Greetings! I suppose this is the part where I tell you a little about me, my background, etc......
I am a single mother of two girls. I am a part-time student, soon to be full-time, working on my Bachelor's in Psychology. I also work as a Home Health Care aide, make my own hours and manage my own clients. I live in the northeast part of the U.S.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in the Spring of 2006. Since then, I have struggled with finding the right type of treatment, medications, therapies, anything you can think of to relive some or all of my symptoms. Currently, I have state medical insurance (Medicaid) and therefore, I am limited to the type of therapies that I can utilize. I would love to try Chiropractic therapy, but cannot afford. I have done research on Acupuncture and although I cannot afford it, I am still looking for a way to get that done, as it is said to help greatly.
I have been through the gamut of medications as well. It started with Ibuprofen, 800mg. = Did nothing. I then was prescribed various anti-depressants, including Cymbalta, which is said to help with the physical symptoms of depression. = did not work. I have tried many other NSAID's (Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatories.) This include Tylenol, Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc. None of them worked, I still experience a great deal of pain all the time. I then graduated to Narcotic pain medications. Tylenol/Codeine worked for a short period of time, but the side effects where uncomfortable. Darvocet, Vicodin, Norco, etc. All have been prescribed.
Currently, I am taking Darvocet (narcotic pain medication), Prozac (anti-depressant), and LYRICA. This is the first FDA approved medication to treat the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. I began taking it early last fall (2008) and it seems to actually (finally) be helping! I have, of course, had to increase the dosage. I started out at 50mg three times per day. It worked VERY well and got me through the weather change in the fall. This spring, however, I am struggling much more with my pain and other symptoms. The dosage has been increased to 75mg three times a day.
I have also tried things at home that I can do to alleviate my symptoms. There are many that can be done, so I will follow with a separate blog about that. But I will tell you now that Yoga works VERY well, as long as you can stay disciplined to practicing it - even when you are having a flare.
I am just beginning a book about having Fibromyalgia and being a mom, a student, a woman, etc. I am interested in helping others that find themselves in a similar situation to mine with the agonizing symptoms that never want to go away. I welcome any comments and questions and am willing to share any and all information that I can.
The following posts will include: Defining Fibromyalgia and it's symptoms, Medications and traditional medicine options. I will also include information about herbal supplements, alternative therapies, etc, and much more.
I will include links to websites that provide information, books, etc. about the syndrome, so that you can further your own research.
Again, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, ask away!
Take care, remember to breath, and live in Peace.
