htp is great, but make sure that you are not taking any antidepessants on top of it. This is why I went the way of the doctor...unless you have Dr. Weil helping you out..anyway, good luck!

I took 5 HTP INSTEAD of anti depressants...it does the same thing as they do (increased seratonin levels) without the side effects. I took a low dose anti-depressant for appetite suppression for a month and it switched off most of the fibro symptoms. So I decided to look for something more natural that did the same thing. Works great for me. So yes, if you are currently on any anti-depressants, consult your doctor.

I was going to recommend a book to you, called "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome" By Devin Starlanyl, M.D.
It was published back in 1996, but most of the material minus some of the stuff on antidepressants is up to date. She has Fibromyalgia herself. Anyway, hope this helps.

I have found the best thing ever for FMS! It's not a cure, but it can reverse the process and keep it at bay. It is so simple it's amazing. It won't help w/ the pain right away, but gradually will remove the pain and actually stop the whole process. Once the process is stopped, there is no more pain, depression, any of that stuff. It just goes away! As long as you continue the treatment, and let me tell you, it's cheap at twice the price. Costs me about $25.00/month w/o a prescription. Can't beat that!

For pain during the treatment, I am using Aleve and it's working pretty well for me. My pain may not be as severe as that of your mother, but any pain med will work. Ditto sleep meds. I use Unisom, a very good over-the-counter sleeper. Another good one is benadryl. It just helps you get a good rest.

And lots of naps help, too. I nap like a cat!

For more information, you can google on "guaifeneisin" or just go right to http://www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com/EasyQuickLinks.htm and start reading.

Order Dr. St Amand's two books from your local library and read them. Educate yourself and your mom. IMHO, this guai protocol is 'way above any other treatment you may have heard of. It actually works!

Good luck. Please let me know how it goes for you both. Drop a note in my journal, so I'll be sure to see it.

Take care,
sky

I don't see where anyone has mentioned cardio or stretching..or did I miss it. Sorry if thisis redundant. 15 minutes of cardio a day...is what is the recommendation but I do fine on just 15 three times a week. Stretching and holding them for at least a minute so the goofy fibro bran can realize what is going on is essential. If you can do this in a hot tub...it is the best

Good luck with mom...oh and swimming is the best cardio ever...even just walking in the pool from side to side on the shallow end.

Anita

what is 5-HTP, is it an SSRI?

Forgive me for not being exact, skuddle, I'm sure someone else will know exactly what's in it, but I'll try my best 'til someone else get's to it. 5-HTP is found in your health food sections and is non-presciption. It is a serotonin precursor. By that I'm assuming that your body can utilize it to manufacture it's own serotonin. If that's wrong I'm hoping someone will correct me. The brand that I use also contains valerian root, so I take it at night only.

thanks kuukuu, i will have to look into it very carefully as i do not do well with serotonin related things, they really screw with my balance over the long term