Anybody got any info on alternative therapies for Fibro?

hidehi
hidehi Member Posts: 18
edited 3. Feb 2011, 16:13 in Living with Arthritis archive
Morning everyone,

Just yesterday I was diagonosed with Fibro, i was also diagnosed with OA 3 years ago, I knew something was amiss when I couldnt change the duvet covers and even though I was only diagnosed yesterday I still feel like im in shock to be actually told.
I was wondering if anybody took herbal medicines or alternative therapies to help.
Look forward to hearing from you

Sue xx

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    There is a general view on here that those things don't work: there is no evidence that they do because if they did this forum would not exist. All you can do is try for yourself: some people say that changing their diet has had a positive effect on their OA (they have cut our meat and dairy, I think), some take glucosamine etc, we had someone on here recently trying to flog aloe vera juice to us. Everyone is different in how they react to things, and as the pain programme showed last night the brain has a powerful influence on how we feel about matters, if you think you are doing something to help yourself the chances are you will feel better. You won't know until you try. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • hidehi
    hidehi Member Posts: 18
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good morning DD

    Thanks for the info, interesting to know what everyone takes or doesnt and how it affects them. Doc told me yesterday that swimming should help but i feel rubbish today,im still in bed with the laptop as company. I start a new job in 2 weeks so im looking forward to that. I am trying to be a positive thinker but whats strange is that, both myself and my husband have OA and Fibro. he got DLA but I couldnt get it, basically told that it was because I had walked into the office as I went to a tribunal. I am not sure whether to apply again to be honest. With my starting work to better our circumstancces financially probably they will think , well she works so whats she want the money for.
    That,s what I think but could be wrong.
    Have a lovely day
    Sue xxxx
  • Colin1
    Colin1 Member Posts: 1,769
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello camper how you doing I feel sorry for because of the time it takes to get a diagnosis fo FM i have it to and know how it feels. My GP put me on a med called citilopram and its really good, only problem is it can leave you a little spaced out for a couple of hours but it works on the pain what a relief.
    Colin
    WHEN GOD GIVES YOU LEMONS MAKE LEMONADE
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Swimming is a good thing, and for OA and fibro is highly recommended, but surely it's best to do it when you feel you can. Our conditions do fluctuate so much, don't they? That does make life so much harder sometimes. As regards the DLA, I dunno what to say. It isn't a means-tested benefit, OK you will be working but DLA is there to help with the extra costs that these conditions bring with them, yes? Luckily for me I cannot move without crutches so if I have to totter into their offices they can see straight away that something is amiss. Right, off to struggle into the shower and transform myself from thist1454.gif to this t1308.gif. It may take some time. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • bumache
    bumache Member Posts: 22
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Hidehi,
    Just read your post and wanted to show some support for you with your new diagnosis. I got diagnosed with fibro yesterday, and already have OA, and even though I suspected it, its still a shock when its confirmed. (After all, I'm not usually right!!) I can relate to what you're going through, and personally, I am alternating between upset, frustration,and slight smugness that I got it right. I hope things will settle down and I wont feel so emotional - after all we've had it ages, it just didn't have a name.
    As far as the herbal stuff goes, I think if you believe in alternative medicine then why not discuss with your doc?? My only experience with herbal anything was limited to 20 herbal cigs, of which 19 were very rapidly disposed of. If that was the 'healthy' option, I'll stick to my regular smokes ta.
    Sending you best wishes in your quest for effective treatment
    Bren x
  • hidehi
    hidehi Member Posts: 18
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    Swimming is a good thing, and for OA and fibro is highly recommended, but surely it's best to do it when you feel you can. Our conditions do fluctuate so much, don't they? That does make life so much harder sometimes. As regards the DLA, I dunno what to say. It isn't a means-tested benefit, OK you will be working but DLA is there to help with the extra costs that these conditions bring with them, yes? Luckily for me I cannot move without crutches so if I have to totter into their offices they can see straight away that something is amiss. Right, off to struggle into the shower and transform myself from thist1454.gif to this t1308.gif. It may take some time. DD

    Hi there
    thanks for the reply, very grateful and your comment at the end made me chuckle! hope the transformation went well !! ha
    sue x
  • hidehi
    hidehi Member Posts: 18
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Colin1 wrote:
    Hello camper how you doing I feel sorry for because of the time it takes to get a diagnosis fo FM i have it to and know how it feels. My GP put me on a med called citilopram and its really good, only problem is it can leave you a little spaced out for a couple of hours but it works on the pain what a relief.
    Colin
    Hi Colin
    thanks for your reply, as im only just getting to grips with the website I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.
    sue
  • hidehi
    hidehi Member Posts: 18
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    bumcake wrote:
    Hi Hidehi,
    Just read your post and wanted to show some support for you with your new diagnosis. I got diagnosed with fibro yesterday, and already have OA, and even though I suspected it, its still a shock when its confirmed. (After all, I'm not usually right!!) I can relate to what you're going through, and personally, I am alternating between upset, frustration,and slight smugness that I got it right. I hope things will settle down and I wont feel so emotional - after all we've had it ages, it just didn't have a name.
    As far as the herbal stuff goes, I think if you believe in alternative medicine then why not discuss with your doc?? My only experience with herbal anything was limited to 20 herbal cigs, of which 19 were very rapidly disposed of. If that was the 'healthy' option, I'll stick to my regular smokes ta.
    Sending you best wishes in your quest for effective treatment
    Bren x
    HI Bren
    thanks for your reply. I also am feeling upset and frustrated, ive had OA for a number of years but never thought it would amount to this. Strange thing is, is that my hubby has Fibro too and has had it for about 5 years, now whats the chances of 2 married people ending up with both illnesses. He took ages to adjust and I guess im going to be the same, its still a shock when they tell you,even though you suspected it yourself isnt it? I knew something was amiss when I couldnt change our beds sheets without my arms hurting and the blood pressure thing at the docs hurt my arm so much I was almost in tears. So I knew then, but when they tell you what it actually is,even though you knew it, it's still a shock, well it was for me anyhow.
    I think I will seek advise on alternative therapies but my doc wont give advise on it, cos I guess they arnt allowed to till its proved, saying that, a family member of hers practises alternatives!
    thanks for the reply, means a lot
    sue xx
  • hidehi
    hidehi Member Posts: 18
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    bumcake wrote:
    Hi Hidehi,
    Just read your post and wanted to show some support for you with your new diagnosis. I got diagnosed with fibro yesterday, and already have OA, and even though I suspected it, its still a shock when its confirmed. (After all, I'm not usually right!!) I can relate to what you're going through, and personally, I am alternating between upset, frustration,and slight smugness that I got it right. I hope things will settle down and I wont feel so emotional - after all we've had it ages, it just didn't have a name.
    As far as the herbal stuff goes, I think if you believe in alternative medicine then why not discuss with your doc?? My only experience with herbal anything was limited to 20 herbal cigs, of which 19 were very rapidly disposed of. If that was the 'healthy' option, I'll stick to my regular smokes ta.
    Sending you best wishes in your quest for effective treatment
    Bren x
    HI Bren
    thanks for your reply. I also am feeling upset and frustrated, ive had OA for a number of years but never thought it would amount to this. Strange thing is, is that my hubby has Fibro too and has had it for about 5 years, now whats the chances of 2 married people ending up with both illnesses. He took ages to adjust and I guess im going to be the same, its still a shock when they tell you,even though you suspected it yourself isnt it? I knew something was amiss when I couldnt change our beds sheets without my arms hurting and the blood pressure thing at the docs hurt my arm so much I was almost in tears. So I knew then, but when they tell you what it actually is,even though you knew it, it's still a shock, well it was for me anyhow.
    I think I will seek advise on alternative therapies but my doc wont give advise on it, cos I guess they arnt allowed to till its proved, saying that, a family member of hers practises alternatives!
    thanks for the reply, means a lot
    sue xx