After years of feeling crummy, I was officially diagnosed with fibromyalgia in Dec 2007. There is no identifyable cause. There is no single cure-all.

I've tried numerous prescriptions, most of which either made it worse or added unbearable side effects. The doctors have all but given up on me. So I set out to find my own remedy.

Finally, I began to find solutions that actually work. I'm still looking for additional help, but I'm finally at a point that I can function normally most of the time. I've thrown a lot of information on this site. And what works for me may not work for you. But I hope you find it helpful.

Begin by reading the "STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW". Everything I am trying stems from that research. Please, please, please Email Me at copingwithfibro@yahoo.com with questions or just to have someone to talk to who gets what you're going through! Believe me, I need the support too!



  • This is a game of trial and error - which can be costly. Start with the DHEA, L-Tyrosine & Emergen-C as a baseline. If you can afford nothing else - do these first! Add other stuff as you can afford to.
  • Try only one new thing at a time so you can know what works and can adjust as needed. You need to pay attention to what your body tells you and make decisions based on what makes sense for you.
  • Don’t give up! This is not a hopeless situation, even though it feels that way sometimes. I may not be back to “normal” but I’m improving significantly! We need support from each other so please contact me if you need help doing research, have questions about anything I’ve written here or just want to talk. You’d be surprised at how many people are affected by fibromyalgia – check out local support groups and let people know you have it. Sharing success stories is good!
  • ASK FOR HELP! Keep talking and researching everything you can. Please e-mail me if I can help! I will offer suggestions as I can and will help you do research.

What's Helping


Exercise - Daily stretching (I use a pilates ball) and light walking (no power walking or long distances)

DHEA (10mg) & Pregnenalone (15mg) Combo - DHEA alone is ok but you really need the Pregnenalone ($13/mo)

L-Tyrosine (I’m currently taking 1500-2000 mg/ day – 1000 in the morning/500-1000 in the afternoon depending on how I feel) ($7/mo)

Emergen-C Joint Therapy – 2-3 times per day (this helps boost the fatigue and also has glucosamine & chondroitin to help with joint pain) ($13/mo)

FRS - Free Radical Scavenger...it's like eating 40 apples and seriously adds a boost of energy. I take it twice a day - once in the morning and once after lunch when that afternoon sludge sets in. I love it and recommend it highly! But - it is expensive. Watch for sales at GNC and some supermarkets. Or order online at www.frs.com.

Increase Good Cholesterol:
  • Monounsaturated fats (olive oil, peanut, canola oil, avocados & nuts)
  • Polyunsaturated fats (Omega 3 fatty acids (fatty, cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring; flaxseeds, flax oil and walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, and small amounts are found in soybean and canola oils)
    Decrease Bad Cholesterol:
    • Trans fats - comes from adding hydrogen to vegetable oil through a process called hydrogenation. This makes the fat more solid and less likely to spoil. Hydrogenated fat is a common ingredient in commercial baked goods — such as crackers, cookies and cakes — and in fried foods, such as doughnuts and french fries. Shortenings and some margarines also are high in trans fat. Food manufacturers are required to list trans fat content on nutrition labels. Amounts less than 0.5 grams per serving are listed as 0 grams trans fat on the food label. (Get products with 0 trans fats)
    • Saturated fats – (solid or waxy at room temperature) found in red meats, poultry, butter, whole milk, and tropical oils (coconut, palm, etc.)

    Folic Acid/Folate
    Recent studies:
    • Link low levels of folate with depression
    • Demonstrate improved short term memory, mental agility and verbal fluency
    • Demonstrate significant cognitive impairment in the elderly

    Niacin reduces levels of bad cholesterol and increases levels of good cholesterol. It also increases metabolism and blood sugar levels (I’m hypoglycemic so this may help me, but may be a problem for those with diabetes).

    Folic acid and niacin used together, may increase blood histamine levels and histamine release, which may offer allergy relief as well as help regulate sleep, etc.

    What I'm trying now

    SALT!

    Sea salt to be exact! I talked about aldosterone in the Adrenal Glands. Aldosterone regulates sodium and water. When it's high, you retain water and feel bloated. When it's low, you become dehydrated and sodium deficient. In addition, your potassium levels decrease in order to stay in line with the sodium levels. Your blood pressure also drops...mine drops so much that I get very light-headed to the point of nearly fainting. NOT GOOD!

    Fluid intake is critical, but we have to also add sodium! Table salt just isn't all that great for you. Sea salt has trace minerals to help keep everything in check.

    I know this info isn't that detailed - feel free to research on-line or you can wait and I'll post more info about salt later! For now, I'm drinking a glass of salt water every morning and afternoon. It seriously helps that light-headedness!

    Progress Update

    UPDATED JULY 20, 2011
    Well, it's been about 3 years and I'm feeling great. I found that over time, the medication I take for sleep and the supplements needed adjustment (like I was getting too much of them). Bottom line - listen to your body and continually experiment.

    So let me describe an amazing day to you - up at the crack of dawn, cleaned the kitchen, on the elliptical until I realized I was bored, put on tennies and jogged (yes, jogged) - 1 whole mile!, finished the laundry (all the laundry that is), picked up a load of hay, washed the truck and then loaded up the family and drove 90 minutes to take an afternoon hike at the falls. Sound impossible? 5 years ago, I would have agreed. That was my last Saturday. It can be done. Don't give up hope.


    That said - I overdid it and felt "some" pain and fatigue the next few days. I am learning to manage the condition (rather than letting it manage me). Knowing what my priorities and limitations are helps to do that. It is ok to rest!!! It is ok for the dishes to pile up and the yard work to not get done. One day at a time.

    In His Grip,

    Shawn

    Comments & Feedback

    Please feel free to leave me comments, ask questions, or whatever. I'm not an expert by any means, but maybe we can help each other find solutions!

    You can e-mail me at: Email Me
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