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Posted 6/27/2015 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
In my early 20's I had anxiety and as I aged it seemed it went more into physical symptoms and the anxiety was hardly noticeable.

Then as I aged more the bouts of IBS - TMJ - fatigue turned into severe fibro pain. Now the pain is about a 6 and the stiffness is about a 9
Posted 6/27/2015 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Do you take any anti inflammatory? I cannot move from stiffness without this..

What do you do for pain ?
Posted 6/27/2015 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I think anxiety plays a big role as an early, "pre-condition" for fibro. It was for me anyway, had it for years long before any real fibro symptoms. Even though I have my anxiety under control (and have for years) I think it's still a contributor. Sleep apnea is another usual pre-condition. Have that one too.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Lmj, I have extreme stiffness, and NSAIDs have done zero to reduce it, so you're comment is interesting.
Posted 6/28/2015 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Tom - NSAIDS do nothing for my pain or stiffness
Posted 6/28/2015 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Anxiety/stress and pain definitely can act in a circular way - each making the other worse. A lot of our anxiety/stress shows up in the body, then the symptoms increase the anxiety/stress.

Magnesium might help with both, it calms the muscles and can help calm your nervous system/mind as well.
Posted 7/1/2015 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Believe me, i would love to be off of them, but over time i would try to wean off and be stiff as a board and have to go back on...

My pt says its neuro inflammation , rather than what shows in the blood
Posted 7/1/2015 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Ps, if i was not on the meds, i would want to try things like turmeric or curamin first..to see if i could avoid the meds...
Posted 7/1/2015 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
My PT doctor who specializes in the pelvic floor area has helped me with my extremely tight pelvic muscles.

My cranial sacral massage therapist has also helped me with my overall muscle stiffness. She says I'm getting more oxygen into my body. Before seeing them it was impossible for me to take a deep breath. It's still hard for me to try to breathe deeply but if I concentrate hard enough I can.

I'm not cured, I don't expect that, but I'm being helped. I'm very thankful for that.
Posted 7/1/2015 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
I definitely get into cycles where my anxiety gets pretty bad. I'm pretty good now with being able to calm myself down so that it doesn't turn into a full blown panic attack. My anxiety had been getting really bad for about 5 years before my Fibro switch was "turned on". I often wonder if I had gotten it under control then - maybe I wouldn't have developed Fibro.:(
Posted 7/4/2015 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I truly believe there is a strong connection with GAD ( generalized anxiety disorder) panic attacks and agoraphobia. I believe that if these conditions are not able to get under control either by medication or cognitive behavior therapy then in the long run it flips the switch in the brain that causes it to process signals as pain.

I know this was the case for me and also for many others that I have talked to. However this is not the case for everyone some people experience Fibro after a physical injury and others experience Fibro for no apparent reason at all.

It is a very slippery slope lots of checks and balances I believe getting anxiety and depression under control will greatly help your pain or getting your pain under control will greatly help anxiety and depression.

Fear is a motivating factor with this condition. the fear of what if what if I can't do this what if I can't work what if my friends and family leave me what if what if what if.....

You have to start empowering yourself with positive thinking. Sherrine and myself are big believers in this.

One of my favorite things in this world is the ocean. When standing in the middle of it at Wrightsville Beach last year.I thought about what I read in Fibro 101 . Sometimes you don't see the waves coming and they knock you down. Other times you are able to ride the wave safely to the shore. The key is for each individual to figure out how to ride that wave so it's less impactful and positive thinking is a good way to start.

Have a great 4 th everyone!!!
Michael
Posted 7/4/2015 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Michael, appreciate your words.

Barb
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