Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2022 marked the beginning of a challenging journey. If you’re in a similar boat, you understand the frustration of obtaining a diagnosis and the often inadequate treatment plans. Over the past year, I’ve discovered strategies to alleviate my symptoms and better cater to my needs. In sharing these insights, my goal is to offer support to those facing similar struggles. While what works for me may not guarantee results for everyone, I hope you find something beneficial among these suggestions. Feel free to share your own recommendations in the comments! Understanding My Symptoms: Fibromyalgia manifests differently for everyone, and my symptoms range in intensity. Primarily, I experience lower back pain, joint pain, widespread muscle pain and stiffness, and a peculiar sensation I’ve termed “spicy veins.” Fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, headaches, migraines, fibro fog, and sensitivity to cold are also part of my daily battle. It’s essential to note that my journey involved exploring other conditions, leading to the discovery of celiac disease, which might influence some of my symptoms. Let’s dive into all the things that have helped or things that were recommended to me that didn’t help. Medications: Injections & Prescriptions This is the first thing that my doctor recommended, and I’m sure you’ve heard the same. In October of 2022 I was prescribed cymbalta which I took for a few weeks. And yes, it did improve some of my symptoms, namely the spicy veins and joint pain. However, the main side effects I got were constipation and trouble sleeping – which are two of my main triggers. So I didn’t like that I might feel better but my body was still in pain. I’d prefer to make sure my body feels better rather than just not feeling the pain. I also didn’t want to be dependent on a prescription and I had read that coming off of it in the future would be worse than any flare I had ever had. In November of 2022 I was prescribed a steroid pack. This literally didn’t help me at all and instead gave me a UTI. In December of 2022 I got two steroid injections in my lower back. This took a few weeks for me to feel better. After about 6-8 weeks I felt like my pain went from a 10 to about a 6. Which helped, but honestly, for the amount of money I had to pay out of pocket and the stress I went through (I hate needles) it just wasn’t worth it. My doctor said I could get more injections every few weeks but I just don’t think it’s worth it. Medical Marijuana After trying what my doctor recommended I decided to give medical marijuana a try. After all, back pain is the top reason people are prescribed marijuana. In my state I had to apply for a medical marijuana card but the whole process was very approachable and the dispensaries are very nice and comfortable. I met with a pharmacist at the dispensary who recommended a high dose of CBG for my inflammation. I had been taking CDB on its own because that was legal and more accessible, and while I felt it helped my sleep it didn’t help my pain. If you do want to try CDB I really like this brand. I started taking gummies with a 1:1:2 ratio of THC:CBD:CBG and it’s been the best medicine I’ve ever taken. The THC does give a mental high effect – which I was nervous about at first, thinking it would make me anxious. But honestly, having 3-4 hours of some pain relief really helps to take my mind off of everything and just give me a break from the mental load that comes with fibro. I take it as needed and regularly during a flare. I started with about 5mg of a gummy and will go up to 15mg during a flare. I found gummies the most approachable but I’ve also tried tinctures and have had some luck with that but not as consistently. It does help with my pain and tends to give longer lasting pain relief than pain killers, but it’s still not a miracle fix. When I take it I still feel some pain if I’m moving around. But if I’m chilling on the couch or in bed I don’t feel any pain. I like to take it a few hours before I go to bed because it will make me sleepy and I can fall asleep pretty quickly, plus it helps me get really good sleep. I always feel much better first thing in the morning but the stiffness will set in mid afternoon. Turmeric Shots Before my diagnosis, I found that drinking “Golden Milk” right before bed was the only thing that helped me sleep. Here’s how to make it: I make a big jar of the spices mixed together so I can just add a few scoops to my milk every night. This drink helps reduce inflammation and for me at least, encourages sleep. Sometimes I don’t want to drink that much liquid right before bed and honestly, I’m just too lazy to make it before bed. So I started making it into shots to take throughout the day. It’s also not the tastiest thing so sometimes it’s better to just take it as a shot and have it over with really quick. I like to drink 1 in the morning and 1 at night or as needed. I got these cute little jars on Amazon to make it easier. You could also make a big batch of it using an old bottle or jar. Here’s how I usually make mine I also find that turmeric and ginger are helpful when the headaches hit. However, it doesn’t typically touch my migraines. Magnesium with Your Water Magnesium is crucial for muscle function, and adding it to your water can be an easy way to ensure you’re getting enough. This may help reduce muscle stiffness and discomfort associated with fibromyalgia. Personally, I’ve found that Calm Magnesium powder has had the best effect and the easiest to take. I take 1-2 scoops in my water first thing in the morning. Pain Management Products: Pregnancy Pillow This was a GAME CHANGER for me! Literally, it sounds so simple and random, but this pillow and I go everywhere together. I move around a lot at night and this pillow makes sure I have support between my knees instead of kicking a regular pillow out while I sleep. It provides versatile support, providing comfort during sleep and relaxation. It can help alleviate pressure points and reduce discomfort. It has a cover you can easily wash. If you prefer to use your own pillow for your head, you can flip it upside down providing more support for your legs and leaving the top open for your favorite pillow. Heated Blanket This has also been a game changer and comes with me wherever I go. I love this blanket for when I’m relaxing, and I have it on me while I work from home too. It has a bunch of heat levels which is really helpful. It’s an easier way to keep me warm than heating my whole house. Heated Neck and Shoulder Wrap When my body gets really stiff, I feel it mainly in my upper back and shoulders. And once those get tight I get really bad headaches and migraines that keep me up all night. This little baby – wow! I just wrap it up and within 10 or so minutes my pain is decreasing and I’m able to fall asleep. I also use it during the day when I start to feel my shoulders tightening. There are versions you can heat in the microwave, but I like this one because I can plug it in and keep it warm for longer. Plus, I don’t like the smell of microwave heating packs and I have to keep getting up to warm it back up. Migraine Hat I know migraines are so hard to deal with, but this hat is a godsend when they hit. You can keep it in the freezer for cold therapy or heat it up in the microwave for heat therapy. Personally, I respond better to heat. I like it because it goes all the way around my head and covers my eyes to block the light out. I find that applying heat to the band across the back of my head helps the most. It usually doesn’t help it go away, but the compression of the hat makes it easier to get through. Ice Roller I don’t know if you experience it, but my face puffs SO easily during a flare-up. This little ice roller is so nice to whip out and roll out the inflammation. You could roll it on other spots too and it can also help with headaches. Magnesium Lotion Magnesium lotion does a much better job of relaxing my muscles than regular lotion. I use it on sore muscles and when I do lymphatic drainage massages on myself. Massage Gun Massaging yourself can be difficult when you don’t have the strength in your hands. This massage gun comes with a bunch of head options to really help you target different muscles. I personally like to use this on my deep glute muscles that tense up during a flare. I also like using it because I can control the level of pressure and work out tight areas without getting fatigued. Foam Roller If you have mobility and strength, a foam roller can be really effective in working out tight muscles and increasing blood flow. It’s also a really affordable option for self-massage. You can get different sizes that each have different levels of intensity. Sauna Bag If I had to tell you to get one thing to help – it would be this! I know not everyone responds well to heat, but my body EATS it up. In less than 5 minutes my whole body relaxes and I can lay more comfortably. Because my head is out I feel like I can handle the heat for much longer, benefiting my body even more. After my time in the sauna my body feels more relaxed, less stiff, and I can walk much better. Sometimes I’ll do a sauna session and roll right into my stretches or gentle yoga to really take advantage of my relaxed muscles. I was going to the sauna at my gym 3-4 times a week, but in the winter when I flare up it takes more out of me to get into my car and drive to the gym than the benefits of the sauna provides. This sauna bag is basically a heated sleeping bag. It has different heat settings but I prefer 131 degrees for about 45 minutes. I typically just put it on the ground in front of the TV and watch a show while I relax, or I’ll read a book while I chill in it. Then I’ll do a lymphatic massage or use a dry brush and then take a shower or relax more in a bath with Epsom salts if I have time. I don’t have the time to do it every day, but when I’m flaring I try to do it at least every other day. Caddy This is another one of my all-time favorite things. When I’m flaring I tend to get settled in one position and I’m there for a few hours. It’s really difficult for me to get up and keep grabbing things. So I keep all my hobby things – books, my iPad, embroidery items etc, and all medications, lotions, and self-care things I need in this cute little caddy. I also keep snacks and water in it. I take it with me wherever I go and it just makes my life easier and more enjoyable. Walking Pad This one is an investment but I highly recommend it...