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Posted 4/19/2013 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all, I have been lurking for a few weeks while awaiting my first appt. with a Rheumatologist.  For months, my pcp and I have treated my aches and pains as fibro. and yesterday the Rheumy. confirmed that.  I have been on Cymbalta for several months with minimal success and at this point I would like to work with my Psychiatrist to come off of it.  I do need to be on an antidepressant, as my depression has been severe for several years.  In addition, I have anxiety and panic attacks, but with therapy and medication, have that pretty much under control. 

This fibro. just makes me so angry.  My symptoms came on in September prettymuch full blast.  I have had flares that last for weeks, and some that last just days, but pretty much have some type of pain all of the time.  Before September, I was running 2-3 miles a day and lifting weights, and now I can't even think about those things without starting to hurt mad

Then the fibro. just makes me sad.  I feel like I am losing my life with this diagnosis.  Does everyone feel this way in the beginning.  When the pain is a 10+, I don't even feel like living.  I crawl into bed and wait until it is over.  I still tend to overdue it, because I still don't know how much is too much, but I am learning.

I am so thankful I found this community.  You have already been so helpful in answering questions and calming my fears.  Thank you so much, and I look forward to chatting with you.

Susie

Posted 4/19/2013 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
I can understand you totally how you are feeling susie,its a horrible feeling to have.i am also angry with the fibro as it takes your life away from you, that you had before,just cant believe something can come along and wipe your life away that fast,i have had it late 2o11 it also came on that quick,i didnt have a clue what was going on,i thought @ one point whatever it was it was going to end my life, as have never in my life before ever had so much pains like that,the depression started 2008,have had it like you on and of,you cant believe it as our lifes before this we were so fit and a active happy life,you sound young,i just wanted to say to you i understand how you are feeling right now,my heart goes out to alot of laddies on this forum,they are a great bunch of laddies,we think its so hard just now as we are so early with this fibro,but you see in this forum that you do go forward each day with the help of All the laddies as there the same as us,so they no and understand,so that alone helps us a great deal,best wishes to you susie, you will get alot of help on this forum,And Welcome to the forum XX

Post Edited (maitland) : 4/19/2013 4:59:51 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/19/2013 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Fibro has really robbed me of my life. I know I am grieving about it.
Posted 4/20/2013 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Susie,

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum. It is so depressing to be in pain every day. I know how you feel. Keep moving though. You have to or else you will become so stiff and be able to do less and less. Do gentle stretching and put heat on the shoulders if they hurt. I use a bed buddy. I also found some cream called "Australian Dream". It helps relieve the pain by getting the blood flowing. I have a lot of trouble with my shoulders so between that and the bed buddy it really helps.

Take a look at the first thread on the forum called "fibro 101". It is full of a lot of helpful information. I think you will like reading there. I hope that you feel better soon. Keep your chin up and keep moving.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/20/2013 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, new person!

Keep moving. Staying in bed doesn't help much, in the long run.

Cymbalta made me more depressed and very angry. Talk to your doctor.

You will learn how to manage. It does take time.

My new mantra-you cannot control events, just how you feel. And respond. Gracious living is a choice!

Be well, sleep tight.
Posted 4/20/2013 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I was told two years ago I had Lupus then last summer I had fibro. It hit me hard and fast and changed my life entirely.
Two years ago before I was basically body slammed with all of this I was a Elementary School teacher. I was feeling that high you feel when you're set in your life and it's all sunshine and rainbows for me.
Last May I lost my job because I couldn't keep up anymore. I've been dealing ever since with the adjustments.
My doctor put me on paxil and gabapentin to help with the pain and depression.
Don't stay in bed though, that just makes you feel worse.
Posted 4/20/2013 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Susie, welcome to the forum!

It does take time to accept a "new normal." Accepting changes of your physical capabilities is not an easy process. I know I still have days where I miss my old body. Time is a healer though. It really comes down to the old adage..."Life is what you make it."
Learning to live with a chronic pain condition is a huge adjustment. First you sort of go through a grieving process, mourning the loss of good health. Finally you learn to accept the new you and do what you can to make each day a good day.

Believing it is possible to have a good life in spite of pain.

Taking it one day at a time, living with an attitude of grattitude helps take the focus off pain. Doing something you love also distracts the pain.

Just try to take it one day at a time. We are here for you!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 4/20/2013 9:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Susie,

What has helped me deal with this through the years was empowering myself to do all that I can to help myself and to try to prevent those severe bouts of pain. Laying in bed for a time can make you feel worse. Gentle stretches and exercise is one way to help yourself.

Good luck.
Posted 4/20/2013 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Destructo, and welcome! You are going through the grieving period. Your life has changed drastically but is can get better! I was a mess when diagnosed...26 years ago. I couldn't believe this was happening. I already had my share of illnesses and this seemed like the straw that broke the camel's back. I did develop a good case of anxiety over this and was on medication for awhile until I was able to get off it.

I didn't know how to use a computer back then. PC's were just coming out and there weren't forums like this out there either. I had to pretty much wing it. I'm stubborn and I decided I was not going to let this illness rob me of a good life. I started looking and trying various things to help myself and finally found a combination of over the counter meds and supplememtnts along with gentle stretches and gentle exercises to help myself. Now I'm in control of the pain and fatigue and I've had a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness. No way was fibro going to win this one!

Finding what works for you is trial and error. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, vitamin D3 supplements and a prescription muscle relaxer that has made a significant difference for me. I was offered Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Savella by my doctor but I declined. My choice. I found things that worked just as well, I think, and I have no side effects from them.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. Good starting links would be the ones called Symptoms and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia. You just might see yourself there. There are also links about the supplements I mentioned and how they work in the body.

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
Posted 4/21/2013 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi destructo

One thing that helped me to put things in prespective was when my best friend got brain cancer grade 4. When i sit with her and see how she can't even move her leg when it falls asleep and had to ask me to move it for her, i knew that i had plenty to be thankful for.
I have fibro but i still work full time and is currently doing my PhD , sometimes the fatigue makes me want to crawl to a corner and just close my eyes ( i ve done it more than once :)) , however, i come thinking that okay i have pains and lack energy and have migraines but at least i know it is not killing me and i can still move , go to the bathroom, go to work and shop and have fun when i am not flaring, all of which are things that my friend cannot do and most probably will never be able to.
Take it one day at a time, when u r in pain try to function as best as u can, if u cant then acknowledge that and go to bed. When u r not flaring grab life by the head and this will stimulate a better mood which will reduce the pain a little bit.
One more thing when i did not know that i had fibro i used to force myself to function during a flare, sometimes it worked and i could go on normally about my life, ather times i couldnt and i felt guilty abt going to bed , now i dont i have my excuse ;) not that those around me understand much of it, but they dont have to im the one suffering and im the one to say whether i can or cant go on
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