Reddit mentions of Chattanooga ColPac - Black Polyurethane - Oversize - 12.5 in x 18.5 in

Your situation sounds a lot like mine. My pain and fatigue has been diagnosed as fibro by a neurologists, 2 rheumatologists, and a pain management specialist, but I'm still not 100% convinced.

>Doc said since they can not find the issue, it must be Fibro.

This is the problem. My neurologist says that what we can fibromyalgia is probably multiple conditions that just aren't adequately understood yet. More mainstream doctors see fibro as a diagnosis by exclusion, where they rule out each of the more likely conditions and what's left must be fibro. This makes fibro something of a trashcan diagnosis. It also leads to the problem of when do you stop looking for alternative explanations?

In your case, consider seeing a neurologist. With a simple nerve conduction study/EMG, they can rule out a lot of insidious problems.

Maybe see a rheumatologist too. They can do a more complete workup based on blood tests, many of which can be rather obscure. There are, however, some rheumatologist who either don't believe fibromyalgia is real or simply won't treat it.

Also, be sure that the easy stuff isn't overlooked like Vitamins B-12, C, and D as well as iron/ferritin, testosterone, cortisol, and thyroid function. Get evaluated for sleep apnea and tested for Lyme disease too. All of these things can be done by your primary GP doc.

>Any advice on Pain relief

I'm far from an expert on this. It seems that most of us with fibro find some combination that works for each of us. The academics tell us that true opioids don't work for fibro, but there seem to be a lot of fibro folks who disagree. For me, the combination of Lyrica, tramadol (synthetic opioid), and Tylenol works ok, cutting the pain in half. Also, there are 2 versions of tramadol: the immediate release version that lasts 4-6 hours and the extended release that lasts 12 hours. For me, it helps to have the ER version for the baseline pain plus the IR version to deal with spikes. There is some science to support the effectiveness of tramadol to treat fibro and that Tylenol can potentiate the tramadol.

I try to keep a "fibro toolkit" with a few things that help a bit with the pain, but also put me in control. Maybe some of these could help you too:

• Exercise - I know this one is tough, especially when you're hurting and out of energy, but it does seem to help a little.
  
  
• TENS - This can have some short term effects. It takes some time playing with it to find what helps. It also puts you in control, at least a little bit. Even the cheap $30 ones work.
  
  
• Cold packs - In general, I don't like the cold either, but with the heater on, I like to use the Chattanooga ColPacs, especially after excercise.
  
  
• Compression - I regularly use compression sleeves for my forearms and calves. It seems to give me a bit more endurance. Also, the Nylatex wraps for the cold packs help.
  
  
• Bengay, especially in the summer. Sure, you'll smell like you're 90 years old, but the cooling effect does seem to reduce the pain a little. It helps with exercise too.
  
  
• Lidocaine patches - For me, these seem to help only in specific areas (like my calves). They can be cut to fit. There are some OTC ones. Larger ones are available via prescription.
  
  

I hired a running coach for training because I am more likely to succeed if held to it. So, I don't have documentation to share. However, here is a list of the exercises we did during "off days". You can type these into youtube and find numerous videos. (She even had me watch the videos when doing them on my own to ensure good form)

• Bavarian Split Squats
  
• Single Leg Raises
  
• Single Leg Deadlifts
  
• Lateral Lunges
  
• One Leg Bridges
  
• Forearm Planks
  
• Side Planks
  
• Flutter Kicks
  
• Straight Leg Raises
  
• Push Ups
  
• Opposite Arm/Leg Raises
  
• Tricep Dips
  
  And here is a link to the ice packs I swear by
  
  Also, if you have the budget for a luxury item, I'd strongly suggest these leg massage compression boots. The ones pro-athletes use cost like $1000 so to me these were a bargain. Or you can steal them from your grandma for some real cost-savings. After every run, I would ice and then slip on these boots. It really, really helps recovery until you start to build strength and feel less sore.
  
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I love a good ice pack.. It's what use, very cold but doesn't stay cold that long.

Maybe a wedge pillow?.

I waste most of my in-bed time either reading, watching tv/movies or playing Xbox. I don't have a good network to make Facebook worthwhile so I find it hinders more than helps. Best of luck to you both

I get flare-ups on my face and neck pretty regularly. It usually happens when I'm stressed or dehydrated or come in contact with something I'm really allergic to. There are definitely days when I feel so self-conscious about it that I don't want to leave the house.

For immediate relief, I use Colpacs. They make a really big one that stays cold for a long time. When I'm so itchy that I can't fall asleep, I pull it out of the freezer, wrap it in a thin towel, and lay on it.

To treat a flare-up, I use a strategy similar to morallyirresponsible. I dip a washcloth in ice water and lay it on the flared-up area. When the cloth gets warm, I dip it again to make it cold. After about an hour, my skin is usually calm enough for cortisone cream and moisturizer. It takes a couple days of diligent attention, but eventually it works. Maybe it would help you too?

Yes-I've asked my physical therapist this question. Icing is used for new soreness/injury (such as after yoga/working out, using a particular joint or muscle a lot). Heat is a little more unclear, but can be used prior to stretching to warm the area, or for an older sore area. Hope that helps. For the record, I use these kind of ice packs-http://www.amazon.com/Chattanooga-Therapy-Polyurethane-X-Large-Oversized/dp/B000QFZRNE/ref=sr_1_11_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1463267837&sr=8-11&keywords=ice+packs

They also make one specifically shaped for your neck.

No not really. I honestly don't mind running on pavement. Its really my preference. I guess what would be best is doing toe raises like another user suggested to strengthen the muscles surrounding the shin. I have these ice packs that I bought to use after using the roller. Besides doing these 3 things I dont think much else can be done about shin splits along with just plain ol rest.

http://www.amazon.com/Chattanooga-ColPac-Therapy-Polyurethane-Over-Size/dp/B000QFZRNE/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457656774&sr=8-2&keywords=large+ice+pack

sadly there is no velcro, but you can secure it with a hand wrap...every PT and AT i know uses these.