Fibromyalgia and Anxiety

I can't say that I've been dx'd with it, but I can say that whenever I leave my home since this flare erupted in late September, I am anxious. I can't wait to get back home, where if I start dripping with perspiration, I don't have to do it in front of anyone. If I start experiencing pain, I can get to my heating pad, a pain pill, some sleep. I can't do that if I'm out and about. If I have an attack of IBS...well, I'm sure I don't need to explain that one! I get very shaky and wobbly and lose my bearings and focus when I'm out. I may have had to go to the store for three things, and I have to stop and really concentrate very hard to see if I can remember what two of them were.

I have never been a homebody, but all of a sudden, that's all I want to be.

I have had panic disorder for 17 years now but even as a kid I was always anxious. Sad part is that it is health anxiety so I worry about my health all the time. But I have finally gotten a handle on it and I don't let it control my life anymore...all without the help of meds...thank you very much. I do have an rx for Klonopin but in the 2 1/2 years since I have had it I have taken a total of 5. I have more problems with the fibro than I do with the anxiety. You'll be fine hun...and check out the anxity boards they will help you.

~Missy~

Hi Corrie and Welcome! 

I have anxiety and fibro. I have had anxiety since I was a young girl and did not get diagnosed until my early 20's. Mine was extreme and it almost caused me to be housebound. With help, I learned everything about it and they had me slowly start doing "all" the things I feared. That was 32 years ago now and I don't even give it a second thought.

I know anti-depressants help anxiety and can even take it away. If you have any questions just holler. I got fibro 6 months ago and that has been my challenge now, re-learning how to live life differently than what I am used to. When I first came to this site, I thought my life was over and that no one with fibro could possibly have any quality of life. I have learned so much from everyone here and they have been my strength when I did not have an ounce of it. I now have quality of life and am happy! Oh- we all have our good days and bad days, but overall I'm back to the business of life again.

Just remember "one day at a time" and it was nice to meet you!

GamJill

I would say that what I am about to say is going to be crazy, but I have learned that on this unique forum, nothing is crazy and everything is possible- good and bad. :) Anxiety, to those who have never experienced it, is misunderstood. For me, at its worst, having anxiety is like having no filter with which to brace myself against all the incoming stimulus from the world. Everything hits me the same- horrible weather that displaces people and devastates local economy hits me hard. A friend facing a new health challenge feels just as bad. As a social worker, everyone that would make an appt with me to ask for my help, hits just as hard. Nothing is minimal, nothing is 'no biggie'. Its all biggie. No filter from physical pain, no holiday from emotional pain and angst. I have a doc appt today and I am going to ask him to address my anxiety. I have been on Buspar for years but I don't think it is doing too much. I also hope to increase my cymbalta. Until we have enough tools to unravel our anxiety, and learn to redirect that energy, meds may help life relax a bit and let the anxiety take a holiday- not our sanity! :) Peace!

Hi: I find a vicious cycle. Widespread pain, (pain in several to many areas, simutaneously) causes me anxiety. Fear of not being able to complete a task, wanting only to climb under a warm comforter. Also, the anxiety makes my muscles tense up, resulting in spasm and pain. Also, the lack of control over my body, and how it's functioning (or not) contributes to anxiety. 

Before I was diagnosed with FMS my anxiety was a lot worse. The "not knowing" would drive me crazy. I was terrified of all the things that could be wrong with me - I get chest pain more than any other pain and the stress of all the tests they were doing - scoping my lungs and stuff - and still coming up with no results - was driving my anxiety through the roof. That and the combination of missing so much school - being in high school with this was horrible and having to hide it from my friends while they knew that I was "sick all the time" but that I always seemed fine. There is a vicious cycle like someone else mentioned - the pain would increase my anxiety then my anxiety would boost my pain. When I got a diagnosis that isn't to say my anxiety went away but it was one stimulus that permanently left - which isn't something many can say. For me the biggest flares are caused my anxiety - if I get into an argument with someone and my stress level goes up, my pain level goes up. I am constantly trying to keep my stress level down and while in college it is a difficult task, but I'm working on it. Anxiety runs in my family - my mom is just as bad as me, she just doesn't have the pain that goes with it. In answer to your question, it seems that a lot of us do.

I have dealt with anxiety on and off my whole life but 10 yrs ago it hit like a ton of bricks and that is what started all my problems. Xanax has been a miracle med for me. I am much better than I was and haven't had a panic attack in years. If I hadn't been determined that it wasn't going to ruin my life I would probably be house bound.

 

Anxiety is like fibro no one knows what it is like til you experience it. I have a need to be in control of things to keep the anxiety at bay. I don't even have to be thinking about something for it to cause anxiety and my BP to go sky high.

 

Sera, I feel my whole nervous system is out of wack and I don't respond normally to things. I never thought of it as filtering things.

 

I have learned over the years that self talk does help with some anxiety. The past couple of weeks waiting for Ken's surgery has been rough but that is pretty much over now.

 

Sometimes even good things cause me anxiety and that is when I get very angry with anxiety.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee