Trying to put it in a nutshell for my forst blog post. All comments will be warmly received. I have had Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for a few years but it has I feel slowly crept up on me. I didn't happen overnight. I no longer work. I used to be a Senior Clinical nurse in General and Mental Health. I have Irritable bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Chronic back problems due to old car accidents and work injuries. Other things I experience are chemical/light/noise/skin/food sensitivities. I also have Depression and anxiety. Along with this I get facial nerve pain, sinisitus, waxy ears, sleep problems, fatigue, brain fog, jaw pain, flue and arthritic like symptoms
After a few years dealing with insurance companies, social security, specialists and doctors, alternative therapists , tests etc etc, I am now fairly well. I had chronic systemic candida treated, discovered my food sensitivities, sorted the sleep and Depression/Anxiety problems. I have a doc who understands Fibro/CFS, Social Security and the work insurance company leave me alone. I take Amitriptyline 25mg and 1mg Clonazepam at night to sleep and try to get to bed by midnight. I also take Sertraline 100mg in the morning for depression. The rest are suppliments. Zinc, VitB12, VitC, Multivitamins, Fish oil, Probiotics, magnesium and cysteplus/glycene/glutamine powder all taken in the morning. The only pain meds I take are Paracetamol and Digesic (rarely).
I have come to terms with the unpredictability of how I will feel from one day to the next and joined a support group. I do lots of good research on the net. My family understand it in varying degrees and support me or accept it. I do tend to feel isolated and lonely at times and miss my work and social interaction. I am single, have my own place a cat and dog, 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. I try to make the best of things, enjoy arts and crafts/gardening/reading. I like to help other people, so if anyone wants some advice or support please feel free to contact me. That's enough for now, G
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written by MissyG, January 21, 2009
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written by Maff, January 27, 2009
I'm glad you've found a combination of treatments that works for you regarding sleep and there's no point messing with a winning formula. Keep melatonin in mind if you need more help in the future though
If you feel up to posting more blog entries that would be fantastic. Take care
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written by Carole, January 29, 2009
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written by MissyG, January 31, 2009
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Many thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I'm sorry to hear that you have lost so much in terms of your job and social life but happy that you have been able to overcome many of your symptoms and come to terms with your illness. It's different because I was diagnosed with CFS aged only 12 but it took me a whole lot longer to come to terms with things!!
It's good that you have been able to use an integrative approach and are using anything that makes you feel better. Some people insist on staying away from drugs altogether but I have found in some instances they are the only option. I use clonazepam and diazepam on an "as needed" basis to help with sleep (along with melatonin which is very helpful). If I don't get enough sleep then the next day is a right off...I'm sure you are the same.
Interesting that you have found amitriptyline to be helpful. It seems to either help people or give them horrible side-effects. Unfortunately I fall into the latter group. I was prescribed it at one point and it completely knocked me out, even at low doses (down to 10mg). It put me in a daze so I was constantly drowsy and couldn't remember what I had done an hour earlier! Do you not get any side-effects from it?
Great to hear also that you've addressed your gut problems, food sensitivities etc which can all play a major role in these conditions.
I hope you continue to make progress and you'll share more of your experiences and also your internet research with us
Best wishes.