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Flexibility and FMs

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 7/20/2008 7:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, am very new here and new to forums in general.

I have a question.

I recently visited a "pain management" doctor, who while trying to diagnose me- decided that I was too flexible and too young to really have fibromyalgia.

while i understand that my chronic pain hasn't limited my flexibility much, I didn't realize that that excluded me from a "re-diagnoses" of this condition. (i was diagnosed as a military dependent of my father when i was a teenager, by a military doctor.) I still feel chronic pain, aching, soreness, exhaustion and many other symptoms.

my question is- does good flexibility and mobility mean someone can not have fibromyalgia?

Posted 7/20/2008 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Black Bird, and welcome!  The answer to your question is "Nope!"  I'm very flexible because I keep doing stretching exercises.  But, I do have fibro and I do have muscle pain.  I was at the dermatologist office a week ago.  He needed to check the back of my legs.  I can't lay on my stomach due to a hernia so I got off the table, put my back to the table and proceeded to lift my leg backwards and lay it on the table so the doctor could check my skin.  I did the same with the other leg.  He couldn't believe it, since I'm 61 years old.  He said very few people could do that and wondered what I did to stay so flexible.  So, flexibility has nothing to do with fibro.

 

Since you are new here and new to forums, I just want to tell you that you came to a good place.  We have a lot of wonderful people here that will help you and give some great advice.  Be sure to check out the Fibro 101 thread.  It's the second thread on the first page of the forum.  There are links to some good information about fibromyalgia.  Also, when you get a chance, read through some of the threads on the forum.  There is a world of information in them.

 

Meanwhile, I'm so glad you joined us and am looking forward to hearing more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/20/2008 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Blackbird,

I too would like to welcome you to the forum.

I agree with Sherrine, I too continue to do gentle stretching and I am still flexable. So I don't think that doctor knows what they are talking about. Try to continue to stay flexable. Because once you stop, you get stiff.

I hope that your doctor will understand fibro better and believe in your illness. It does get frustrating, doesn't it?

Best wishes and keep posting,
hugs, Karen
Posted 7/20/2008 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Blackbird, my rheumy said that I am hyperflexible. I hyperextend both my elbows and knees all the time, and always have. I used to be able to put both feet behind my head at the same time and also do chinese splits. The dr. says a lot of people with fibro have been hyperflexible in their lives. I am still pretty flexible, but not like Sherrine. =]. Diane
Posted 7/21/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Blackbird and welcome to our family. Like RedDiane I use to be a human pretzel so flexibility has nothing to do with fibro. Recently pain doc and physical therapist were both surprised at how flexible I still am at almost 58. I had to work on stretching my muscles when I was young to do the splits, flips and all that.

 

You need to find another doc. In the mean time stick with us and read, read and read some more. Starting with fibro 101.

 

Oh, and your never too young to have fibro either.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 7/21/2008 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so very much.
it's wonderfully comforting to find a supportive place to come and get information.
I WILL continue to read this site and continue to inform myself on all of this.
thank you again, very much. I hope I can learn much more and become more healthy.

Black Bird.
Posted 7/21/2008 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and Welcome!! I totally agree. Fibro knows no age! Plus flexibility isn't an issue either. This doc need some education and you need a new doctor...not necessarily in that order...lol Serious, please find a good doc to work with. Without a great medical team it's a constant fight and we sure don't need that.

Hugs,
Chutzie
Posted 7/23/2008 6:59 AM (GMT 0)
Actually, people who are very flexible, hyper mobile, are at risk for getting fibromyalgia.

Doctor's can be pretty ignorant and understanding flexibility can confuse them. Many former athletes have fibro.

I have had therapists and doctors express their surprise for my flexibility. One swore that since I used a wheel chair to get around, I would have limited muscle range in my legs and hips. She was wrong.

In addition I swim for 2 hours per day six days per week. I try to do some Tai Chi but my swimming is such a hard workout that I usually do not feel like it. However, I am more flexible than most of the people in my class.

I stretch every day in the water and quite often on land. I still have fibro. lol

Take care of yourself, Donnaeil
Posted 7/23/2008 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
Donniaeil,

I am wanting to study tai chi, could you explain a litlle to me. I got a book on it, but it isn't discriptive enough for me to understand. I would love it if you could give me some idea of what the main thing is. I know it has to do with balance and the inner core. But don't really know what I am doing. I feel good afterward, because of mind and body connection. So if you could please explain it a little bit, I would very much appreciate it. Or maybe you could recommend another book. The one I ended up getting was tai ji. And it just doesn't explain enough.

Thank you
hugs, Karen...
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