribose. I'm talking at least 50 grams or more of Ribose just to compete. I think I have gone beyond that just to have the leg power for what I do. Lately, though I have had to resort to the use of Dressage whips to act as my leg aids. My legs are really weak. They wear out fast. Were it not for my discovery of the D-Ribose in 2005, I don't think I could have continued doing what I love with horses.

I use an awful lot of Arnica montana 30x to reduce soreness. I have a supply of this, along with a supply of the Arnica gel. I carry an interesting homeopathic first aid kit with me at all times.

 [ send green star]

Hello all, and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to learn from those of you who have more experience at this misery and may help steer me better then the medical care I am currently receiving....

I am 40 year old male who was an above average athlete for all of my life.... All this changed gradually over what I now believe was about a year.... I noticed fatigue, I noticed healing time taking longer (I was involved in teaching/training Mixed Martial Arts - I taught for 10 plus years...)
The fatigue and obviously increasing weakness was diagnosed as Fibromialgia.... so began the steriods....
Have you ever heard of Myositis?  Me either, prior to the Docs (Reumatologist) deciding that indeed, this is what I have as well as the Fibromialgia... now we have Tramadol (some really scary medicine), Tizanadine, propoxyphene, as well as 5 other drugs for GI.
I recently had a core biopsy go into my left quad to secure muscle for discerning the particular type of Myositis...Apparently I am that 1 and a billion who actually gets Fibromialgia and Myositis together in the same body, same lifetime... not a wee bit surprised, really....this is an autoimmune disease and the pain is unbearable... narcotics have no effect on this type of pain.... my lymphocytes are attacking tissue and my muscle ( CPK levels are elevated) enzmes are attacking the cellular integrity of my muscles.... :o(
Unrelated but I might as well add;
 the cells in my esophagus are altering ( originally barrett's esophagus) to a squarish, reddish shape  moving towards dysplasia.

I continue to struggle but I am now on full disability but must go back to work soon or I will lose my medical benefits...
You have got to love the Catch-22....
I use humor for pain reduction... just can't believe my body will not listen to me!!!

I stay optimistic, some days are easier then others.... the simplist tasks become arduous; even bringing groceries in from the car become a challenge where spasms occur for days as if I had done some extreme exertion.....

Warm regards and best wishes,

Namasté

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Thank you Valerie, I will read your many good information.

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Hi Ani, thanks for posting.  It's such a shame that so many people still do not understand FMS and CFS.  Thank goodness my sibs have done research of their own, not to mention that they've seen me when I'm down so they understand.  It's a daily challenge to get to work for so many people suffering and for many, like yourself, that is too much to endure. 

I hope you'll find lots of helpful information here - and if you have any questions, just ask.  You're among friends and lots of people who do understand.

 [ send green star]

Hello, my name is Ani, i am over 50 and was diagnosed wth the FMS Syndrome in Nov. 2002. I have gone thru so many things and trying to learn so much. But when your own family does ot take time to understand how you feel, it does make it harder. When sometimes you hear, "Well if you would only find a job, you will be better". So i am here trying to learn a bit more about it or anything new that i have not read.

Thank you for having me here.

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Hi Valerie! The links are now posted on Links to Share.

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Hi Fil, would you be a sweetie and cross post these links to the LINKS to share and checkout thread please?  Thanks so much!  

 [ send green star]

Hi

Some weeks ago I found 2 cases of cure, which I posted on the other group, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Forum, as they are Success Stories.

Here are the links for you to check for yourselves:

http://www.alfredblasi.net/eng/index.htm

http://www.fms-bauer.com/downloads/besthof-engl.pdf

http://www.newchronicfatigue.info/uncategorized/7/alfred-blasi-protocol/

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

A lot of good introductions here - thank you everyone!  I too am stubborn and I'm absolutely sure there is a cure for Fibromyalgia!  Together, we'll find it!  God Bless.

Valerie

 [ send green star]

Hi I am mabra!

I have fms ,ms,cfs,restless leg syndrome,asthma and emphasema. Somedays I feel like everything hit me at once.

Ofcourse it didnt. I have been diagnosed with fibro for about 8 years.

I am a single mom of 4. 2 still live at home.

I too find humor works great and hate taking meds. In fact I am now down to 5. Would love to do a more natural approach anyday.

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Hi! I am Fil and during the past 6 years I have been searching for anything at all that remotely connects to cure and remission, as I am very stubborn and refuse to accept that there is no cure for fibromyalgia or miofascial pain. 

By joining this group I am hoping to share what I have found, my experience and to learn from yours as well. Step by step we will get closer to the Good Finale.

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Hi My Name Is Susan, My Niece Has Fibromyalgia.. I Want To Learn All I Can. I'm From Canada... She Is In The Utmost Pain All The Time. I'm So Very Happy... To Have Found This Group. Thank-You So Very Much.. Every One...BIG, BIG HUGZZ TO ALL.

 [ accepted]

Hi Connie, I believe you've come to the right place for information, yes indeed!  I absolutely agree w/you that w/o laughter, it would be so much more difficult. 

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's passing and I can absolutely relate to the constant flare after dealing with something like that.  I'm so glad I found this group - years ago, without the help, support and education, I could only deal with my flares and depression by taking meds.  Darn doctors just kept piling them on!  So one day I just said, the heck with this!  I transferred to a wellness doctor who was able to help me with more holistic approaches.

It's still a long road, and at times, lonely, but with good friends, good information and a support group like this, anything is possible, hmm?  I also think diet plays a HUGE role in our road to recovery - and I do mean recovery. 

Here's to better days for all of us!

 [ send green star]

BIG amen to that Connie....humor is what gets me through each day...being able to laugh at myself, all the Fibro fog, weird symptoms and total lack of health care system in helping us.

Angela

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

Just a brief introduction: I have had Fibromyalgia 22 yrs. this June.  It took me 6 yrs., many doctors and many hospital stays before I was diagnosed.  Since my Mother's death in August I have been unable to get my flare ups and depression under control.  So I am desperately seeking any and all info I can.  Also looking for others with Fibromyalgia with a sense of humor.  One thing I have learned these last 22 yrs. is the more you complain the more it hurts.  So I am always searching for a good laugh.

Make it a smiling day!

 [ send green star]

 [ accepted]

and

Welcome to all new members!  Please take a moment to introduce yourselves here.

Please share with us why you are here and what you hope to gain by being a member of this group.

We are happy to have you here with us and look forward to finding Hope and Healing together!

 [ send green star]