Dot's Fibromyalgia Profile
Here's an overview of Dot's experience so far:
- Doctors think fibro was caused by motor vehicle accident trauma. Passenger in a car that hit a wall in 2006. Chronic pain in neck, shoulder and back (right side of body) since day of accident. Despite pain medication and physical therapy, condition has not improved and other symptoms developed over time.
- Developed migraines, irritable bowel syndrome (stomach pain, severe nausea, retching), myofascial muscle pain, photosensitivity, mental sluggishness, muscle weakness, severe fatigue and sleep problems.
- Physical limitations: walk 10 minutes on a good day, sit for 10 minutes, stand for 10 minutes, limited use of a laptop, cannot watch TV, read, limited talking on phone or with visitors. (Pain, muscle spasms or migraine occur if exceeded.)
- Spend most of time in bed with heating pads, which reduces pain. Leave home only for medical treatment.
- See doctors on a regular basis: physiatrist, rheumatologist, neurologist and physical therapist. Have had acupuncture, medical hypnosis, psychiatric counseling, reiki treatments and many MRIs and CAT scans.
- Participant in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical trial to test a medication for fibromyalgia pain.
- Receiving social security disability payment because unable to work. Work experience: freelance journalist and researcher.
- Medications prescribed and tried: Baclofen, Celexa, Clonazepam, Cymbalta, Dextroamphetamine, Fiorciet, Imitrex, Lidoderm Patches, Lybrel, Lyrica, Maxalt, Mirapex, Nortriptyline, Percocet, Savella, Topamax, Ultram.
- Vitamins/Supplements: Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, CoQ10, Omega 3, Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc, Gamma-aminobutyric acid, 5-HTP, Systemic Enzymes, Probiotics.
- And Coca-Cola. Most effective nausea buster to date!
