This is as bad as it gets... right?

So, I've had fibro for about three years now - They think my car accident in April 2006 is what triggered it. But I was diagnosed last year (April 2008). Before that, I figured my arthritis was getting worse, or I'd developed RA or even Lupus (the symptoms fit).

My fibro seems to attack my joints - bilaterally - as well as my muscles. I've always had the drained feeling for as long as I can remember I've answered, "tired" to "how are you?" It's just gotten exponentially worse these last three years.

I, of course, have my good days, and my bad days. But the worse of my bad days from the past three years - that's as bad as it gets, right? Fibromyalgia isn't degenerative from what I understand. So unless I develop something else (no thank you, please)... I shouldn't get any worse.

Right? Because if the worst of my bad days is as bad as it gets, I think I can bear this... but if it gets worse, well, I dunno how much longer I can keep on keeping on with a smile on my face.

Hi there! You ask some good questions. I believe that FM is progressive, even if indirectly; I have seen serious changes in my physical and cognitive functioning that began a while prior to being Dx in early 2003. I do agree with you that combatting individual challenges [in other words beating them into submission!] is a good strategy, and then living life one day at a time, using every resource you have. I am glad you are able to deal with this with a smile, thats a great way to cope with life in general; but with FM, it makes a big difference. I have made lots of changes to my diet and such that seem to be helping, such as adding vitamin d, and omega 3s, things like this. Keep on keeping on with that smile and remember, we are all in this together!
PEACE!

Hmm..I have definitely noticed an increase in my symptoms over the years. I don't know if this means that fibro is progressive, or if it just feels like it is. Sometimes I think that it's not so much that things have actually gotten worse, it's just that I've gotten more worn down from the chronic nature of it and so it seems like it's worse.

Dear Patheral; My situation mimics yours closely. I was diagnosed with Fibro around 1994, thereabouts. I was raising two teenage boys singlehandedly, while working 2 or 2.5 jobs, taking any overtime I could get, including working 16 hour shifts, if needed. I relied on Amyltriptilene, 75 mgs. at around 8 Pm and was asleep by 10PM, up 5AM. Then things started to go downhill, as my son was beaten at school by bullies, the system would not help me, I had to place him in private school at great financial cost. Bills piled up, and Just as I was beginning to see financial recovery, I was hit, by a truck, while crossing in a crosswalk. Neck and back and ankle injuries, persist till this day. I never really was able to get back to work after that. Wouldn't even drive downtown, after that.  So, here I sit, on very low Social Assistance, hoping to get CPP Disability. (Like SS, in US.) I am beginning to wonder what next. I feel like I should check into an institution, I am weak, always tired, frustrated cause I can't even get the little things done, and today, I had two serious accidents. I slipped in the Bath and nearly struck my head on Toilet as I came crashing through the shower curtain, landing awkwardly sideways on BR floor, it took forever to get up. I have been waking up in tremendous pain this past four or so days, so much so, I have to take antihistamines, pain meds, and all regular meds and stay in bed untill they kick in. They are not really controlling the pain. Frustrating. The meds are not strong enough for this phase I'm in, might as well be popping M&M's. Also, just now, while logging on, I knocked a lamp over and as I grabbed for it, I got a serious burn on my hand. Yesterday, my little dog almost wrenched my left arm out of it's socket by twisting around and bolting after a stray cat.  Three weeks back, I was in emergency for chest pain, and was given a med that almost killed me. They wouldn't tell me what it was, said it was "muscle relaxer, no, it was an amphetamine, and w my hypertension, I had a bad reaction. I am trying really hard, to get extra money to survive on by selling my belongings, but nobody wants to pay anything for them, and as I'm selling from need, it hurts to part with stuff I love, just to buy groceries, medicine, car insurance. My youngest son, cleaned out my savings, and I don't think he realises what I've given up to help him launch his career. I was more productive, more efficient, more able to cope at age 4, than I am now. Then, to answer your question, is Fibro progressive?, I don't think it is, but accidents and aging make it seem progressive. If I had hit my head, I would still be lying in the BR, nobody would find me until my son comes back from his week away. He sees me as dependent, and needs to get away from me, for a youth break, but I don't know. I haven't heard from or seen any friends or family in eons, it's like they think it's contagious, or I'm just boring, which I am. I agree, If things continue this way, I'm going to check into a hospital, or a nursing home.

Pat what part of your body was injured in the car accident?

There is a website mentioned in an earlier post, WebMD, the exact study mentioned describes, if you read the whole article and related articles, a difference in the pain receptors of Fibromites.