Does this sound like fibromyalgia

My symptoms started about 5 years ago and probably like most of yours were different and sporadic. My first thing was IBS(mostly diarhea) since I was under alot of stress at that time just thought that was what is was. I have always had a sensitive stomach. I also have had shaky hands for the last 5 years. about 3 years ago my hands got so bad that I was dropping thing and very stiff and the thumb area was blue. I didfinally go to the Dr and he took xrays and said I had arhritis. I also have bouts with sleeping problems. I have no problems falling asleep but staying asleep is another thing. I'm always cold and I live in central Texas where it is 100 and I wnat  to sleep with a down comforter. I have times where I cannot sleep on my side because my hips hurt and the back of my neck hutrs and inside of knees. I now have times when my calves feel really tight and have kind of a burning sensation. I have been to  the Dr but do not say too much due to thinking it is peri-menopausal(I'm 49) but I'm really starting to think it is not. I have days when I feel fabulous and then days where I'm achy and feel like I have been hit by a mac truck. I get very tired when that happens. If these things happened all at once maybe soneone could make a clear diagnosis but they are sporadic. I do notice weather palys a big part when there is weather change. I do not want to be a hypocondriac and go to the dr for things that are just mother nature. Does this sound like anyon elses's symptoms?  

Hi, Unsure, and welcome!  It sure sounds like it could be fibromyalgia.  You are usually very stiff when you get up in the morning or if you sit or lay too much.  You do need to keep moving to keep the muscles more flexible.

 

A good doctor will run tests to rule out other illnesses because fibro symptoms are also like other illnesses.  Once they have done that, then fibromyalgia is generally diagnosed.  Make sure, though, that your doctor believe in fibro.  There are still doctors out there that don't.

 

Check out the Fibro 101 thread...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good information about fibromyalgia, including a list of symptoms.  You just might see yourself there!

 

I'm so glad that you found us and joined in!  Read back posts and ask questions.  We are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

 

Dear Unsure49 --

I'd say that all of your symptoms could be caused by Fibro. 

I don't know that I'd try to get tested for everything most doctors wanna test ya for though.  It seems that so much time is spent chasing the diagnosis that precious time is lost in getting some sort of treatment going.  Like the diagnosis is the be-all end-all.  I think that it depends on which doctors and which specialties they have training in as to your final diagnosis, anyway. 

It seems that a symptom or condition that one doctors might label with one name ... can also be found with a different label from another doctor or specialist.  I'm also amazed at the differing approaches to treatment depending on the individual doctor.  Some just wanna give you pills.  Others tell you it's all in your head.  Some tell you that you need to try harder to do what you used to do ... you're just getting lazy.  (In sophisticated medical mumbo-jumbo, that is.)

There are two things I would ask to have checked while at the doctor's office, however: 

Being cold all the time can indicate thyroid imbalance ... which can also be associated with all hormone imbalances and changes that go with being peri-menopausal.   

Many of the Fibro symptoms also are similar to Mononucleosis (Mono). 

In my opinion, it's possible that it could be any combination of all three (Fibro, thyroid, Mono).  Arthritis in its many forms also shares many common symptoms.  There ya go ... could be all four, but who's counting.  ~he-he~ 

Another personal opinion is that they all could be inter-related since they all have to do with the immune system and the thyroid is one of THE master glands that affects just about every function of the body.

There's my more than two cents! 

Take care ... hang in there!  ~*~ Karen  free2bfree

P.S.   The weird/queasy stomach that many of us experience can be from IBS ... but is also one of the stand alone symptoms of FM.  For me, it seems to happen when I'm having an especially bad period of time ... sorta what I'd call a re-activation of whatever started it all in the first place. 

I'm sticking my neck out by saying this ... but IMHO, it's sort like a retro-virus or like a relapse of a mono episode.  Does anyone else think there could be a similarity or correlation?  Or have I been "at this" for too long? 

~done playing doctor for the day~ 

It IS important to be checked out because fibro symptoms are very similar to Lyme, lupus, Ms and others.  In the Fibro 101 thread there is a link called What Else Could It Be.  There is a list there.

 

Since there is no real medicine to treat fibromyalgia then it is important to get these other illnesses ruled out.  There are medications to help these other problems and the meds can help them from getting worse.  So, you would not be wasting your time.  You should get a proper diagnosis...just in case it isn't fibro.

 

I've had fibro for 22 years...and it's not mono.  I'm sure your doctor would recognize that but there are other symptoms that people with fibromyalgia have that people with mono don't have.  You do need to be properly diagnosed, in my humble opinion.

 

Sherrine 

Dear Sherrine --

~not meaning to appear like a bull in a china shop~ 

I didn't mean to imply that one shouldn't seek the right diagnosis ... I just know that for some of us it's not possible to afford every diagnostic test and tool to get the diagnosis.  Many of us are "self-insured" if you know what I mean.

I agree that it's good to know what possible conditions could cause a certain set of symptoms.  This message board, the moderators (thank you thank you!!!), and the links you list are really wonderful in helping newbies (and not-so-newbies) in finding possible solutions that may work for them.  I also believe that there is as much value in the sharing that goes on at this message board as multiple trips to some doctors.  LOL

I guess that between my pocketbook and my energy level, I'm just not sure that I am willing to exhaust every single test known to man as some doctors seem to want to do.  And as for getting the diagnosis ... the thing that makes the most difference for me is finding what works to help me live a better life.

Thanks for all you do, Sherrine.  ~*~ Karen free2bfree

P.S.  I don't really want to list all of "what ails me or has ever ailed me" ... but suffice it to say that you and I have been on the same journey for many many years.  This particular part of my path has been ongoing for 15 years now.  As a young adult I suffered from Mono (including several relapses) for 5 years, and I've never been the same since then.  Fibro and CFS for me has been like Mono X 100.  (Side note:  Testing positive for EBV is extremely common for FM and CFS ... even when the patient is unaware of having had Mono.)

Did you read Ostler's Web waaaay back when?  (Remember, I'm a newbie to this message board and I'm not up to speed on the regulars here.)

Thanks Sherrine, I understand what you are saying about assuming what it might or might not be. I do worry about the cost of all the test since my insurance is not what it once was as like many Americans these days. It seems like right when I feel like I really need to go and get all the test I start feeling good and start second guessing myself. I 'm not one to complain about things and am raising 2 young children 10 and 7 so I need the energy. I don't know if I mention that in the last year have had problems with dry eyes andgetting eye infections. The last 6 months have really had problems with blurry sight. Even after I have my eyes examined it seems my contact work for a couple of weeks and then I have I guess what you call hard to focus eyes. Is this somethin that is common with Fibro?

unsure49 said...
Thanks Sherrine, I understand what you are saying about assuming what it might or might not be. I do worry about the cost of all the test since my insurance is not what it once was as like many Americans these days. It seems like right when I feel like I really need to go and get all the test I start feeling good and start second guessing myself. I 'm not one to complain about things and am raising 2 young children 10 and 7 so I need the energy. I don't know if I mention that in the last year have had problems with dry eyes andgetting eye infections. The last 6 months have really had problems with blurry sight. Even after I have my eyes examined it seems my contact work for a couple of weeks and then I have I guess what you call hard to focus eyes. Is this somethin that is common with Fibro?

Dear Unsure49 --

When I was very first ill, I was practically unable to focus on anything up close, though I was still okay when driving.  I had blurry vision at times and tunnel vision at other times.  I'd have to double check the most recent "Currently Official List of Recognized FM Symptoms"  ~wink, wink~   ... but the last I knew, it's an offically recognized symptom for both FM and CFS.

After about a year of the crazy vision problems, it improved.  I still have troubles with my eyes from time to time, especially when I'm in the midst of a bad flare up.

Here's looking at you!     Karen ~*~ free2bfree