MED: Muscle Pain!!
Jen
I have been improving overall except my FM pain seem to be getting
worse. My sleep SEEMS ok so I guess this could be because I am more
active (am leaving the house!! wow!). I need help with this. I got a
prescription for Darvocet but when I take one I feel like my legs are
jelly and I don't feel well but my back is finally feeling ok!
I've been doing so much relaxation exercises that my mood is so good but
man does my back KILL me! I'm getting big nasty knots worse than before
and the pain radiates up my back into my neck and head. I think it's all
muscular as opposed to neurological so Neurontin wouldn't help would it?
Any meds or supplements that will loosen up these muscles for me??? I
can't afford to go to massage therapy or chiropractors until SSDI gets
its act together. All I can afford is drugs and/or maybe a supplement?
I'd like to fix the problem rather than cover it up with painkillers
though.
Oh, btw, I can't take NSAIDS or Advils or anything like that because my
stomach is so bad I have to take super doses of a med to keep the acid
from eating through it and eating my esophagus. :-/
Thanks for ANY help!!!!
Jen
http://www.munn.com/~jmunn/ * ICQ#: 24565068 * AIM: Jen PWC
"You don't always have your health but YOU decide if you keep your
spirit."
Candy L Paulson
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AnnLee Mullins
clpau...@juno.com writes:
> Meprobamate and Vicodin works very well for many, many people. Candy
Candy:
I couldn't agree more. My primary diagnosis is FMS, CFIDS secondarily
(whatever, LOL). For me it's the only thing that does seem to
work. I've taken Ultram (made me feel even worse) and Toradol
(couldn't even tell I had taken it).
My only problem is my PCP will only prescribe 15 tablets at time.
I've found that if I take a half a tablet 2 - 3 times a day I can function
very well which I have to do because I have a 10 month old baby.
I get so tired of having to call him back to call in another Rx. I've
discuss this with him and told him that Vicodin is the only thing
that is working but he just continues this pattern. He doesn't want
me addicted to the stuff but, like I said, I *have* to function each
day and the Vicodin makes it much easier.
AnnLea
Candy L Paulson
with a little one that is at such an active age. Very best wishes for
you.
Thank goodness you have at least that much from your doc. I find taking
1/2 tab and 1/2 tab of Meprobamate really elps. My doc as stated (and I
ave read elsewhere )that Vicodin is NOT habit forming as long as one does
not use more that 4 tabs in a 24 hr. period. As my klonopin takes care of
me during sleep I find this has not been a problem except under hte worst
days. Then I can still manage to keep just under that 4 full tabs of the
vicodin. Please write if I can help in any way. Hugs, Candy
Now if only I could find brain improvement!! But things will get better
for all of us as soon as they realize how important and severe this is.
IT WILL HAPPEN! Hopefully soon.
Bobbie Sellers
>Hi all,
>I've been doing so much relaxation exercises that my mood is so good but
>man does my back KILL me! I'm getting big nasty knots worse than before
>and the pain radiates up my back into my neck and head. I think it's all
>muscular as opposed to neurological so Neurontin wouldn't help would it?
Have you tried rolling on these painful muscles in your back?
If you are unfamiliar with this very light exercise you start by
laying on the floor with your knees pulled up. Then you clasp
your arms around your legs and try to roll back and forth so that
your head is down and then your feet. When my back is very badly
spasming this usually helps and I repeat it as often as possible
until the muscles are fully relaxed again.
I learned this exercise from another nurse who had been shown
it by a phyical therapist.
Sometimes the spasms are bad enough that it can be hard to
rock because part of the back remains flat but if you keep trying
you can probably work thru this. I certainly have done it enough
times. Once you are rocking if pain persists it may be from the
gluteal muscles spasming. In the rocking position on the floor try
rolling from side to side so that the muscles of the gluteus are
compressed alternately.
While you are on the floor do some abdominal crunches which
will help strengthen you back muscles if you concentrate on it.
The hardest part about this exercise is getting down and up
from the floor. Use a thick towel if you don't have a carpet and
if it works for you try using a thin closed bubble foam pad like
campers use to sleep on the ground.
This will not help much if for example the pain is due to arthritis
The spasms by the way cause pain by compressing nerves and
thus are neurological in orgin but relieving the compression of the
nerve by the muscle relieves the pain. Some inflammations may
send the muscle into spasm as well and in that case while pain
may be somewhat improved it will return until the cause of the
inflammantion is dealt with.
>Any meds or supplements that will loosen up these muscles for me??? I
>can't afford to go to massage therapy or chiropractors until SSDI gets
>its act together. All I can afford is drugs and/or maybe a supplement?
>I'd like to fix the problem rather than cover it up with painkillers
>though.
Some people think that calcium and magnesium help. But that
back roll or rock exercise is the equivalent of a good back
massage. I know because while CFIDS keeps me from the exertion
after I gave up nursing I trained as a masseuse. This involved
giving and taking lots of massages.
>Oh, btw, I can't take NSAIDS or Advils or anything like that because my
>stomach is so bad I have to take super doses of a med to keep the acid
>from eating through it and eating my esophagus. :-/
>Thanks for ANY help!!!!
Hope you are able to benefit from my experience.
later
Bobbie
--
bobbie sellers - the retired and very tired nurse in San Francisco
Jen
> Have you tried rolling on these painful muscles in your back?
> If you are unfamiliar with this very light exercise you start by
> laying on the floor with your knees pulled up. Then you clasp
> your arms around your legs and try to roll back and forth so that
> your head is down and then your feet. When my back is very badly
> spasming this usually helps and I repeat it as often as possible
> until the muscles are fully relaxed again.
[SNIP]
> This will not help much if for example the pain is due to arthritis
> The spasms by the way cause pain by compressing nerves and
> thus are neurological in orgin but relieving the compression of the
> nerve by the muscle relieves the pain. Some inflammations may
> send the muscle into spasm as well and in that case while pain
> may be somewhat improved it will return until the cause of the
> inflammantion is dealt with.
Thanks so much for all the information! I will definitely try rolling on
the floor. My mom will think I've finally lost my mind but my dog will
absolutely LOVE it. LOL!
I did go to physical therapy for my FM pain two times but the wait in
the waiting room did more damage than the treatment helped so that was
stupid. The therapist said that my spine itself was inflamed (hurt like
crazy when she pressed directly on it) but I can't remember what she
said it was. Some kind of "itis."
I'm only 25 so could arthritis be a possibility? I've had several
injuries to my back (thrown from a horse, hurt on the job twice) and I
was told years ago by a bone doc that I had the beginnings of arthritis
in my neck? I thought the doc was just a boob. He didn't make a big deal
about it either so I figured it was nothing. Arthritis is VERY prevalent
in my family history so I'm wondering if there is something I should
request from my doc to check things out? I was tested for rheumatoid
arthritis during my CFIDS onset I think but there are a few types of
arthritis right?
Thanks in advance,
Jen :-)
Jen
>
> In a message dated 3/6/99 10:21:49 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> clpau...@juno.com writes:
>
> > Meprobamate and Vicodin works very well for many, many people. Candy
>
> Candy:
>
> I couldn't agree more. My primary diagnosis is FMS, CFIDS secondarily
> (whatever, LOL). For me it's the only thing that does seem to
> work. I've taken Ultram (made me feel even worse) and Toradol
> (couldn't even tell I had taken it).
> AnnLea
Candy & AnnLea,
Thanks so much for the suggestions! I will look into this possibility.
Wishing us all less painful days ahead,
Helen
> Have you tried rolling on these painful muscles in your back?
>If you are unfamiliar with this very light exercise you start by
>laying on the floor with your knees pulled up. Then you clasp
>your arms around your legs and try to roll back and forth so that
>your head is down and then your feet. When my back is very badly
>spasming this usually helps and I repeat it as often as possible
>until the muscles are fully relaxed again.
>
>it by a phyical therapist.
> Bobbie
Hi Bobbie,
I learned this exercise years ago in a yoga class.
It is also good for flatulence :-)
Thanks for your post, I passed it on to a woman
who has been having a terrible time with back
pain and none of the 20+ docs she has been to
have been able to help her. I suspect she has FMS
but no one has given her that dx yet.
NEVER GIVE UP! <>< Helen <>< Wisconsin <>< USA
PWC 16 years *Maranatha* http://www.wels.net/
On rx & supplements I can work and jog--husband does housework
./.\. I am a Light-HouseKeeper :-)
>(O)<
.|.|. Psalm 54:4 "The Lord is the one who sustains me."
.l.l.
.l.l. In loving memory of PWC H.E.B.
------
Bobbie Sellers
>In a message dated 3/6/99 10:21:49 AM Eastern Standard Time,
>clpau...@juno.com writes:
>> Meprobamate and Vicodin works very well for many, many people. Candy
>Candy:
[small snip of unsuitability of other products]
>My only problem is my PCP will only prescribe 15 tablets at time.
>I've found that if I take a half a tablet 2 - 3 times a day I can function
>very well which I have to do because I have a 10 month old baby.
>I get so tired of having to call him back to call in another Rx. I've
>discuss this with him and told him that Vicodin is the only thing
>that is working but he just continues this pattern. He doesn't want
>me addicted to the stuff but, like I said, I *have* to function each
>day and the Vicodin makes it much easier.
AnnLea your physician is afraid of the drug law enforcement
authorities. One of the physicians who used to post here was
investigated on such charges and had to be re-educated by his
state board though there was no proof he had done any
mal-practice.
At this time in Northern California a physician has been
charged with fraud & drug law violation for the over-prescription
of Vicodin (according to people who have never suffered chronic
disabling levels of pain0. 3 pharmacists have been charged as well
and the authorities are attempting to implicate the M.D. in 3
deaths that may be related to opiate use.
The full story was on page A16 of the Wed. March 3, 1999 San
Francisco Chronicle.
Besides jailing the doctor by their actions the health care
of a whole region has been disrupted. The Medical Director of the
Shasta Community Health Center says that the closure of the
doctor's private clinic it equivalent to " a calamity, a disaster
on the scale of a natural disaster, like an earthquake".
This country early in this century decided to come between
the physician and his patient and to hell with either it seems.
It may rank as a legislative disaster on the order of the
prohibition of alcohol.
>AnnLea
So don't be too hard on your doctor, he just wants to be able
to take care of you and other patients in the future.
Oh by the way, someone I am not sure who though wrote of
shaking hands and if they have used tranquilizers, like thorazine
and maybe meprobamate, this may be a sign of tardive dyskynesia.
Bobbie Sellers
>Thanks so much for all the information! I will definitely try rolling on
>the floor. My mom will think I've finally lost my mind but my dog will
>absolutely LOVE it. LOL!
My friends think I am crazy too until they try it.
>I did go to physical therapy for my FM pain two times but the wait in
>the waiting room did more damage than the treatment helped so that was
>stupid. The therapist said that my spine itself was inflamed (hurt like
>crazy when she pressed directly on it) but I can't remember what she
>said it was. Some kind of "itis."
>I'm only 25 so could arthritis be a possibility? I've had several
>injuries to my back (thrown from a horse, hurt on the job twice) and I
>was told years ago by a bone doc that I had the beginnings of arthritis
>in my neck? I thought the doc was just a boob. He didn't make a big deal
>about it either so I figured it was nothing. Arthritis is VERY prevalent
>in my family history so I'm wondering if there is something I should
>request from my doc to check things out? I was tested for rheumatoid
>arthritis during my CFIDS onset I think but there are a few types of
>arthritis right?
There are a few types and I think I have a few now myself.
;^) I know i may have some in my lower back since childhood and
don't ask me what caused that. I have more traumatic arthritis in
some joints that took major strain from my weight lifting and
before you ask I stopped because I could hear my shoulder joints
making crepitic sounds when I was doing military presses.
Arthritis at your age is a definite possibility and you should
consult a reumatologist ASAP I think. Might be better to skip
the back rolls if your spine is tender until a doctor clears the
idea.
Later
cheryl
Egoscue. It won't *stop* FMS pain, but helps put the body back in
alignment, which helped me a lot with my pain. My neck and shoulder
pain was unbearable, I was just a bundle of knots until I started doing
these extremely simple exercises.
Are you taking a lot of Magnesium? I take over 2,000 mg magnesium a day,
different types and sources. What I have found works best is Cal-Mag
Citrate, by Solary, which gives you 1,000 mg of Calcium and Magnesium
together. I also like Concentrace brand Trace Mineral Tablets.
There are some bath salts called Batherapy by Para labs, (available in
health food stores) that seemed to help my pain some, if nothing else
the warm (I don't use hot water) is relaxing.
Wish I could think of more. Good luck.
Cheryl D.
Jen wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> I have been improving overall except my FM pain seem to be getting
> worse. My sleep SEEMS ok so I guess this could be because I am more
> active (am leaving the house!! wow!). I need help with this. I got a
> prescription for Darvocet but when I take one I feel like my legs are
> jelly and I don't feel well but my back is finally feeling ok!
>
> I've been doing so much relaxation exercises that my mood is so good but
> man does my back KILL me! I'm getting big nasty knots worse than before
> and the pain radiates up my back into my neck and head. I think it's all
> muscular as opposed to neurological so Neurontin wouldn't help would it?
>
> Any meds or supplements that will loosen up these muscles for me??? I
> can't afford to go to massage therapy or chiropractors until SSDI gets
> its act together. All I can afford is drugs and/or maybe a supplement?
> I'd like to fix the problem rather than cover it up with painkillers
> though.
>
> Oh, btw, I can't take NSAIDS or Advils or anything like that because my
> stomach is so bad I have to take super doses of a med to keep the acid
> from eating through it and eating my esophagus. :-/
>
> Thanks for ANY help!!!!
>
> Jen
Andrea Frankel
stuff:
1) moist heat: showers, baths, hot tubs, Thermophore heating pads, hot
compresses. There are some great microwaveable hot packs available,
including some that are shaped to fit snugly around your neck and
shoulders.
2) ice packs: it sounds paradoxical, but if you're getting true spasms,
icing them for 10-20 minutes every hour can both reduce pain and relax
the spasm.
3) stay out of drafts and dress warmly. When my neck, shoulders, and
head are having problems with muscle pain and stiffness, I use a
muffler, neck gaiter, or even a hooded polarfleece scarf while sitting
and reading or watching TV. Silk and polar fleece are my favorite
fibers for this - warm, wicking, non-itchy, and non-clammy.
4) incorporate regular gentle stretching into your routine. This is
best done right after a warm or hot shower. You can learn good
stretches from yoga classes or books, a physical therapist or
chiropractor, or sports stretch books. Or you can just listen to your
body and slowly, gently, stretch whatever feels tight.
5) magnets. I can't tell you how much better my FM muscle pain and
stiffness is since I started sleeping on a magnetic mattress pad. I now
have a travel-sized one so I never have to be without.
6) drink water, lots of water! Most of us walk around dehydrated
without knowing it, and just being dehydrated can make your body hurt!
If you wait until you're thirsty, you've waited too long. Try using a
scratchpad to keep track of how many 8-oz glasses you've had each day;
just glancing at the tick marks can remind you to chug another glass.
Hope some of this helps!
Andrea Frankel
Nevada City
PWC/PWFM 16+