Fibromyalgia, Muscle spasms and arnica?

I have read on a few fibromyalgia boards about people taking something called arnica to help manage the symtoms of their pain... my question is, where can I get it? Do I get it at walgreens, walmart, anywhere over teh counter? is it a pill or a plant? I've heard so many different things!!
Are there side effects? Noone seems to mention anything about that.

Also, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 13 years ago; however I've recently started having SEVERE muscle spasms. I've had them for years, but over the past year they have started to progress and get worse... are muscle spasms even a symtom of fibromyalgia, that is, severe ones?

Thank you to all who answered!

Yes indeed muscle spasms are part of Fibromyalgia, as the nerves are affected and cause the muscle spasms. The Longer you have Fibromyalgia it progresses, it's in the same family as Parkinson's disease and stems from the brain, that's why there's so much nerve interaction.

Arnica Is available at health food stores in tablet form and in cream. I have tried it and do not find it to be of any use. I also have Fibromyalgia.

Analgesic balms such as Bengay can help if it's applied during massage therapy. One of the best treatments for Fibromyalgia is getting a professional massage on a regular basis. if you have access to a Jacuzzi that will also benefit muscle relaxation.

I've written an article on Fibromyalgia and I've enclosed the link .

If you have any further questions please let me know,
Billie77

why don't you ask your doctor to be on the safe side to make sure this is safe for you

I don't know about the arnica.
I also have fibromyalgia and muscle spasms. When they start to get bad, I slow down and rest as much as possible.

I think the spasms are your body's way of telling you that you are doing too much and you need to rest a while.

I take Ultram for pain.

You don't TAKE arnica. You use it externally, but it's for bruising and inflammation only. It has nothing to do with spasms.

Yes, muscle spasms are a major symptom of FM. It's one of my numerous types of arthritis.

pharmacy, but why when there are REAL drugs

Yes, muscle spasms are common with fibromyalgia. Arnica CAN in fact be taken internally, or you can buy it in a cream form to use externally - It works really well for some people, not as well for others. Some people are skeptical about it because it's homeopathic and herbal, but I've found it can help mild joint pain, bruising, painful muscles. You can find it at natural foods stores, some groceries that have natural healthcare sections, and. You can buy tablets that dissolve on the tongue, a tincture that gets taken orally, or a cream that contains arnica. Look for Arniflora brand, or Traumeel (the latter of which works way better for me, I believe it contains other herbs besides arnica). The cream version won't make the pain that's deep in a muscle go away but may slightly help pain that's closer to the surface.

For anything beyond mild pain, I personally need muscle relaxants. Flexeril and Soma are commonly prescribed to help with painful muscle spasms in people with fibromyalgia (they also help with sleep if taken at night).

Other things you can do include stress reduction, stretching, gentle daily exercise, making sure you are taking a supplement with magnesium, eat bananas and other potassium-rich foods, and sometimes massage can also help.