New to Fibro, not sure where to go from here

Hello Everyone!

I am new here. I was diagnosed in May with Fibromyalgia, in August with IBS and lactose intolerance. I have been looking at the Fibro 101 link, which has been very helpful. I looked at the list of common symptoms--I never realized that so many of the things that I feel are connected! That is a relief, to be sure, to know that Im not crazy. Looking back, Ive been suffering from these issues for almost ten years, and Im only 23. It is hard for me, as Im sure it is for others, to feel supported because no one understands what it is that Im dealing with. My boyfriend's mother had it, and he understands some of it, but still... I am looking forward very much to the support of a community of those like me.

I remember at 8, I had my first migraine; as early as 13 or 14 starting to feel run down, then starting to have problems with my blood sugar and hyperventilation, as well as vertigo; during high school I started having the muscle pain, sleeplessness, and back pain (curved spine), and my vision rapidly degenerated; after graduation I started having problems with depression and was given several antidepressants, even as recently as July when I swore Id never take another (bad reactions); about 5 years ago I started having TMJ symptoms, and my jaw pops frequently. I have always had mood swings and most of the time I couldnt keep my legs still at night, and it would keep me awake. I never made any fuss about all of the things I felt, because the couple times I started to, my mother kept calling me a hypochondriac, saying that I only wanted the attention (the same woman who let me sit on the frozen ground for half an hour when I fell and broke my shoulder, before calling the EMS).

Anyway, I know you've probably all heard these things or felt them before. But thanks for listening :)

The condition is bad, but I hope you feel better just knowing you have validation that you know you aren't crazy. Don't be too hard on the mom though, I have 4 kids & I am guilty of thinking my daughter was overreacting one time when she really had a small fracture. We're not perfect just because we gave birth.

Hi Jaden,

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum. As for your depression, it sounds like you may have some issues with your mom that you need to sort out. I would check into counseling and go over these. It really helps.

There is a thread called "fibro 101". It is the second thread on the forum. Take a look at it. I am sure that you will find it helpful. There is a wealth of information there.

I hope that your symptoms subside soon. Try to remember that stress plays a huge role in fibromyalgia. So keep your life as stress free as possible.

Do as much reading here as you can. You will find it very helpful. Keep posting. Never give up. Take life one day at a time. Try to walk as much as you can. Even if it hurts some. You need to keep as mobile as possible. I know it sounds crazy, and it is hard to do. But you are much farther ahead if you stay as active as you possibly can.

Take care,

Have a Merry Christmas,

Hugs, Karen

I discontinued soda and started drinking water and got back into walking a little and lost 25 pounds. I was addicted to fountain pop for a long time. I didn't realize how much sugar that there is in it.

It sounds like you are lactose intolerant? Is that the right word. If it causes you that much discomfort after you injest it. I don't drink much milk. I do take calcium though.

As for the counseling, if you can find a mental health facility that operates on what is called a sliding scale, you can get low cost to free counseling depending what your income is. There is also a website that can help you called mood gym. It is totally free. http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome. Just copy and paste that in your browser. A lot of members on the depression forum say it is a good site.

I would try a little walking. Maybe five minutes to start. And if you are in cold weather as I am, you can walk in place. Maybe do a few days of five minutes and gradually increase to twenty minutes a day. It does really help. Physically and mentally.

I know how it feels to be over weight. And it makes everything harder. I think a sensible meal plan and eating raw fruits and vegies helps. I have been really struggling right now because everything is based around food. Everywhere I go, there is food. And sweet food. So it is hard not to endulge. But remember everything in moderation.

I am glad that you are still trying. Just don't give up and let fibromyalgia win. Do you have money to see a doctor? Maybe they can prescribe you some medications to help you. Can you get meds on insurance? Do you have insurance at all? It is so hard if you don't. But there are programs that can help you.

Remember, fibromyalgia can be tolerated. But it takes a lot of work. You have to keep moving. I know it is hard, but start really gradual. You can do it. We all have problems getting started, but with eachother's encouragement, it can be done.

Know that there are usually more people posting on the forum. I guess most of us are with friends and family right now. So you will get more responses and probably even better advice than I can give. I am fortunate, I have most of my symptoms under control with various meds. But there some who choose not to take them. For a cheap supplement, I do recommend vitamin D3. It is inexpensive and helps your mood and how you feel physically too. I take 2000 iu a day. And it helps. Also some of us take malic acid/magnesium. It helps too. So there are different routes to take in fighting the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia.

Best wishes to you.

Hugs, Karen

Hi, Jaden, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  We do have a great group of members and I think you will like it here.

 

Karen gave you great advice about counseling.  You mentioned there were several things that upset you.  The best advice I can give you is to take one day at a time and not project  yourself in the future.  Stress and anxiety just make the pain worse with fibro.  The counseling could help de-stress you, too. 

 

Holding all the animosity in is so bad for you and it doesn't solve any problems either.  It sounds like you have had a lot of hurtful things happen to you and even at the hand of your mother.  That is really sad.  I'm so sorry this has happened to you.

 

This probably will sound very strange to you but I do believe in prayer and so I pray for my "enemies".  I had one person who was so deceitful and hateful and tried to destroy my friendship with another person.  Of course, I wanted to wring her neck!  The things she did were horrible and I actually had to force myself to pray for her and to pray that I could forgive her.  It was tough but the more I did this, the more peace I had and I eventually I was able to forgive her.  She is NOT a part of my life anymore but I don't have that hatred and animosity for her either.  The stress over her is gone and I'm at peace with this and happy, too.  So, if you are a praying person, you might even try this.  The calmness will help with the pain you are having.

You do need to keep moving with fibro.  If you sit or lay too long, you will be stiff as a board.  There are some good stretching exercises in Fibro 101 that do help.  I also have a daily gentle exercise that I do.  I walk daily and sometimes swim.  Both of these are good for fibro.  Yoga is another good one.  If you live in a cold climate, you can get walking-in-place videos to do in your home.  The one I have I use for only 15 minutes and it's equivalent to walking a mile.

Pacing yourself is also good.  Everything will get done but in a different time frame.  Moist heat is wonderful.  I feel so much better after a hot shower.  Many here have a Bed Buddy.  You can find these at Walgreen's and other places or you can make your own by taking a tube sock, filling it 2/3's full of raw long grain rice and tying a know at the end.  Pop this in the microwave and it gives off moist heat due to the moisture in the rice.

I'm deficient in vitamin D3 and I take 5,500 IU a day, counting the D in my calcium supplements and my multiple vitamin.  I take 1,200 mg of calcium with D, too.  I also take malic acid/magnesium supplements and they have helped me and others on this forum with pain and fatigue.  There is a link in Fibro 101 about these.  I get mine at Puritan.com.  They have great sales so the price is really very good.  I don't have vested interest in this site but wanted to share that because the prices are good.

 

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 and Merry Christmas!

 

Sherrine

 

Sugar is MY Kryptonite too! I am also lactose intolerant but I have been "bad" lately with the holidays! That Silk Soymilk (I get the DHA one) is pretty good -- I use it on cereal. The ingredients are much healthier than cow milk, it has more protein and even lasts longer than cow's milk. If you haven't tried it, give it a shot.

Merry Christmas, Jaden!  Well, if you overdo, you can go in a flare.  The flares can last hours and sometimes much longer.  I've had flares last for several months because of the heat and humidity in the summer here in Florida.  Sometimes we have absolutely no idea why we are having the flare.  We just need to use techniques like moist heat, stretching exercises, and gentle movements to help us be more comfortable.  Of course, there is always this forum.  I find if I focus on something else, the pain fades in the background a little.

 

Yes, we can feel like our skin is burned.  Yesterday, I was awakened at 5:30 AM because the skin on my heel was burning...obviously bad enough to awaken me.  So, this isn't unusual.

 

Sherrine

When you go into a flare, you will know it. Your pain and fatigue is much worse. Sometimes flu like feelings. You will definately know it. I haven't had a flare in more than a year or so. I seem to be able to keep my pain under control. And like Sherrine says, if you focus on something else, your pain fades into the background. Sort of a little mind over matter so to speak.

If you think about fibromyalgia too much it will drive you absolurely crazy. I take each day as it comes and go with the flow of life. That is easy to do, but does take some practice. Learn as much as you can but don't let it control you to the point that you are thinking of nothing else.

Reading on Fibro 101 will answer a lot of your questions, and don't hesitate to ask away... We are always here to help you.

Hugs, Karen

Welcome here! Dont worry about asking questions. You will benefit from the knowledge. I hope it improves your fibro like mine has. I feel like I can be part of society again. I use to be in severe chronic pain and depression. I now feel I have learned how to manage them better.