Muscle Tension

Muscle tension, and spasms cause the most pain for fibromyalgia patients. There are a few tricks to try and keep tension down. Stretch, stretch, stretch! That's the number one way to keep it down. Of course, if you're like me, you can stretch 24/7 and still be stiff as a board. Today is one of those days. I swear my muscle are trying to jump out of my neck and shoulders! They're seriously like baseballs. If stretching doesn't work, then try taking Benadryl. If Benadryl doesn't seem to help, you can take Ibuprofen PM (which has Benadryl in it). If that's not strong enough for you, then you need to see your doctor and discuss taking muscle relaxers. Unfortunately, for some of us none of those work, then the only thing you can do is live with it, or sleep it off! But you can change your lifestyle to reduce the amount of muscle tensions and spasms.

1. Get a weekly massage
2. Take a hot bath or jacuzzi
3. Sit in a sauna
4. Drink more water (I'm talking at least a gallon a day)
5. Heat pads
6. Stretch every morning and every night

Rheumatologist

I went to the rheumatologist today for the first time since 1998, when I was 16. It was much better now that I'm 31 and she actually took me seriously! She's starting all over with diagnosis, and she ordered so many more tests than they did back then! They took the usual 7 vials of blood and a UA. But she also got me an appointment with a neurologist for May, Physical Therapy for next week for a full analysis and consultation, and an MRI of my brain to be scheduled next week! I can't believe how much more peaceful I feel, knowing that my doctor is actually taking me seriously.

If you were diagnosed with fibromyalgia before getting checked by a neurologist, or rheumatologist, try going back. Unless they rule out all muscle diseases, and arthritis, they can't be sure that you have fibromyalgia!