fibromyalgia

Please, whatever you choose, do not go for a sunbed! Overuse can cause cancer of the skin.

Start off with something cheap and simple such as a hot water bottle. If that works, maybe purchase a heat pad.

I know of one GN who suffers but she has not had the time recently to look on her computer as she has had family issues.

I dont think she would overuse it,but a hot water bottle or a heat pad dont cover a big enough area to make any difference .I really just wanted to know if anyone had used one an dfound it helpful .

I dont think she would overuse it,but a hot water bottle or a heat pad dont cover a big enough area to make any difference .I really just wanted to know if anyone had used one an dfound it helpful .

I am aware that those items are small but try them first and if that area is helped, maybe an electric blanket.

Would it be possible for her to manage in to a hot tub or similar? The warmth of the water all over could be helpful but I know it's a palaver getting changed etc etc

Also, coming round from my last op I was put in a thing called, I think, a bear hugger. It's a sort of very light heated plastic cover. Full length. It must be electrical but I wasn't really thinking straight just loving the cosy heat.

The light from a sunbed is a different frequency than that of a heat lamp. I wouldnt suggest it be used. You can still buy heat lamps and bulbs. Maybe have a look at them. I hope she soon finds relief.

I was bought a heated throw by my daughter for christmas, its teddy bear fabric and very snuggly when its on.

A heated chair/chair pad would probably bring her some relief paddyann.My daughter has EDS,hyper mobility type.We have a massage chair but be very careful as even the gentle massage can be quite hard on delicate joints.

I found I was badly affected by too much heat. Try an anti inflammatory when she is bad. I was also prescribed codeine and dothiepin. Both helped a lot. Best thing for fibro is gentle exercise especially walking. She may only manage a few minutes daily but will gradually build up to a half hour. Once her sleep is sorted the pain will ease off. Best of luck

To answer your question no. I havent and I dont know anyone who has.
If she's not sleeping addressing that should help. Gentle foot massage helps me. My husband does it most nights. Sometimes heat helps. Sometimes it makes it worse. A fleece throw is comforting sometimes and is no weight on your body.

Has she ever tried reflexology, paddyann?

Some may say that it does not work or could be in the mind, but I could really feel the difference in certain areas which were troublesome.

Fibromyalgia is a strange old syndrome, or mine is, what helps one day often doesn’t the next.

I’ve not tried a heat lamp paddy, as for me the heat from a hot water bottle is enough. Currently I have it under my knee which has been particularly bothersome today, gradually it is relaxing and becoming less painful. I do also use the stick on heat patches (Poundland have them) if my spine is particularly painful or it’s very cold.

I’m lucky I think as I have never been bed bound with this oh so frustrating syndrome so I walk each day. I’m happy if it’s just my baseline 10 minutes, ecstatic if it’s more.

Don’t be disheartened paddy if something that helps today doesn’t tomorrow. It may help again next week, next month or even next year. I’ve had this for near,y 30 years and try to understand each day what this right royal pain wants to settle a bit, I find that more helpful than engaging in a fight which I just can’t win.

Wishing you and your daughter well. I’m sorry I can’t offer a guarantee of pain reduction.

Thank you all ,I'm not looking for guarantees ,just some help for her.Her GP thinks she'll be wheelchair bound within the year an dhse's so depressed about that .Now we're being told that one of the drugs she does get is being re classified so she'll need to go to the surgery to get her rescription an dtake it to the chemist instead of it being delived to her every month .Somebody doesn't understand that its often impossible for her to get out of bed never mind to the surgery AND the chemist 12 miles away

Paddyann, don't know much about Fibromyalgia, but I!m curious to know what light treatment your Mum used for her chest problems, because I suffer from chronic lung problems. Thanks.

SorrycrazyH I dont know I just remember her saying it really helped ,she had lung problems all her life and when she was a child her parents paid for heatray treatment .She said it was the only thing that helped her until she got inhalers and steroids in her 50's

I have an electric throw which I love as it does help. I use sunbeds in the Spring/Summer but can't say they do anything pain wise tbh - the weather is generally milder by then so I don't get so cold anyway and that helps. Warm days in the sun do ease the pain, for me at least, but sunbeds I can't say make a difference.

Am wondering if any of you have any experience of gravity blankets?I keep being sent adverts for them with glowing reviews but don’t know anyone who has actually bought and used one.

Warm days in the sun do ease the pain, for me at least,
I wonder if that is just because of the warmth or because of that and the increase in Vitamin D which you absorb in the summer?

I presume your DD has tried the route of supplements, paddyann.

I find warm water hydrotherapy helps in winter. I go to a special session for people with conditions and disabilities that are prescribed special exercise. I do deep water running and tailored exercises in a pool with warm water between 31-34C