I mentioned in a discussion about the various vitamins and supplements I'm tweaking and using to manage the symptoms of my fibromyalgia that I was "Frankensteining" my fibro.
I guess that was a hit. LOL
Since going off Cymbalta cold-turkey a few months back, I've been actively seeking out supplements and vitamins, researching, and trying things. Right now, after over a month on malic acid, I do believe I've got the daily pain under control. In that way, at least, I'm feeling pretty darn good (now that my flare that started in October seems to be over). Recently, my "average" daily pain is far lower than it was.
My current target is fatigue, sleeping issues, and brain fog. Several things have led me to the conclusion I might be low in B-12, so I've added a B-12 sublingual to my mix, while taking away the daily B multi-vitamin (since several of my other vitamins and supplements also contain various Bs) and literally in just a few days, I've noticed a HUGE jump in my energy levels. (Now if the moons on my fingernail beds all come back, I'll know without a doubt that was a 100% win.) I plan on working on my current dosage for several weeks and then tweak it back incrementally until I notice a decrease in energy/increase in fatigue to find my maintenance dose.
Fibro is soooo much fun. (NOT!) But I'm more convinced now than ever that getting off the Cymbalta was the right choice for me, although it might not be the right one for everyone. That leaves me only taking my generic Flexeril (10mg) at night for a daily prescription, with my Percocet in reserve as a safety net drug for severe break-through pain, and a prescription for Anaprox (which is, in essence, 2.5 Aleve).
I've also been gratified to get so many notes from readers of my latest release, It's a Sweet Life, where the heroine also has fibro, CFS, and arthritis. It's resonated with so many who are also "invisible" sufferers of these and other chronic conditions. I'm glad it's been so well-received. I'd wanted to work a heroine into a book with a chronic condition like mine, and Libbie presented the perfect opportunity. I wanted readers not just to simply feel sorry for her, but to empathize with those like her, to understand how difficult it is for us on the inside, so to speak, even though to people who don't know us very well, it might seem like we're either fine, or faking it, or looking for sympathy.
We're not looking for sympathy. We're just looking for understanding and accommodation. Believe me, WE want more than anyone else the ability to have a "normal" life. We didn't choose this, it chose us.
So excuse me while I retire back to my mad scientist laboratory to go research some more supplements.
