I can quite understand the problems you face, and you are brave to face them. I 'had' MS for 25 years, until recently diagnosed as having a Chronic Dysfunction of the Central Nervous System...whatever that means. I have a consultant who is treating me without medicines, but changing my life-style, which is proving difficult, but allowing me to undertsnd my own body.
His web-site is ...
and it may be beneficial for you to peruse his ideas, as he treats patients like you as well.

Other that that, I can only suggest you look after yourself, keep a positive attitude (something extremely arduous at the best of times) and try Dr Smith's ideas.

Good luck, and please take care love Grand Visier

Hi. I can certainly empathize with you. It is such a hard condition to diagnose and treat. I would like to suggest you a site called where you can learn about a five step plan that eliminates fatigue and soothes your muscle pain.
Hope this will work out for you.
Take care, Bye!

I was diagnosed 6 years ago with FMS. Prescribed drugs dont work for me the doses I need to control the pain effect my ability to focus and I cannot drive, therefore have to struggle with lower doses in order to continue to work. I attended a pain management course which aided me a little.
I found that life coaching has helped me, I bought a download ebook that suggested alkaline products, which I have tried but cant say it worked for me.
I think we just have to each find what works for us,
good luck,
kind regards
Aly

Try Bioenergy therapy -the Domancic Method

Hi,
Using bio energy therapy is one of the best ways to relieve the pain of Fibromyalgia and has no side effects.

For some info about it-

As a clinical reflexologist I once had a client with fibromyalgia. She tried several reflexology treatments with me and had a very good response. She reported that many of her symptoms had lessened, the pain was more manageable and she was sleeping better (previously she had had a chronic sleep problem). Of course, everyone responds differently to therapies, but if you have never tried reflexology, it may be worth a go.

I recently read an article on the net about usingn hypnosis as a pain management tool and helping top sleep also as that appears to be a symptoms. As hypnosis has been used in pain management and operations it may be worth your while checking out a local practitioner. The name of the author of the article is Darlen Cheek. Suite101.com
Any competeant therapist should be able to teach you self hypnosis, check they belong to a recognised association and are qualified, someone refering one to you is always good, maybe your doctor.

Please look at The BodyTalk System. I had a client with FMS and her symptoms disappeared after regular sessions over six months. You have to bear in mind that everyone is different and no two people will have the same BodyTalk sessions, even for the same symptom, or heal at the same pace. With BodyTalk your bodymind complex directs the practitioner to the relevant parts of the body that need resynchronising. Gentle tapping is used to implement the changes within the body. The main BodyTalk website is It's worth a try.

:nature-smiley-008: Hi Jordan and everyone in the forum,

I'm new to the forums,but I would like to offer a little bit of help,as I know what you are going through.

I live with FMS,myself...

I would like to ask you a question if you don't mind...

Were you diagnosed by a rheumathologist?

Many competent physicians are not trained like an specialist would be,and sometimes have less knowledge of all the pressure points for diagnosing FMS.

Notice I said "Pressure Points"...not "Trigger Points"...those are used to diagnose a different disease...

Please don't get me wrong...I'm not saying "competent physicians" are not good doctors...it's just that an specialist...in this case a rheumathologist...has continued with studies in order to understand and treat a disease,and has access to newer information and protocols for treatments...

There is a scale used by rheumathologists for a diagnosis of FMS...A patient has to have at least 11 out of 18 "pressure points"...

I read some days ago,it is believed by some rheumathologists,that there are more than 25 pressure points.

I was finally diagnosed about five years ago...

For about ten years I went from Dr. to Dr.,and every diagnosis was different ...

My rheumathologist made the time to sit down with me and explain what FMS is,what can be the cause of it and also some of the many treatments and therapies for it.

If anyone would like it,I can start a new thread and explain in a very simple words what Fibromyalgia is...It's a little long and detailed,but easier for many people to understand...

Just let me know,and I will be glad to do it...

Like you,I'm nearing my 60th birthday...I also had trouble walking a few steps...And like some of the other good friends in the forums,I was made into a zombie for a long time by the drugs prescribed to me...

I no longer take Tramadol ~ one of the first things prescribed for people with FMS ~...

I can do things I couldn't do for many years...

Everyone suffering with Fibromyalgia is different,and reacts differently to pain and treatments.

There are many prescription drugs,physical therapies,alternative medicine treatments,behavior modification therapies,diets,etc. that can be used by FMS sufferers...

What works for me, may not work for someone else...

It becomes a long trial and error thing,until you find something that works for you...and most importantly...something you feel comfortable with...

The secret is:
~ Finding a doctor willing to work with you...
~ You being willing to try many things...
~Following the protocol once you have found something that works for you...
~And sticking with it...

I wish you the best of luck finding some relief for yourself...
Keep up a possitive attitude...
Take good care of yourself...
Rest when your body tells you to do it...
Try,try,try and try again and again...
Never give up...

:grouphug: Sending everyone with FMS some healing energy...

Love and Light

Susan

I had a client with severe fibromyalgia and she has ahd great relief from Reiki. It took several weeks of sessions close together then we were able to extend the period between treatments. She was so delighted she has now taken Reiki 1 so she can work on herself.

I haven't used it on a client but have read good things about EFT and fibromyalgia.

If anyone would like it,I can start a new thread and explain in a very simple words what Fibromyalgia is...It's a little long and detailed,but easier for many people to understand...

:confused: With all respect GeminiGrannie, I know you meant well but I think people know what Fibromyalgia is and how awful it can be. This is not what we want to hear, we want to hear what people have tried and what has worked for them.
:046:

Try far infrared saunas - they are a recommended treatment for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). You can get these either wooden ones, or portable ones that you sit in or Dome Saunas that you can lie in - probably the Dome one would be the best as you are more relaxed, and relaxation is probably the best therapy for fibromyalgia.

Also, try a good relaxing, regular massage after your sauna - and take it easy.

I have Fibromyalgia for 20 years. I am now 60. I have severe muscle pain and have not found anything that helps. There are times that I am unable to walk more then a few feet even in my own house. Has anyone found a medication that helps without making you into a zombie???

I sincerely wish apologize to everyone in this thread...moderators and members alike...for my complete ignorance about proper forum etiquete...
I don't want to repeat myself and upset other members...
It was never my intention to do so...
Neither it is my intention now, to start a discussion and going off topic...
I thought I had answered Jordan's questions about what worked for me,and also gave a list of many things that work in general...
My answers and opinions are always given with love and from my heart...with no strings attached...and without thinking that I am above everyone else...
Sometimes,our desire to help,make us overlook some things...
I didn't know that besides the wonderful moderators, doing a great job moderating the forums,this thread seems to have a spokesperson...
I was raised to always be very polite and respectful...to share all my knowledge with others... and to ask questions... and ask for advice from others when I didn't know something...
I can assure you my mistake will not be repeated...
My appologies to all again.

Susan

infra red

:nature-smiley-008:
Jamesk, I have read a lot about infrared therapy lately, do you know where in the North East of England the type of thing you talk about is available? thanks. Oh my goodness I have just looked at the domes, they look a bit like plastic coffins, just looking at them makes me feel claustrophobic, think I would be better with the other type!

:nature-smiley-008:Geminigrannie, don't be so hard on yourself, it is obvious you are a kind hearted, thoughful person.

A few ideas on FMS

I have had clients with FMS and CFS and I think no client is like any other; the causes for each client are unique. I do think it is worth checking out food intolerances and any gut imbalances as lack of energy can be down to these sort of issues. If the gut isn't functioning properly people just can't absorb their nutritients.

One client with CFS bordering on FM was eating a lot of wheat and when this was taken out of her diet she improved a lot. Stress is also a big factor.

Have you tried spiritual healing? Some painful conditions can be caused by stuff that has 'latched on' so it is worth checking this out.

I do hope all of those in the thread who are sufferers find their own particular answers.

XX Christine

I have Fibromyalgia and have tried many different pain killers also low dose antidepressants. None of these really worked as I am very sensitive to medication. A lot of the strong painkillers knocked me out and made me feel dizzy and sick. I am under the care of a pain management clinic and I am taking Gabapentin (Neurotin). They work for nerve pain and I find they do lessen my pain but it is difficult to get them prescribed by your GP. My Doctor at the pain clinic says many people with Fibromyalgia find them helpful. Obviously everyone experiences medication differently but I find I can tolerate them and they dont turn me into a zombie. I also have spiritual healing on a regular basis and I always feel so much better immediately after. I have recently purchased a Thera Cane and find this helps a lot with the trigger points of Fibromyalgia. (It is difficult to get them treated under the NHS). Massage helps me and I have a friend who does this for me occasionally but I dont get it as often as I would like. I hope this helps.

Gabapentin (Neurotin)

111

I am of the understanding that bioenergy healing can help you whatever your age, however long you have suffered your particular conditions, whether you know what you 'triggers' are or not. Please do not give up, it is possible to get relief, and luckily you are in the right place to receive all sorts of suggestions!

I am not a fan of the medication route, and am sure it is always possible to find a way that suits you and your body.

Sapna

It's interesting to hear about the success of other therapies with this condition.

I practice clinical hynotherapy, and it's got a good success rate at dealing with the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. It can help you cope with the pain, by using visual imagery, and also generally coping with the emotional effects of living with a chronic condition.

It's well known that if you have high levels of anxiety - common if you're feeling so ill - then your perception of pain will be greater.

Good luck - and I hope you find a treatment to give you some ease.

Sue 🙂

Hi jordanb.

I don't know if you have tried it but Essentially Oils sell a product called Fibromix which was devised by Ulla-Maija Grace (Finnish clinical aromatherapist) over a number of years and trials with her own clients and patients local to her. It is designed to address many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Not having the syndrome I have no personal experience, however I do have a copy of the article that appeared in the International Journal of Aromatherapy.

There might be some links here that help.

Hope you find some relief soon.
Best wishes
EB

:confused: With all respect GeminiGrannie, I know you meant well but I think people know what Fibromyalgia is and how awful it can be. This is not what we want to hear, we want to hear what people have tried and what has worked for them.
:046:

Hi Jeannie, just a quick message. please never presume that everyone is aware of all medical conditions. What may be familiar to you, is not always familiar to others. The beauty of this site is to contribute and learn, so please don't put people off when they ask?? I have learnt a lot from this site and so have many others. x

Hi

Hi Jordan B.
I too have fibromyalgia. In Feb. of 2008 I began taking probiotics, not just one or two but I found a formula with five different kinds of the good bacteria. My shoulder pain went away the first day. In Mar. 2008 I began taking systemic enzymes, by June I was pain free for the first time in over two years. Before that I also found that niacin helped with stiffness. Not the no flush kind. You have to be careful with niacin though, read up on it.
The same is true with probiotics and enzymes, people on blood thinners shouldn't take enzymes, not that they thin your blood but they make the blood thinners work better. I found out about these treatments by spending hundreds of hours on the internet, doctors who have fibromyalgia take systemic enzymes.