See All
Preferences
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests

I'm a vegetarian & rely on other sources of foods for iron including unsulphured blackstrap molasses. I never cared for molasses but knowing the nutritional benefits (iron, calcium, potassium & magnesium), I came up with a great way to tolerate it. I add it to unsweetened Almond Milk (a highly recommened food by Dr. Oz) & the taste of the molasses is really disguised.
Hope this helps.
georgiaView Thread

I find 5HTP helpful with both sleep & mood. If you decide to try it & may be taking other meds or supplements, please look into any possible interaction issues.
Keep us posted.
georgiaView Thread

As RosieLou suggested, let's try to take over the various roles held by Caprice. She offered so much optimism while suffering as much as any of us.
Dr. P's shoes will be harder to fill as he was a medical doctor however, he answered so many posts in the past & covered numerous subjects that keep coming up, so let's continue to refer to those. They haven't been deleted, have they?
With or without their support, we need one another so let's not let yet another obstacle get in the way of our managing this condition.
I believe all the WebMD communities have lost this professional support but as with all other changes in life, we must accept & move on.
Nancy B, promise us you aren't going any where, please. That goes for MiMi & many other regulars whose names just aren't coming as quickly to my foggy mind.
georgiaView Thread

I was relieved to see that this is commonly listed as one of the many symptoms of fibro. This is not to say that one shouldn't rule out other conditions when acquiring a fibro symptom.
Fibro is one weird & horrific "syndrome."
georgiaView Thread

The rash is mostly on my back, some on my abdomen & some on the arms. It flares at night when if I start itching, I just can't seem to stop. The itching is sometimes worse than the pain of fibro.
Skin rashes prove a tough challenge for doctors & patients. I've given up trying to figure out its cause & refuse to try steroids or any other damaging drug.
I do believe that it's caused by a weakened immune system, much of what explains many of the fibro symptoms.
Best of luck in finding relief.
georgiaView Thread

Because you seem pleased with this doctor in other ways, I feel it's best that you discuss this issue with her. It's hard to find a good doctor. I think you will feel better in hearing what she has to say.
Giving your doctor the benefit of the doubt along with all other people who don't live with chronic pain, it's really hard to understand just how one suffers, especially so with Fibro as it involves so many symptoms, many of which are strange. Prior to your acquiring this condition, could you have imagined the pain (& the many other symptoms that go along with Fibro) that you now endure? I know I could not & therefore, I give others a bit of a break when it comes to relating & understanding the condition. That's not to say that those who care for us (including doctors) can't feel compassion towards us.
Your doctor helped you in being awarded SSDI & that indeed is a sign that she has your best interests in mind.
Please let us know the outcome.
georgiaView Thread

Is it osteoarthritis (OA) that you suffer from along with fibro? If so, it's a common combination. I have both & the fibro exacerbates the pain of the OA.
We all respond differently to treatments but I will share with you what helps me:
1) keep your weight down; unwanted pounds place a burden on joints with OA.
2) warm water pool therapy; the body is more flexible in the water & can move in ways that are too difficult on land; I have been able to postpone hip replacement surgery because I visit the pool daily.
3) I'm not big on meds but do take two aspirins a day; I eat well & take many vitamin/mineral supplements - some that may help with our condition: magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, glucosamine condroitin, 5-HTP (helps with sleeping), vitamin C, L-Lysine.
4) try to stay positive.
WebMD also has an osteoarthritis community which you may want to visit as well. These websites are a form of therapy for me in that it's so nice to share our problems with others who understand. Become as educated as possible on these conditions by researching online, etc.
I hope this was helpful.
georgiaView Thread

Do you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? IBS is one of many possible Fibro symptoms & is characterized by either constipation or diarrhea & sometimes both. Many medications (especially those for pain) can cause constipation as well. Could this be a possible culprit?
You don't mention your age but if you are over 50 you should have a colonoscopy performed.
Has there been any change in your diet? There are many good sources of fiber. If you aren't familiar with this essential nutrient, please research this.
Last but not least, please speak with your doctor about this. It is often tempting for us who suffer with Fibro to attribute any new symptom to Fibro however, we should not make this assumption so readily.
Many of us have become educated on the subject of Fibro through websites such as this community. There is so much information on the subject so please take the time & educate yourself on this very complex syndrome. Most of us learn more about Fibro online than in any doctor's office.
Welcome aboard. This website has been an ongoing help to me & many other who suffer from Fibro.
Please keep us posted on your irregular bowels.
Welcome aboard,
georgiaView Thread

I am so grateful for this community. It's important to have something to look forward to & this is one of the tops on my list. My best form of physical therapy is the pool & this web community is my best form of head therapy.
Best wishes,
georgiaView Thread

I just developed my first cold since being diagnosed with Fibro, which is now going on five years ago.
Obviously, I've been fortunate in that department & along with not having a cold in several years, it's been a good 25 years since I've had the flu. I would easily trade the Fibro for getting the cold/flu several times a year.
I can't believe how very awful a "simple" cold is combined with the Fibro. All my many aches & pains have been severely exacerbated by the cold. I never recall feeling this horrible from a cold prior to the Fibro.
It's a good thing I no longer work, because I would never be able to make it into any job feeling like this. I wasn't even able to go to the gym this morning for my warm water therapy (something I rarely miss).
I'm loading up with lots of warm liquids & what seems to help loosen the congestion best is hot tea with honey (known to absorb mucous), ginger (good for inflammation) & lemon.
Although I can't seem to get warm, I am not running a fever. I'm walking around the house in a hoodie as even my head is cold.
I can now relate to the many stories shared here about having a respiratory virus with Fibro. It's no picnic!
Just before turning in last night, my right ear started to ache. I don't normally take meds but did pop one Tylenol PM & slept like a baby for almost eight hours! I woke up still feeling awful but at least I slept well.
Hope you can all manage to ward off any colds/flu this season.
georgiaView Thread
See Related Pain Management Communities
Women's Health Newsletter
Find out what women really need.
Other Fibromyalgia Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.



