Has anyone had acupuncture for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia see details.?

Hi

I was diagnossed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthriths 9 yrs ago. The past 3 yrs have been horrible. I can no longer work and am on disability. I take oxycodone extended release 40 mg twice a day and oxycodone 5 mg as needed up to 4 times a day and zanaflex 6 mg 3 times a day and go in for trigger point injections. Now that the cold weather has hit I live in Maine. I am in constant pain, I am having trouble walking my hips, knees and muscles in my legs hurt so much. I'm 46 not over weight and exercise daily when I am able. I went through the same thing last winter and had to keep increasing the amount or pain meds I take just to function. I don't want the doctor to increase them anymore. Has anyone tried actupuncture or any other alturnative to pain medication and has it worked for you. I am really getting desperate for the last 3 days I have had to stay in bed with 5 blankets and a heating pad to help control the pain .. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Has anyone had acupuncture for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia see details.?
I decided to tell you about my experience with acupuncture even though it doesn't directly answer your question, hoping that it may be of some value to you.



I had acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome in the early 90s. I asked about it when I was going to a pain clinic that claimed to offer it last year, and was told that "if you want acupuncture you should go to somebody who does it every day." (So why did they advertise it, dangit?)



FWIW, acupuncture did help me with the CFS back then. I still have it, but I was able to return to work for a time. I went to a traditional Chinese medicine doctor who was also an MD. He wouldn't begin with the needles, though - TCM practitioners don't, generally. They start with an interview, then herbal treatments.



And let me warn you, their "herbs" are not what we're accustomed to seeing all cleaned up and put in pills in a bottle! No, he scooped a bunch of things out of jars into a paper bag, things that looked like they just came off the ground in the forest, and gave me instructions for brewing tea from them!



Anyway, I used the tea for a week or so, then returned for two sessions of acupuncture. The needles are incredibly fine - I really couldn't feel them unless I seriously concentrated, and I'm very sensitive (I already had fibromyalgia then, too, though it wasn't disabling as it is now).



Yes, I'd do it again if I could find that doctor again - even the icky tea.



Good luck, and I hope you find relief soon.Has anyone had acupuncture for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia see details.?
Hi Paula ... I have fybromyalgia and arthritis as well. I am aIso battling thyroid cancer (it's looking good). I soooo know what you mean, in regards to the weather affecting the joints and muscles. My knees and calves are bothering me the most.



The research I've done on fybromyalgia confirms what my family doctor has told me ... Elivil, one of the oldest anti-depressants on the market ... is one of the most prescribed medications, for partial alleviation of fybromyalgia pain. I've been on it for over 5 years now ... and my mom has just started on it about 3 months ago. Elivil does wonders for fybro ... please, give it a try. I also take 600mg of Ibuprofen 3x daily (you need a prescription for it) ... it helps for the swelling and pain.



I've never tried acupuncture ... it's been offered, but, I've just been reluctant to give it a try. I think I will though ... if it can alleviate even a little bit a pain, it's worth a try. If you do give it a try before me ... let me know if it helps k?



I wish you the best ..........