Fibromyalgia and Lupus: We all have our own aches and pains but I am worried about a friend.

[Paper Roses]

Last edited Wed Jul 3, 2013, 05:23 PM - Edit history (1)

She is 57 years old, has both Fibromyalgia and Lupus. She is now in a really painful state. Her visits to the doctor and hospital have not brought good results.

Do any of you fine folks suffer from either of these debilitating conditions?
I would like to refer her to a support group but don't know any. Can you be of help with some ideas? Thanks

[libodem]

1. She is right in my age range

Poor dear. Sometimes arthritis doctors know where to refer for support groups. I went to one Fibromyalgia, talk, signed up for the newsletter and my email is full of it. I used to get a Lupus newsletter from the Bay Area, in the mail, with useful tips. It was because my exhusband had severe Lupus. He died around age 30, from it. I've been thinking about him today.

I bet if you Google for your area tons of stuff ought to float up. Try your Arthritis Foundation.

[Warpy]

2. One thing you can do is refer her to a beginner Yoga class

Call around and find out if there is one tailored for seniors. The long, slow stretches of Yoga really help fibro pain. The mild exercise will also help her to sleep.

Lupus is a different animal and must be controlled and the pain addressed with medication.

The combination of Yoga and appropriate drugs has kept me alive and out of a wheelchair.

[u4ic]

3. I have the former

I am not in the US so I can't help with support groups, however the things that have helped me the most with pain are a gluten free diet, getting aspartame completely out of my system (I used to chew gum with it, made a difference stopping it), and what's helped me the most, acupuncture. There are community acupuncture clinics in most cities; it's affordable for most (usually around $20/session).

It does not bring instant results, but in the long term, can be of great benefit to some. I went from not being able to walk at all to hiking small distances after almost a year of treatment (once a week appt's). I can't tell you how amazing that was - and still is!