What am I supposed to do when the pain is so bad?

Well, I often find myself fighting the pain by tensing my muscles. After a while I tell myself to stop and just accept the fact that I am in agony. then I reach for my pain relievers.

However, my doctor says he will stop writing those prescriptions for me so I will have to do other things.

First of all, nothing gets rid of all of the pain.

Your doctor should at least give you a prescription for Lyrica and an SSRI anti depressant. Both may help somewhat.

Some of us need narcotic pain relievers. I do not know how bad your pain is but it sounds like they would help you also. Find another doctor. Some folks have gotten temporary help in the emergency room but I have never tried that.

Others will come on and tell you the home made remedies. these folks on this site know their stuff so try as many things as you can.

I completed my bachelor's degree online and I got a master's in campus in a weekend program. Both ways were hard. I just want you to know it can be done.

Going to school part time will help you a lot. In addition, using your school's disability services program will enable you to delay turning in your papers, completing your finals, taping classes and other things like having tutors.

Whatever you do, take your time. You will probably live a long life so ;you do not have to rush completing your education. Now is the time to figure how how you can use your degree to find a job that has flexible hours and is not too stressful.

Take care,

Donnaeil

Hi Tilly,

We have other young adults on the forum. One takes lyrica and it has really helped her a lot. It is not a narcotic, so the doctor might be more apt to prescribe it to you. I would keep calling or think of calling another doctor. You do need some relief. I am sorry that you have fibromyalgia at such a young age. It must be so hard for you.

But try to keep studying, sometimes if you get your mind busy, the pain fades into the background. Try to move around, walking is the best. The less that you move, the worse that the pain becomes.

Good luck sweetie, keep posting, we are here for you.

Hugs, Karen

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  Moderator-Depression and fibromyalgia

fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression,allergies

Hi, Tilly, and welcome!  I'm so sorry that you are going through this at such a young age.  We do have quite a few young people on this forum, though.  When they see your post, they probably will have some good advice for you.

 

You really need to see another doctor.  If your doctor won't return your calls, that probably means he/she is in the "it's all in your head" crowd.  You need a doctor that believes in this illness and will help you.  Rheumatologists usually are a good bet.  I use a board certified Internist.

 

Read the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.  There is a lot of good information in there and maybe you could print some of it out to share at your next doctor's appointment.  Some of the links in the fibro 101 thread may also help your friends understand a little bit, too.  It must be sooo difficult for you to have your friends ignore you  like that.  We adults get that too, but at your age friends are so important.  You know, you will discover many new friendships here on this forum AND we really do understand how you feel!

 

I take ibuprofen, Tylenol, and malic acid/magnesium supplements for my pain and fatigue.  There is a link in the Fibro 101 thread all about the malic acid and how it works in the body.  Maybe have your parents read that and see what they think about you taking any of this.  None of what I take is a prescription.

 

Try hot showers and moist heat.  Walgreens, and other places, sell something called a Bed Buddy.  It is filled with beans and you heat it in the microwave and it gives off moist heat for quite a while.  You can also make a bag and fill it with long grained rice and it does the same thing.  The easiest way is to take a tube sock, fill it 2/3 - 3/4 full of long grained rice and then tie a knot in it.  This can be heated in the microwave and it gives off moist heat.  Do not moisten it, though.  The moisture is already in the dry rice...kind of like popcorn!

 

You need to keep moving.  The more you sit or lay the stiffer you will become.  There is a saying that says if you don't use it, you'll lose it.  That is so true!  Walking is a wonderful exercise and you could do that.  Also, on the Fibro 101 thread there is a link to stretching exercises that are done sitting down and they do help too.  Stretching those muscles gently helps keep you flexible so please get up and get moving.  That will help with your pain.  I know it hurts, but you will feel better and have a less pain.  I walk every morning before breakfast.  Some days, when I head out the door, I don't know how I'm going to make it but, by the time I get back home, I have more energy and less pain and am able to face the day!  Give it a try.  Sitting and laying around definitely isn't the answer with fibromyalgia.  Hopefully you will find that you will start feeling a little better and will be able to handle school again.

 

Read back posts and ask questions.  We are here to help you.  I'm so glad you joined us.  We have a great group here that have good suggestions that will help you live a full and enjoyable life!  Take care, keep posting, and I hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

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Forum Moderator/ Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia, Crohn's Disease, Ostomy, Diabetes, Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease, Osteoporosis

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God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.    2 Timothy 1:7

Dear Tilly: I managed to raise two children (boys, no less,), work a full time and one or two Part-Time job for many years after being diagnosed with Fibro, with only Amyltriptilene ( Elavil). 75 mgs. approximately 1 - 2 hours before bedtime. It takes a little while to begin to work. It gets you sleeping better and that helps relieve the Fibro Pain. I also had permission from my doctor, to take a smaller dosage even earlier, like around 3 Pm if I was having a flare up of symptoms. That and over the counter tylenol kept me active for the first eight or so years after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Then I was in a motor vehicle collision and now, due to that, I have to take prescription Tylenol. However, many folks on this forum take Tramadol, a prescription medicine for pain relief with a fair ammt. of success. I think your doctor might be more inclined to prescribe that, as it isn't a "narcotic pain reliever". However, once you start taking it stick to exactly what the doctor says. I broke my hand once while taking it, and instead of going to see a doctor I took a slightly higher dose of the Tramadol. Boy was that ever a bad idea. I ended up running out early and as I suffered withdrawl, I had the worst case of restless leg syndrome I've ever had. When I have really bad pain days, I take a little Amyltriptilene, early in the day and  lie down with my "bed buddy" a rice bag, plus a heating pad, until I can face the world. If you want, you can make your own "bed buddy". I used to use a wool sock and fill it with dried beans, peas, rice, whatever you have on hand. Kidney beans worked really well. Like everyone else here said, don't lie around to much or you'll stiffen up like a board. Has Reumatoid Arthritis been ruled out? Given your age, I would be inclined to consider that possibility, from the start. I certainly am sorry you're having these problems at 15. I was pretty depressed at 15, but didn't have very much wrong with me, physically. I hope you find a doctor who supports and believes in you. Keep searching untill you find one. During an initial interview, with a parent present, of course, ask him or her directly, "How do you treat Fibromyalgia?" If they hum and haw and look away, and try to change the subject, they're not going to help you. Try the next one on your list. Generally, your local hospital can give you an idea of who in your area is taking new patients. Or call the Physicians referral line in the telephone book (probably, yellow pages). I personally just drove around to several offices where a group of doctors were listed on the door. I would just go in and ask, äre any doctors here taking new patients? This worked for my last two primary Care Physicians. I found them by knocking on doors. Hang in there girl. This is very hard but you will be stronger for having gone through it.

Hi Tilly and Welcome!

You've come to the right place where you can get some support and start to lead a full life again! I am new to fibro and in the beginning I was not functioning. I am starting to live life again and it never felt better! Everyone here knows exactly what your going through and many "young" members may help you relate even better.

Welcome to you also Jackie!

GamJill

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Fibromyalgia, Depression, Anxiety, TMJ, Arthritis/neck, SAD

Zoloft, Tylenol 4000 mg., Darvocet