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Newbie here: Horrible joint pain - please help :(

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Posted 6/29/2014 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with fibro 2 years ago. It's been quite a ride!
While I have learned to manage many of my symptoms, I have a big problem with my joint pain. After any exercise, my joints are very sore and they feel like as if they were on fire. My rheumatologist ignored that symptom as she didn't see any swelling or redness around my joints. But the pain is really tough! They say fibro patients should exercise, but for me even 5 minutes of swimming means pain later on. That's exactly what happened today.
Does anybody know how to deal with this pain? How to avoid that? How to cure it?
Thanks so much!!!

Post Edited By Moderator (Acheybody) : 6/28/2014 10:03:54 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/29/2014 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Well, Agne, I wish I had some good advice for you, but Fibro's not considered inflammatory, and joint pain isn't supposed to be part of it. So maybe you have something else going on? It's so easy to blame Fibro for everything, once we've been diagnosed with it, that sometimes things get missed. It's tricky!

Welcome, by the way! I'm glad you dropped in, and hope you'll stick around, so we can get to know you. Take a look at Fibro 101, our first thread, for some great informational reading.

I'm adding "newbie" to your title, so you'll get more responses...

Debbie
Posted 6/29/2014 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
The best way is to work slowly up. You can't push yourself or you'll pay for it later. For some of us just walking around the house and getting the mail is enough.

If you notice joint swelling take a picture of it on your cell and show the doctor.
Posted 6/29/2014 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
It is not unusual for fibro to have joint pain and exercise intolerance

I read a study recently that suggested starting with a short time and then resting and then go back to the activity until you build up..but they said build up very slowly..

Is it all of your joints? Or select ones? I always had one knee with pain, but testing showed very little problem in the joint. I use a topical pain reliever on that knee each day, that lasts most the day
Posted 6/29/2014 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome agne77 to the forum! Pain is the number one issue for us along with fatigue. It took me years to finally get control over mine. I think I have learned to accept the pain after doing certain type of exercise. The best tool I was taught here was do things in moderation. Once I got that in my head it made a world of difference. Maybe instead of doing 6 laps of swimming you will do three. It's all about fine tuning the treatment plan. There will be days you will hurt no mater how much you tried to watch your input on exercise.

I like the prescription voltaren gel for my joint pain. You rub it on and it works real soon. The only thing you have to use it frequent. I take a med called subutex which works around the clock. I don't have too much breakthrough pain from my fibro. I have had my sed rate check looking for arthritis and mine is negative. I could tell you my joints hurt even having a normal blood test for arthritis.

Is your exercise program new to you? Water exercise is one of the best therapies for fibro. Just keep going and don't let fibro hold you down. So glad you found this site. Maybe you will find some helpful tools here. I have learned so much over the few years I have been here. I hope we see you around.
Posted 6/29/2014 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Agne, and welcome! Fibro is an illness that affects the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These move the bones in your joints. If those hurt, it feels like the pain is in your joints. If you truly had pain in your joints...like arthritis...the joints would normally feel warm and even look red and be swollen.

When I started my walking program I had a lot of pain, too. After all, I wasn't using those muscles that much because of pain. Moving your muscles help oxygenate them. If you sit or lay too much with fibro, you will have more pain and fatigue. So I started out slowly with walking since I knew gentle exercise helps with fibro pain. I only could walk four houses down before I had to turn around and head back home. But even though I had pain, I did this again the next day and I could go a little further. Now I walk a half an hour each morning and have less pain and more energy by the time I get home. This also lifts my spirit and helps me be happier and more positive about everything. No matter what exercise you choose...even swimming...start out slowly and work your way up. If you don't, your muscles usually will let you know.

I had a new neighbor move in a few months ago. She has a wheelchair lift on the back of her SUV. I went over and introduced myself to her and we got talking. I asked about the lift and she said she had a wheelchair but yet she walked to the door! She said she has fibro and disc problems and needed it since she can't walk much. I pointed out that she walked to the front door and then I encouraged her to start walking...just like I did for you. Well, she listened and she now walks every morning too and last week I saw her jogging! She has thanked me for encouraging her to do this. Her overall fibro pain is better and she said she has lost 15 pounds so far and it also helps with her depression. Look at all those benefits!

I do have other inflammatory illnesses including some arthritis so I take ibuprofen with food. I also use Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and a muscle relaxer called Robaxin. These really help me. I also pace myself when doing things.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. Good starting links would be Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia. You just might see yourself there. There are links about the supplements I mentioned, too, and how they work in your body. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.

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 6/29/2014 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Agne,

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum. I agree with the others here, do exercise (walking is good) but do pace yourself and start out really slow. Even if it doesn't feel like you are doing enough, gradually work yourself up to a challenging state.

I hope that you start feeling better soon. Keep moving, it is good for you...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 6/30/2014 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Angie,
We all understand and will listen and offer suggestions. Some may help you, some may not. Learning what works for you is the key. This is the place that doesn't judge and have felt like you have. Good luck.
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