Do you ever just get fed up? Get tired of being the ‘patient?’ Everyone looks at you as the ‘sick’ one, mentally and/or physically… depending on how cruel they want to be. Do you get tired of seeing one more specialist, reading one more study, purchasing one more book about your disease… Do you ever just stop and scream, “ENOUGH!”
I have not. That is, I haven’t screamed “enough!” I’ve wanted to! I was afraid my family would send the men in white coats to take me away to a ‘nice’ place to rest. I haven’t said it out loud, but I have reached; ‘enough!’ I’ll get over it; I suppose, but for right now, I’m so done with fibromyalgia!
I’m sick of being the ‘patient.’ I just can’t stomach one more doctor or another treatment plan! If I read one more research study about fibromyalgia, I with begin to tear the hair out of my head. If I hear about one more ‘cure’ I will start screaming and will not be able to stop. I am so done with being chronically ill! DONE! … but it isn’t done with me.
So… I put on my combat boots (yes I have combat boots, doesn’t everyone?) and I begin to think of all the things I’ve learned to use in the last 20 years to ‘combat’ my fibromyalgia symptoms. Since I am not an affiliate with any money making company, I decided to share the things I use. I’m straight up going to tell you what works for me, I call these things my cheaters. Maybe my cheaters will work for you, perhaps not.
*Remember, I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV. I’m asking you to check with your doctor before using any additional over the counter (OTC) medications.
My Top 20 Cheaters:
- Vicks Vapor Rub. Cover your feet with the stuff and put socks on. Body discomfort, colds, congestion, allergies, toenail fungus… (10 days for the nail fungus to clear up). Your mother was right about Vicks Vapor Rub. This stuff works for just about anything!
- Essential Oils. Eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender. Clears up the sinuses and has a calming effect. I use a diffuser. I also use one of those necklaces that holds a small ball of charcoal. You can put essential oils on the ball of charcoal. Some oil brands I like (and have researched) are Plant Guru, Sun Leaf, and there is a roller ball mix called CALM from farm to you. It not only clears my sinuses but helps my mood!
- Epsom Salt. I use some in my bath for sore muscles. This stuff is incredible! I also use this to soak my feet when they are painful. There is a fancy one that has lavender in it, and it is nice, but good old everyday Epsom Salt is key!
- Dramamine. This works VERY well for dizziness and nausea. If you get the original formula, it will calm you down. If you are already fighting drowsiness, get the less drowsy formula.
- Popsicles. Indigestion? Acid Reflux? I just switched from chewing ice after a meal, which works but is hell on your teeth to plain old popsicles. A bit softer on the teeth and work just as well. (If you are low in iron, many times you crave ice, this also helps with that craving.)
- Coca-Cola. There are days when eating is out of the question. Don’t reach for the ginger ale, Sprite or 7-up. Slowly sip a REGULAR Coca-Cola. Nausea will go away.
- Coca-Cola and a candy bar. Yes, you are reading this correctly. Use these items together if you are experiencing withdrawals from going off medication. I learned this trick from an addiction counselor I used to work with. Now if this is already a part of your daily diet, I’m sorry, this won’t work for you. But if you are not used to this kind of caffeine and sugar rush… it WILL work to ease up the side effects. You will get some much-needed relief.
- Magnesium. I take a liquid form. If you have fibromyalgia, you need to be taking extra magnesium. Period. (This is what I take and why.) Our bodies do not make enough. Google ‘magnesium’ and you will understand. Or read all about magnesium from Caz at Invisibly Me!
- B12 shots. B12 is another no brainer. (Google away, people!) I take an intramuscular shot. You can take the regular shots or get the vitamins. B12 is like the highway for your body to absorb everything else while it protects this highway too. You will feel less fatigued, less confusion, and overall better if your B12 levels are maintained.
- Generic allergy tablets. Calming.
- Tylenol PM. (Acetaminophen) Watch your doses! No more than 4,000 mg per day. Calming and takes care of headaches!
- Ibuprofen. You can take 800 mg at once, and this is the dose of a pain relieving pill you’d be given with a script. The goal is to not have to do this, but when you are in pain, you do what needs to be done. (Some should not be taking NSAIDs, check your prescriptions for adverse effects!) Always use caution.
- Handheld Massager. Restless leg sufferers, this cheater is for you! (Also…#14.)
- Weighted Blanket. I use a weighted blanket for Restless Leg Syndrome and anxiety.
- Nyquil. We all know Nyquil is our favorite knockout medicine. Use it when you need to. Sleep is healing.
- Therapy Belt. I use one for my lower back pain. Get one from Amazon. They are velcro and cost about $15. You should read the directions and always align your hips when putting on one of these belts. (If you have questions, I can help, just ask.)
- Clay heating/cooling packs. These are just super nice! Since they are clay, you can squish them and mold them to your body. Walgreens again… they carry these clay packs that can be heated up in the microwave or frozen.
- TENs Unit. If this works for you… buy one for yourself! The TENs unit doesn’t work for my fibro, but my husband uses one for his sore back. Not that expensive. Does not require a prescription. Available on Amazon and at Walgreens.
- Salonpas. These are little patches you can put on the exact spot you feel pain. (Choose wisely, they are medicated!)
- Drugs.com. Put this APP on your phone. It is free and easy to use.
Bonus cheater!!!
#21. A Medication Journal!
You really need to have a journal, especially for your cheaters. Write down what works and what dosages are best for you. Remember to record the medications you take and always the amounts! It doesn’t have to be pretty, just accurate.
Please leave any questions for me in the comment section. Use these cheaters as aids, do not use instead of a medication that is prescribed for you.
And finally, please remember;
*I am absolutely not a doctor, nurse, or medically trained in any way, except in CPR and first aid! I can breathe the life right back into you while I bandage a head wound… but nothing else!
~Kim
my challenge is
to avoid
the runs
so the immodium
is near at hand
Kim~
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I hear that!
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good Kim group hug!
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Group hug!!! Definitely!
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getting over a bad trip
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Oh no. sorry, John.
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part of life
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Great list! I learned a lot of new ‘cheats’ here and don’t feel as guilty about other cheats I’m using, LOL! When I am suffering from nausea or intestinal discomfort I use candied ginger–a couple of pieces and all is good again. I keep a bag of candied ginger in my vehicle and always take it along when traveling as well!
I am almost out of magnesium malate and need to order more but want to try something different. I was using a powder form which you mix into a liquid, but the taste is awful and once my jar is gone I want to move to something easier to take. So may I ask what brand/form(citrate, malate, etc.) of magnesium that you use?
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Oh! I’m so glad you found some cheats to try! Believe me, I’ve tried many. Don’t feel bad if some of these don’t work we are each so different. I buy OmniBlue Ocean Minerals. Magnesium packed! I have trouble with absorption and this is the ticket! I wrote a post called, “I just want to walk to the bathroom.” It’s about finding and using OmniBlue Ocean minerals…if you want more info. (Just search it on my home page.) you can get it off their Facebook page or Amazon. You are only using drops of this daily, so very cost effective and I caution using less than you think because in liquid form… whoa. Potent! I knew, REALLY knew this company was legit when they had to stop production for a bit because of the hurricanes messing with the ocean floor. I think I’m going to try the ginger. Dramamine really works well for me, tho… don’t think I could ever go without! 😊👍🎉
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Thanks! I will check it out and find that old blog post as well!
I suffered nausea and motion sickness for most of my life. It got very, very bad the past few years. But I actually haven’t had to use any ginger slices for a few months. I started a new ‘dietary experiment’ this past March. The nausea disappeared immediately and hasn’t been back. The body pain got way worse though. Supplementing magnesium helps a lot with body pain for me!
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Magnesium is a miracle supplement! So glad you found it, so glad I found it… hopefully more will! It is so important. Any other questions don’t forget to just ask, I’ll help if I can!😊
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And I didn’t answer your question. This product states its magnesium is pure. There is no citrate/ malate or any type listed. Pure Magnesium in OmniBlue.😊
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For another option… I use Nutramedix magnesium malate. I buy it direct from their website.
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Thanks, always great to have more options! Is Nutramedix a pill, powder or liquid?
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It’s a powder filled capsule.
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Nice! Thanks so much!😊
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You’re very welcome!
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Great advice.
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So I’ve never heard of using Vick’s Vapor Rub for toenail fungus, but I knew it was used for a lot of other things…. you learn something new every day!😁 I’m a big fan of essential oils and Epsom salts. Where would we be without them? Another “Cheater” I use is something called TheraWorx. It’s a magnesium foam, and I use it whenever my lower calves/ankles are feeling particularly tight. It seems to do a pretty good job of relaxing them. Thanks for sharing your list!
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Yes, Vicks for the fungus… this stuff is amazing. I use it everywhere actually… the smell is a bit intense but I am not at a lot of parties! 😉 TheraWorx. Oh I am so glad you share… I’m off to find some! Thanks, Terri! xo
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I got mine at CVS. It was a little pricey, but it’s lasting a long time and it’s been worth the price. If you try it, I hope it works for you!
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Some incredible tips Kim. I never knew about Coca Cola for withdrawals. B12 injections helped me enormously after a bout of shingles. I will ask my doctor for more.
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Yep! Coke and a candy bar. Strangest thing. The addiction counselor I worked with told me this little trick. Amazing. When I have a hard time going off one med, the hubby is sent to get a Coca-Cola and a Milky Way. This would have thrilled me as a kid, but it is really tough to do when you aren’t use to it! B12 isn’t covered by Medicare in the states, but it’s $7 for a vial, once a month injections, very affordable. Sounds like you’ll have better luck! I can completely understand why your doc put you on B12 after getting through shingles. Good luck Brigid!
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Great list! I use most of those myself.
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Thanks! Great to hear you have your cheaters that work for you too!
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Help!!! I accidentally deleted “20 Cheaters”!!! I cannot retrieve it from my trash folder. Can you resend it to me? I thought it was one of the best fibro blogs I’ve ever read!!! Thanks
walterskaren00@gmail.com
Karen Walters-a fibro survivor
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Absolutely! I’ll send it right away! Thank you.😊
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Popsicles, yum. I get through a lot of these orange juice lollies, similar thing just bigger. B12 is a must for me anyway with pernicious anaemia, and of course I’m now a magnesium convert – thank you for the mention! I have Epsom salts for footbaths but I can’t remember the last time I’ve had one of those. I’m now thinking a proper bath sounds very tempting, just soaking for however long me refilling the bath when it cools with hot water 10 times takes.
I’d not heard of Salonpas before, I’ll have to see whether those are available in the UK. The therapy belt also sounds interesting; I get lower back pain because of metal screw things I didn’t know I had are screwed into my tail bone, which I think is pressing on the nerves causing the hip pain, which is excruciating; do you think the belt would work on hips, if you moved it around? I’m not quite sure how they’re shaped so I’ll have to check mr Amazon on that one too. Great cheaters, Kim, thanks for sharing!!
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Yes, the B12 for anemia! Helps ferritin… carrying that precious iron! I know magnesium is such a buzz word right now but it is so VERY important! You are welcome for the mention! It is a great article! Epsom baths, go for it!
Salonpas. Get them if you can, help hip pain, help all kinds of pain and last for 12 hours! I think you’d love a therapy belt. Yes, it’ll relieve hip pain! Adjustable, safe, always align your hips before strapping the belt on tight. Start about an hour to two a day and slowly work up. There are days I don’t need mine on. Then there are months that I wear it everyday… I always wear it grocery shopping. The bending, lifting etc… they are very much like a wide elastic belt. It Velcro. You put it on, high or low waist to hips, then there are two additional support straps on the belt. Pull them as tightly as comfortable. I think you’d find it useful on painful days when you need to be out of bed. (Remember to align your hips first!) hope this works. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Thanks Caz!😊💜
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it saddens me that you deal with this many maladies but you do have some great cheaters. Many of which I use also. But I supplement some of them with weed lol
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😂🤣😂 Well, my doc got me on the MMJ card. But man the stuff in MN leaves a lot to be desired! Don’t be sad… I’m not. 😊
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you know what I mean. I just wish better for you
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And I for you! Cheers, my friend!
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Kim,
I love your cheats! I didn’t know Coca-cola helped with nausea! I’ll keep that in mind for the future. Also, will Mentholatum work or does it have to be Vicks? Mona
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Yep, good old Coca-Cola! I had food poisoning once and the hubby’s bro gave me a coke. I said, “I’m not coming off anything!” The bro is like, “this is for nausea and to settle your stomach.” Long time relief used by his wife’s family… tah-dah! Works like a charm, every time! As for the Mentholatum, I don’t know it… I have tried a few generics and they just didn’t work well. I now only buy Vick’s. But compare labels! You could check it in the drug App? I say whatever works for YOU is the best choice! 😊💜
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There’s some really good stuff here. You think you’ve tried it all but it really helps to hear about others’ cheats. I think the medication journal is the most important one on the list. I don’t do this on a regular basis and I need to. Thanks for the reminder! ♥️
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This is an awesome list Kim. Thank you for sharing so much with us, for us. I too, am SICK OF BEING SICK!!!!
Thank you for sticking with me. You have no idea how much it comforts me to know you are here with me.
~ Tamara
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Tamara! You are so welcome. Yes, I am always here! Open 24/7😉. You relax, I got you!😊💜
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