Another newbie! Looking forward to meeting you all

Hi everyone! I have been lurking for a while but am finally "coming out of the closet" and posting on here!

I'm 31 years old and was just diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 1 month ago. At first, I was in total denial. I think I went through all those typical grief stages. My back has bothered me since my daughter was born 4 years ago. Muscle spasms, achiness, etc. I then had twin boys 2 years ago and of course my back got worse. Then, my knees started bothering me, especially going down the stairs. After xrays it was determined I had Patellofemoral Pain (runner's knee) in both knees. Ironic since I never run, but there you go. After seeing me for two years, and based on other symptoms like fatigue, my doctor said I have Fibro. After research, my history of IBS, TMJ, and Costochondritis all kind of make sense.

The last six months my fatigue has almost been debilitating. It's affecting my job although I try to not let it (I work full time). I also have a ton of guilt; I have these 3 very active children 4 and under and I just want to rest! My husband also has Ankylosing spondylitis, which is a form of RA that attacks the spine. So I have additional guilt of feeling like I have a "fake" condition (I know fibro is real but the rest of the world might not) while my husband's condition is worse. I also seem a lot worse off them him, so more guilt about that!

Right now my foot is randomly killing me (like someone iss squeezing it!), but this changes daily. I am taking tramadol and cymbalta. The tramadol doesn't seem to work like it used to but I'm not ready to move on to anything stronger.

Anyway, that's me. Looking forward to getting to know all of you and have a place where I can talk about this. I have only told my sister and my husband.

 

Hi Mamabee!

Welcome!  I hope you find some answers here!  I'm 30 and was diagnosed with fibro last year.  I have all the symptoms you mentioned in your 1st paragraph. 

Often, fatigue is a result of mitochondrial dysfuction.  That is true for me.  Some supplements that have helped me with fatigue include D-Ribose and DHEA in low doses.  Foods high in antioxidants help the body heal itself.  I have also had success with aronia berries, which stimulate the body to produce its own glutathione.

There are a couple of environmental factors that can contribute to fatigue--mold and electromagnetic radiation are biggies.  Mold produces neurotoxins.  Depending on the type of mold, brain damage can be done.  Mold can hide under sinks, in ductwork, on concrete slab, in carpets, and in walls.  I found mold in 11 of 12 apartments in one college town.  I've had some brain damage from mold.  Electromagnetic radiation from cell towers, antennas, cell phones, wifi, and other electronic devices can also contribute to fatigue.

Formaldehyde in new carpets, houses, clothing, cars, etc. is a chemical contributor of fatigue.  I am highly sensitive to formaldehyde, and cannot even wear new clothes without washing them first.  Breathing it shuts down my lungs, likely because I have mycoplasmas.

My IBS is from Candida and leaky gut, which I've had for a number of years, due to being on too many antibiotics as a child.  I'm starting a protocol for this with a nutritionist shortly. 

Because of my leaky gut, I have a lot of malabsorption issues with foods and such.  Even though I had been consuming minerals, I was not absorbing them.  I found that using bath minerals has helped tremendously because I can absorb them through my skin, and that has strengthened my bones while decreasing my bone pain.   

I also did a hair test and found that I had a lot of mercury.  Detoxing from this with the help of my MD lifted my mood, fatigue, brain fog, foot pain, and TMJ pain.  I still grind at night, but the pain is gone.  For the first time, I can handle walking without orthotics.  I haven't been able to do that in 12 years.

I'm not on any pain medication.  My theory is if my body hurts, it's trying to tell me something--and believe me, I've had some severe pain (esp. ribs).  I do have Hashimoto's and Adrenal fatigue, so I'm on prescriptions for those.

Has your husband tried a nightshade-free diet for his Ankylosing Spondylitis?  It should reduce inflammation and pain.  I get joint pain and burning eyes when I eat nightshades.  If you do a search for Norman Childers you can read more about the relationship between nightshades and arthritic conditions.  He's the pioneer in that area.

I hope you begin feeling better!

 

Thanks for the responses. Lyme14, I am going to start those supplements you mentioned along with malic acid/magnesium I have heard so many good things about. I also wondered if there is an enviornmental factor to this, as I have felt worse since moving into our rental home this last year. We are moving to a new house in a month, so I will see if that makes a difference.

Marissa, I hope you are able to have children. Looking back, I do think that during the pregnancies I did have a remission of symptoms. My IBS has not bothered me since I became pregnant with my first child. To my knowledge, this is somewhat common.

To have it while parenting means that you are more achy and sleepy than the average parent. But, with a newborn, you aren't sleeping much anyway. Since I am used to waking up every few hours or so on a good night, it didn't take that much adjusting.

Hi, Mamabee and welcome!  I'm glad you decided to jump in and join the family.  I think you will like it here.  We have fabulous members!

 

I do know exactly how you feel.  When I was 31 years old, I too had three children four years old and younger.  It's a handful.  I hadn't developed fibro at that time but I did develop Crohn's disease and couldn't be very far from the bathroom.  I tried so hard with the kids and my biggest regret was that I could never take them on a picnic...actually, not very far from home at all.  BUT I could give them quality time because I was home.  I did have wonderful family dinner every night and the kids grew up that way.

 

By the time they were 9, 10, and 13, I was hit with fibro, too.  I couldn't be the mother I really wanted to be but you know what?  My kids tell me I was the best Mom of all of their friends!  I was always there for them.  They are all grown now and we have a fabulous relationship and I know you will too!  So, try not to feel guilty.  Just do the best you can and spend quality time with your children.  Love is what they really need and you sure can give plenty of that!

 

If you've been lurking very long, you already know about Fibro 101.  If you haven't already, be sure to check it out.  There is a lot of good info on that thread and you will learn a lot there.

 

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