Re: Arthritic knee-magnets

[Ruth Bourgeois <ruthb@tdsi.net>]

DMAJICC@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Ruth,
> 
>      I have been doing endurance riding for two years now.  I found out early
> on in the first year the more I trained the better I felt.

Since Donna replied to the group, and I'd sent my message to her
directly, thought I'd add a few notes from my earlier message (so her
reply will make sense if anyone's interested!):

....I, too, have fibromyalgia and have never been able to sleep all
night long and get restful sleep. Once I was disgnosed with FM, and I
learned more about it, that became one of my biggest goals - to find a
way to get restful sleep so that my muscles could repair themselves. I,
too, sleep on a magnetic mattress pad, and feel it is very helpful.
Here's a couple other things that I do also:

I take a supplement by Source Naturals called "Night Rest". It contains
GABA, which is an animo acid that is like a natural muscle relaxer. It
also contains melatonin and some other herbs. I had been taking
Flexerill for years - couldn't sleep at all without it. Now, I take only
the Night Rest. No more prescription stuff. I also take a nutritional
supplement called FibroPlex. It's magnesium and malic acid, which
studies have shown that most FM patients are very deficient in. I take
various other natural supplements and herbal concoctions, but those are
the two that I never do without.

I also play sleep tapes to help me go to sleep sometimes and promote
deep, restful sleep. These always help.

When I have a lot of muscle pain, or overexert myself, I take arnica
instead of prescription pain killers.

_____

In reply to the question about whether these magnetic things work or
not:

I'm a big believer in them. I've used the sleep system for several
months now. The most dramatic difference I noticed with it was when I
slept on it following a competitive ride - I hurt everywhere, extreme
muscle fatigue and pain - and woke up in the morning feeling really,
really good. (I took lots of arnica and my Night Rest, too.)

I'd also gotten my grandmother a magnetic mattress pad for her
arthritis. She was so uncomfortable she couldn't sleep. She insisted it
was worthless and after about 2 weeks, quit using it. My mother tried
it, said she didn't think much of it. I guess it depends what your
ailment is as to whether you notice much relief. For muscle pain, I
think it's great. It does increase circulation, and for tight, hurting
muscles, that can't help but be beneficial.

I used to use the small magnets often when I worked a job where I had to
stand on my feet all day. Sometimes I didn't make it through the day,
because the foot and ankle pain would get too unbearable. Then I started
putting the magnets on my ankles, wrapping them with vet wrap, and going
to work. It made enough of a difference that the pain eased so I made it
through a full 8 to 9 hour work day.

I use the shoe inserts. Can't say that I notice a huge difference, but I
do always use them when my feet are hurting.

I bought a set of "Mag Boys" to use on my horse's back. He has always
been very touchy - doesn't like a good brushing, and I always have to
use very soft brushes on him. He seems to enjoy the overall massage with
the magnetic balls, and has actually gotten over being so touchy about
being brushed. It must feel good to him - sometimes he kind of leans
into my hand as I'm rolling this thing around on his back and
hindquarters.

I've tried all sorts of traditional as well as alternative treatments
for my FM problems, and have had absolutely no luck with the
prescription meds and following doctors' orders. I've made terrific
progress with my own experimenting with alternative treatments, herbs,
homeopathics, etc. The only (huge) problem I haven't been able to
resolve so that I can enjoy these distance rides, with regular medicine
or alternative, is a recurring problem with my kidneys/bladder when I
ride longer rides at a competitive pace. Last year, I posted a message
to the group, asking if anyone else had this problem (blood and extreme
pain after riding) and the only messages I got were people advising me
to see a doctor. Well, I finally did see a specialist this year, after
it happened again at the first ride I did. After $900 worth of kidney
x-rays, cysto, bloodwork, etc. he couldn't find a reason for my problem.
He told me that no one with fibromyalgia should be trying to do that
type of riding, and he told me to just quit. Quit isn't really in my
vocabulary. It did slow me down a lot - can't afford to compete anyway
till I pay off that doctor bill - but I'm still determined to do these
rides. Hearing that someone else with FM is competing is definitely
encouraging to me!!! 

So, regarding magnets - I do think they are fantastic in certain
situations. I've seen them work. But, I've also seen cases where other
treatments are better. No one thing can cure all, do all. 

Ruth