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Welcome Rachellou, Some of your symptoms sound quite familiar, and I'm sorry you've suffered these symptoms for so long without knowing why. I think many of us unfortunately has to experience many debilitating symptoms for a while before getting a diagnosis. You are certainly on the right track with seeking help for your symptoms from a medical doc and a resourceful place like HealingWell.

Rachellou, when I was dx some years ago, I found this site shortly afterwards, and it help to make all the difference in the world for me with restoring health. I learned a lot from others and realized I wasn't along in the daily roller coaster ride of living.

Hopefully, you will get answers from your doc soon, meanwhile, good restorative rest may help to improve many of of symptoms. Lack of restorative rest appears to be a problem for many of us, so talk to your doc about it. Also, we all have to learn to listen to our bodies even when we don't want to. This means that some of those chores will need to be put on hold for another minute, hour or day, or expect more pain in the morning. Finally, load up on some things to help keep you warm; heating blanket, clothing, etc. Hot stone massages helps me on occasion.

Hope your health starts to improve soon, and keep us posted on your diagnosis.

fibro has such a vast array of symptoms it can be really hard to pinpoint and diagnose. It would be so much easier if there was a blood test! I know once I had a diagnosis I did feel better, b/c I knew what I was dealing with and learned to cope.

It is important to pace yourself and listen to your body. For me, it is equally important to push myself and not give in... that is how I cope. But you will feel better if you move a little everyday. Moist heat helps, especially at this time of year. When I have an all over achy day, I usuallyopt for a nice hot bath.

Welcome to the board, and good luck with your doctor. Read back posts and inform yourself on this DD. The more you know, the easier it is to find coping techniques. Also, fibro and anxiety go hand in hand, and symptoms usually worsen with stress. It really helped me to know I was not alone and that my symptoms were felt by most and not threatening.

Hi, Rachel, and welcome!  I'm glad you found us and joined the family.  Yes, those symptoms do sound very familiar.  It's tough getting a diagnosis of fibro and most of us have been through the wringer trying to find out what is going on.  Be sure to let us know what you do fine out.  Okay?

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good information about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links are called Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You just might see yourself there!

 

A big piece of advice is to pace yourself.  If you have fibro, you just can't do everything you did in the same amount of time.  But, if you pace yourself, it all gets done but in a different time frame and with a lot less pain.

 

You do have to keep moving with fibro.  If you sit or lay too much, you will be stiff as a board and have more pain.  I do gentle stretching exercises (found on Fibro 101) and I walk daily.  It's a gentle exercise good for fibro, along with swimming and yoga.  I also get gentle massages and they really help me. 

 

I take supplements called malic acid/magnesium and also vitamin D3.  There are links on Fibro 101 all about these, too.  I know I've gotten help from these but what helps one with fibro doesn't necessarily help another.  You have to try things to see what will help with your pain. 

 

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

 

Sherrine

There are still some doctors out there that don't believe fibro is a true illness.  Perhaps your doctor is one of them.  If so, you need to find a doctor that treats patients with fibromyalgia. 

 

Sherrine

Worrying will just make the pain worse and not help you one bit.  Just have a plan of attack.  If you are not satisfied with this doctor, have a list of doctors to call as soon as you get home.  Many here use a rheumatologist for fibro.  I use a board certified Internist.  Lots of times, in the Yellow Pages, doctors list what illnesses they treat. Or, you can call you local hospital for some referrals.  Maybe ask if there is a fibromyalgia support group in your area.  That would be a good source for doctors' names.  But have a plan.  YOU need to be the one in control.  It's your body afterall!  Most of us have gone through this but come out ahead of the game.  So, try not to worry.  Everything will be just fine.  Just do  your homework.

 

Sherrine