I am in the process of being diagnosed for a chronic inflamotory disorder, probably FM.  I have found that getting the most sleep I can and doing yoga helps.  For sleep I use an herbal called Valerian Root.  Check with your doc to make sure there are no drug interactions, but this really helps me.  Yoga really aligns your body to promote its own healing abilities and is very low impact.  There are great yoga for beginner dvds out there.  Now, if I don't do yoga every morning, by afternoon I stop moving.  I am trying to manage my weight by eliminating refined sugars and eating more whole foods so my body has what it needs to repair its self.  I am really glad that I have found this forum so I have a community to talk about this problem with.  I hope you find what works for you.

Sincerely,

Mama J

I was told I had FM 6 years and it can be traced back to over 15 years ago.  I know how down I got and how the pounds added on.  I had to learn to push a little more through the pain and find an exercise program that worked for me.  Right now I have found a mild yoga class.  It does not have me bending like a pretzel.  It just has me doing basic streches and breathing exercises.  You would be amazed at how it helps.  If nothing else the breathing exercises help control pain and calm the mind. 

Hi Mama J-

            I have read your reply on the yoga and how it helps with your pain. I was diagnosed with Fibro and RA in my twenties. Will be the big 40 this summer. Notice since my hysterectomy the weight has added up plus the pain in my body over the years has worsend.  Was and always have been a firm believer in exercise and eating right. Just in the past 3 years in the rut of not being able to exercise. My mind tells me to. I do try then the pain kicks in and takes over and don't have the ambition to work out. Was wanting to know how the yoga works? I am on no medication just tylenol for the pain. Every time I try and take medication have many side effects from them. Like stomache issues,etc. My joints are swollen now hurts to even type sometimes.  The back of my legs are like on fire when I try to walk or exercise. Basically where the vericose veins are located. Made a doctor appointment with family doctor to find out what he can do for my legs and the swelling. Been dealing with mono off and on for the past 2 years. Started to take vitamins from Herbal life and the protein shakes. Not seeing much of a difference. though. Just feel a mess. Thought maybe you might be on to something with the yoga exercises to calm me emotinally and phyically. Thanks for posting the idea.

Tawnya

I have been suffering for about 20 years now. I know how hard it is to move most days. I just started walking agan it helps some but most days I just wish I could stay in bed. Have you found anything that helps you sleep?  I did try some med the Dr had given me but the next day I am just so out of it.

I was dianosed with FM in 1998 (I was 46) after 3 years of not knowing what the heck was going on.  Over the last 10 years I have learned through trial and error the right comination of vitamins and supplements that I need to take daily.

I also pretty much eliminated red meat form my diet except for a rare occasion.  I keep animal protein (meat) to 18-20oz per week or less.  Any meat I eat is organic or at least (natural) which means it was raised without hormones or antibiotics.  Eliminate refined sugar, processed foods, & preservatives.  My diet now is mainly vegtables, fruit, whole grains, legumes and fish and a lot smaller portions.  This will clear outa lot of the toxins in your body.

Keep moving.  The worse thing you can do if to sit around.  The more you do the fatigue and pain will snow ball and get worse.  I use a stationary bike with the handles that move back and forth as you peddle.  I walk, also play with pets, babysit my grand child, clean the house one room at a time, etc.

And last but not least try acupuncture it has been life saving for me in pain management.  In fact after years of trying different medication for pain that did not work and shots in my back for the pain which only lasted for a short time I finally found acupuncture.  Since I started acupuncture this last November I am not for the most part free of back pain and many of the other symptoms.

Try taking a 1000 mg of calcium before bed.  I use to take mine during the day and i always felt so tired.  Then I started acupucture last November for pain management and the theraphist suggested I take the calcium at bedtime.  So I switched and it worked.  I no lonked have to take the prescription sleep medication. (I have had FM for 10 years)

I was having lunch with a friend and her mother.  I was talking to them abt my RA (i'm 40 too) and the mom told me that she has fibromyalgia and she read an alternative healing book and it suggested that she take "Mucenex"  (it is the over the counter expectorant) in the morning and night.  She said that it really manages her pain well.  Do your research and check with your Doctor but it may be worth a try.  I take Celadrin and Zyflammed daily for my inflammation from RA.  It helps but I have to be consistent.  I try to go the natural route as much as possible.  Just getting back to seeing an RA Dr.!

Hi Andi,  I also can no longer do floor exercises. My solution has been to do them while lying on the bed. I do them right after getting out of the shower in the morning. Part of my morning routine also is to wipe down the shower which is a good stretching exercise.  Keep up the walking. 

Sincerely,  Judybird

I have had fibro since 1993, and injuries in my lower spine as well as cervical...I have learned over the years that constantly stretching everday can help to decrease some of the pain...I use an exercise ball and I start with sitting and then lowering  my whole body over it...even if you dont move the ball much and just hang over (with your arch over the ball) . I am also going to the gym  at least 3 times a week...and using the treadmill, eliptical and the pool for my aerobic exercise. I am going to start strengthing exercises as well.  I treat myself with the dry sauna after exercising even when its hot out (i live in south texas ! ) It really helps  to lie down on my back in the sauna. I listen to relaxation music and enjoy my little get away everyday. 

I do hope some of the things I do will help you out.. Another thing to remember is that you can control the things that aggrevate the pain, meaning, the pain is always there, but the factors that agitate the pain are the things you can control...

hope to talk to you soon

kathleen

Hi, I have this also, along with Thyroid Disease :( If you have fairly firm mattresses? have you tried doing your floor exercises in "Bed"? it works for me!