New to the Forum

I'm not certain I belong here. I haven't been diagnosed formally with fibromyalgia, but from what I am reading I think I need to see a specialist. I am 32 years old and used to be so active and healthy. For the past year and a half I almost constantly feel like a porcelain doll that can so easily be broken. I have arthritis in my ankles, degenerative disk problems in my C2-C5 vertebrae and have been tested for MS and Lupus, had nerve conduction tests done along with many other things. Everything always comes back normal. However, Every morning when I get up, I am in so much pain I move like an 80 year old until I take time to stretch. Even then the feeling like I spent the entire day before working out never really goes away. If I sit for more than 5 minutes, when I get up it takes a ridiculous amount of effort and my body hurts. I am slowly gaining weight because it doesn't take much anymore for me to feel like I have ripped a tendon or pulled a muscle. There are times that I am standing still talking to someone and a pain so intense shoots through my ribs, back or legs that it makes me gasp. Then it goes away as quickly as it came. Not only am I depressed but can't even be playful with my family anymore. When my husband and son wrestle near me I get angry because sometimes the littlest bump or poke makes it feel someone stabbed a terrible bruise with their finger. I feel like I am losing my mind. I brought up the idea of fibromyalgia to my husband and he just doesn't seem to understand. I don't want him to think I am a hypochondriac. My mother was almost always not well in one form or another while I was growing up and everyone said she did it for attention and started to basically ignore her. I wonder how strong the genetic link is for this thing? I feel so alone that I just stopped talking about it and crying before I go to sleep at night or when I am home by myself. I have been in chronic pain for a very long time now and completed my bachelors degree last May. I have graduate school coming up in the Fall and have a LOT to do before then. I just can't seem to kick this depression. I feel like I hurt so badly and still feel like 32 is really young. What is the purpose of fighting day to day if I have to hurt like this for the rest of my life? I don't know what else to say. I guess that's all of it. I needed some place to vent anonymously I suppose. I thought that the people here might understand what I am going through. Seriously heavy I know, but I just had to get it out....

P.s. my mom has JUST been diagnosed w same thing I have after yrs & yrs of all same complaints! Hers is a much milder form than mine but still all I could remember as a child was that my mom was always sleeping & in pain! I do believe its genetic!

Hi Angelina, welcome :)
I'm glad you found this forum- even if you haven't been diagnosed with fibro yet, it's still a great place to get support and learn as much as you can about things you can do to feel better.
I joined before being diagnosed and got alot of support along the way, especially after trips to see Dr's who didn't believe it was anything other than depression. It helped to come here and talk to people who understand.
As far as a family link, I've read a few articles suggesting that with females in particular, if one member of a family has it, there's a higher chance of another member getting it. My Mom just diagnosed with it about 6 months ago and here I am :/
I hope you can get a diagnosis soon. As stated above, getting a handle on the pain can help alot with the depression. I love it when Dr's say "I think you're depressed." Who wouldn't be who's in constant pain or feeling sick every day? Finding the right Dr's is key. If they don't belive in fibro, no use wasting your time.
I hope you'll stick around. You'll find alot of support here.
Wishing you the best!

Hi, Scmarks, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined in!  No, you are not crazy.  Much of what you describe does sound like fibro.  What you need to do is find a doctor that treats fibro patients.  There are still doctors in the Dark Ages when it comes to fibro so be sure to ask first before making an appointment.

 

It sounds like you have had a lot ruled out.  This needs to be done since many of the symptoms of fibro are like that of other illnesses that they have testing for.  We have all gone through all the tests and they all come back just fine.  That's where the "all in your head" comes in.  But, the pain is very real and so is the illness.  It is recognized by the American Medical Association, the American College of Rheumatology, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization, just to name a few. 

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links are called Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You just might see yourself there.

 

I do think there is a genetic predisposition with fibro.  I have several cousins that have this too. 

 

The morning stiffness, the feeling like you might have the flu, are common with fibro so you are not losing your mind.  You need to keep moving with fibro or you will be stiff as a board and have more pain.  Even if I sit and watch a TV program, trying to walk is difficult for the first 15-20 seconds.  It's like I can't move my legs! 

 

Fibro usually hits at a later age but we have members that have had this since elementary school.  Age shouldn't be a criteria in diagnosing this illness.

 

Now, once you find what helps you control your pain, you can have a full and enjoyable life in spite of fibro.  I know because I have.  I have traveled a lot, stood on a glacier in the Canadian Rockies, snorkled and parasailed in the Caribbean, and even did a two week tour of Italy with fibro.  I spent a very long day in DisneyWorld a couple of years ago, rode rides...including Splash Mountain with the 55 foot drop...and had a fantastic time.  Yes, I had more pain for a few days but it was worth it!  Plus, I'm no spring chicken at 64 years old.  So, don't think your life is over.  It definitely is not and you have a lot of wonderful times ahead of you!

 

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

 

Sherrine