Ravenheart joins the ranks of others with fibromyalgia today, (although he has had it and it went undiagnosed for the past 7 years by physicians). If anyone has any suggestions for dealing with the chronic aches and pains.....I would love to hear them!!!! Today folks, today!!! ha-ha-ha

Laughing out loud,
Ravenheart

I am sorry to hear Ravenheart about your fibromyalgia.I really don't know much about that Illness myself.But I suggest you might want to check the internet search engines for everything they have listed to research it.Maybe even in try Librarys etc. Also ask your doctor if there is any literature or written information he can give you on this.Good luck with dealing with such pain all the time.I hope there will be medications and treatments to help you deal with this illness you had unknown for so my years.
Linds

Hi Ravenheart...

At least now you have confirmation that you do indeed have this dis-ease.

As far as help for the aches and pains that go with it... have you tried essential oils? I am sure there must be some that you could add to a bath that would help with the physical and emotional part of this. If you like, I'll take a look around and see what is suggested on different websites. There's no guarantee that they'll work but, if used properly, they wont hurt either.

I appreciate any and all replies and I am very interested in alternative medicine, aromatherapy, herbs, accupressure etc. that may help me deal with the constant aches and pains of this condition, I have comorbid CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) along with the fibromyalgia, so If I approach both conditions simultaneuosly, I hope to have better luck with it.

Thanks again,
Ravenheart

Hey Ravenheart..

I've done a bit of checking around and have found some information about treating fibromyalgia with essential oils.

First off, to get relief from the aches and pains, I'd personally suggest ginger essential oil in a bath. As you run a bath, put in up to 10 drops of ginger essential oil.

Some others that have been suggested for the aches and pains of fibromyalgia are: lavender (this also helps with insomnia, mood stabilisation and exhaustion among other things), lemon grass (more help with aches and pains and a mood lifter), eucalyptus (aches and pains..and can help fight off colds during cold season). Grapefruit and geranium essential oils will help lift your mood and increase your energy.

A few things to remember:

If you're putting the oils in a bath, no more than ten drops total in the water. More is not always better. And only use one or two oils in the water at a time... This will help you will learn which combo works best for you.

Don't be afraid to use the oils you are most attracted to that day. The attraction is your body's way of saying that you need it... and what you need one day, you may not need the next.

Diffusers work very well for the ones for energy boosts and mood lifters or help in sleeping but I would probably stick to a bath or massage for the aches and pains. For most diffusers that use tealights, only put 2 to 4 drops of each oil in it at a time.

Don't ever ever ever put essential oils directly on your skin or ingest them. Use a carrier oil (around here, they can usually be found right beside the essential oils). For example: One teaspoon (5 ml) of base oil and two drops of ginger essential oil along with two drops of lemongrass might make a nice ache relieving massage blend for you. (massage doesn't have to be the entire body...can be just where you hurt the most at the time)

Make sure that you are getting essential oils and not synthetic oils.

If you are lucky, the place you get your essential oils from will have someone there who can give you some more help in learning how to use them.

I hope this helps you.

*warmhug*

[ January 08, 2007, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: Starlight ]

Hi Ravenheart,

I also suffer from FMS, CFS, TMJ and a couple others? I guess you could say all of it.
I was diagnosed after years and years of suffering and thinking I was going crazy. Oh, I have the facial pain also, MFP.
Pain, is something that I know all to well. I beleive I have gotten a handle on it, or gotten used to it?
Fybromyalgia is not the same for every sufferer. What may work for me may not work well for you. Now, I have only read that. I personally don't know any other people who have it. I do know a couple folks here do besides me. "wink wink" One person helped me greatly here before and after my diagnosis. She is very, extremely knowledgable on the subject. I will message her and see if she seen your post.
Aromatherapy helps, oils help. At night I use a lavender/sage and during the day grapefruit. Until my back injury in 2005, I also used exercise. Nothing major of course but I worked hard to strengthen my muscles. I also went through physical therapy at a rehab hospital, water therapy, some kind of light stimulant therapy? I probably went through just about everything. In the end, low impact excerise in a heated pool. Now, when I say heated, it was like a hot tub heated. Most fybro patients don't take the cold well at all. Me being one of them!
So, then at home I bought a treadmill that I just used 2 times a day for ten minutes or so to take a slow walk. I will admit, sometimes even the lowest setting was too much. I learned very fast not to take my "good days" for granted nor do too much either.
I could go on and on. I don't know what symptoms your having the most trouble with and I don't want to scare or upset you. Fybromyalgia most definitely changes your lifestyle. I had to learn to balance certain aspects of my life.........that was probably the hardest for me.
Its also a shame to say that I finally began caring about my health alot more. Eating properly, trying to get proper rest........which is another one of my worst symptoms.
I take that back! The worst symptom was people not beleiving in this disease. Its frustrating and made me hurt physically even worse. Its becoming more known now and more accepted. But even four years ago I had doctors and members of my own family telling me it was all in my head. I found a good doctor, you really need that, and as the years passed a couple of my family memebers who gave me heck about it began to see and beleive that this disease exsists. It wasn't that they didn't beleive I was ill, but that something was wrong and instead of finding out they just labeled me "Fybromyaglia?" I just told the people who thought my disease didn't exsist that I hoped and prayed they never had to suffer like I was!
If there is anything I can do to help you, I am here. Sometimes you just need to vent, sometimes cry? And it does help knowing that your not the only one, sometimes.
Take care of yourself. What have the doctors suggested? I tried to get into a doctor here in Ohio that has Fybromyalgia himself and has written books on it, Dr. Mark Pelligrino. He has a website. I could never get in. He travels the country lecturing on fybro. But I did find a good reumatologist and a good neurologist also.
Sending white light and many prayers your way Ravenheart,
Peggy

Ravenheart, I am glad for one thing. At least now you know the monster's name, but it always saddens me to hear of yet another person being diagnosed with FMS. But, if I had to make a bet on your case, I think I would have made some money. My own gut feelings, along with knowing the symptoms first hand so well, I just had a feeling that you were probably like me... dealing with CFS AND FMS, too. I am so sorry to hear that this is true. {{{{{Ravenheart}}}}}

Gosh, there are many things that you may want to try. One of the most recent things that I found has been helping me is the weight loss that I have accomplished via my diabetes diagnosis last May. (I have lost 60 pounds since May 2006) If you are above your ideal weight, and can take off a few pounds, at least it takes the pressure off of the knees, hips and back, which has been very helpful in my case. My pain in those areas has diminished noticeably. No starvation here, but just eating right makes a difference. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and be careful about too much sugar or carbohydrates. Eat whole grain breads whenever possible. Protein in the form of low fat meats (lean beef or pork, and poultry), eggs (I use Egg Beaters to avoid cholesterol) and nuts are all good sources. I eat quite a bit of peanut butter and also pecans and almonds. Yes, this is a diabetic diet, but it might make a good springboard for you, too, just for the sake of healthy eating, and not necessarily just weight loss. If you want more info on this kind of diet, check out the site for the American Diabetes Association/Nutrition[/URL]

This may sound silly, but I use alot of BenGay. I buy the big size tube, and use it on my joints and muscles that are hurting, especially at bedtime. How does a guy living alone put Bengay on his back, you may ask? Well... just get a long handled bath brush, and wrap the brush part with a washcloth, held in place snugly on the backside by safety pins. Put the Bengay on the wash cloth, and rub it in the areas of your back that hurt. You will be amazed how well this works. Throw the wash cloth in the wash as needed, so the Bengay on the cloth won't become rancid. This little rig is also handy for washing the Bengay off of your back in a bath or shower. Just use some liquid soap in the brush alone, or use the attached wash cloth. It works great. =) Hope this will help. I get alot of back pain between my shoulders and in my lower back. Reaching the right spots is usually impossible with a hand. I have bursitis in my right shoulder, so using that arm to try to reach such an awkward position is very painful, and it lasts for days. The brush is a better bet! LOL

For relaxation, I use lavender essential oil occasionally, and it does help for sleep. Just a little lavender oil on a tissue tucked under your pillow at night helps you to relax.

I also use Melatonin (from the health food store) for sleep. Just suck on a table until it is gone just before bedtime. Don't swallow it whole or chew it. This is a natural substance that our bodies create from sunlight, but if you don't spend enough time in the sun, it can be on the low side. This is a chemical that has an effect on our biological clock, and helps us get to sleep. Another thing that helps, if you are having to sleep during daylight hours is a sleep mask to block out all light. They aren't expensive, and are a big help sometimes.

I have recently discovered the "Head-On" brand of headache relievers.... and I LOVE them! There are several kinds to choose from, and you will find them at your local drugstore. I not only use them on my forehead for headache, but also on the hinges of my jaw when the TMJ is acting up. It is amazing how much this helps. It even works on a painful joint, too... like a knee or a wrist. Just be careful not to get it in your eyes! I have tried Head-On's Joint and muscle pain stick, but it contains only menthol as an active ingredient, and I don't find it as effective as either the headache variety, or good ol' Bengay for joints & muscles.

For an everyday pain reliever, I am currently using Tylenol Arthritis formula, and it seems to work quite well. You have to be careful about anything that contains aspirin, because overuse can cause internal damage to your body...and it thins your blood to a dangerous level, in the event that you needed surgery, etc, it would be a definite factor in blood clotting time. I just take the single 81mg Bayer aspirin once per day to protect my heart, as prescribed by my Dr. I don't have heart trouble, but he said it could possibly prevent a problem in the future. I am all for that. You can get these without prescription, of course, but you might want to ask your Dr about it first.

As Peg said, stress alone is enough to cause physical pain, and sooooo many people don't understand that.

Higher levels of activity than normal, like a trip to the grocery store, or other things that involve alot of walking, will cause me extra body pain for 24 to 48 hours afterward, often making it difficult to even get out of bed. I hate this!! But, the loss of weight has helped me in this area somewhat. I find that I can now walk further than before, and I can stand longer than I could a year ago. But, I still have the after effects of extra activity. I was using a walker a year ago for these kinds of trips (the kind with a seat to sit on when needed) but I haven't used it for several months now! I think my weight loss has helped in that area... and I am still losing weight. In fact, I didn't even gain weight over the holidays! I lost a couple of pounds instead! =)

Anyway, I will try to think up more of my personal tips to help you, but maybe this will help get you started toward feeling better, and dealing with that Fibromonster in ways that will keep you more comfortable.

Much love, and lots of soft Fibro-hugs to you!! I am sending loads of white light, too!

Blessings to a wonderful guy,

Mare

Oh, You are such a sweetheart, thank you so much for helping me with this. I have been depressed because of the diagnosis, along with the fact that I have had an increase in activity due to school and my sister having been away all week. I have been aching from head to toe as you well understand and I am mentally and physically exhausted. I get a bit of break tomorrow from classes and have homework but no classes...

I could use some specific foods that you eat as a guide to what I may need to switch to...(I know these are lifestyle changes). I have been told that I am borderline Diabetic, so thanks for the link. I am about 42-45 lbs over my ideal weight, but I have lost 15 lbs in the last couple of months. =) I also have flat feet, so the weight loss could help me a lot.

When do you usually apply the Ben-Gay? I am willing to give just about anything a try..ha-ha!!!
I will try the Tylenol Arthritis medicine and although I haven't had any luck with melatonin in the past that may have been due to the different meds I was on at the time.

Science has proven that when a lab mouse is subjected to high levels of stress over a long period of time, it's adrenal gland will begin to bleed and the mouse will die, so it is true that stress can kill you!!

I am running short on time tonight, my sister is needing to use the computer, so I need to run, but I will write you again tomorrow.

much love and light,
Ravenheart

When I posted last night, I had missed two previous posts; one by Starlight and the second by Peg. I did however see Azspirit's post. I want you to know, right now, that the three of you are like angels to me, helping me in this battle to improve my health. What a beautiful gift of your time and energies!!! Thanks to Gremlin also for writting to me and offering suggestions, you're the best. I am overwhelmed by the kindness I am being shown but I am not complaining.. =)

Just a smile can help ease my pain if only for the moment, I take nothing for granted anymore. An instructor at school took one look at me yesterday and said, "You don't feel good, do you?" She used to be my advisor and we have talked about some personal things before, so I told her about this new diagnosis. Although I told her, there is still a part of me that feels ashamed due to the lack of understanding on the parts of those who have not experienced this syndrome. No one should be made to feel ashamed for something outside of thier control. I can relate to what Peg said about this. It is sooo unfair!!!
I recently found out that childhood trauma increases the risk of CFS and that makes me really sad, because it could well be additional disturbing after-affects of having been traumatized as a child. There is a lot of anger beneath this sadness, but right or wrong, I just do not have the energy to waste on being angry about a thing that I can't control...that is just life, I suppose.

I hate the feeling of being helpless and you folks have changed that for me, I am eternaly grateful!!!

Hugs to all,
Ravenheart

Ravenheart, I am so happy that all of us who are familiar with this disease are able to help you, and perhaps find some ways to keep your pain to a minimum.

How well I know the feeling of being painful from head to toe. Sometimes, it even feels as if my bone marrow hurts! I have found that not just the diagnostic pressure points are tender, but other areas of muscle feel very bruised and sore from just moderate pressure from a finger. My thighs and hips are very prone to this, and sitting in a chair with arms, where the front support of the chair arms were right next to my leg... there are some that are just too painful to endure sitting in, all because the arms seem to be pressing on a bruise (but there isn't a real bruise present, it just feels that way). I am having less of this since I have been losing weight, but it is still there, and I still have to choose my chairs wisely whenever possible. (I got to where I hated the chairs in my Dr's waiting room, with their wooden, unpadded arms. Even our plastic patio chairs with arms were painful, and so were the aluminum folding chairs. I always opt for an armless chair whenever possible. It put a stop to any desire to go to a theatre, because I knew the chairs would have me in about two hours of agony, and the movie would not be foremost in my mind. Kind of a waste of money, when your body pain keeps you from focussing!)

BenGay?? Well, I use it kind of as needed, at any time, day or night. I do try not to use it when I am going out somewhere, due to the unmistakeable scent! LOL

Another pain relief product that I have found helpful comes from a website at Longview Farms[/URL]

This is made from Emu Oil (from the Emu bird, somewhat like an ostrich). Research has found that Emu Oil penetrates deeper into skin and muscle than other preparations, and it carries the medicine in them right along for the ride. There are two products here that are a "must try". One is "Blue Pain Relief", and the other is called "Muscle Relief". The great part about both of these is that they do not have an offensive odor, and can be worn when you are going out somewhere, and don't want to smell like BenGay! LMAO Being in these great roll-on applicators, they can easily be used anywhere without getting it on you hands, etc. I have even slipped into the restroom in a public place, and rolled some of these products on my lower back, hips and knees. I have also used it on my neck muscles and shoulders. It works very well, and no one will even suspect your using a "muscle rub"! The Muscle Relief contains Capsaicin (the essence that makes any pepper hot), which the Emu oil takes deeper into the muscle to do it's work, and I found that it was a definite help. It's easy to slip into a backpack or fanny pack, (or a ladies purse), so you can take it anywhere. This may be a good muscle relief solution for when you are at school, etc. Do give it a try. It goes a long way, so you might try the smallest sizes, just to get acquainted with it. It's good stuff!

Diet.... hmmmm, let's see. I'll have to do a little research in my Diabetes library, and see if there is something I can scan that will help get you started.

Bear in mind that your height and ideal weight may play a part in your overall portions and choices per day, and I think I may have a chart about that... if they don't have something similar to it.

Your Doctor may also be a good source of information on a Diabetic Diet. Some Doctors send diabetic patients to a dietician, but my Internal Medicine Specialist has done all of my diet counseling for me! Since you are a borderline diabetic, now is a great time to start eating the right things... as that may help you to avoid becoming diabetic altogether. Right now, I don't use insulin, and my diabetes control is simply diet and oral medication to control blood sugar/insulin levels. I check blood sugar levels a minimum of 3 times per day, and sometimes 4-5 times per day. Maybe you will be able to avoid this altogether by acting early on your extra weight and diet. My Doctor said that I might even get to a place where I no longer need medication for it myself, since I have been doing so well.

A particular brand of products I have been using as a part of my diet has been Glucerna. They make a liquid product, which is usually my breakfast, and it comes in several flavors. They also make Snack Bars and Meal Bars, which I use several times per week, but not necessarily every day.

An ordinary day for me might include the following:

Breakfast- one can of Glucerna liquid (I prefer the chocolate) OR, I might have a bowl of whole grain cereal, such as Wheaties or Cheerios, with Sweet n Low in place of sugar, and Skim or Low Fat milk. To liven up the cereal, toss in some fresh strawberries. 1-1/4 cups is a serving of these lovely red gems) Do not use frozen, because they usually have sugar... read the label, and they may be plain, without sugar added, and therefore OK.

Morning Snack: A Glucerna Snack Bar, maybe with a glass of Skim/Low Fat Milk. OR, I might have 1/4 cup of Pecan halves or toasted almonds. (I toast my own almonds, and they are delicious!! Very easy... takes only 15 minutes in the oven. If you want to know how, let me know.) If you like peanuts, get the dry roasted kind.

Lunch: 4 Rye Crisp Crackers with 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter on each one (Total 2 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter equals one protein choice) , a glass of Skim Milk, Or a can of V-8 Vegetable juice. For dessert, try a serving of Hunt's Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding with a couple dollops of Cool Whip in a small bowl (you can ger Sugar Free Cool Whip now, and it tastes the same as the Low Fat or Regular, at least to me.) Toss in 10 pecan halves for some crunch, and enjoy! I love this!!

Afternoon Snack: A Glucerna Snack Bar or a piece of fruit.

Dinner: 3-4 ounces of cooked lean meat (chicken, turkey, beef, lean pork or ham, fish or shrimp) , a salad with lettuce, tomatoes, celery, carrots, cucumber, spinach leaves, anything in the way of fresh vegetables that you like, topped with Kraft Free Dressing (2-3 Tablespoons) 1/2 of a baked potato, topped with the "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray". Use lots of spray on your potato, because it is fat free, and very few carbs. It tastes great! You can also use the "butter spray" on any cooked vegetable of your choice, along with the above. Eat veggies until they come out your ears, if you are really hungry! (We use frozen veggies and just microwave a portion to suit.) Top off your meal with 6 dried apricot halves with a couple of dollops of Cool Whip.

Evening Snack: Make yourself some sugar free Jello, in any flavor you like. Once it is set (make this earlier in the day, or even the day before), cut the jello into cubes, or just coarsely mash it. Mix one package of jello with 1/2 to 1 8oz Sugar Free Cool Whip... and here you have a snack that you can eat whenever you like, and it won't hurt you sugar-wise, or weight-wise.

You should get a good food scale (Cuisinart makes a good one that measures in ounces or grams, which is handy), and have a good set of measuring spoons and a measuring cup, because measuring portions is important, but I'll try to tell you more about that part later.

Try some of these foods, and see what appeals to you most. These contain some of my favorites. If you get hungry, eat some fresh veggies, like cellery, carrots, broccoli, etc, dipped in a little bit of Kraft Free Salad Dressing... a terrific TV munchie!

Hope this helps to introduce you to the new, healthier Ravenheart!

Hugs,

Mare

With few exceptions, the diet sounds very much like the Healthy Heart Diet I have. I like that diet and will probably enjoy this Diabetes diet once I have become used to it.

I plan to print out the information you have sent, so I will have it around when I need it. The most I am supposed to weigh is 185 lbs. for my height and ideal weight. I am 227 lbs. now, so I am looking at needing a loss of at least 42 lbs, (and to keep it off). I had been up to 243 lbs., which is tthe most I have ever weighed.

I have COPD too and need to quit smoking in the very near future. I will recieve some finances in a week or two and will begin my doctors plan for kicking the habit. I am ready and I so want to quit especially now that I see what it has been doing to me all these years.

I also need to exercise a bit more, so I am about to undergo a lot of lifestyle changes and your support means more than I could ever tell you. Asking for help and accepting support from others is something new to me, (as I used to try so hard to be totally self-reliant). I found out just how hard that can be and so I gave up on that. LOL =)

Somethings that I think most people do not get enough of are hugs and encouragement. there is just no true substitue for that. I was once told that to encourage meant, "To put the heart in". What greater thing can we do for another person?

Thank you Azspirit, for all the time and trouble you went through to get me this information. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers always.

Your friend,
Ravenheart

[ January 12, 2007, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: Ravenheart ]

I am glad to be of help to you, and others who have CFS/FMS. I am so happy that I may have helped you along a rough road, and I am hoping that things will begin getting better for you soon.

I, too, need to quit smoking... AGAIN!! And, this time for good! I used the patches last year, and was smoke free for a few months, and then stress drove me back to it again! I have made my mistakes, and I have learned by them. I don't need cigarettes, and the saddest part of all is the fact I never smoked until I was 26 years old! I made it through all the teen years with not one cigarette, even tho' my father was a smoker. Then, I was dumb enough to start smoking at work with friends during coffee breaks. My husband smoked a moderate amount, so I decided I could, too. It was a huge mistake!

We can cheer each other on with both the weight loss, and also with stopping smoking! It is always easier with supporters who care about your successes.

I weighed more than you did, at my highest peak of 273. I now weigh 214, and I am still losing. I have about another 60-70 pounds to go, at the minimum. I would like to lose another 80 pounds, but time will tell! I'll have to see what happens when I get down lower than I am right now. I can't wait to drop below 200!! Thus far, the weight loss has been painless, and I would love to get to the point where my Dr. can take me off of the diabetes medications. He said it is a possibility, since I don't have to take insulin, and it all depends on me, and how well I take care of myself! =)

Good luck to you, and know that I am here for you with thoughts prayers, and white light!

Your friend and cheerleader,

Mare

A mentor of mine once said, "Use your common sense, if you don't have any, get some. I don't care how you do it.................just do it!"

I recognized this as a bit of tough love, because she wanted me to succeed at whatever challenge I took on. But there was something very comical about it when she made the comment, and I was rolling on the floor laughing.

It reminds me of how dumb some of my bad health habits are, I have been addicted to alcohol at one time in the past, addicted to nicotine, and addicted to food. What I have learned about addictions is that, they are against the "Self". When I think to myself; "Why do I do these things to my self?"...I begin to realize that I had abandoned my common sense. I know that, too much of anything can be bad for us.

Eventually, over time, I have started to realize that I was still punishing myself for things that I have not had any control over. Heaping the blame upon myself and letting the shame drive me to addiction, (in an effort to find some comfort).

I do not think that changing one's lifestyle should have to feel like punishment or deprivation, so I know that I will use small rewards to encourage myself to continue to do what is right for me. Do you already do this? I bet you do, but if not I would like to encourage you to do so. (I am sure you are way ahead of me on this...LOL).

I think we make good "cheerleaders" for one another. Thanks for being there for me!!!

May the blessings of love follow you throughout your life,
=)
Ravenheart

I loved your montor's comment about common sense! I can see why it would stricke you a funny, as well as very meaningful, too!

There is never any true comfort in an addiction of any kind. When we let ourselves think there is, that is what really gets us stuck in some really unhealthy habits that are hard to break.

No, changing your lifestyle shouldn't feel like a punishment. Look at it more like new-found freedom, and concentrate on the good you are doing for yourself. There will be little things that improve without you even noticing, and you will wake up one day and say "Hey, I have been feeling better in this or that small way, and I just realized it!" Just little things... like when you have lost weight... you find that it becomes easier to do the little things, like simply tying your shoes. Or, you notice that your clothes are getting too big! WOW!! It is a wonderful feeling, and something you can congratulate yourself on having accomplished through your attention to eating what is healthy for you. When other people start to notice that you are looking better, it makes your spirit soar!

Yes, I think we will be great "cheerleaders". Thank you for supporting me, too!! That is wonderful!

Love, light and many blessings,

Mare