Most of my friends and family are aware that I was diagnosed with primary fibromyalgia in March 2008 and that I had it confirmed by a second rheumatologist in December 2008. In January 2009, my family doctor had me begin taking Cymbalta to reduce the fibromyalgia pain. My rheumatologist referred me to a fibromyalgia specialist named Dr. Bernstein who is in charge of the fibromyalgia program at the pain clinic in Shadyside, PA.
Here is important information to understand better the level of pain that I was experiencing prior to using magnetic therapy. In February 2009, Dr. Bernstein gradually began increasing the dose of Cymbalta. Within three weeks, I went from 20 mg to 60 mg of Cymbalta. Dr. Bernstein suggested that this would help reduce the fibromyalgia aches and pains. However, she did say that it is definitely not a "cure all" so she recommended that I join her fibromyalgia program.
In April 2009, I began the six week fibro program with five other females who struggled with fibro. The six week program entailed two days per week learning physical therapy exercises and stretches, practicing occupational therapy techniques, learning stress management and relaxation techniques with a Licensed Psychologist as well as meeting with Dr. Bernstein to check my progress.
Prior to beginning the fibro program, I had back problems in which my low back would ache and hurt, due to having four bulging discs. There were times when the pain would increase and begin to radiate down my one or both legs. The other area's in which I had the most pain was the nape of my neck, my outer hips and outer thigh area. This pain was chronic and I never had relief.
When I began the fibro program, I had to rate the level of my pain using a scale from 0 (NO pain) to 10 (EXTREME pain). When I began this program, I usually rated my pain level at a 6 or 7. Level 6 or above is considered painful, but 5 and under is not that painful.
During the fibro program, I was told by the physical therapist and occupational therapist that I would need to start walking, stretching, begin using hot and cold compresses to reduce pain and to start practicing my relaxation techniques every single day. I was NOT to over extend myself, but I was only to do whatever I could do within my limit.
On May 7, 2009, I successfully completed the six week fibro program and my pain level was down to a level 5, which meant that I was not in too much pain. The best news of all is that NOT ONCE did I experience a flare up with my bulging disc condition and I physically felt that I was not in as much pain.
During the month of May, I noticed that I was experiencing severe anxiety. At first I thought it could be hormones, but the anxiety never went away. By June 2009, I was very concerned about my well-being. In addition to anxiety, I was experiencing severe depression. TAKE NOTE THAT I NEVER FELT ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION TO THIS DEGREE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
After seeing many doctors ranging from my fibro specialist, my family doctor and a psychiatrist, I was told that the Cymbalta was having adverse affects. Instead of Cymbalta helping with anxiety and depression, it literally gave me severe anxiety and depression. The bottom line was that I endured two solid months of feeling horrible and not feeling like myself. It was a nightmare!
Thankfully, the doctor decided to wean me off of Cymbalta. Unfortunately, I did not anticipate that the fibromyalgia pain would become worse. After I weaned off of Cymbalta and I was on my third day of not taking anymore Cymbalta, my pain level increased DRAMATICALLY. The best way to describe this type of physical pain is to mention that my level of pain was at a 10+, which is excruciating pain. I literally stood in a hot shower and cried because the pain was unbearable.
Due to the intense pain, my family doctor decided to place me back on the Cymbalta since it was obviously helping to reduce the fibro pain. She said I should at least take 30 mg of Cymbalta to attempt to decrease my severe pain level, but she did not want to promote anymore anxiety or depression.
For over two weeks, I physically endured severe pain. The 30 mg Cymbalta did NOT reduce enough of my pain. In addition, I experienced pain in area's in my body that I NEVER experienced pain before. Suddenly, sharp pain was radiating down my right shoulder and arm. My right hip ached so badly that I could not sleep on my right side. I began alternating heat and ice to try to reduce the pain as well as soak in a hot tub of water. However, NOTHING seemed to remove my severe aches and pains.
In all honesty, I felt as if my life was slipping away from me. I was in so much pain that I quit going to church, going walking, going over to my mother's, quit cooking, quit cleaning, quit wearing makeup and my life was focused ONLY on finding relief from chronic pain. I spent much time crying and questioning why God was allowing this to happen to me?
By the end of July, my pain level was not as intense, but it was still chronic. I did not want to attend my mother's birthday party, but I felt that I would hurt her feelings if I did not show up. I forced myself to go to my mother's party and I tried not to think about my aches and pain. My sister Debbie asked me about how I was coping with the fibromyalgia. I shared with her that I was not doing well and that I had a severe fibro flare up.
During our conversation, Debbie mentioned to me that she uses Nikken magnets to reduce arthritis in her neck, arm and hips. I inquired about the magnets and Debbie said, "From the time that I started using the Nikken magnets 10 years ago, I have been pain-free!" I asked Debbie if she was still involved in the Nikken business, but Debbie said that she was no longer active with the company. Debbie said that her and her husband still continued to use the magnet mattress, magnet chair pad, foot insoles and individual magnets on a regular basis. Then Debbie said, "I could not go without the magnets!"
After talking to Debbie about how much the Nikken magnets helped reduce her and her husband's aches and pain, I went on the computer to google Nikken so I could learn more about the company. While I was on the computer, I found a married couple in Georgia who are professional massage therapists that are distributors of Nikken. I looked on Facebook and I found the husband, Wayne Woodworth, so I sent him an email inquiring about magnetic therapy for fibromyalgia.
Wayne was kind enough to send me five PowerPatch magnets and samples of the organic skin care products. I received the products on Saturday and began immediately to apply the five magnets onto my worst area's that I have fibro pain. In addition, my sister Debbie lent me on Friday evening one magnet the size of a quarter. On Friday evening, I placed the magnet onto my right hip and kept it there even when I went to sleep.
The next day, Saturday, August 1, 2009, after I received the five PowerPatch magnets that Wayne sent me, I placed them onto my skin in the area's that were the most painful. (My neck, right shoulder, right hip and my low back area.)
Today, August 3, 2009, I woke up in the morning WITHOUT any major pain. I have truly noticed that I am NOT in the pain that I previously was experiencing prior to applying the magnets.
Just last Thursday, I began aqua therapy in which my physical therapist rates my fibromyalgia pain level before and after aqua therapy. The pain scale to rate my own pain is from "0", which is NO PAIN to "10", which is SEVER PAIN. Any number above the level "6" means pain. Any number under "6" means less pain.
On Thursday, I rated my pain level to be a "7" before I began aqua therapy. I remember that I was questioning if my pain level could have been an "8", but I was not sure so I decided that my pain was level "7."
When aqua therapy was over one hour later, I had to rate my pain level, again. On Thursday, after aqua therapy, I still felt pain in all the places that I felt it before and I rated my pain "7." NO CHANGE.
This morning, I woke up to get ready to go to aqua therapy and I started to wonder about my pain level? I started to manually touch my skin firmly in the worst pain level area's, such as the nape of my neck, my shoulders, down my right arm, down my right hip to my outer right thigh, down my left hip to my outer left thigh and my low lumbar area on my back. These are the area's in which my fibromyalgia pain has been the worst.
In all honesty, I woke up today WITHOUT any major pain. I am not sure if this is purely psychological or physical? However, the fact is that I have been wearing the Nikken PowerPatch magnets for 3 days. My sister Debbie let me borrow her Nikken magnet that is the size of a quarter and I have been using it ever since Friday evening.
My outer thigh area on the left and right side, including the hip area on both sides is NOT aching the way it usually does. I used to get pain radiating down my right leg, but I have NOT experienced this since I have been wearing the magnets. Normally, the nape of my neck,both of my shoulders and my right upper arm would have chronic aches and pains. The good news is that I have NO pain radiating down my right arm the way I used to. In addition, my neck and shoulders have LESS pain than usual.
I am going to keep track of my pain level and this will help me discover how I am responding to Nikken magnets. Today, I am rating my pain level at a "5" in my neck and shoulder area, but a level "4" in my back, hip and thigh area on both the right and left sides.
I am very excited to be feeling much less pain! I am thrilled to share this with others, including my physical therapist!!! What a relief to finally reach a point in which I am no longer experiencing intense pain! This is amazing and I am absolutely astonished that a tiny magnet can literally reduce my fibro pain!
This story is my testimony of how Nikken magnets reduced my physical aches and pains from primary fibromyalgia and four bulging discs. The FDA does not permit Nikken to say that their magnets reduce pain, but this is my story and I am excited to share it with others. Regardless that Nikken can not make any medical claims, I am willing to share my true story in hopes that it will encourage others who suffer with physical aches and pains to never let go of your HOPE. No matter how tough life may become, no matter how physically or emotionally challenged you are, NEVER GIVE UP HOPE.
For one in a half years, I have been praying to God to help me find relief from the aches and pains of fibromyalgia. God has taken me on a journey that involved much suffering, depression, financial challenges, yet, He has provided very much spiritual growth. Although my journey has not been easy, has had many bumps and unexpected curves along the way, I have once again been reminded by God that He is ultimately in control today just as yesterday.
The most important truth that I can share with you right now is that my HOPE and FAITH is NOT in doctors, medicine or this world. Instead, my hope, my trust and my faith is in the Creator, Maker and Divine Healer, Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 55:9 it says, "SO ARE MY WAYS HIGHER THAN YOUR WAYS." What this means is that our ways are not always God's ways. Trust that God's ways are always the best for you.
Today is one of those days in which God provided HIS WAY to touch my body and help reduce my physical pain. I can not say that magnets will permanently heal all of my pain and I do not know what tomorrow brings, but I can admit that the magnets have definitely helped lessen the extreme chronic pain of fibromyalgia.
Keeping that in mind, I am shouting out PRAISES & GLORY to GOD! Today, I celebrate God's awesome goodness and I invite you to celebrate with me!!!
Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.
Posts
