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Tips 'n Tricks for People
with Fibromyalgia
Please note: each of us reacts
differently to therapy and medications. Therefore, you may or may not benefit from
the suggestions below. It is a good idea to keep a record of how you react to any
new treatment.

Cheryl's Tips 'n Tricks
Energy
Improvement
Coenzyme Q-10, 150 mg/day will provide more oxygen to all of your cells.
It will help your energy level. You may also want to try DHEA. If you are a
woman, do not take more than 25 mg per day. If you are a man, you can take up to 50
mg per day. |
Digestion,
Circulation and Pain Relief
Do you have problems with food allergies and/or digestion? Try 2
cayenne pepper capsules and 2 ginger root capsules with meals. It will help you to
digest your food better and to absorb nutrients better. Also, capsaicin in the
cayenne pepper inhibits Substance P so you may get some pain relief, too! In
addition, the cayenne increases circulation and will help to keep your hands an feet warm. |
Immune
System Enhancement
The herbs, Astragalus (huang chi)
and Siberian Ginseng, have been used for thousands of years to enhance immune function on
a deep level. Echinacea is good for short-term immune system boosting. If you
also have CFS, you should also take St. John's Wort because it has both anti-viral
properties as well as antidepressant properties (MAO inhibitor). |
Massage
Massage can be tricky for PWFMS for
several reasons. First of all, many of us have referred pain (pain that originates
in one place but is felt in a remote body part). Our instinct is to massage the part
that hurts. However, if it is referred pain, no pain relief will occur unless the
point where the pain originates is massaged.
Care must be taken with massage. If
too little pressure is used, we may receive no benefit at all. However, if too much
pressure is applied, we can get horrible rebounds that are much worse than the initial
pain! If your spasms are in the insertion points, then, very often, nerves are impinged
and the pain is unbearable. Pain killers have little effect on nerve impingement and
physical bodywork, - myofascial release plus Chiropractic adjustments - will give
you your best chance at relief. It may be necessary to see the Chiropractor twice a
day for 1 or 2 days until it stabilizes. Acupuncture can also be very helpful at the hands
of a highly skilled practitioner. |
Detoxification
We tend to store a lot of toxins in our
muscles that get released during vigorous massage. To neutralize these toxins
quickly and safely, take 2 Hepatopure tablets and 2 Red Clover Cleanser (formerly River of
Life) tablets 3 times a day for 2 days following your treatment. Also, taking a bath
in very warm water with 2-4 cups of Kosher salt or sea salt is helpful. Do not use
soap but go over your skin with a loofa or bath brush. Soak for at least 15 minutes
followed by a rinse in clear water. Do this right before you go to bed. It
will also help you to sleep. You can also use this treatment after detoxing from
yeast (e.g after taking Diflucan). |
Carbohydrate
Control
Take 200 to 400 mcg chromium GTF every day.
Also, 5-HTP will increase serotonin and decrease carbohydrate cravings. 5-HTP
has been shown to decrease depression and alleviate pain in many PWFMS. |
Bruxism/TMJ
My dentist made me several acrylic appliances that I bit
through at various rates. I kept asking him if there was something soft that would
absorb the shock and take the pressure off of my neck and jaw muscles. He said no
way because I would bite through them. So I asked my PT about the mouth protectors
that the sports players wear and he said that for $2, I could get something at the
Sporting Goods store. Well, I got one and it felt good for a couple of weeks until I
bit a hole in it! I went back to the Sporting Goods store and found a mouth
protector for $15 called the Shock Doctor and it's fantastic!
I've had it for 5 months and I haven't bitten through it. My neck and jaw
muscles are no longer in spasm and my dentist just bought some of them to keep for
patients! |
Travel
During long trips, it's a good idea to
take a break and try to walk for several minutes. If space is limited, like on an
airplane, try standing and going up on tiptoes several times. If possible, elevate your
legs. Ask you doctor about compression stockings. They will increase circulation and
decrease swelling. They can also be purchased through mail order health catalogs.
I tried them on my last flight and they really prevented the swelling that I always
get while flying. |
Walking
and Standing
Make a good pair of running shoes (not jogging, aerobic or walking
shoes) your primary shoes. Running shoes have increased shock absorbers and will take the
pressure off of your muscles and joints. The best ones I found are Reebok Classics.
Then I put extra shock absorbing insoles (from the Sporting Goods store) in them
and it's wonderful. |
Depression
Most of us have both endogenous depression
(because of the low serotonin and norepinephrine levels) as well as reactive depression
from feeling lousy and being in constant pain. Both St. John's Wort and 5-HTP can
help to normalize the neurotransmitters and alleviate depression. |
Computer
Use
Be certain than you monitor is at a height
where your eyes comfortably focus on the center. This will prevent the muscles in
the neck from locking up. A neat trick that my husband showed me was to place the
mouse pad on my lap. It totally takes the pressure off of my shoulders. Try
it! |
Please send you tips and tricks to cheryl@bnatural.com and I'll add them here


Contributed Tips 'n Tricks
send them in and we'll post them |