Physiotherapy for chronic pain (fibro)

I don't suffer fibro myself so this is purely logical.

Fibro is nerve related and much harder to find suitable treatment and advice for because little is actually definitively known about nerve damage. In general terms though usage of the nerves by movement or stimulation by damage should be avoided as much as possible. Generally nerve conditions can only be treated by rest and pain killers unless it is because of trapped nerves (sciatica) when manipulation can free up the problem.

Medication is mostly done with 5 pain killers specifically nerve oriented as the normal painkillers are not very effective, such as opiate based. The 5 main ones are Amitryptylene, Nortryptylene, Duloxetine, Pregabalin and Gebapentin and sometimes NSAID's can help (Non Steroidal Anti Inflamatory) such as Ibuprofen and others. The main 5 vary in strength from person to person for some reason and have no strength order that is standard. Personally Nortryptylene is the most effective for me as it has the fewest side effects but unfortunately is only available at low levels due to toxicity issues. Consequently I also take a low dosage of Pregabalin to help but I cannot tolerate it at normal levels or the others at all, too many bad side-effects. So I take opiates as well to cover the general spread of the chronic pain.

One thing to remember is that every manufacturer has to have a slightly differently different compound based on the helpful main chemical so sometimes a different make is worth trying. I, for example, cannot take generic Pregabalin and have to use a branded version, all due to side-effects.

I hope this helps or at least raises thoughts to a helpful level.

TK

Hi my name is tony, i have chronic pain due to surgey on my spine going wrong, I was the unlucky one in every 3000 people! After four more operations I am in very severe pain and they damaged my right side main nerve causing extremely painfull spasms, I can only sit in my wheelchair for ten mins at a time etc etc.
i have been through lots of pain clinics, lots and lots of various physio techniques.
i have just got my full pips and started to pay for my physio at home as I cannot travel anywhere due to not being able to sit up in my wheelchair. Since he started coming he does exactly the type of physio needed on my damaged areas that don’t work anymore ie pushing and stretching my toes, foot, spinel movements etc, in very very small steps, as this causes attacks if not treated correctly, plus massaging the painfull but dead areas etc, every time he leaves I feel really good even if I am left with pain or spasms, this is because he works on me for a full hour and I feel the pain is worth it.  The NHS physio was so bad it made me worse each time, I had to travel and sit waiting which caused me to be in tears by the time I got seen, the physio was always rushed and I always felt they did not understand my complex problems, to me I always felt I was worse off, they used to try to do the minimum they could and sent me on my way.  I really do recommend trying a physio at home, I am on benefits only but it’s the best 30 pound per month I have spent and now look forward to him coming.  It’s not as expensive as you think.  Try it out if you are struggling with the NHS physio.  Has anybody else tried this way?

Hi everyone 
I to had a poor experience with NHS physio, Loire most people I was on a waiting list for ages before I was actually seen, after 3visits  he felt he had done all he could for me, which was very little and was just clueless about my pain levels, I am now attending a MS centre, the physio and nurses there specialise in MS, what a difference it has made to my posture and balance issues, I’m very blessed to have this service available to me, having has MS for many years it just great to see a small improvement, wish everyone could have a service like this, good luck all ?