New Fibro Patient

I am 25yrs and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a month and a half ago.

First my doctor thought I had tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, then rheumatoid arthritis. All of my test results were negative so we had no clue what was going on with me. I developed major depressive disorder and anxiety. I am antisocial because of anxiety and lost a lot of weight from the stress of everything. I have developed insomnia as well which drives me crazy. I had thoughts constantly (still do every now and then) and didn't leave the couch because of pain.
FINALLY 10/24 I saw my doctor and then mentioned the pain in my knees and back. He did the trigger point test and everywhere he touched hurt like hell. He then diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. I was happy to finally have a diagnosis, but sad to know there is no magical cure :(

He put me on Prozac which did not work, but now I'm on Cymbalta. I've been out of work for close to 4 months now and pray this medication works so I can go back to work and be somewhat "normal". This has been the most traumatizing 4 months ever!

Post Edited By Moderator (Sherrine) : 11/20/2014 2:53:04 PM (GMT-7)

Thank you for the warm welcome AngelLisa! I will take a look at the info. I'm glad I found this forum to get to know others going through the same disorders.
Thanks again!

Ljm2014 said...
Hi,

Hang in there...between meds and self help methods you should get a lot better...

Keep moving, gentle exercise combats those tense tight muscles, as well as heat..i get a lot of help from topical pain relievers and some low dose meds...

Have they checked your vit d levels?

Lj

Hello Ljm2014!
I don't believe my doctor checked vitamin d levels. I will have to ask him during my next appointment. I'm trying to hang in there

Welcome Alex to the forum! I am so glad you found this forum. I can totally understand about pain with depression. I went through this for many years even being suicidal. I think the pain pushes our buttons till we don't know where to turn. I am happy to say that I am out of those valleys and standing on the mountain now! It took work, but I can give this forum lots of credit for getting me there. I hope you can achieve the same soon.

This forum can encourage you and provide great support. You will learn more here then what your Dr. shares with you. All you need to do is ask questions and visit the forum frequently. This will give strength and knowledge to get you back on your feet.

I always tell new commers to get on line and order some great books on fibro. You can also go to the library or used book store too. I learned so much that it started all making sence after I got done reading. It was like finding the missing puzzle all these years. I could see myself on each page. It relieved lots anxiety I was having about so many symptoms that fibro produces.

You will see that many here have numerious health issues with fibro. This sometimes makes our treatment plan different from others. What might work for you might not work for another fibromite. Always ask your Dr before trying new treatments or meds. I found out the hard way how too much of vitamin D can cause major health problems. Lol

It does take time to learn a treatment plan for fibro. You have to give the meds time to work which could be weeks before you see results.
I found out the more easy and natural I keep my treatment plan for fibro the better I feel. I do the following for my fibro: Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, heat, remron, exercise, limit stress, eat healthy, rest when I can and subutex for pain.

I am not sure if you see a therapist or psychiatrist for depression. I do and many here have seen one. They really do help work out some issues with chronic illness.

Well I hope we continue to see you around. You can ask all the questions you want or if you just need to vent the day away would be ok too.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 11/20/2014 12:49:03 AM (GMT-7)

Thank you ak angel!
I've been doing some reading on FM and everything makes so much sense. At first i DID question my sanity, but my doctor assured my I am not crazy or making up my symptoms. What a relief that was, lol. I will be asking more questions on here. I like this place :)

Hi Go Ask Alex:

Welcome. I am sorry that you are having to deal with Fibromyalgia at such a young age. I do hope the medication will help relieve some of your symptoms. I have not been on Cymbalta but was on Lyrica for a couple years. Medication is quite an individual thing, what works for one person may not for the next. You have to work with your Doctors to find something that helps.

I do take Magnesium and Vitamin D supplements. Magnesium Malate is mentioned on the boards. I am using Magnesium Glycinate and Magnesium Calm.

Do keep your Doctors informed of supplements you take or wish to try.

I have had times when I have been depressed but I managed to find a way to accept some things in my life and I believe it is better to forgive, people and yourself, rather than carrying burdens inside.

Do keep moving, one step at a time.

Take care.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Alex

Welcome and at least you have a starting point knowing what causing all the trouble.

I take muscle relaxers when I have worse days to help me sleep.

I found a product herb tonic that got rid of my fatigue completely. Hoping it will continue to do that. JC TONIC. It contains magnesium to help with joint pain and muscle stiffness. I chose a natural way as opposed to Cymbalta.

Lets us know what works for you. Sharing knowledge keeps us up to date.

Alex

My most recent symptom was jaw hinge pain (TMJ) ?? Both sides then just the left side for a whole month. Now it's hurting my lower back waist line area left side. Pop ups continually.

Fifth Element,

Have you talked to a dentist or doctor about the jaw pain? ?

Fifth Element,
Oh ok. I hope it doesn't get worse :)

Xilamom said...
They do have night guards at the drug store, I haven't tried any yet. My dentist wants to fit me with the expensive one too, my jaw decided to click. And sometimes I wake up and all my teeth hurt, I'm not a grinder, just clenching apparently.

I thought about trying the drug store brands, but my fiancé says the ones at the store made his jaw worse. ..so I'm scared to try them. I'm sure they doesn't give everyone pain.
In my teen years I used to grind my teeth a lot and thankfully never chipped or damaged my teeth (knock on wood). Now I just clench my teeth a lot because of my anxiety issues :/

Hello!

I'm new here too and have had my fibro for just over a year now. It can be VERY overwhelming, huh? I also didn't leave my house for months and was so scared because I didn't know what was wrong with me. Since then, I have found that I take each day as it comes and each symptom as it comes. I now take yoga, swim every week and have found some things that help me relax. I take a lot of baths! Ha! There are days that I still feel like I'm watching this happen like a movie...like "how did this happen to me?" It's very surreal sometimes. However, everyone has their battles and challenges in life - and I guess this is mine. This board has been a great source of info! Welcome!

I have learned that fibromyalgia is usually undiagnosed hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone in the body). Most all doctors will miss this diagnosis because the basic bloodwork for thyroid hormone may be "normal," but there are many other factors and symptoms to consider. My best advice is to find a holistic MD or DO that practices functional medicine and specializes in the thyroid. Ask a holistic pharmacy for a list of docs. God's speed to you!