Fibromyalgia -- Any Other Sufferers?

[I Heart Disneyland!]

Hello all! I am new to this board, today! I saw this area and thought I'd post in it.

I've been suffering with fibromyalgia for 7 years and wondered if there's anyone else out there who can commiserate with me.

 

[Princess Michelle]

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[tbstein]

Hello, I discovered I had Fibromyalgia last January. Since then I have lost 45 pounds, and it does help. I no longer live on Alieve as I used to. I watch my diet, and have eliminated wheat and root veggies to help with starchy sugars which can tighten the tendons and such and make the pain worse. I do not take a sleeping pill. Instead my DR has given me a new anti-depressant which also alieves pain. With exercise, I am sleeping better. I wake up at least once, but when I do sleep, I sleep better. My biggest complaint is the muscle issues in my calves. They don't cramp, but rather seem to be active without activity. It is better tho. As mentioned, some days are ok, and some days are rough. If I have an injury, the nerve endings just act up and the pain just gets terrible. Too bad I am clumsy!

Ok, enough grumbling, but it always feels better knowing others understand. I have a great family which really helps.

Wendy

 

[Princess Michelle]

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[I Heart Disneyland!]

Wendy, I understand exactly what you mean about your calve muscles. Wow, it's nice to know someone else feels that way sometimes. !

My calves too!!!! This just started recently and I've had fibro for 7 years (going on 8). Unreal! I thought I was the only one. ha!


I feel the same way as you. I'm SOOOOO sorry that anyone else has to feel this way, but, I also feel good not being alone in how I feel. It's rotten.

I was put on an anti-depressant and medication for seizures (which I've never had). The doctor thinks that the brain is misfiring pain signals and that is what causes fibro (at least, that is what he's heard). The two meds are to help the brain chemistry. I don't think it helps that much. I have Vicodin for the pain but really don't like taking pain meds unless I absolutely have to. You know? Do either of you have pain meds? I find that Aleve or ibuprofen do nothing for my pain.

I too need to lose weight and always wondered if I lost this 50 lbs, if I'd feel better. Is it the exercise making you feel better or just in general eating better making you feel better?

People can be SO dumb when dealing with fibro. They have TONS of suggestions for me. "Do you need to sleep more?" "Do you need a hot bath?" "Can't you just take an Advil?" My boss is the worst. As if she is an M.D. and has all the answers. Ugh. There's a website that is really good called http://fibrohugs.com/. They have a letter in there that is perfect. A letter to the "normals". haha! And, make you know that it's not all in your head.

Hugs to you that suffer!!

 

[Princess Michelle]

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[tbstein]

Wendy, I understand exactly what you mean about your calve muscles. Wow, it's nice to know someone else feels that way sometimes. Would you mind sharing what prescription your Dr. gave you? I was on an anti-depressant a few years ago for this problem and the one I was on did not help any. Thanks for sharing your story!

Hello girls! Great website.

The antidepressant is Cymbalta. I am on a very low dose. It has it's own website www.Cymbalta.com. Check it out. They also use it for diabetics with extreme foot pain. It is one of it's side effects. DH says I am less restless when sleeping. I guess it's new, since it is a tier 3 on my prescription co-pay. I believe it helps. I only take OTC motrin--4 rather than 2--and it helps to relax more than relieve. As you said, if I catch it right away, the pain stays in one area rather than traveling. I will get it across my shoulder, thru my chest, to my hip. It was so severe one time that my DH took me to the ER and they thought I was having a stroke, and even diagnoised as having a mild stroke. This was all before the fibro diagnois. Crazy. I think maybe 5 or 6 times a year I will take something stronger. And that is only when the trigger points are unbearable. I also will take a walk when my calves are really bad. I think the increase blood flow from activity helps. I have a great DR. He certainly makes sense to me about all this.

Boy--it is nice to know there are others out there. I tell people and they look at me as if I made it all up. But my pain symptoms are not at the extreme yet. So I am lucky. I have an active job which helps. Eliminating processed sugars I believe helps. Keeps the muscles relaxed (at least that is what the DR says).

What type of DR do you see? I see a DO bone specialist that focuses on pain management. I first went to him because of hip pain, discovered that I had one leg longer than the other and so was walking off balance for 43 years, and after correcting all that with orthotics and such, we discovered the fibro. He said he has a few other patients because they come to him with joint pain. I can not believe the difference from just a year.

I do worry about what it will be like as I get older. I am told it can be very painful. Guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

Thanks for letting me share. I often, if not constantly, feel alone with this.

Thanks for the virtual hugs! And the fibro website!

Wendy

 

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I also see a D.O. He's been my family doc for about 15 years. He sent me to a rheumatologist at first and I was tested for M.S., Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. After the rheumatologist could not find any of these, he dumped me back on my D.O. I felt hopeless!

I tried Cymbalta and did not like the side effects. I have Celexa and it's fine. Fibro is SO different in every person. I know some effects people speak of, I just don't have (yet). I've had it over 7 years and I am still very clear minded. Some speak of being fuzzy. I do only work 3 days a week, thankfully. It's such a mysterious illness, isn't it?

 

[I Heart Disneyland!]

By the way...anyone see a rheumatologist? Or just a regular M.D. or D.O.?

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I saw a internist and a Rheumatologist and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia recently. A recent theory is that nonrestful sleep causes the muscle aches.

For me it is as if my muscle have forgotten how to relax. I walk a lot but my leg muscles are perpetually tight. a chiropracter who also uses muscle kinesiology helps unknot the muscles.

DH found a book, The Sinatra Solution, with reccommendations for Heart patients, that Chiro says work well for Fibro also. Will start the nutritional supplements next week and report if it helps.

I have been going to PT on and off for 10 years and PT said I was one of 3 patients with chronic extremely tight muscles in her career.

No joint pain though.

 

[I Heart Disneyland!]

I have been going to PT on and off for 10 years and PT said I was one of 3 patients with chronic extremely tight muscles in her career.

No joint pain though.

Sounds awful. I have tons of joint pain. Like I said, seems everyone with fibro is different. It all sucks pretty much!!!

 

[tbstein]

I agree that tight muscles are an issue. And my DR reminds me a good nights sleep makes a huge difference. I have done PT. May have to go back since there is an area in my back, near my shoulder that is driving me nuts. I have thought about seeing a Rheumatologist, but I am currently doing ok. I imagine as it progresses, I may have to do that. I have also been tested for all those illnesses to eliminate them. It was scarey, but I was glad to get a diagnosis, even if it wasn't a really good one. It does help just knowing what is going on. I worry about the future, and what it will be like. But all I can do now is live for today and live the life style that is best for this illness.

I haven't had any of the fuzzy feelings yet, but I do have equalibrium issues. Kind of like being in a fun house of mirrors. That's what scares me the most. Some days it's a big problem, other days I haven't any issue with it at all.

I work 5 days a week and I think that helps to keep me active and moving. It is the being inactive for long times that bother me. Like long drives. Very difficult.

Well, the clock is ticking, and it is time to get ready for work.

Take care ladies!

Wishing a great day for all!

Wendy