Sue
I too was diagnosed with fibromyalgia many years ago. No, there is no cure, and very little is known about treatment or what causes it, but there are a number of things you can do that might help your pain and restore some degree of well being. The first is to learn everything you can about this disease. There's a lot of information available on the internet. The second is to stop taking morphine or any drug that resembles it -it's very addictive and totally unnecessary. A doctor can prescribe a drug like Celebrex or Vioxx if Advil or Aleve aren't strong enough. The third is to exercise on a regular basis. I know it's hard to move when you're in pain, but that's when you need to move the most. Start slowly and carefully and gradually build up your time and amount of exertion. My body happens to love a rowing machine, but you can do whatever your body responds to or you enjoy - walking, swimming, bicycling, etc. It's also believed that REM sleep disturbances are related to fibromyalgia but it's not known if the pain keeps you from sleeping well or not sleeping well exacerbates fibromyalgia. Either way, a mild sedative like Ambien can be very helpful. Proper nutrition, not being overwieght, and a minimum of stress are important too. There will be good days and bad days, but you have to find what works best for you. It's also important not to use fibromyalgia as a catch all. It's very easy to attribute everything to fibromyalgia and not investigate symptoms of other possible medical problems. Chronic pain can cause depression and depression can exacerbate pain, so this can be a Catch 22. I hope you find my this helpful.