hello everyone- newbie here

Hi to everyone- I am new to these forums and have been reading through and decided to join after seeing how supportive and encouraging everyone is Something I really need right now!

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about a month ago by a rheumy whom I did not like at ALL- arrogant, icky- but I really appreciated his diagnosis because it was the first time someone had even mentioned fibro to me and man, it shed a ton of light on everything I have been feeling. Since about last August I have been miserable and things have been getting worse. I had to take medical leave from my job- I went from working a full-time, overtime job, being active all the time (I am 23), to feeling like I am 80 years old. My worst symptoms (and I have literally a page long list so I won't list all of them..haha) are pain which moves all the time, but is often in knees, muscles, back, shoulders, neck, insomnia, migraines/headaches/eye pain, terrible fatigue, hair loss, frequent sickness/infections, anxiety/depression, weight loss/no appetite, photophobia, abdominal pain/constipation, heartburn, RLS, and terrible balance.

Along with the one I mentioned I have seen two other rheumatologists who suspect I may be developing lupus but don't have enough of the positive blood tests yet to confirm it. I have a positive ana, about 5 of the 11 criteria, and tons of the symptoms. I just saw my ENT (recently had sinus surgery) who said from the looks of my throat and nose and lymph node, the right one of which is consistently swollen and painful, he thinks that lupus is what is affecting my immune system so strongly. Autoimmune disorders are in my family, including lupus. I myself also have celiac disease. So, I have that going on too. Blargh.

Anywho, sorry to make that so long and sorry to vent and be such a downer! It's been a rough couple of weeks as I am recovering from sinus surgery and am in a ton of pain, and today has been especially bad. But I am glad to join this forum and look forward to talking with and getting to know all of you and learning more about fibromyalgia!

Hi there. I too had the sinus surgery done a few years back though, but sadly continue to have sinus issues (much less since the surgery). My ENT tested immune function and found I was borderline immune deficient. I have had 2 positive ANA tests, and the lupus and vasculitis tests come back borderline positive. I hate the feeling like I'm over 100 years old feeling. Have had the balance/vertigo issues too.

I hope you feel better soon - the best thing my dr did was put me on meds so I could sleep at night. Without the sleep it's so hard to do anything the next day (too sore/fatigued). Oh, and I'm still doing the sinus rinses, they still help (after the sinus surgery).

Hi Mcgraw and welcome to the forum!! So sorry you had to look for us but glad that you found this forum.

Welcome to the forum mcgraw..feel free to vent anytime. I do it often. Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I completely understand about it I'm in a bad flare now and having to have sinus surgery and tubes in ears in a few weeks. I can tell you this is a great place to vent and read about your new diagnosis. All I can add...is that going through this much pain right now as much as it sucks...will surely make me appreciate and welcome the better days and treasure them to the fullest. I hope things start looking up for you *soft hugs*

Welcome McGraw87!

I just wanted to welcome you to this wonderful site. I have only been involved for a few months but I have found it to be so helpfull. It is a very warm and welcoming community and it's a great place to come where the people know exactly what you're going through.

I was diagnosed 4 years ago when I was 24. Almost all of the symptoms you list I experienced and since they all came on very quickly, one after another, it led to my diagnosis in only 8 months. I too was a healthy and active 24 year old and woke up one morning and things weren't right and continued to decline. I also had to take a leave from my job to figure out what was going on. I had to stay home and go from specialist to specialist running tests to rule everything out. I was a human pin cushion with all the bloodwork that I had to have done. So many of my symptoms fit the bill for so many different diseases that we essentially covered them all! For me it was very hard having to become a different person at 24. Not only was I in pain all the time but in a matter of months I had developed sleep problems, horrible acid reflux, IBS, loss of appetite/weight loss and anxiety. I never experienced any of those problems before, especially anxiety and that has taken a long time to adjust to. It was a difficult transition for me. I literally woke up a different person one day. The Drs. think that my Fibro was caused by a virus.

I know it can sometimes be different when we are faced with this at such a young age. I know I experienced many emotions about how I would live the rest of my life with such a horrible thing and that there were still so many things I wanted to accomplish, etc. So far I have been able to accomplish those things one by one. I met my wonderful husband soon after I was diagnosed and in November we celebrated our 1 year anniversary. I had to change careers after the diagnosis of Fibro but now have a wonderful career and am working full time. Everything is still possible with Fibro, it just sometimes takes longer, definitely more patience and perseverance and a positive outlook. The positive outlook can get lost very easily but the goal is to keep finding it and moving forward.

Good luck with everything! Everyone is here to help one another and you've come to the right place.