Fit and Fibro-less? New diagnosis, New life.

Hello Everyone,

Well... it has been a rough road and I finally got my diagnosis for Fibromyalgia. I am not even sure where to start...my brain is completely cloudy right now... must be the fibro-fog! Anyways a little short history on me- I am a 22 year old female from Southern California, certified-nutrition student, as well as working full time for a weight-loss company.

This past year has been a very long and hard one. After a traumatic event, constant health issues, losing friends, and having to stop doing things that I enjoy, I finally was fed up enough to see a specialist regarding my constant pain. I've always been somewhat of an insomniac, but chalked it up to being young. I would go days without sleeping, my mind would race and race and would never let me sleep. My doctor wanted to put me on sleeping meds, I refused. I tried everything the natural and holistic way as that is what I am in school for. Trying to work full time and go to school is definitely challenging, but certainly not impossible. I mentioned to my doctor that I could never concentrate and always felt tired. She immediate wrote my a script for Adderall and sent me on my merry way. While I was thankful to get some sort of 'diagnosis' this was not what I was anticipating. It made me feel more concentrated for the first week, then after that I would literally pass out after taking it.

Meanwhile, all of this is going on and it seems like the chronic pain throughout my body is getting worse and worse as the months go by. I kept thinking it was all in my head, something's wrong with me and I need to just tough it up and stop being so 'lazy'. I later find out that that kind of thinking was even more detrimental to my condition than I could ever imagine.

I used to run/walk 6-10 miles everyday, on top of strength and weight training. Then as time went by, that all started to stop. It was weird because mentally I really wanted to, but physically I just couldn't get my butt out of bed from the pain. The anxiety and depression worsened.

It's been about 9 months since my chronic pain, insomnia, depression, anxiety and a whole boat-load of health issues started to take over my life. I was put on a low dose of Cymbalta in the morning and Gabapentin at night to help me sleep. I have heard really bad things and really good things about both drugs, and caused more anxiety trying to research them and their effects. I finally decided to stop worrying and just take the darn meds! If they don't work, oh well, there's always other options!

I am really grateful to have been diagnosed so early, to take action and hopefully keep it at bay as best I can to live a normal life. From what I have heard and researched, there's many opinions about Fibro, and not many concrete solutions. I feel that it is important for each person to find their own plan and treatment that works best for them. My heart goes out to each and every member who suffered for years, not being able to get the treatment they so desperately needed and deserved. All of my doctors would look at me like I was crazy and would send me home feeling pathetic and crazy. My advice is to find a pain specialist and or someone that practices "evidence-based medicine." That term is key here, it means they are always basing their care and diagnoses on the latest in medical research. In other words, they're not still stuck in the stone age, like A LOT of doctors are now, which is really pathetic. Anyways, that's a whole other topic for another day!

I just want to try and get back to being healthy and fit, and overcoming this mentally and physically! I am sure there are many other people who feel the same!

I am so sorry to write such a novel, but I am always willing to help others with sharing my experience. if anyone else has had good results from either Cymbalta or Gapapentin, please share! Thank you!

Wow Sherrine,

Thank you so much for responding so quickly!! I am so grateful to hear your experiences and the methods that work well for you. I have soooo many questions!

I really need to find access to a pool, as I have heard that's one of the best things for fibro. Do you find that your stress and or depression greatly affects your conditions? I am not generally depressed, I am just depressed because I am having all of these issues. I am planning on starting cognitive therapy as well, I want to come at this from all angles so it doesn't stand a chance :)

As far as nutrition goes, I will be burying my head in my school books, searching for the best foods for fibro as well as anti-inflammatory foods as well. It almost is perfect that I am going to school for nutrition as this will be an essential tool in me taking control of the fibro.

I have to say I admire your outlook so much! It really is a depressing thing to go through, and attitude is honestly the most important thing in being and staying healthy. Even my doctor told me that it is up to me whether or not I want to live in debilitating pain for the rest of my life. As much as I wish it was THAT easy to think pain free and be pain free, I know it's the truth. There has been so many days where I wanted to crawl into a dark hole away from everybody and everything, so I know it's hard to hear someone say, mind over matter, but I think that's why we band together in forums like this, to encourage each other and let each other know we're not alone, although sometimes I have definitely felt that way!

I have never found that my diet made any difference in my pain but others have said they have been helped.  There are a ton of diets out there, too, but since doctors are now believing this is a neurological problem, I'm not sure how your diet would affect that.  It's worth a try, though.

 

I have had fibro for nearly 26 years and have never been pain free.  I don't think that's possible.  But I am in control of the pain and, when I focus on other things besides how I am feeling, the pain fades in the background.  When I was first diagnosed, it was called fibrositis.  I dove into the books looking for answers and became anxious about it and thought I had other things wrong, too, so I decided to just live my life.  I do research medications doctors want to give me and I do keep my ear to the ground for any new news about this illness but I don't dwell on it now.  I live my life.  Of course, I have found what controls my pain.

 

I generally do not suffer from depression.  I look forward to each new day with anticipation and I set goals I know I can reach.  That way I know I'm accomplishing things and that makes me smile.  I will try just about anything and when the fear creeps in to keep me from doing things, I shove it away and do the things anyway.  Because of this I have snorkled, parasailed, done a lot of traveling....even overseas.

 

My adult son came for a visit a couple of years ago and he wanted to go to DisneyWorld.  I live in Florida.  At first I wasnt sure how I was going to do that but decided I was going to do it...period.  We got there in the morning and when we got into the park (Fantasyland) there were wheelchairs we could get.  My son asked me if I wanted one and I said no.  I knew there were benches and places to sit if I needed to sit.  Well, we walked all through that park, road the rides including the Mad Hatter Teacups.  My favorite ride was Splash Mountain with it's 55 foot drop!  We were in the front seat so I got soaked but loved every minute of it.  I'm no spring chicken either.  I was 63 when I did this.     I guess I'm a kid at heart but I knew I wasn't going to let fibro take the fun and memories away from me.  I refuse to live in fear.  We got to DisneyWorld at 9 AM and left at 6 PM.  I was tired and sore but would do it again.  It was a blast!

 

So, yes, attitude is everything.  If I let my illnesses take over, I wouldn't have had the great life I've had and have right now.  I'll continue doing things like this as long as I can and I hope to go out of this life smiling.

 

Sherrine

 

Hi Bettie Boop,

Melatonin doesn't work for me unless I use it with L-theanine. The nutritionist/physical therapist who put together the virgin diet after discussing it with doctors recommends xylitol for an artificial sweetener.

Bettie, I do twenty minutes of exercises and stretches twice a day that were recommended by my physical therapists over the years. I do them in order so I don't forget them.

Bettie Boop,

Hello and another welcome to you! I've had Fibro for at least 25 years....diagnosed 20 years ago. The first thing my doctor put me on was an antidepressant, Nortriptyline...it helped me a lot with sleep. Still does.

I'm on Gabapentin in the evening, also, for nerve pain following a ruptured disc a year ago. It does make me somewhat dizzy, but really helps with the pain. (In fact, late night is when I have the least pain, consequently I never want to go to bed!  ) I also take Hydrocodone since the rupture, and I'm weaning off of that. As Myself said, other conditions can complicate the picture - before this difficult episode and then surgery for it, all I took for pain was half a Tramadol at night. I would love (and hope) to get back down to that level....but who knows.

You sound like you have a great attitude and a lot of wisdom for one so young. I bet you'll do just fine with Fibro. There's no getting around the fact that it's a pain, but if you are kind to yourself and work within certain perameters, things go so much better. Yes, it's good that you got diagnosed so early; I remember the army of doctors who didn't take me seriously.

Before I knew what Fibro was, I tried to continue doing hard-core exercises, but it made the pain way worse, and I had to give it up when I was only a few years older than you. That was very hard, because I absolutely loved it. I knew all these people who hated exercising and took the ability to do it for granted, and I would have given anything to be able to - - but that's life. Now I walk for a few minutes almost every day (sometimes in water too) and do my PT exercises.  Gentle stuff.
 
I hope you'll keep posting. We really support eachother here.

Debbie

Fishchris,

I'd be interested to know if you have any injuries that would prevent you from doing rigourous exercise.

Unfortunately I do have injuries throughout my spine, so I have to do my best with what I can do which is minimal I know, but at least it's something.

Keep up the good work.

Hi Betty Boop....welcome to the fibro family!

Getting a dx is half the battle and dealing with your new normal is the other half. Acceptance is a big thing and feeling good about what you can still accomplish does help deal with fibro in a positive way.

You will be able to do more on some days than others...but try not to overdo on those days when you are feeling better than normal...that seems to be my downfall.

Stay active as you can, hang out with your friends...having fun is the best pain distraction...it is also a great stress reliever.

Walking, gentle stretching and doing meditation using deep breathing all help me reduce pain and stress.

I take Savella and use muscle relaxers when needed along with supplements...a good multi-vitamin, Vitamin D and B-12.

Wishing you the best...glad you have joined us, keep posting, we care :)

Hugs, Robin

Hi Fish,

It's wonderful you're not dealing with any physical limitations and you've come so far. You're an
inspiration. You show people that yes we can possibly make a change for the better just by changing our lifestyle.

Fish, ever since I was diagnosed with fibro years ago I've been doing twice a day stretches and exercises prescribed by a physical therapist. If I don't do them I get tighter and have more trouble sleeping. Plus I take two short walks a day and try to stay as active as possible.

Another thing I learned with spine issues I have to try to sit on supportive, comfy chairs and sofas as much as possible for example in a restaurant I'll choose a booth over a table anytime.

Thanks for asking. I'm very glad you're doing well.