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Diagnosed with fibro today

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 6/30/2011 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
so now that i've recieved my official diagnosis of fibromyalgia, i guess it's time to stop lurking and become a poster.

i'm a 24 year old female, live in washington state, and have been in pain and experiencing extreme fatigue for about five months. it's taken this long to see the laundry-list of specialists my health network ran me through in order to rule out all the other things that could be causing my misery. i'm sure you're all familiar with the process. i also went through my share of doctors who either acted like they didn't believe me/i was making it up, or flat out said it out loud.

i'm starting 30mg of cymbalta a day tomorrow to try to help. i've been missing on average a day of work a week because of pain/fatigue. it really stinks.

i'm frustrated.
Posted 6/30/2011 7:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there and welcome, your up late...I've finally figured out why I'm on here alone a lot I'm in Australia so it's my day when it's your night....I'm sorry you have been given the fibromyalgia diagnosis, I've had it for 6 years now...but it's not all doom and gloom at least not everyday...I hope the cymbalta works for you I'm on it too just started 3 weeks ago, and I'm starting to feel a little bit better but these things take time...best wishes to shannon
Posted 6/30/2011 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
I mean best wishes to you
Posted 6/30/2011 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome. Sorry you have to be here but the people here have pulled me out of my pity parties and can helpfully answer questions. Take care

Maggie
Posted 6/30/2011 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ugliest,

Welcome to the forum. It's really a great place! I was diagnosed 5 years ago when I was also 24. I know the challenges of being diagnosed young and am happy to talk to you about them. You've come to a wonderful place and it's great that you found it at the beginning. I only found the forum less than a year ago but it is a wonderful place that I come to for support, to help others and for companionship.
Posted 6/30/2011 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ugliest,

Welcome to HW its a shame we all have pain in common but if you have a little time read the Fibro101 thread there is a bunch of wonderful information in there including a few supplements that might work and some stretching exercises that help as well. I know for me moving even when I am in pain helps make the pain more manageable.

Take care
Rose
Posted 6/30/2011 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome: U should change ur handle. I'm sure u r not ugly. But I know the Fibro might make u feel
that way. U live n a beautiful place! I've always wanted 2 go there. Keep us posted on how u r
doing! Blessings!
Posted 6/30/2011 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I agree you should change your name. I am sure you are not ugly and by labeling yourself that way you will make yourself feel that way.

I was diagnoised with Fibro over a year ago and to be honest it made me feel better to know that all the other issues I have had through the years. Now to just figure out how to handle it without the meds. Cymbalta I was on and while it worked for a bit I didn't like the side effects I experienced from it and I took myself off of it and am looking for more natural ways through vitamins and supplements to handle everything.

Welcome to the forum this is a wonderful great place for information AND support.

 

Posted 6/30/2011 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Sunshine, and welcome!  devil   Heheh  Just thought I'd give you an idea.  These members are correct.  You want to feel good about yourself and positive thinking does help with pain.  Honestly!

 

I'm so glad you decided to "unlurk" yourself and join our family.  We have wonderful members that love to help one another and, as a bonus, we really do care about each other, too.  I think you will like it here.

 

You were actually diagnosed in record time!  I know it doesn't seem that way but there are a lot on the forum that went to doctors for several years before they got their diagnosis so it sounds like you have a good doctor there and right on top of things!  That's great.

 

I use a couple of supplements that help me with pain and fatigue.  One is malic acid/magnesium supplements and the other is vitamin D3.  You can have your vitamin D levels checked to see if you are deficient in it.  Many are.  I was and I now take 5,500 IU of vitamin D3 a day.  I live in Florida so who would have thunk! 

 

There are links about these supplements and vitamins in Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  You will find a lot of info about fibro there.  Other good links to start with are called Symptoms and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You want to learn all you can because we are our own advocates for this illness.  And, no, this is not all in  your head.

 

Lastly, you need to keep moving with fibro or you will be stiff as a board.  I do gentle stretching exercises (found in Fibro 101) and I walk and swim daily.  I always have less pain and more energy after my walks.  Also, I pace myself with doing things.  The work will all get done but in a different time frame.

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  I hope to hear more from  you soon.

 

Sherrine 

Posted 6/30/2011 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for all the warm welcome wishes!!

I want to clear up my handle: it's definitely not meant as a self-deprecating tool at all. One of my best friends in the world nicknamed me 'ugliest' because she gets mad that i always tell her she's beautiful. It's become a term of endearment, and since she lives 3,000 miles away, i use it as my screenname a lot of places because it remonds me of her and makes me laugh.

Thanks a lot for the info on vitimins and supplements- i'm absolutely going to go that route if the cymbalta doesn't work/has undesireable side effects. Are vitamins and supplements very expensive in comparison to Rx?

As soon as my newest tattoo heals, i plan on starting a water aerobics class at the gym. I'll also be doing pilates/yoga a few days a week.

What i'm most hopeful for is a good night's sleep. If i could start sleeping deeply again, my life would improve so much. I work full time and am in school for my Master's degree- so being tired every day really stinks.
Posted 6/30/2011 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ugliest.

You may want to consider going over and checking in at the lyme disease forum. There are many doctors and researchers who believe lyme disease is really the root cause of Fibromyalgia.

I've met many lymies who were originally diagnosed with Fibro and suffered for years when it was really lyme disease. Most got significantly better if not completely well when given proper treatment (which is much more than the 2 weeks of antibiotics mainstream doctors want to give you.)

You will see the symptoms are nearly identical. Not all cases of Fibro = lyme...but a lot of them do. Shouldn't you rule it out?

I know..you've probalby been given a test and it was negative. Guess what? That doesn't mean anything as the tests miss 70% of the cases. I originally tested negative as well.

I'm hoping the moderators of the board will leave this post here as in my experience anyone diagnosed with Fibro should strongly consider lyme disease.
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