M.B.
There are alot of very effective natural alternatives and lifestyle changes that can dramatically minimize the impact of fibromyalgia, which honestly is more a constellation of symptoms and not a disease.
A very, very common cause of the symptoms is low thyroid function and if you are overweight, then I would be that you are not taking an adequate dose of replacement thyroid hormone. There is a Texas thyroid Yahoo group that can help you find a good doctor:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Texas_Thyroid_Groups/
Another major contributor to fibromyalgia is undiagnosed celiac disease/gluten intolerance. Please get tested: www.enterolab.com (You don't need a doctor to do this test). Childbirth can trigger this. And, this is the most highly underdiagnosed genetic disorder in this country. Please don't discount the impact that diet can have on your health and wellbeing. Also, despite what some docs think, celiacs can be overweight both due to the hypothyroidism that is more common for celiacs, but because of the nutritional deficiencies that can trigger over-eating as your body is craving the nutrients that it's not absorbing.
Another major contributor is toxins including those from heavy metals (mercury and lead are the most common). and water damaged buildings (2 out of 3 buildings in Texas have had water damage) - mold will grow within 24 hours if the building is not completely or adequately dried. Mold can produce mycotoxins (as well as being allergenic and causing fungal overgrowth).
The extent to which any of these things will impact you has to do with your genes. I have yet to meet an FM patient that did not have genes that this doctor (that treated my mold illness) has found predispose one to be made ill by toxins:
http://www.biotoxin.info/genetics
There's lots of good info on that website.
Another major contributor is chronic infections including Lyme disease and other bacterial infections (mycoplasma in particular), fungal infections, viral infections (EBV, herpes, etc.) and antibiotic resistant staph infections.
Also, the majority (if not all) FM patients have nutritional deficiencies (caused by the undiagnosed gluten intolerance, toxins, etc.). I had tremendous resolution of nerve pain by just using transdermal B12/folic acid. You should ask your doctor about B12 injections, however, beware that these can contain mercury or aluminum (another neurotoxin). Many patients also have low iron - the doctor MUST measure your ferritin as that's the most accurate measure of iron stores. Also, many FM patients are deficient in essential fatty acids and other fat soluble vitamins (A, D and E). EFAs (like fish oil) and vitamin A are potent anti-inflamatories (again, the deficiencies can often be linked to undiagnosed gluten intolerance). Inflamation is often the major cause of the pain associated with FM.
I have dealt with each and every one of the things I mention above and it is NOT unusual for FM patients to have multiple issues. One extremely important aspect of healing is getting adequate sleep and exercising. You will heal unless you get good sleep (that's when your body rebuilds itself) and find an exercise routine that works for you.
One of the most important things you need to do is to own your healthcare - a doctor will not get you well. You've already taken the first step by asking this question and not wanting to take the Lyrica, which honestly I think does more harm than good. In my experience and that of others that I have worked with in various support groups over the past 6 years is that you have control of about 70% of what it takes to get well. It's the other 30% where you will need to work with a combination of conventional and alternative doctors. I am not totally against conventional medicine as it absolutely has it's place in terms of managing pain and infections.
And, without a doubt, the most important thing is for you to believe that you will get well - you cannot give up hope. I am a very determined person and I am now quite well. I know many others that have had lyme, mold exposure, etc that are not well - the hope to heal and the desire to NOT be sick are imperative. So, please, don't own the Fibromyalgia label as being who you are. I know so, so many Lyme disease patients that call themselves "Lymies" and one lady in the thyroid group that has her name as "fibromyalgia first-name".
