Re: Are there other men who have Fibromyalgia?

 I am so sorry to read of your issues.  It is an unusual diagnosis when a man is found to suffer fibromyalgia, and you probably know more about it than I do.  Though it's unusual, it does occur.  I was diagnosed with both psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, and I only use a weekly injection of "biological" treatment.  Other than that, I am working to alter every aspect of my nutrition and lifestyle, one thing at a time.

You're taking a LOT of pain medication - Lortab is a concoction of codeine and other additives and it can really, really screw up many physiological functions.  It can also cause dependency - not necessarily addiction, although I know several people (including ex spouse) who seemed to exhibit addictive tendencies with this medication.  Codeine, in general, is hard stuff on the physiology.  

Diazepam is typically prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication and it has been found to address a minor population with muscle spasms.  Gabapentin has also been prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication that was initially used to treat peripheral neuropathy, although long term data using double-blind test subjects has reflected that this medication is more like a placebo in every aspect than it is a solid treatment for anxiety, and little benefit for neuropathy.  

Since there is no understanding of what fibromyalgia really is in the allopathic medical community, they throw things together and declare that something "works" if a patient begins feeling better.  There is no laboratory test that defines or refutes fibromyalgia, and it's basically a process of elminiation.  That you were diagnosed with Lyme makes me personally suspicious that there may be other auto-immune issues that also require a process of elminiation to determine.

After speaking with a number of medical and alternative people about my own conditions, it may be that you have an underlying auto-immune disorder that was exacerbated by contracting Lyme.  However, there may also be some trauma history that absolutely contributed to the development of the fibromyalgia.  Typically, it is women who have suffered long-term exposure to trauma and/or abuse that develop this enigmatic condition.

SO.........having typed all of that, tumeric has been proven to be an extraordinary help for anxiety, depression, and pain associated with auto-immune disorders.  Bone broth is also very helpful for joint and muscular health - simple gelatin, unflavored, added to clear, clean water will do if you don't feel like making bone broth.  And, the bone broth is not purchased as a grocery store.  

Another assist to the pain management is finding an intense focus.  Painting.  Playing music.  Carpentry.  Walking and/or swimming.  Pottery.  I'm a fine and ceramic artist and one of the things that I've observed in the years that I've been doing this is that any fellow artist or student becomes calm, balanced, and grounded the instant that they settle into whatever project they're doing.  It doesn't matter what kind of day they had, who cut them off in traffic, or whatever else went on to create anxiety - when people become immersed in something to focus on the present, it is amazing how pain management and emotional health improve.

Also, you may want to contemplate past personal history - no need to write about it on this forum unless you feel compelled to do so.  It might be that there are some aspects of your past that you might need help processing.  That can help a great deal as well. 

Consider talking to your doctor about the medications that you're taking.  Contemplate going in the direction of pain management with as little medication as possible.  Long-term use of these medications can cause horrible side effects and your mother probably lost her kidney as a result of the medications that she was prescribed, more than any other reason.  

I only type this because I have a friend who has been a licensed pharmacist for 30 years, and she works at an independent pharmacy, so she can speak about things very openly without violating any company policies.  This woman made the decision to pursue a doctorate in holistic medicine - she's already a doctor of pharmacology, and there's a ton of money in that field, as you know.  She has seen lifelong customers and neighbors suffer the side effects of all sorts of medications, and she is quite astute about this.  

So.  Lots of wordy response, and I apologize that it got rather lengthy.  Any approach to managing a condition like fibromyalgia or any other auto-immune disorder requires a mind/body/spirit angle.  It's not just one aspect of human physiology, but a "whole-self" matter.  

Brightest blessings to you