I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and have several symptoms, but first thing is first.

Thats a very common symptom in fibromyalgia. Looking around the web I didn't find specific remedies for it (as opposed to other FM problems). Since the problem seems to take hold during sleep do what you can to ensure you're getting as deep a sleep as possible. This could include doing such things as relaxation exercises to get you into as deep a sleep as possible, practicing good sleep hygiene, taking sleep prescription drugs, muscle relaxants at night perhaps will help.

Good luck!

When you have fibro, muscle relaxants are your friend (taking a dose of magnesium supplement before bed can also relax the muscles at night). Over time, you'll discover little tricks you can use to keep the stiffness from becoming a total clenching of the muscles.  For instance, stay warm, stay away from drafts and twitch during the day.  Yep, I said twitch.  Being in one position for too long makes you stiff, so change postion every 30 minutes or so, get up, move around a little, move your legs around or get up to make tea or walk around the livingroom when you're watching TV - you get the picture. It helps keep things down to a dull roar.  Well, most of the time

i, too have fibromyalgia and lyrica has made a difference between the bed for a year and being able to get back up and LIVE!!!!!!

I have found that cod liver oil has helped my symptoms.  My pain treatment is also better using patches rather than tablets.  The medication seems to be more consistent.  I also have a wonderful pillowtop mattress my mother bought me for Christmas one year.  Really makes a difference.  In this situation a hard mattress is the worst thing you can do.  The trick is to just keep going.  I don't know what I would do without my golden retriever Lucy, she keeps me going when I don't want to move.  Never stop going, once you stop you'll never get going again.  If you have access to a heated pool I have found that like being in heaven (that's what heaven would be for me anyway).  At least for that time my pain is almost gone. If I ever win a lottery I will own an indoor/outdoor heated pool.  NEVER NEVER NEVER get in a hot tub with those jets beating on your body.   You will end up in extreme agony.  Remember your muscles are very tender and all those jets are doing is beating them up.  I have also found an electric blanket helps ease in the mornings.  When you begin to wake up turn on the blanker and let your body get good and warm, then move to the hot bath.  That's how I began many days in my life.  The heat from the blanket loosens up the mucles.  However, don't sleep with it on all night, it's not safe.  At least the instructions say not too and I found once I got the bed good and warm I didn't need it on. I hope these things help as I have been dealing with this for 17 years. Some of those years I was misdiagnosed but it was all the same pain.  Recently I have discovered a good deal of my pain has been due to my thyroid and Graves disease, it wouldn't hurt to have yours checked every year.  I think my thyroid has been changing for years before it actually showed in lab work. 

mtodd80

The best thing for the stiffness is to get a prescription for medical massage therapy.

Make sure the massage therapist understands Fibro because the massage can not be too deep.  But you will be surprised at how much it does help.

good luck

I can certainly relate to your pain & frustration. I've had Fibro since 1979 but was not "officially" diagnosed until the medical profession get it a name & everything else was eliminated about 10 years ago.

To make a long story short & to sum up what I've learned that helps is this - 1. eliminate sugar from your diet!! 2. Eat @ 12-15 grams of protein every 3-4 hours (even in the middle of the night if you wake up), eliminate white flour products (bread, pasta, etc.) from your diet. Most of these things come in wheat. Try to eat as organic as possible without going broke! Start taking enzyme based vitamins!

We all have our "stories" & I don't want to bore anyone w/ mine; however, if you would like to read more about me you can go to www.theshopper.com and read the article about "Bella Aria". If you'd like to discuss this further with me, please feel free to reach me via the contact info about me via the info in that article.

May God bless you & help you in your quest for answers. I am more than happy to help in anyway possible, as others have helped me to get a lot better and free from all the prescriptions that don't help anyway!

I forgot to add ...

A pillow top mattress pad is very helpful.

Before that I would be in pain just trying to get out of bed.

But the mattress pad feels soooo comfy and when I wake I find that I can move much more easily.  Also I'm not experiencing the tender spots that flare during sleep on the mattress without the pad.

I got one at Target for a Queen size bed for $58.00.  Well worth the investment.

good luck

Wow! I sure wish I knew the answer to that. I am doing some PT for my knee replacements and I think that might actually help.

Keep moving and stretching.  I also have found that flexeril and ambien at bedtime helps me in the am, with the stiffness.

I too have just been diagnosed with Fibrobyalgia and people around me just don't understand! I could have written the above, as I have also have the exact symptoms described. The only medicine I have been given is Lyrica and it has not helped at all. What do I do to express my "handicap" to the people around me and what medicine will help me function normally in this world?

Try adding epsom salt and hydrogen peroxide to your bath water.  I know how frustrated you must feel.

Wendy

First, let me say that I am sorry to hear of yet another Fibro sufferer.  Know that you are in good company......although when I am flaring, I find very little comfort in that....

I would suggest that you may be in need of sleep......We, who have Fibro, don't sleep as well as others and a good sleep is so very helpful for us to feel better.  I have meds that allow me to sleep and on some fortunate days I can even sleep as long as I want.  It is not a permanent fix but for a time the stiffness isn't there....

Are you seeing a specialist or GP........My GP sent me to a Rheumatologist....he gave me some scripts that helped immensely......one is a muscle relaxant and the other is for my RLS.......plus some others during the day....

Rest is vital for us.....If I don't sleep for whatever reason or don't get enough, I find myself flaring.......plus the stress will add to it.....

My suggestion is to talk to your doctor and get lots of rest especially, when you are flaring........

Good luck to you, and know that you are so not alone......

I too have been living with fibromyalgia for over 10 yrs ,recently my dr suggested using 600mg of mucinex or generic equivalent he said a study has been done and those with severe muscular pain may benefit he said the 1st week would get worse but after one would begin to feel better I know that meds have their limitations so I'm going to give this a shot.

I don't know the answer to that,Because I have the same pain also,it even hurts standing for long periods of time for me

i don't do any medications. The first thing I do in the morning is to walk for a 15 minute dog walk. I then do 3-4 more 15 minute dog walks during the day and swim .5 miles 2x a week. When I don't do those things I hurt like hell. I also have a fabulous chiropractor that I go to monthly which keeps everything in line to prevent muscle spasms, take high doses of magnesium and keep moving as much as possible. A good night's sleep on a very comfortable bed is the night's requirement.

On days that I can, I do stretches to loosen-up my muscles.  If I do this after a hot shower it helps a little.  Hope this helps and best of luck to you!

i have had pain in legs where i cant sleep without meds to make me sleep and it is so bad at times ii cry and i cant get up and walk normal i have to limp for a while and back is very bad also

I'm in the same exact boat, so I don't know what to tell you!

HI, I NOW THIS FEELING WELL, YOU TRY THE MEDS, YOU DO EPSOM SALT BATHS AND THEY MAY HELP. I FOUND THAT HAVING A FEW HEATING PADS THAT HAVE A MOISTURE PAD IN IT REALLY HELPS.  I WILL PLACE ON MY WORST SPOTS FIRST THAT MOVE THEM AROUND.  I WILL USE A TENS UNIT TO MASSAGE THE AREA WHERE PAIN IS.  I ALSO USE

A HOT WASH CLOTH, WRAPPED IN A TOWEL(I MICROWAVE OR USE BOILED WATER PLACE CLOTH IN BOWL THAN AS I CAN HANDLE HEAT PLACE IN A TOWEL AND LAY ON THE AREA.  I JUST NOW HEAT AND MOSITURE WORK..) I HAVE A HEATING UNDERPAD AND ATHICK TOP MATTRESS THAT I PURCHASED AT COSTCO.   I KEEP THE HEATING PAD ON LOW(IT IS FULL SIZE OF MATRESS) I WAKE UP NOT HURTING AS MY MUSCLES AND LYMPH NODES STAY WARM ALL NIGHT.  THE EXTRA THICKNESS OF MATRESS PAD IS THAT, YOU JUST PLAIN HURT, AND THIS MAKES YOU FEEL AS IF YOU WERE ON A CLOUD.

YOU KNOW I HAVE TRIED, OXYCODONE,ULTRAM.BACLAFEN,SOMA,CYMBALTA,WHICH I KNOW WORKS BUT PUTS AT LEAST 10 TO 15 POUNDS ON YOU IN A MONTH.  I CAN GO ON AND ON DRUGS WORK TO A POINT, BU T YOU NEED TO TRY SOMETHING MORE HOLISTIC.

I BELIEVE THAT SITTING IN THE SUN FOR 20 MIN TO GET VITD WORKS, I TRY TO MOVE OUTSIDE FOR AT LEAST A MIN OF 10 TO 20 MINS, AND I PUSH MY SELF. LISTEN, THEIR ARE DAYS I CANNOT LIFT ANYTHING LET ALONE WALK WITHOUT MY CANE.  BUT I TRY TO DO THINKS THAT LET ME FEEL I ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING. IT HELPS WITH THE DEPRESSION THAT I SOMETIMES FACE.  THE ONGOING PAIN CAN DO THAT. I LISTEN TO

MUSIC, TRY NOT TO LISTEN TO NEGATIVE NEWS, WORKS ON MY ART.  IT IS NOT EASY,

EVERYONE SENSES PAIN DIFFERENTLY, SO I CANNOT WALK IN YOUR MOCASSINS. JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE CAPT OF YOUR SHIP AND YOU CAN CONTROL WHAT YOU WANT AND DONT WANT.  YEP MIND OVER MATTER.  I HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE 1999.

FIRST LUPUS COURTESY OF HEARTATTACK AS LUPUS CHOSE THAT PART OF MY BODY.

THEN FIBRO/CFS.  10 YEARS LATER FELL ON BACK AT WORK, ALWAYS IN PAIN NOW.

PRIOR TO FALL, I PLAYED RAQUET BALL, BIKED, ROLLERBLADE, VERY ACTIVE AND NO DRUGS BUT TONS OF VITAMINS AND HEART MEDS.  I COULD HANDLE THAT PAIN.

BACK INJURY COMPOUNDED SENSORY OVERLOAD. ALMOST SUICIDAL. 

YOU CAN DO THIS. YOU HAVE A GROUP OF FOLKS ON THIS WEB SITE WHO CARES.

I CARE THAT IS WHY I AM EMAILING YOU.  I KNOW THAT HEAT AND  MOISTURE ARE YOUR ALLY, AND SLEEP IS YOUR NEED.  DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SLEEP.  VITAMINS ARE IMPORTANT. VERY.  WELL I AM TIRED, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP AND IT IS 2AM FRIDAY MORNING.   GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS NAMASTE

RAVEN

Hi there..My name is Sylvia and i have it since 12 yrs ago, plus chronic pain over all my body..not just certain points and chronic fatigue.etc etc...i very well know how you feel..the only things that have worked for me, are drinking orange juice...since this will help with the inflammation and stiffness..and dont get up quickly from bed...do move your toes and legs in bed..sorta like a warm up..in bed..do always cover yourself at night..massaging your legs,,before you get up also helps..gets the blood circulating...and ask your dr for some meds for the stiffness..you are already doing something we all do..hot baths and pain meds...look into your diet..what you eat also contributes to the stiffness..get your self all the reading you can..a good web site is www,timethepain,com..I also iam taking opiates..i have been thru them all, and detox from them all..just know i just take the fentanyl patches and some celebrex for inflamation and avoid the foods that make me have more inflammation ...ok..

mine illness came from a auto accident where i broke my spine, neck and fractured my jaw,,legs, hands and arms...so..i really know what all this chronic pain can wreck your life as you live with it...if you need to talk about it or vent out..the pain is causing you to sometimes feel its not fair and all the feelings that go with this illness..you can chat... good luck..take care...and get yourself involved in your condition..reading or accessing the web..ok

Take care..

Silvia

Sretch!  Don't jump out of bed an continue as if your muscles have been active.  I have found yoga to be very helpful.  do not wait until your muscles have been atrophied!

Good Luck!

Rxalvarez

I  have found that if I take flexeril (muscle relaxer) and xanax (anti-anxiety) before bed I have less stiffness when I wake up. Also, a few minutes of gentle stretching before getting out of bed has been helpful. I'm also having really good results with Cymbalta. It took a few weeks to get up to the dose that works for me (60mg twice a day), but it has been amazing. I would rate my overall pain at less than half what it was before starting the cymbalta. I hope this helps, I know how frustating it can be to find something that works. I am blessed with having a doctor who is willing to work with me to gain as much control as possible over this awful condition. Sue

Lyrica is an anticonvulsant drug that is being marketed for Fibromyalgia pain.  It does carry the risk of causing depression in some patients.  It has helped many patients with the pain of Fibromyalgia.  Speak to your doctor to see if this might be a viable option for you.  My Pain Management MD has used it successfully with his Fibromyalgia patients. 

Dear MTodd80:

I have been living with your chief complaint of stiffness for several years now.  My short drive to work and home (7 to 8 minutes) can sometimes be a dreaded chore getting out of my SUV (some days I couldn't imagine getting out of a car built close to the ground.)  Pain pills and muscle relaxers (tramadol and robaxin) are a big help.  Eventually it seems like you at least begin to accept it; you know it's gonna hurt.  I just deal with it and live with it.  Some days are worse than others.  I find that some mornings when I get out of bed and I am stiff and my back hurts, I'll put the heat pad in my chair and sit there for at least 15 minutes.  This seems to help and I am up and about before anybody  Most days when I get home from work, I am so exhausted. 

I have had fibro for over 7 years. i find doing gentle yoga exercises in the morning to stretch out the stiffness helps immensely. Not to say i never have really bad days that i cant imagine doing the exercises, but Im really glad i do afterwords! I also walk daily ,even if its for only 20 minutes. I feel the key in battling fibro is remaining active and not giving in to the pain cause that only causes it to get worse. I hope this will be helpful to you.

Have you tried doing stretches before you go to bed, and also during the day?  I, also take epson salts baths about 2 - 3 times a week in as warm of water as possible.  It has helped me with my leg and back stiffness.  I, also see a chiropractor at least once a week, and get a massage once a week.  This has helped me tremendously.  Hope this helps some.

Linda

can you help

As a chronic pain sufferer myself, I can sympathize with you but I think you need to provide more details as to the type of pain you are experiencing.  In my own case, I have inoperable joint problems in my lower back and, after years of trying oral narcotic medications and patches, I now have an implanted intrathecal morphine pump which works well in controlling the pain for the most part. 

However, I, like you, still experience pain and stiffness in the mornings and when getting out of cars with low seats.  I occasionaly have to take an oral narcotic (Vicodin or equivalent) during these times which is called "breakthrough" medication when the ambient pain is not adequately handled by the morphone pump.

I was told by the pain clinic that I would never be completely free of chronic pain and I have accepted that but I'm thankful that most of it can be controlled.  I think you should find a good clinic or physician that specializes in chronic pain management who can evaluate your cause(s) of chronic pain, the pain level, and the optimum choice of treatment.  This may take some time and treatments like implanted pumps are a last resort when oral medication become inadequate for reasonable pain control or produce too many side effects.

Accepting the fact that you will always have some pain is the first step.   Then, finding the best treatment for pain control is next.  I would not depend on a family physician or internal medicine doctor to provide the best help you need as they are often not adequately trained in chronic pain management.  It's too easy to prescribe some over-the-counter medicaton or even a narcotic drug without proper evaluation of your particulr conditon.  The specialists are in the best position to do this.

Best wishes,

Bob 

I too have fibromyalgia, plus bulging discs up and down my spine, plus siatica nerve problems, etc. And I too am in severe pain, 24 hours a day, everyday. I feel for you, I really do. The only thing I do, is take ibuprofen 800 mg every 6 hours for a few days, then Bayer Back and Body aches, 2 every 4 hours for a few days, etc. It makes it so I can function some. But if you know of anything else or find anything that really works, please do let me know too. Take care and may God bless you too.

I was diagnosed with fibro may of this year and then was diagnosed with bells palsey in july.  I have been on vicodin and percoset since then.  Also tried lyrica, cymbalta,nortriptolyne,muscle relaxers nothing has helped. I also went to a health food store and spent over $ 75 and was still in pain. I just went to a new doctor who advised me to cut out carbs and eat more protein. I figured I had nothing to lose.  It has been three weeks and I now have little or no pain. I have started going to the gym again which is helping even more.  Everything you read tells you to excercise but how can you if you are in constant pain.  Hope this helps you as much as it has me.