Hello...New here

I've been doing some online research trying to possibly figure out what might be going on with me and in my search came across this forum. 

I have not been diagnosed with fibro but seem to have many symptoms or other problems associated with FMS so I was hoping I could pick your brains a little bit.  I realize that you aren't doctors and I'm not looking for an armchair dx...just an opinion or two from people who seem to be living with some of the same issues that I have. 

Here are some of the things I'm am dealing with and for how long.  Alot of this stuff I've never been to the dr. for as individually most of them aren't a big deal for me but if I lump them all together...well that is a different story.  And in all honesty, I am tired of just dealing with all this stuff without  any answers. 

All over flu like pain.  I feel this alot in my legs around my knees and in my hands and wrists.  It isn't really joint pain though...its hard to describe. I've had this problem for 2 or 3 years at least.

I'm tired ALOT.  Not so tired I can't function but tired enough that I don't want to function much.  This has been progressive for me.

I don't sleep well.  I take tylenol PM to help me go to sleep but still rarely feel rested upon waking. (years I've had this problem) 

I'm very stiff in the mornings and just icky feeling (part of this is from the tylenol pm I"m sure.)

I suffer from depression although I quit taking meds along time ago because it seemed to me they didn't help nearly as much as they should.  I also suffer

from anxiety and what I believe is social anxiety disorder although no dx on that either. 

I have very heavy/painful/frequent menstral periods. 

I have IBS symptoms but no diagnosis. 

I have horrible neck and back pain.  

I have horrible headaches in the early morning that go away soon after waking or in changing position and going back to sleep.  I've always associated this with my back pain. 

Very recently I've started having abdominal pain, starts out sharp and becomes a burning sensation.  

So, on to my questions....

1) Do these seem like some of the things that sent people suffering with fibro in search of a dx?

2) Do you believe that fibro is the cause of the other symptoms/conditions you have?

3) Do you treat each issue independently or do you treat the fibro and it helps the other stuff?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Lynda

Hi Lynda,

Sounds a lot like me, too.  I get this wave of flu like symptoms and feel feverish (without a fever) and achy all over.  I also get heavy limbs - like they suddenly are made of lead and exhaustion - and a bunch of the other things.  I had to ask my doc to check me for fibromyalgia.  She checked for lupus and ra and the tests came back normal.  I went online and searched and searched for an answer - what looks like ra, but isn't ra?  Kind of like solving a riddle.  When you ask if you treat the symptoms individually, I think all the stuff is fibro.  But I am still new, too and don't really know for sure.  Have you talked to your doctor?  Ask him or her to screen you for fibromyalgia.

Good luck,

Sue

Hi, Lynda, and welcome!  Well, it sure sounds like much of what I have but fibromyalgia mimics other illnesses so you can't be sure until you go through the testing to rule the other illnesses out. 

I see you have been directed to the Fibro 101 thread.  There are links to good information about fibro in there including a list of symptoms and also a link to What Else Could It Be.  This might help you.

Many see a rheumatologist for their fibromyalgia.  I see a board certified Internist.  But, whatever doctor you see, make sure the believe fibromyalgia exisis.  Believe it or not, there are still some doctors back in the Dark Ages.

I started out with pain in my heels and terrible pain in my elbows that shot, like electricity, down to my hands.  That was the worst of the pain I had, but I had other pain as well.  As other symptoms came on me I would get them checked out if I thought they could be major.  For example, I started getting heart palpatations a few years ago.  That can be a symptom of fibro but I wanted to be sure.  My doctor ran several heart tests, including having me wear a monitor, and my heart was fine so I don't worry about them when they happen.  You just have to use your head and your "gut" instinct.  You know your body better than anyone. 

I'm so glad you found us and joined it.  We have wonderful members that love to help others so you couln't have found a better place to come.  Let us know what you do find out because we really do care.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine