I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for 13 years, although I believe I have had it longer than that - it just wasnt diagnosed until I was 27 years old. Over the years, my pain and fatigue levels have become steadily worse and I have tried numerous therapies. About five years ago, we bought our house and I went to a new rheumatologist closer to our new home. He said that fibromyalgia was a diagnosis of exclusion, and proceeded to test me for everything else it might be. All of those tests were negative and I had tenderness in all of the trigger points he tested, so the diagnosis was confirmed. He put me on several medications, none of which helped at all. I went back to him in tears, begging for relief, and all he could offer was retesting which I declined.
I tried some alternative therapies after that, some of which did provide a measure of relief, but they were ultimately too expensive for me to continue. I took a lot of over-the-counter pain relievers for a number of years, and about a year ago I began to feel so bad I could barely move. I chose to see a different, relatively young rheumatologist who specializes in fibromyalgia. He gave me Soma for muscle pain and a small dose of amitriptyline for sleep, both of which have helped me tremendously. He also diagnosed several other health problems that I did not know I had and sent me to other physicians for treatment of them. They were all contributing to my pain and fatigue, but I didnt know it until he found the problems. So I am now on medication for diabetes, use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, and take iron supplements for anemia and my overall health and wellbeing has improved greatly. I also recently bought a Select Comfort Sleep Number bed, and it has helped me sleep more comfortably and much more soundly than I have for many years.
Having said that, I have also been much more achy than normal over the last few weeks, partly from the change in the weather and partly from stress and grief brought on by traveling from Georgia to North Carolina multiple times over the last three months to help care for my terminally ill mother-in-law (who passed away last month). I am trying to get more rest, take my medications regularly and move as much as I can until this flare calms down.
Marseeya, I have to comment on the advice your doctor gave you about sex helping the pain level. It became apparent several years ago that if my DH and I waited until I was not in pain to be physically intimate, we would be waiting a REALLY long time. I was not happy with that idea, so through trial and error we discovered the following: If I take my pain medication and take a hot shower while it is kicking in, my muscles are not as painful as they might otherwise be. With a tender, gentle approach from my DH, I am not in severe pain and, in fact, am almost pain free for several hours. There are some weeks that this is the only time I am pain free. So, there is something to be said for the power of endorphins, at least in my experience - YMMV.
Judy, I am interested in the ATP you mentioned - do you buy it in the health food store or online? Also, what dosage have you found effective? Any information you would be willing to provide would be much appreciated.
I hope all of us are soon feeling less pain and more energy - looking forward to Disney trips sure helps me!
Susan
My doctor actually prescribed sex! 
