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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 2/5/2011 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Since about 2004 my body has experienced symptoms that are not normal.  It started off being cold all the time - even in the summer.  Cold weather aches so bad.  Since then, my body is always in fatigue and have a all over body pain everyday.  Also, my shoulders and neck are stiff.  My eyes are sensitive to light and my digestive system is off tract.  I am prone to yeast and UTI infections (may be due to BCPs).  Doctors have not known what to do about my conditions.  I was told by a friend a couple of years ago that it may be endometriosis because I've experienced bad periods...pain, heavy, etc.   I heard you can't actually test that until you actually 'go in' and check.  They did an ultrasound and found nothing out of normal.  They put me on birth control pills to regulate my periods and take away the pain.  They never worked, been on them for a year.  Pain seems to be getting worse.  So, i figure it may not be endometriosis.  A couple of weeks ago, a few people asked if i had Fibro (one finishing her last class of nursing school).  I never knew much about it and so i decided to do research on it.  It seems my symptoms match exactly what Fibro symptoms are listed.  This of course makes me very sad.  It's getting very hard to work...i hate taking pain medications, always have, but the pain has just been too unbearable.  It is affecting aspects of my life - i can't get anyone to understand...family and friends...boyfriend.  Does this sound like a Fibro patient wanting so badly to be cured??? 
Posted 2/5/2011 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Yes it does, but sorry to say there is no cure for fibromyalgia. There is a thread called "fibro101". It has a lot of information on it, including a list of symptoms. Check it out and see if you fit the ticket. Also there is a part that says, "what else could it be?" You might find that helpful too.

I hope that you don't have fibromyalgia, but if you do, you will find comfort and support here. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing. I am glad that you have joined us.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/5/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mzT, welcome to our fibro family, Like Karen said it does sound alot like fibro and there isnt a cure but I have had fibro since I was a teen and you can live a fairly normal life with this.

Gentle exercises can help to keep you moving. You want to start out slowly and work your way up to more. Trying to overdue just puts us in more pain. walking, water therapy, and gentle stretches are some examples of how to keep you body going.

Another thing that can help is taking just one day at a time and knowing that there will be good days and bad days. So by living one day at a time you will focus less on the bad days.

Please feel free to ask questions, vent if you need too or offer advice to others.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 2/5/2011 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
MlZT, thats exactly how it starts. I just have been told by my Dc. I had Fibro. It does take a specialist to figure it out. (I think). I am new too, and feel the same way as you do.
Good luck, and keep us posted
Posted 2/5/2011 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mzT,

Actually, I was diagnosed by an allergist/immunologist/internal medicine doctor. And then a rheumatologist examined me and agreed. It does take someone who has his or her mind in the 21st century and doesn't assume you're just another hypochondriac!

Good luck figuring out what's going on. This is a wonderful forum if you do have to have this weird condition.

Debbie
Posted 2/5/2011 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, mtz, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined in!  My daughter has endometriosis and had cramping, nausea, and vomiting but didn't have the back and shoulder pain.  I'm not a doctor but there could be more going on.  I would suggest that you see a doctor that treats fibromyalgia patients.  Some doctors are still in the Dark Ages about this illness.  The doctor should run tests to rule out other illnesses first that have many of the same symptoms as fibro.  If all the tests come back negative, a diagnosis of fibro is usually given.  You could have both fibro and endometriosis.  Many of us have a myriad of illnesses along with fibro.

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot.  Check out the Symptoms link.  You just might see yourself there.  Also, there is a link called What Else Could It Be and you will see what illnesses need to be ruled out first.

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hey, why not join the virtual party going on at my house today!  We can get to know you there!  I do hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 2/5/2011 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! I didn't expect such a quantity of replies so quickly! This is great! Thank you so much for your replies. This has been extremely hard for me to deal with. I just keep saying everyday..."i just want to feel normal!!!" Some people in my life just can't understand and it tears me apart. I read besides, ruling other things out with similiar symptoms that they check for trigger points. I have self-checked these trigger points and they are very tender to me. Even my inside elbow hurts without touching. stretching hurts even...and when i stretch, i crack like an old lady! I'm only 31. Anyone feel this?
Posted 2/6/2011 7:11 AM (GMT 0)
yes. everything hurts. just scratching an itch hurts sometimes and then there is the pain for no good reason and limbs feeling they are made of lead and feeling like you have the flu. But once you know you have it, you can manage it. You are better off because you can learn some tools to take care of yourself.

Welcome to the forum.
Sue
Posted 2/7/2011 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Agree Sue.......with the itching thing.  I am learning to IGNORE the itch lol.

mzT,  everyday brings a special feeling(s)......most of the time you can ignore it but there are times when you go, somebody take me out to the pasture and shot me, not really because I know the next day the pain may be gone.

I'm learning not to pay attention to the pain because it seems the more focus I am on it the more aware I am, I do admit at times that is impossible but I decided to live my life to the fullest.

Also if you do have it, it does take awhile to get an answer, I do encourage you to find reading material because they will help you understand the differences what it could be and not be, you know your body and symptoms.

Posted 2/7/2011 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
mtz,
im new too -have no diagnosis, although like you bit of research has pointed out something that to me seems obvious -i have seen a rheumatologist who felt i was fine, my gp just offers pills but his locum suggested about 3 years ago that fibro could be the cause.

i have a brill partner but like you say it's not a visible problem so i can understand that he often cant grasp how bad it is (pees me off when he says things like "yeah my neck is stiff today too but we are 50!!!)

my journey was slow -started 6-7 years ago with knee pain (gp said bursitis) but when i think back and see the 101 list i think symptoms were bubbling years before (irritable bowel, odd pains coming and going, heat sensitivity, numbness for no reason -all fairly short lived and it was the coming and going of different symptoms that made things hard to pin down)

interestingly, i was diagnosed with endometriosis since 14yr old and i have read since that there is a link!

i think the forum is excellent for support but i also think you need not to focus too much on your confusing body as it makes things feel worse -im not saying ignore what your body is saying as im sure that would make it worse -the one thing i have picked up from the forum is that although its horrible to not have a "normal" body fibro doesnt get worse and worse like some degenerative illnesses, you have good days, bad days and crap days but not steadily worse days, which i suppose is a positive!

i dont know how many of the forum members are from USA but here in UK i think fibro still isnt "validated" by most GP's - i dont know about others but thats all i want ---------to know what the hell im working with (and not fighting against!)
Posted 2/7/2011 9:21 AM (GMT 0)
sorry i see i got your name wrong mzT -thats another thing with fibro your memory is shocking LOL!
Posted 2/7/2011 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Last night was horrible.  I couldn't get into a comfortable position...every which way i layed, hurt.  The mornings are the worst.  I constantly feel like i need to stretch...but it hurts to do so.  Seems if i stay active, although it's hard...it helps a little.  Also, heat therapy tends to help a little.  I guess i need to let go of my expectations of wanting it to completely go away??  I feel like i always need to rub my shoulders and neck...they are so stiff and tender.  It's hard going through this without support from your friends and family. :( I'm about to check out Fibro 101 now.  Thanks everyone:)
Posted 2/7/2011 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with finding the answers to help you feel better! Sorry you are in so much pain. Try going to a rhemetologist if you think it's fibro. Sounds like it could be.
My dog with poke at me and the pain will last a lot longer than it should (and it shouldn't be painful to begin with), I have a hard time finding clothing that doesn't hurt (sticking and poking), limbs feel like they weight 100 pounds each, you feel achy like you have the flu, but no fever, Just crappy all over, and then I also get stabbing, shooting pains that randomly shoot around my body.
I find that stress and lack of sleep are the two biggest things I have to watch out for in order to keep my symptoms at bay. Yoga, meditation and walking help me.
Best wishes to you.
Posted 2/7/2011 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, i don't have insurance or a doctor:(

Yes, i've felt if i keep my stress levels down (which is hard being a single mother with a 10 year old) it helps.  I too do meditation and have highly considered taking up yoga.  I don't like the feeling of having to MAKE myself be active...it's so difficult because everything hurts.  I used to work out at the gym on a regular basis before all of this...i took for granted that my body felt great then to do those things. 

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