Posted by BarbaraCat on May 15, 2002, at 14:22:47
In reply to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, posted by goose on May 13, 2002, at 2:36:07
Oh boy, this is a big topic and no one on earth seems to have a handle on it. There's a good website that has alot of cutting edge info on fibro and chronic fatigue: www.immunesupport.com.
I have fibro and most of the time it's in remission (although I always have some pain and morning stiffness). However, when I go into a major flare it's hell on earth, especially since my depression symptoms are so intensified.I've tried guaifenesin and it definitely had an effect in that my symptoms were exacerbated dramatically and I coudn't continue. You also have to avoid anything with salicylates, which is practically everything, in order for it to have a fighting chance at all. This is not an easy road and there are many doubts that it works -- and even if it does, you have to stay on the regimen forever.
The one drug that I've heard really helps with the pain and eventually can even cure it is Neurontin. The rest (flexeril, ultram, etc.) just blunt the symptoms. I'm requesting my doc prescribe it when I see him at the end of the month.
One other thing is that the pain seems to be really occurring in the brain and not the muscles at all. This Substance P theory seems to me to make the most sense and new drugs are in the pipeline that aim to block this enzyme. And of course, even though it's the last thing we want to hear, exercise is crucial. Otherwise we'll just seize up and rust.
Hopefully we'll have a cure.
.> Has anyone found anything that helps with fibromyalgia and the chronic fatigue it causes. I've had it for 20 years and have seen many drs. and tried so many meds. Nothing really seems to help. I also suffer from extreme daytime sleepiness. Can any one help me?
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:106157
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020510/msgs/106537.html