Question:
I recently went to a Physical Therapist for my Fibromyalgia pain. He Put me
through a lot of different.... Movements to see what my level of
movement there is. Three days later. I am STILL In a
lot of pain.(the pt said I would probably flair up bad from his evaluation...
but that he had given alot of pain relief to many people he had worked with
on FMS) Yesterday I could barely move my head about due to the pain in my
neck and my upper mid back was soo painful too. I Hadnt had any recent pain
in my HIPS till he put me through a test to see how LIMBER my legs and such
were. NOW I can barely walk with out alot of pain.
Have ANY of you been to Physical Therapy for your Fibromyalgia? What was the
benefit in the end if you have gone? Did it do ANYthing GREAT to relieve the
PAIN in time?
I am just trying to get an idea if by going for the next 10 weeks ... will I
be able to do MORE then I do now or will it just be to limber up those parts
of my body that may not be as limber or whatever the PT is suppose to do for
me or will I just be still sitting at SQUARE ONE.
I Just dont know...I took more pain pills then I NORMALLY do in the last
3 days. and HATE it. I can usually tolerate the "normal" pain of FMS -- I
mean like ... how many of us have went with out anything for pain and just
learned to deal with it... Its there... we know its not going away. Anyways.
Having to take more pain pills just doesnt seem to be of benefit to me.
I hope to hear from SOMEONE that may have used PT and their thoughts on how it
was of benefit to them or NOT!
PS. I am formulating a thought for a Post RE:QUACKS out there and their
thoughts on FMS. THere is Research on the SUBSTANCE P being more
prevelant in Some FMS patients. There is research still going on with regard
to the AntiPolymer ASSAY. there is other info too that I just cant think of
at this time that gives me the impression that FMS is more hten just a
psychological thing.
Answer:
This sounds exactly like me. I have been through PT many times before and refer
to it as Painful Torture instead of Physical Therapy.
The various movements are referred to as ROM or Range Of Motion. This checks
just how tight your muscles/tendons are.
I go 3 times a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. After my Tuesday sessions I
can barely move. I go straight home and go to bed (usually sleeping all day and
night). I had a lot of back spasms for the next 2 days (thank God for
Flexeril).
PT is PAINFUL. The only reason I continue is because I know it is going to be
worth it in the end. The first couple of weeks are miserable but then the
benefits usually start to show up. Also, once they have an idea of what is TOO
much for you, they won't go that far. They stop at the point that it begins to
be painful and hold it there. Then, the next time you can usually go a bit
further.
Try to schedule your pain meds so that it is starting to take effect while you
are at therapy If it is just TOO much for you, talk to your doc. Tell him/her
that your pain meds are enough normally but now that you are doing therapy it
isn't quite enough. They usually understand that and if s/he doesn't, ask your
therapist to help you out.
