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Posted 1/15/2015 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
When I first started reading about Fibro, what I read is that it generally lasts somewhere around ten years, if that--and that it usually strikes younger women. I am 62, and I have been struggling with it for at least ten years. It's hard to estimate, because I also have bad arthritis and had multiple surgeries combined with much infection, to replace both knees. I found that my Fibro symptoms got much worse after that.

Anyone else out there who is "too old" to have this? I did look through the excellent Fibro 101 materials here, but don't remember noticing anything about this, although given my current degree of brain fog, I may have missed it.

Just wondering....
Posted 1/15/2015 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't know that there was an age or a time limit. Interesting... I have had it for about ten years (actually more). I am better than I was at first, but in no way over it... I still have pain.

The thing that I notice about aging and fibromyalgia, is that in the meantime we are getting older and some of the stuff that goes on for me is due to age now.

I hope you have a good day. I am 56. I started getting symptoms at 43 or 44, so I have had it about 12 years.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 1/15/2015 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Have not read this, believe it is a long term disease.


I know my mom had at least 40 years
Posted 1/15/2015 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have never read anywhere that it goes away. (Sorry) once the Cascade of symptoms start there is no going back. This is not to say you can't improve or feel better because you can. I've been dealing with this for 15 years now. There has always been pain everyone of those days.

There was a period of years I felt better than I do now.(Lots better) however the past 2 years I feel as bad as I
did in the beginning. sad

They say it waxes and wanes. Good and bad periods but always pain present. The trick is finding what works for you. I belive leaving these harsh northern winters would help me. Unfortunately, that's not in the cards just yet.

Take care,
Michael
Posted 1/15/2015 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, I'm too old, I'll be 70 next month & I was diagnosed 11 yrs. ago. It started out pretty mild, but after 3 or 4yrs, it progressed to pretty bad now with days that I wouldn't be mobile without pain pills & a cane. It seems to go along with barometric changes or big emotional upsets. I haven't been able to wear a bra or any type of band across my back now for over a year. I wear loose men's sleeveless undershirts under loose shirts to help disguise the bra less look. Being a 36D. cool
Posted 1/15/2015 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am 61. I have been told there is no cure for Fibromyalgia. I was told by a Neurologist that my prognosis was - it gets better with age. What age? He was referring to my Arthritis, I presume. For some people it may get better but not for me. I have not read that the Fibro goes away or goes into remission but some people cope better than others.

We have had 3 days of very cold weather. I went to see my Nurse Practitioner today. I went by cab and took a bus back. I can't drive with my stiff neck and head. The distance is 3 blocks for the bus and another 3 blocks to get home. Once you embark on an excursion you have to finish it. The walk is a lot easier in the summer. I also stopped at my hair salon to get a cut. The hair salon is right at the bus stop. I actually enjoy getting my hair combed by someone else. It is relaxing to my head.

I gave my Nurse Practitioner some information that I found on the posts about a study which supports the hypothesis of glia cell activation in response to pain mechanisms. It is about finding neuroinflammation in brains of chronic pain patients. I then read online Wikipedia's definition of glia cell. It is promising to know that studies are being done in regards to FM and chronic pain. Perhaps new meds might get developed, even if it does not happen in my life.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...
Posted 1/16/2015 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Loring,

I have the same reaction to getting my hair done or even my husband just stroking my hair. It is become so strong, that I have been wondering if it is related to fibromyalgia. I am a lot more responsive to gentle touch than I used to be.

I would be interested in reading the information you found about the glia. I have been trying to read to understand what is out there. It doesn't seem that I can trust the doctors to do it.

Jenni
Posted 1/20/2015 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
Cimorene,

I'm going to turn 60 on Saturday ;) and I've had Fibro for at least half my life (the diagnosis for 22 or 23.) In some ways, I've always been very sensitive physically, so I really feel that I was predisposed.

I know what you mean, now that I also have DDD and nerve damage, and several surgeries behind me, it's hard to tell exactly what to blame for each pain.

But whatever the reason, I'm much more disabled than I was in the beginning.

Debbie
Posted 1/20/2015 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
It's a chronic illness unfortunately. It does wax and wane. I am 70 and got it at age 64. I was screwing up at work and had to retire.

There is a tremendous amount of research going on because it is a costly disease.

I think the arthritis we get as we age also hurts and we think it's the fibro. My doctor said the most important thing no matter what age is to keep moving.

It's not easy that's for sure but I am still grateful it isn't progressive nor does it cause damage to the body.



Barb
Posted 1/20/2015 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Aaaaarrrrrrghhhhhh....... It continues to floor me that every post here, I could have written myself. We're all miserable. I guess in a way it makes me feel less crazy to know I'm not the only one going through this, but it seems so impossible! Okay, I get that there are things to do to make it easier, but even so.... you have good months or even good years, and then WHAM!!! I'm going through a WHAM!!! at the moment. Just can't seem to get well.

I wish us all well....someday.
Posted 1/21/2015 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you "WHAM" passes quickly. Been there.

It does help to know others are going through this and it helps to get ideas on how to deal it all.

Barb
Posted 1/22/2015 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Cimorene,
Don't know where you read that Fibro "generally lasts somewhere around ten years" but it should have said that it "could take 10 years to find out what works to get the "best" relief"! tongue
I'm going on over 15 yrs of dealing with this and agree wholeheartedly that it helps to know others go thru the same things day in/day out as we do.
This is the BEST site for support, compassion & friendship for Fibro that I've found - Thank You All!
yeah
Posted 1/22/2015 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I don't remember where I read that either, it was probably in the very early days of understanding about fibromyalgia....

And I agree: everyone here seems very bright, and most of us are hurting too badly to get involved in dispute, as often happens on such forums! I guess that is one good thing to be said about pain!
Posted 5/25/2015 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Friends. Do you find that the longer you have fibro, the worse the illness progresses?
Posted 5/25/2015 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm almost 70. Although only diagnosed 8 years ago I know I had symptoms since I was a child. They started getting really bad in my 20's. Maybe because I had kids by then. I avoided going into the complete laundry list of symptoms with my doctors because we did not have good insurance. I didn't want pre existing conditions listed when we finally applied for better insurance.

I also need a knee replacement which I keep putting off. Also DDD. Arthritis. Many surgeries, some cancer related. But I just keep plugging along!

Mine has been a lifetime of pain but I really do not let it get me down.
I went for a bike ride today. Weather is my biggest enemy. Any barometric change. I live in a hot, dry climate but we get a lot of wind storms.

I wish it was a problem that lasted only 10 years!
Posted 5/25/2015 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, SignturePink, and welcome! Fibro is not considered a progressive illness. It will wax and wane but doesn't get worse and worse. I was experiencing that a few years back and saw a rheumy and I found out I had another illness on top of Fibro that was causing me the excess pain. I was treated for it and now I'm back where I was before the excessive pain started. I've had Fibro for 28 years so far and have had a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness.

Do read Fibro 101... The first thread on the forum. There is a ton of info in that thread.

Also. Why don't you do an introductory thread to introduce yourself. This way our members will know you have arrived and will welcome you.

Sherrine
Posted 5/26/2015 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
On that note, last year i thought my fibro was going crazy, and it turned out my vit d levels had crashed after a brutal winter...

So its also possible to have other issues that make the symptoms seem to be so much worse..

I have read there are 5 to 7 variations of fibro and i have a genetic form, from my mom ,and i had symptoms even as a child , got really bad in my 30's and then somewhat better with medical help..i still occassionally need help from a form of gentle manipulations done by a physical therapist..

It is good to know that our flares will pass!!
Posted 5/27/2015 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Wouldn't it be great, or would it? I have had to learn so much about myself the world and others because of this syndrome. I hate that I have this but I try to focus on those little gifts the hard things in life make us see.
( currently in the toughest years of my pain, WHAM)
blessings
Posted 5/29/2015 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Sherrine! I am an old member it has just been awhile since I've posted. I'm glad to be in touch again. I am relieved to learn that fibro is not progressive!! I'll be reading and in touch.
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