Has anyone tried Acupuncture? I have FM/CFS & insomnia also & right now those are worse for me than the EM. I get side effects/allergic reactions to drugs something terrible & I'm right now in a huge crisis. I haven't slept at all the last three days & probably only about 12 hours total over the past week. So all over body pain is through the roof. I see my sleep specialist this afternoon but he is really frustrated also because he has tried about every drug he can think of so I'm not sure what he can do for me.
I have seriously considered acupuncture as well but haven't actually done it, yet. I have been diagnosed with PN and inflammatory arthritis and now EM. I have been treated at what are considered some of the best medical facilities, Indiana University and Cleveland Clinic. I don't consider the treatment successful because I continue to experience my symptoms on a daily basis. My doctors do not think my symptoms are severe enough for me to not be able to continue working full-time, despite what I think or feel about it. I take Neurontin and tramadol for the PN. I was told to take an aspirin every day and use lidoderm patches as needed for the EM. I too am pretty discouraged. People get tired of hearing about your pain or how bad you feel, especially when you "look normal" to them. So, it looks as if I am going to have to investigate other forms of treatment. My insurance does not cover acupuncture but I am getting desperate enough to pay for it on my own. I am not a huge fan of needles so I will have to work up the courage first but I will post again to let you know how it goes.
I have used accupunture before but not for my EM, I had it after my car accident in my back, shoulders and neck..! It worked wonders, giving me 3 pain free days before the pain resumed. I know that there are lots of things that it doesn't work for but think anything is worth a try.
I had acupuncture about 15 years ago to treat endometriosis and infertility. I was pregnant within three months :)
I think it could be beneficial for EM, but only if the acupuncturist understood the disease well enough to know how to treat it. It truly is a shame that insurance policies don't cover alternative therapies that have such a solid track record.
Thanks for the info. The sleep doctor has basically released me because he feels he has done everything he can do for me. I can only take 1mg. of Xanax that gives maybe an hour or two of some relaxation. But I'm looking at another night of no sleep so far. I wonder how long a person can last on no sleep before going crazy.
Sleep doc is referring me to a sleep psychologist on hour away. Not looking forward to that trip. Also going to try a pain clinic even though I doubt they can offer me much but drugs which I just can't seem to tolerate but I just need to try anything at this point.
I'm going to try to get in for acupuncture next week. I can't afford it really but am so desperate I don't care if it takes me forever to pay off my charge card.
I can think of another drug. It is the only thing to consistently help with MY insomnia, medical marijuana. I also have sleep apnea and sleep with my CPAP. My health care is through the VA and my region just got acupuncture, I am waiting to hear about my appointment date.