i can't take most meds (too many horrible allergies and side effects), and what i've used the most is pressure point stimulation. it releases endorphins, which reduces effective pain levels for me.
it also makes me a bit loopy sometimes, though.
for ra and fibro flareups, i use turmeric, as a food rather than as a supplement: add a spoonful to a large bowl of soup, add 1/4 tsp to a cup of cocoa or spiced tea, etc., up to about 2 tsps/day as needed (less if my ears start to ring.)
i also actively avoid certain foods/familiest to reduce my pain levels. my fibro is triggered by gluten, corn, and potatoes. my ra is triggered by peppers and tomatoes (but not potatoes. weird, huh?). my ic is triggered by peppers, but not much by tomatoes or peppers. gluten is a general autoimmune reaction causer for me and triggers migraines; so does aspartame (again, for *me*). oh, gluten also causes neuropathic pain for me. food additives (preservatives, colours/flavours, flavour enhancers, prettymuch anything that's in commercial processed food but isn't food itself? pain trigger :( )
diet generally keeps my pain levels below a 5 or so (they used to be at 5-8 on a daily basis), and most often they're at 0-3 now.
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Date: 2013-08-10 10:42 pm (UTC)it also makes me a bit loopy sometimes, though.
for ra and fibro flareups, i use turmeric, as a food rather than as a supplement: add a spoonful to a large bowl of soup, add 1/4 tsp to a cup of cocoa or spiced tea, etc., up to about 2 tsps/day as needed (less if my ears start to ring.)
i also actively avoid certain foods/familiest to reduce my pain levels. my fibro is triggered by gluten, corn, and potatoes. my ra is triggered by peppers and tomatoes (but not potatoes. weird, huh?). my ic is triggered by peppers, but not much by tomatoes or peppers. gluten is a general autoimmune reaction causer for me and triggers migraines; so does aspartame (again, for *me*). oh, gluten also causes neuropathic pain for me. food additives (preservatives, colours/flavours, flavour enhancers, prettymuch anything that's in commercial processed food but isn't food itself? pain trigger :( )
diet generally keeps my pain levels below a 5 or so (they used to be at 5-8 on a daily basis), and most often they're at 0-3 now.