HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

what causes fibro

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/11/2010 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
This may bet a little long so I will apologize before I even start.  I have heard and read that many people who have fibro have had a serious car accident, serious surgery of some other severe physical pain.  I have had none of those. However, my youngest son commited suicide about a year before I started having symptoms. My question is, has anyone heard of someone getting fibro after an emotionally traumatic experience?  I will leave it at that for now. I have other questions, but I will save them for another thread. (I am surprised at how emotional I got just asking that question).
Posted 10/11/2010 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, Ema, I'm so sorry to hear about your son.  That had to be horrible.  I hope you have found some peace now.  I'll be praying for that for you. 

 

Doctors don't know what causes fibro but I have heard of emotional trauma bringing it on, along with accidents, illnesses, viruses, surgery, etc.  What you went through and are going through could certainly bring fibro to the surface, in my humble opinion. 

 

How can you not be emotional when you bring this tragedy to the surface?  But, crying is about the best thing you can do.  It releases the pressure that builds and it does help with fibro.  When I start feeling really tense and tight, I'll head to the shower and have a good cry.  My red eyes are mistaken for getting soap in them.  smilewinkgrin    I always feel a lot better after that.

 

Since we don't know what causes this illness, it's best to focus on how to live your live in spite of this illness.  You are wasting precious energy thinking about something that isn't proven and doesn't really help you.  Instead, try to look at all your blessings.  I'm sure you have a lot of them.  I can't imagine how much you miss your child but you have other children that need you now.  Your youngest child is safe and is at peace so it's time to take care of yourself and your family. 

 

I know when my husband passed on at an early age, I felt my life was over.  Actually, that's when my fibrofog really kicked in!  We were in the process of relocating when he died suddenly so I had gone from having a husband and three children at home to living in a new area where I didn't know a soul!  All of the kids were grown and two of them went off to live their life.  It was a tremendous change for me that happened in a matter of days but I learned how to pick up the pieces and continue to have a good life.  I hope you are in that process too.  It takes a while but it is possible.  This could help with your pain, too.  I'm not a doctor but I think everyone knows that stress is a "killer" and can do so much to our bodies.  That's why I'm always trying to encourage members to think positively, look forward to each new day with anticipation.  It really does help.

 

I guess I wrote all of this and couldn't answer your question!  I can't wait until they figure this illness out.  I do feel confident that an answer is coming.  More time and money are now being spent to unlock this puzzle.  But, in the meantime, I'll be praying that you have total acceptance and total peace.   

 

Sherrine

Posted 10/11/2010 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry too, Ema. What an awful thing to have to go through.

I believe my nervous system has always been wired "extremely sensitively" my whole life, and it seems like that played a part. I did get a 3rd-degree back burn when I was 13 - - maybe that started things moving into high gear. The real problems started, though, when I was in my late 20s...and by the time I was 35, fibro was full-blown. I'm now 55.

I like to look at it, like Sherrine said, as something that will be cured someday. The happiness from all of us feeling good again will rise up into the clouds!!!

Debbie
Posted 10/11/2010 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Emma, I am so sorry about your son, I honestly believe that the death of someone you love is as painful as any physical pain and I really do believe that the trauma of your sons death could have brought on your fibro. I will be praying for you.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 10/12/2010 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your compassion.  I do believe that extreme emotional trauma played a large part in me getting fibromyalgia.  I think the main reason I wanted to ask the question here is because I needed to know that it is at least a possibility since I have never heard of anyone having it that did not go through an actual physical trauma. I also agree that emotional trauma (especially a mother losing her child in such a horrific manner) is as bad as any physical trauma could be).  It means so much to me that I have found a site where I feel credible and accepted.

Sherrine - would you please put a block on this now or whatever you need to do. I do not want to make this about me losing my son. I have a very good support group for that and I really want this site to be about the pain of fibro and how to live with it. This is  a wonderful place to learn and vent about this disease and hopefully I will be able to help someone the way you have all helped me.

 

Posted 10/12/2010 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
Depression has its hurts and pains also. Please look at that also.

Hara

Posted 10/12/2010 7:42 AM (GMT 0)
Ema, your question makes perfect sense. Before my symptoms were so pronounced, I use to be a very strong person. My hubby was in the navy, so I had to move all over with 3 kids in tow. Stress, bring it on.

Five years ago, I got really sick with a sinus infection that was being very stubborn to kick. During that time, my father just took his last breath and was gone. It was faster than a snap of the fingers. It was so unexpected for this strong 73 yr old man who had just been out chopping a tree up that day to just die.

During his funeral, I was shaking. My husband tried to console me and said for me to try and pull it together and stop crying. I told him, "I'm not crying. I am just shaking." I felt a pop from the top of my head that went to the soles of my feet on Jan 10, 2005 sitting on the front row of the church during the funeral. After that, I was a different person. My fibro started. I still was very sick with the sinuses and then it went on to mono later that year that wiped out my immune system.

I crumbled. The slightest stress will make my knees buckle now.

I really think that this illness is so strange in how it affects each of us. My comfort comes from knowing that one day the Lord will wipe this all away and we will have new bodies that do not know what pain is like.

I pray that you find comfort and peace.

(((Gentle hugs)))
Posted 10/12/2010 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
mrsppm - The shaking is what happened to me!  I was shaking so hard I could not even hold onto anything and it went on for a couple of years.  When the fibro set in, it got worse for a while and now I don't shake much unless I am having a flare. All of the physical ways that my body reacted to the stress is what convinced me that the fibro came from the emotional trauma.  I guess is makes sense since we know that other illnesses are caused by stress.  Like you, I know that I will not live in pain forever.  I like to believe that there will be a big breakthrough in my lifetime. But if not, I still know that the Lord will wipe it all away when I go Home.

Hara, thankyou - I will look into the depression.  Maybe I have ignored it long enough

 

Posted 10/12/2010 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
Ema, I am so sorry for the terrible loss you have suffered. I pray that your son is at peace now w/ the Lord.

I have had Fibro all my life, the symptoms I have now have always been a part of my life. The difference is they have gone full blown in the last 14 yrs. Amother lady and I got sick at work at the same time (this happened several times, actually). We both developed pneumonia, went to the same dr, even. She was back to work in 2 wks, I was out for 6 wks. She was doing great by the time I got back, I never got my 'groove' back. Shortly after I came back my darling nephew got married to a lovely girl, we were all so happy. 2 months later my darling nephew died of a massive heart attack. He was just a young man preparing for his final test for joining the police. It was devastating to our whole family. I love all my nieces and nephews, but this boy/man and I were extremely close. He was 'my' boy.

Since that time, my Fibro has kicked into high gear. I have had more weird illnesses and strange things happen to my body. I have dealt w/ depression, after denying it for so long. I hated to admit that something was wrong and I couldn't fix it myself.

I believe Fibro can come on for a variety of reason. Accidents, horrible events in our lives, tremendous stress, etc. I don't know if their is some genetic thing going on, just waiting for the right stressor to put everything in motion.

I have gone thru the shaking and the pain that takes over my whole body and literally brings me to my knees. Last yr I had a series of events that caused my whole body to become paralyzed. I was hospitalized, it wasn't a stroke, it was stress.

Some day I hope this stupid disease is eliminated. Right now what we have is some info from the medical world and lots of support from the ppl here. We can be strong together, this forum has been a blessing for so many of us.

My thoughts and prayers are w/ you.

God bless.  Alice. 

Posted 10/12/2010 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
The more I read all your responses the more I realize that although I said I did not want to make this about losing my son, maybe that's exactly what it is about.  I not only got fibro but I get sick easier, pull muscles easier, can't sleep, depressed,. I could keep going but it all seems to go back to the same thing.  Thank you all for sticking with me and helping me to see that I need to turn around and face my pain instead of trying to run away from it. The challenge of living with the pain of fibro is overwhelming, but maybe if I can find a way to (for lack of a better work) "accept" the issues surrounding the death of my son, I could maybe, just maybe, get a little relief from the emotional stuff. Ya think?
Posted 10/12/2010 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Ema, I totally agree with your last post.  It is very important to face any illness head on and figure out how to get it under control so you can live your life.  I didn't see your post asking me to lock the thread because I was in bed by that time!  It looks like that was good because you seem to be coming to some realizations now that just might help you a lot.  BUT, if you still want me to lock the thread, I'll be glad to do that for you.  I'll be waiting to hear from you, either by emailing me (click on the envelope under my name at the side of my post) or by telling me in this thread.  I'll be checking this thread now.

 

I hope you start to feel better.

 

Sherrine

Posted 10/12/2010 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Emma,  I had 3 surgeries & 5 hospital stays about 10 or 11 years ago.  Female problems.  I also had hepatitis C, treated for 6 months and cleared the live virus, that was 3 years ago.  The hep C is what eventually did me in, I haven't been the same since.

I know that you didn't want to make this about your son and I am so very sorry.  My sister was killed in a car wreck in 1984, we were only 15 months apart in age and very close.  I still haven't gotten over the emotional wreck that affects me a few times a year.

This is a great forum for support and questions....welcome

Posted 10/13/2010 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Sherrine - I think I would rather leave this open. I had no idea I would such an eye opening.  I think maybe I was led to this site for some very special reasons.

GSDgirl - I am sorry you lost your sister in such a tragic accident.  I know how sometimes it all seems like it just happened. I don't get any warning when that is going to happen but I am finding that as time goes by it's not all as intense.  I doubt that we ever "get over it" but I am starting to believe after asking my questions (thanks to my new fibro family) that I can find some peace most of the time.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply