Hi again Gill
Your situation almost mirrors my own! I have always worked full time but about 18 months ago I cut down to 4 days per week. Im the Director of a womens drug rehabiltation project. I too am a single parent but my daugher is grown up now. However I do foster a little boy. He's eight years old and have pretty much had him all his life.
I did try Amitriptyline but I had to come off it. It seemed to have quite the opposite effect on me than its meant to have, i.e. I couldnt sleep for 7/8 hours after taking it and then I would keep waking up when I did sleep. I stopped it after a month of persevering. I havent tried any other medications specifically for fibro. I manage with a combination of rest, painkillers and heat pads. I bought some pain relieving heat pads in our local chemist. They are a bit expensive but they last up to eight hours and the heat from them really helps ease the pain in the worst places. I spare them out because of the cost.
I also use a home made device which is simply get a nylon stocking or cut off one of the legs from a pair of tights. Fill it with dried rice and tie it off. Stick in the microwave for about one or two minutes (you will get used to how hot you need it, etc). Because they are so pliable they can be useful for around the neck area. The drawback is that the heat doesnt last long enough though - maybe 20 mins or thereabouts. I have several different sizes handy. I call them my pet ferrets :hehe: Be careful not to let them get wet though as the rice will start to cook inside them. They last for absolutely ages. I also sometimes use Difene Gel which the rheumy prescribed for me.
Sleep is very important if you have fibro. I use a product called Kalms Sleep. They come in tablet form and you can buy them in the Pharmacy and they dont interact with any of the medications I'm on. I take four a night and it has helped my sleep greatly. Before this I would keep waking up about at least every hour. I have a few sleeping pills which my doctor prescribed for emergency use. I rarely use them (for example I got a months supply a year ago and still have plenty left). Its good to know they are there if I really need them though
Luv n stuff
Joan:rose: