Fibromyalgia treatment question

Finigan84

My naturopath doctor recently suggested I start an intravenous treatment of high dose vitamins and minerals to treat my worsening Fibro pain. Has anyone out there tried such a thing? I don't know much about it and wondered if anyone had tried it and could share their experience or, if they know anyone who has had this form of treatment. At this point I am willing to try anything but, its an expensive treatment and I would love to hear some feedback as to whether or not it works for anyone else.

Thanks!

cschmidt42

I have never heard of that, I do know when I eat better tons of fruits and vegetables I feel a lot better. But I would do some research on it.

Finigan84

I am somewhat vitamin deficient and in spite of my good diet my body doesn't seem to be absorbing all the good stuff from my food. I have been reading everything I can find and so far it appears there are two camps online providing reviews. The ones who say its a cash grab and the ones who say its a miracle. This same result can be found on the internet when you research anything health related! I guess I was just hoping for some real person's experience as opposed to some generic internet review with 1 - 5 stars. I am supposed to meet with the doctor and get a first treatment tomorrow so maybe I will be the guniea pig and let you know how it goes. :ohwell:

Jeannelin

Interesting. I will be anxious to see how it goes.

bregalad5

I haven't heard of that, either. I did feel better after some massive doses of Vitamin D my Rheumatologist put me on.

Jeannelin

Ack. you reminded me to take my mid day meds and vitamins.

Finigan84

First treatment on Friday went fine aside from the large bruise the I.V.left. Certainly no drastic results to report. I am expected to go for the treatment once a week for a month. After the first treatment the effects should be noticable within 24 hours but, will fade in 1-2 days. Although I didn't initially notice a drastic reduction of pain now that the treatment is wearing off I am feeling it all come back especially the chest pain and back pain. My energy level was much better right after the treatment. Goodbye to my non-negotiable afternoon naps for the last couple days!

Apparently the second treatment's effects last longer and it is felt longer for each week following. The hope by week 4 is that I will have increased energy and minimal pain that lasts without the weekly visits...My fear is that it will only be temporary and I will start having to rely on this treatment to feel better, like some sort of vitamin junkie who is covered in track marks.

I am reluctant to say whether this treatment will be too successful for me yet. I did notice a difference but, not a huge one like I was hoping for. I have also just had my medication adjusted two days prior to going for the I.V. so between the meds and the I.V. maybe something will work. I am not turned off though it wasn't terrible and I am willing to try anything. I will see what week 2 brings...

cschmidt42

First treatment on Friday went fine aside from the large bruise the I.V.left. Certainly no drastic results to report. I am expected to go for the treatment once a week for a month. After the first treatment the effects should be noticable within 24 hours but, will fade in 1-2 days. Although I didn't initially notice a drastic reduction of pain now that the treatment is wearing off I am feeling it all come back especially the chest pain and back pain. My energy level was much better right after the treatment. Goodbye to my non-negotiable afternoon naps for the last couple days!

Apparently the second treatment's effects last longer and it is felt longer for each week following. The hope by week 4 is that I will have increased energy and minimal pain that lasts without the weekly visits...My fear is that it will only be temporary and I will start having to rely on this treatment to feel better, like some sort of vitamin junkie who is covered in track marks.

I am reluctant to say whether this treatment will be too successful for me yet. I did notice a difference but, not a huge one like I was hoping for. I have also just had my medication adjusted two days prior to going for the I.V. so between the meds and the I.V. maybe something will work. I am not turned off though it wasn't terrible and I am willing to try anything. I will see what week 2 brings...

That is very interesting, a lot of my family members have fibro and I have never heard of this. Please keep us posted. Do you have any other illnesses with your fibro?

Crystal

bregalad5

Interesting. Keep us posted!

Finigan84

That is very interesting, a lot of my family members have fibro and I have never heard of this. Please keep us posted. Do you have any other illnesses with your fibro?

Crystal
[/quote]



I have hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue that I am taking naturopathic remedies for. I have almost completely abandoned the elavil and percocet that my M.D. prescribed due to the effects they were having on my liver enzyme levels.

The naturopath I have been seeing has really turned things around for me. I went from not leaving my bed for more than an hour or two a day to walking daily, doing yoga, taking care of my household and being able to play at the park with my daughter about 6 out of 7 days a week. My M.D. never treated me for hypothyroidism because of results from a single blood test that he said was fine, however, in a year I gained a ton of weight, lost a bunch of my hair and had a body temperature 95 degrees F or sometimes slightly lower. So...if this naturopath says I.V. treatments will help at this point I have to believe they will. She hasn't steered me wrong yet. Its been hard to lose anything but I am finally seeing a little weight come off, my hair is just starting to grow back and my body temperature has come up to about 96.7degrees.

Finigan84

Treatment # 2. So I was being cautiously optimistic about this round two because I actually noticed an increase in my energy levels and a sight change in pain for two days after the last treatment. Everytime I get my hopes up that something will make me feel better I hit a roadblock. Today I walked to the doctor which is about 45 minutes away on foot. Once I got there she took my BP which was low especially considering my walk. A vein could not be found! She poked and proded at me, slapped at my arms and ran them under hot water. I was poked a total of 5 times. Finally on the 5th try she was able to get a vein in the top of my hand which turned out to be a very painful spot for me. Just after she hooked up the I.V. I became dizzy, nauseous and passed out by the time she was getting me unhooked. Now, because the I.V. was started already she is not sure if it was the treatment itself or the fact that she used me like a pin cushion before hand. So...the end result is me taking a few weeks off and starting all over again with the treatment. I will go again but, will make sure I am warm and lift a few weights before I go next time so I have some veins. I will have to wait and see whether it was the treatment or the repeated poking that was my problem.

Its so frustrating I am always one step forward and two back on any kind of progress. I want to feel better. I want to go back to work. It would be great to feel like I had a normal life again.