Hi. I'm a newbie

Hi. I am a newbie to this site. My sister who has Crohn's disease introduced me. It is great to have a forum to be able to talk with people who understand this non-understandable fibro.

I started having pain in my low back about 10+ years ago. If I got down in a kneeling position or something I couldn't hardly get up. It was like my back just froze up. I thinking of course that it had to do something with heavy lifting; I am in the medical field. I thought for sure I must have a disc problem or something. Well the MRI came back negative.

I then started to have shoulder and neck pain. It would run down by arm and throb in my elbow and fingers. This went on for months before I went to the doctor. So it was back to the MRI again no sign of disc problem. Nerve conduction tests (ver painful); fine. So it's like what is going on????

My doctor would not prescribe any medications and was absolutely no help in trying to find a solution. He made me feel like it was all in my head. I got to the point where I would just not say anything about how I felt because I didn't want to be a "complainer".

about 3 years ago we moved and I got a new family doctor. Finally someone who would listen. He did blood work which indicated I likely had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was put on medications (prednisone, sulfasalazine) and referred to a rheumatologist. Okay to now it gets even better. The rheumatologist doesn't think I really have RA but more likely fibromyalgia (most likely both haha)  He just added plaquinel to the mix, whoopie at least I'm covered for malaria. Last year I started on Lyrica; not really helped. I am to be going to another rheumatologist; maybe this one will have some answers and/ or treatment. I've taken the prednisone so long that I've gained  50# in the past 3 years!!!! The pain is worse than ever and now I'm so fatigued I feel like I could sleep for about 3 days but I don't sleep well, wake up so many times during the night in pain.

Well that was much longer than I intended but really only scratched the surface.  I'd love to hear what types of treatments have worked.

 

WELCOME!

I can relate to your story. I went through handfuls of different types of docs and tests, many x-rays, mri's and ultrasounds. Every time tests would come back negative. I work full time in an admin. position, so I sit just about all day. It has been real tough, but I am blessed to have the employer and some of the employees I work with, they've been pretty supportive.

I have been dealing with all different types of symptoms over the last 10 yrs. The last 4 have been the toughest. I use to take higher dosages of gabapentin(neurontin) when I was having real trouble at the first of these last 4 yrs. I take some pain meds only when I REALLY need to get a break, so I can rest. But that is not very often. I use rest (2 - 30 to 40 min breaks at work a day) as much as possible. I do exercise, recumbent bike at home. I can't walk in my neighborhood anymore, too many hills, makes my back and hips ache so. And I have a close relationship with my heating pad.

I have gained 50 pounds in 3 yrs as well, sucks! But I know it is because of lack of exercise and the drugs I've been on. I know I am not normally this weight so I tell myself that one day I well be a little lighter. But my well being is much more important at this time and I know I eat well. If I can battle Fibro everyday.....I can battle some fat cells off my behind,LOL. Fibro is making me be patient with myself. Take things at an easier, gentler pace.

Take it easy,

Hugs,

Hi and welcome to our family!

I am so very sorry you have to suffer with this darn disorder, but at least you've joined a wonderful family of friends who will always be here for support and understanding. I am very lucky that my PCP dx'ed me and had a rheumy confirm. It was easy but the symptoms were very obvious in my case. I've tried every drug that could possibly help and the only thing that does any good at all are pain medications. Plus learning how to live with this.

Do as much reading as you can, ask questions but do be wary of goofballs offering 'the cure' or a 'magical elixir' for fibro...lol As we all know, if there was a cure none of us would be here and in pain.

Glad to have you in the family!
Chutzie

Hi, luvspringflowers, and welcome!  Fibromyalgia is a curious illness.  Fibromyalgia waxes and wanes.  Sometimes you are in a lot of pain and other times you are much better.  I have had fibro for 22 years and have never been without pain.  But, I have learned how to manage the pain and have had a full and enjoyable life with fibro.  We need to focus on the positive things in our life and I think you will find that the pain will fade a little in the background.  I don't think about how I am feeling.  I never ask myself that.  That will only cause anxiety.  Instead, I know what I need to do and what I need to take in order to control the pain so I can do what I planned for the day.  So, keep a positive outlook on life and look forward to each new day with anticipation.  You can have wonderful times, even though you have fibromyalgia.

 

I do not take any of the "high powered" meds for my pain and fatigue.  I use ibuprofen with food and extra strength Tylenol for pain.  I also take malic acid/magnesium supplements for pain and fatigue.  These don't work for everyone but many, including me, have had good results with this supplement.  It might be worth a try.  You see, many with fibro are deficient in these two nutrients. 

 

Many with fibromyalgia are also deficient in vitamin D.  I live in Florida and who would have thought I'd be deficient in D!  I am presently taking 3,500 IU of D3 a day to try to get in the normal ranges.  Some members are taking much more.  Vitamin D deficiency can cause pain and fatigue also, along with other problems, so it would be good to get that checked out at your next doctor's visit.  

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101....the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibromyalgia including a list of symptoms and also a link all about malic acid/magnesium supplements and how they work in your body.  There are some great stretching exercises that you can do sitting down, too.  You will learn a whole lot if you read that thread all the way through.

 

Moist heat is great for fibro.  I love a hot shower.  Many use Bed Buddies.  You can get these at Walgreen's and other places or you can make one yourself by taking a tube sock, filling it 2/3's full of raw long grain rice and tying a knot at the end.  Microwave it and it gives off moist heat due to the moisture in the rice. 

 

It is important to keep moving with fibro.  If you sit or lay too much, you will be stiff as a board!  The gentle exercises in the Fibro 101 thread are really good and do help.  Walking is a great weight bearing exercise and will help keep your bones strong, to boot!  If you have access to a pool, that is great also.  

 

Be sure to pace yourself.  You can't get things done in the same time frame as you used to before fibro.  But, it will all get done.  Just start chipping away at what you need to do and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish!  Be sure to give yourself a big pat on the back too.  Fibromyalgia is not for sissies so you deserve a lot of credit for the things you do. 

  

I'm so glad you have found us and joined in.  You have come to a good place.  We have wonderful members that love to help one another and, as a bonus, we really do care about each other, too!  So, read the Fibro 101 thread, back posts, and ask questions.  We are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon!

 

Sherrine