Flector patches are one of the only things that help besides hard narcotics. I though I would die when I had to give up my naproxen. I keep them all the time although I dont use them as much as I should. If the fibro is in one of my hips, just slap a patch on and it does help and Ive never said that about anything before. sometimes its hard to keep them on but you can keep some tape(even masking tape) and that helps. 

 

Try it. what do you have to lose? Suzette

I have been complaining for awhile now about my shoulders hurting.  I think it is "Frozen Shoulder".  It occurs for no reason, could be low thyroid (me) or other issues.  It also can last 6 weeks to a year.  It is a dull ache where you can't lift your arms, either out to the side or straight in front of you, sometimes it hurts to lift them both ways.  I have to actually lift my right arm up with my left because it is just to painful to use the muscle. And sleeping on it...Oh boy, stiff and sore, so try to sleep just off your shoulder if you lie on your side. (I do)  But google "frozen shoulder".  I was relieved it wasn't from Fibro because I bumped up my pain meds and still have it.  I use those over the counter inflammation patches on each shoulder and warm showers and I keep a sweater on my shoulders to keep them warm.  I hope this gives others hope.  I was about ready to give in.  The frozen should issue doesn't really show up in an xray, it is really scar tissue that....well, google it.  It will explain it better than I can.  take care all. Kristy

Pam, I have to say, you make me laugh!  I know it's not funny, but they way you put it, well, just tickled me to no end.

That being said, I bet you've done A LOT of lifting in your life, or maybe you were secretly a pitcher for a major league baseball team . The repetitive motion really screws up more than our wrists with carpal tunnel (sp) issues.

What about having a few cortizone (again, I'm a horrible speller) shots to see if that might improve it?  What is the alternative to surgery?

Hang in there and vent ALL you want Sister. We need some type of outlet when the "going get's tough"


Lilli

Ava, I'm so sorry to hear your having trouble with sleep and with pain.  I can certainly relate ( to lack of sleep and pain). 

Just wondering if you were tested yet for SleepApnea and if so and are you using the CPAP regularly?

Talk to your physcian about this and see what else you might be able to use since Cybalta isn't working!

Here's hoping you'll get some sleep and some relief soon!

Oh I hear ya! I just saw an ortho about my feet because my big toes are all out of alinement and I had surgery on one to straighten it out. I'll have another surgery later for the other one, I'm tired of laying around! The doc was baffled and even took pics to use for a discussion because he said he'd never seen such "loose" soft tissue, all my joints hyper-extend. It's just one thing after another anymore, nobody told me I'd fall apart when I hit 50! I would be leary of shoulder surgery too, most folks I know who've had it weren't very happy with it and it left them in about the same shape as before. Maybe it depends on the surgeon and his skill but on he other hand my mom decided not to and she ended up like a tyranysaurus rex with no shoulder movement and just moved at her elbows! Anyway just know you aren't alone there are lots of us gimpys around! Hang in there!