I'm sorry you have so much pain. You're right, that's a lot of medication. I'm not sure what country you are in, I was assuming the US but Mobic was taken off the market here several years ago. Are you in physical therapy or do you do some type of exercise program? It has been shown in studies that light exercise on a regular basis decreases fibro pain. Many areas have Arthritis Foundation sponsored low cost warm water exercise programs specifically for fibro patients.
Do you see a pain specialist? A pain clinic might be helpful to you if you are not already being seen by a pain specialist. They have a lot of tricks up their sleeves for chronic pain sufferers.
I wonder about your diet. For instance, eating cold water fish several times a week is scientifically proven to decrease inflammation. Often fibro docs will also prescribe supplements such as vitamin D, magnesium, and other things to decrease inflammation.
Do you see your primary provider regularly? I see you are on several cardiac medications, and leg pain can sometimes be related to that as well as fibro. So I would hope that is being tracked as well. Circulatory problems in your legs can be very painful. In addition, part of the reason Mobic was discontinued was because it isn't a good drug for cardiac patients. You might ask your provider about that just to be safe.
I don't see any typical pain meds in your list. Muscle relaxers and drugs for nerve pain, sedatives and anxiolytics, and Fioricet which is a barbituate med usually used for headache, but maybe it's time for you to have a pain medication like a hydrocodone or something similar. If you had a narcotic prescribed as needed for those extra bad days, it might help.
I think your best bet is a pain consult with a specialist. There may be a more efficient and effective way to treat your pain. Also, if you are not exercising, you should definitely start. A walking program or warm water exercise can make a huge difference, even if you start with just 5 minutes a day.
We have a page on fibro: https://www.empowher.com/condition/fibromyalgia. This site discusses pain specialties and pain management: http://www.pain.com/go/default/, and the American Pain Foundation is an advocacy and education group for people suffering from chronic pain: http://www.painfoundation.org/
You might also check the National Fibromyalgia Association, which has support, education, and lists of fibro-friendly doctors: http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage
I think it is time for you to grab this pain by the tail and take charge. Find a pain doc, get some activity going, and advocate for yourself. Sometimes health providers have a hard time treating patients with chronic pain. We are frustrating. We don't always get better. Doctors in particular like to "fix" things, and sometimes we aren't fixable, we need to manage. So sometimes chronic pain patients get put on the back burner because they seem needy or frustrating. Don't let this happen to you.
I'm glad you wrote. If I can help further, please let me know. Good luck.
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Hi Donna
I'm sorry you have so much pain. You're right, that's a lot of medication. I'm not sure what country you are in, I was assuming the US but Mobic was taken off the market here several years ago. Are you in physical therapy or do you do some type of exercise program? It has been shown in studies that light exercise on a regular basis decreases fibro pain. Many areas have Arthritis Foundation sponsored low cost warm water exercise programs specifically for fibro patients.
Do you see a pain specialist? A pain clinic might be helpful to you if you are not already being seen by a pain specialist. They have a lot of tricks up their sleeves for chronic pain sufferers.
I wonder about your diet. For instance, eating cold water fish several times a week is scientifically proven to decrease inflammation. Often fibro docs will also prescribe supplements such as vitamin D, magnesium, and other things to decrease inflammation.
Do you see your primary provider regularly? I see you are on several cardiac medications, and leg pain can sometimes be related to that as well as fibro. So I would hope that is being tracked as well. Circulatory problems in your legs can be very painful. In addition, part of the reason Mobic was discontinued was because it isn't a good drug for cardiac patients. You might ask your provider about that just to be safe.
I don't see any typical pain meds in your list. Muscle relaxers and drugs for nerve pain, sedatives and anxiolytics, and Fioricet which is a barbituate med usually used for headache, but maybe it's time for you to have a pain medication like a hydrocodone or something similar. If you had a narcotic prescribed as needed for those extra bad days, it might help.
I think your best bet is a pain consult with a specialist. There may be a more efficient and effective way to treat your pain. Also, if you are not exercising, you should definitely start. A walking program or warm water exercise can make a huge difference, even if you start with just 5 minutes a day.
We have a page on fibro: https://www.empowher.com/condition/fibromyalgia. This site discusses pain specialties and pain management: http://www.pain.com/go/default/, and the American Pain Foundation is an advocacy and education group for people suffering from chronic pain: http://www.painfoundation.org/
You might also check the National Fibromyalgia Association, which has support, education, and lists of fibro-friendly doctors: http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage
I think it is time for you to grab this pain by the tail and take charge. Find a pain doc, get some activity going, and advocate for yourself. Sometimes health providers have a hard time treating patients with chronic pain. We are frustrating. We don't always get better. Doctors in particular like to "fix" things, and sometimes we aren't fixable, we need to manage. So sometimes chronic pain patients get put on the back burner because they seem needy or frustrating. Don't let this happen to you.
I'm glad you wrote. If I can help further, please let me know. Good luck.
May 23, 2010 - 9:01amThis Comment
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