FIBROMYALGA

62 rep

AlumniWausau, WI

I HAVE FIBROMYALGA AND WAS WONDERING SOME OF THE MEDS THAT ARE WORKING FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT. MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED ME LYRICA AND MY DOSE WAS INCREASED TWICE. IT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN STOPPED. I JUST STARTED 2 DAYS AGO AT ANYTIME FITNESS. I FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT MYSELF BUT I AM HURTING PRETTY BAD. ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE??

27k rep

Trainer

Congrats on your new Anytime Fitness membership and joining Anytime Health!

Once you get used to your new workouts you will find that oftentimes the pain from fibromyalgia will be less intense and less widespread thanks to a regular exercise routine. That is just one of the many perks to exercising is that it helps with pain management and lifts your spirits naturally too!

As far as pain meds for fibromyalgia, Lyrica is one of the most popular therapies for this disease state as are many of the SSRI and SNRI antidepressants because these drugs help block the pain receptors in the brain. Of course, you will have to speak to your physician about this, but give your meds some time to reach their full therapeutic levels and give it some time for getting into a regular exercise regimen too. You should be doing a combination of both strength training all of the major muscle groups in the body as well as cardiovascular activity in your target heart rate zone on most days of the week.

Lastly, be sure that you are getting plenty of rest and relaxation (easier said than done- I know), but it will help you tremendously. Don't underestimate proper nutrition as well.

Hope you get to feeling better and have fun with your new workouts!

62 rep

AlumniWausau, WI

i am feeling awesome!! i have worked very hard at the gym, eating healthier, and loving it. i am so glad i did this and yes exercise works for pain management.

0 rep

Great job, Jamie!! Just keep it up!!!

6.9k rep

AlumniSheboygan, WI

Yes! I have Fibro as well! I am so thankful for Anytime Fitness. I have my life back! The pain is not as intense and I am losing the weight! For me my diet was key. I noticed if I ate red meats they would flair up the pain. I also found out I have an allergy to wheat and gluten. I have been on a strict diet by avoiding all animal protein and all gluten products. I feel 100% better. Totally amazing transformation! I don't eat anything that comes from a box or a bag.... I know Fibro can be reversed with diet and exercise! I am living proof! Keep it up!

197 rep

AlumniFlorence, AL

Jumping on the fibromyalgia wagon here.
I was diagnosed more then 10 years ago and it was devistating....I have since had to get on disability because I can not do what I once did.
I joined AF just this month and have only been able to get to the gym 3 times
I live more then 15 miles from AF and some days just making the drive is an effort. Recently I was bedridden from the pain.
I feel I made a mistake joining if I can not even get there. I know that I will feel better if I just do it but I am not motivated like I want to be. Now I feel bad because I know it would help and I am just beating myself up over what I can not do.

0 rep

Do you have a friend nearby that could drive in with you for a couple of weeks? If you do, and they aren't training anywhere, it might be a win-win for both of you.
I can only imagine the pain, so I know it's really hard to get motivated to get going and get to the gym, but I do believe it will help alleviate some of the pain. It has worked for clients that I have dealt with, but it does take consistency, 3-4 days per week. Intensity does not have to be very high, it's more about doing the work and then moving the intensity up very slowly, as you can, over time. Consistency over intensity.

If there are any other questions of thoughts you have, just post them and we will do our best to help. Glad you're with us!!

197 rep

AlumniFlorence, AL

Thanks Ken.
I had a few really bad days and am so surprised how much it helped to just get it out like that.
I do not have any friends nearby....in fact I do not know anyone in my area other then my husband and mother-in-law...both of which are disabled and I take care of them (on top of everything else)
I made it to the gym today....did 23 min. on the eliptical and some upper body work at low weight and only one set each. I have been active at a gym in the past and know the basics of what I need to do. It is such a balancing act.
I have also started eating better this year and made a lot of changes to my diet. That has helped. I am also looking for a more holistic approach to my health.
I see my physician next week and will see where I stand with those issues

197 rep

I have just been dignosed with Fibromyagla this past week. I have also just signed up with the new Anytime Fitness in Glendale, AZ. I look forward to some good results. Its nice to know I am not alone.

0 rep

I know I can't understand how hard it is with this condition, I certainly don't understand the pain that is either constant or cycles back and forth all day. I know that it must be really, really, difficult.
But every day, simply think in terms of showing up and doing something. Every day - show up. It helps to have a category in life of things that you do no matter what, I call it my Non-Negotiable category, and for me, working out is in that category. I HAVE to do this, or life would literally pull me apart in 10 different directions every day.
With fibro, you have to become very good at reading your body, reaching a little on days you feel good, but also knowing when you're not having a good day, and backing off a little.
For all of us, especially for you, it's about really tuning in to the signals (and there are many) your body is giving you and then acting accordingly on them. Keep a list of things that work, specific exercises, etc. and those that do not.

Do the work, tune in to your body, be patient. Keep going. Don't stop. Don't ever stop.

You CAN do this.

197 rep

AlumniFlorence, AL

welcome stephanie.

I am working at being my own best friend and motivator. It can be hard, frustrating and downright irritating...

Find yourself at least one other person who understands how you feel with the fibro---it helps to know you can talk it out and another person can relate.

0 rep

Evelynsouth, absolutely! Not only finding others with fibro but also simply connecting yourself to other consistent exercisers, people who understand the importance of it, people you will see at your ATF all the time.

You will find yourself gravitating towards fitness people and that is a good thing. It's human nature to associate with those of a like mind and for those of us heading in a new direction, I believe it is critically important to maximize your time with people that are going your way. Those that have come from zero to where they are understand the struggles, the pain, the lack of support in other areas of their lives, the understanding that sometimes it can be lonely doing those things you know you need to be doing.

We are defined by our habits - good and bad. Hang with like-minded people and keep your mind as free as possible of the white noise of our pop culture. I can very easily be distracted by things that in the end, really have no meaning at all. I have to be cautious of that, every single day. Gotta stay focused, eyes on the prize.

One day at a time. Do the work. One day at a time....

197 rep

AlumniFlorence, AL

this has not been a good week for me....my lower back has been very painful. saw the doc and they did x-rays to see if there are any issues not related to the fibro or OA. have not heard anything.....in the meantime I am in too much pain to get to the gym. everything hurts...sitting, standing, laying down. nothing helps---not even a heating pad.

7 rep

I have had fibromyalga since 1992. It devastated my life at the time. I decided in '96 to study yoga to gain the health benefits from this exercise. Prior to that I was accustomed to rigorous daily workouts (as a professional ballet dancer.) Toning down how I exercised was crucial. I always overdid it and couldn't understand how to exercise another way. I paid dearly. It's about listening to our bodies, and only doing what our body can do each day. And yes, take it one day at a time. After my monthly yoga training at the Kripalu Center I returned home and decided to teach Gentle Yoga to people with disabilities. Many of my students had fibro. It changed my life and many other peoples lives. The less we do the more our bodies give in to many illnesses. You can not overdue it though, and rest when you need to. Take one step at a time, every day will be different. Daily stretching and movement are important for us, for everyone, but critical to us making progress. Your diet is also important. I'm a vegetarian, I eat organically,(I'm not saying you have to go that route) but cut out white foods, sugars etc. and make eating count. I try to stick with a high immune building diet, many antioxidant foods. I have not taken medication for it for a very long time, I also had Chronic Fatigue, and later they discovered I had Lyme Disease. Going to the gym and working out is important, just choose carefully what and how much you do. You will see a huge difference. It just takes time. Patience is also helpful. Good luck, hang in there.

428 rep

AlumniGolden, CO

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia December 2010. It took almost 8 years for doctors to diagnose me. I was tested for Lupus, MS, they thought I had arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and on, and on, and on. Meanwhile I took I think almos every pain pill imaginable to help me cope. I now take Tramadol and Ibuprofren and this now seems that it will be my life forever. I still think I'm in denial because I believe that there is no reason to have pain like this for no reason. With technology the way it is I just want it fixed but it will never happen. I haven't found that happy medium yet at the gym so I either overdo it or I don't do enough. I haven't even worked out for over a month. I also am being treated for bi-polar, depression and panic disorder! It never ends. I feel like I'm feeling sorry for myself & no one in my household understands what I'm feeling like (inside and out). I tend to do things I know I'm not supposed to do, but if I don't then they will never get done. What's a person to do?
Sick and tired of being sick and tired...

197 rep

AlumniFlorence, AL

joddigreen,
I so understand how you feel. It is impossible for anyone to see fibro so they act as if we are making it up.
Like you I just don't understand why there is no "cure". I hate being sick and feeling like I have been run over by a truck when I have not done much.
I am hit and miss at the gym so far. Like today, woke up with a lot of pain and headache so trying to calm those symptoms and not beat myself up for not getting out of the house.
I do not tolerate tramadol well so it has been removed from my arsonal...so far the only thing is tylenol and that can be hit or miss. Because of stomach issues I fear taking too much of anything.
Frustrating circle to live in.
Hang in there