New person here

I have fibro and was diagnosed in 2005.  I also have been diagnosed this year with Chronic fatigue and costocondritis (Sp?).

I am on a medical leave from work at this time.  I hope to be back soon.

I have a hard time with meds.  I have bad reactions so i can't take any of the "fibromyalgia related" drugs...( Lyrica..Cymbalta....).

 I am currently trying a few others to help me sleep.  If these work...my doc thinks I have a good chance of feeling a lot better and returning to work.  I enjoy spending time reading about other people and what they are going through.  I guess it helps me feel less alone in all of this.

Enough about me.  I hope to hear from you all soon.

Thanks,

Holding On

I use over the counter pain meds and a couple of supplements that help me.  These are malic acid/magnesium supplements and vitamin D3 supplements.  Several members on this forum have gotten some relief with these too.

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links are Symptoms and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  There are links to the supplements I mentioned above, too.

Be sure to keep moving.  If you sit or lay too much, you will be stiff as a board and have more pain.  I do gentle stretching exercises (found in Fibro 101) and I walk daily.  I also swim.  This does help with the pain and I come home more energized, too.  Give it a try if you haven't already!

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  I hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine

There is a journal you might want to subscribe to, Fibromyalgia News Network and you can access it online. They published a study, albeit a small study a couple of months ago about the benefits of melatonin, zinc and magnesium to aid in sleep. I decided to try it since I have weaned off of all sleep medications in addition to some other prescription meds and it has helped me sleep! I discussed it with my rheumy and he cautioned me to get off melatonin every month otherwise my body might stop producing it. So I strongly recommend you discuss anything you decide to take with your doctor. The FM News is a wonderful resource. I have been subscribing to it for over 22 years, and that is when I was diagnosed with FM. I spent years trying to find the right medications and finally have come to realize that what works best for me is exercise, stretching, positive thoughts (reciting a gratitude list daily), some supplements and yes, a very few prescription meds. I hope that you find your way very soon and again, welcome!

Miriam

I can identify with all being said.  I'll tell ya, when a flare comes it is all-encompassing.  I know when I over do it...or when the weather is very humid...I'm prone to a flare. 

It used to scare me (I've had Fibro for 20 years).  Now I know that my body is signaling me to take it easier and  not push so much...

The darned flares give me such chills and fatigue...the aches wake me up from sleep.....it can make one feel very alone...but the one thing I know for sure which will be good news to all who read this,...is that the intensity does pass, at least for me. 

I tend to over do it when I feel good and really sabotage myself....it's so crazy.

I have learned to just try to "coast thru" the bad days...and distract myself with t.v., sleep, etc....and soon my body has a chance to re-coop from whatever stress has made it "act out " in the first place.  Sometimes with me it can be good stress, like painting furniture and decorating until all hours of the night.  It's my passion...but trust me when I tell you, I pay later.

I hope this has helped someone....

Any input you all can send my way about the chills without fever would help me.  Thanks.