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Posted 7/9/2012 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Brand new (or I guess two months old) in the fibro realm.  I am a mom of 4, oldest 11 youngest 15 months.  I have been having pain for the past couple of years progressively getting worse.  Met with my PCP, had multiple blood draws, but of course nothing ever showed.  Kept going back and forth to my PCP until she referred me to a Rheumatologist who took one look, saw my multitudes of labs, and said no doubt, you have fibromyalgia.  Did a few more blood tests and put me on Lyrica.  I know this is not an overnight fix, boy oh boy do I wish it was.  Thrilled to be part of this group now.  Looking forward to speaking with you guys. 
Posted 7/9/2012 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, FibroMom, and welcome! We're not glad you have to be here, of course, but glad you found us. It makes such a huge difference to have a supportive group of people who actually understand what you're going through.

If you haven't seen it already, take a look at the first thread on the list, "Fibro 101." It's been painstakingly compiled over the years, mostly by Sherrine, one of our moderators. You can rely on its information, and there's a lot of it.

I was also afflicted by fibro when I was a young mother, about 25 years ago, though I had tendencies before then. Who knows what actually triggered it....anyway, looking forward to getting to know you, too!

Debbie
Posted 7/9/2012 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the fibro family! Being a mom of 4, you must be a busy lady...hope you are pacing yourself :)

Now that you have your diagnosis figured out you will learn what helps you. We are all so differant that differant meds work differantly for differant people. I'm hoping the Lyrica helps you. I'm on Savella and muscle relaxers for fibro.

Many of us find that exercise helps...doing gentle stretches throughout the day is helpful and I enjoy walking. Soaking in a tub and using moist heating pads soothe aching muscles.

I'm sorry that you have fibro but glad you have found us. We understand the daily grind and are here to support one another. I've found this group to be very caring.

If you haven't already, checkout fibro 101 on the top of the page...great info for us fibromites.

Post often...we care :)

hugs, Robin
Posted 7/9/2012 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, FibroMom, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined the family!  We have wonderful members who love to help one another and, as a bonus, we really do care about each other, too.  I think you will like it here.

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  It really is chocked full of info and knowledge is power with this illness.  I know others have guided you to this thread but I mentioned it again because it's important to understand your illness because you have to be your own advocate with fibro.  So, do read it.

 

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

Posted 7/9/2012 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Firbomom,

And of four... Wow, that is a lot of work. And to have fibromyalgia on top of it... But you can do it. As somebody mentioned above, pacing yourself and keeping a good attitude gets you through. As for the lyrica, give it a good six to eight weeks to reach it's full potential. Though it could start helping sooner. And it probably will be a gradual thing. I hope that it works for you. There are other things to try to help yourself along. Keeping stress to a minimum, walking and/or exercising, meditation and more. We can share what works for us and hopefully that will help you along. Just know that fibromyalgia isn't fun, but it isn't the end of the world either. You can survive when you learn what works for you. Keep posting, have a wonderful day...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 7/9/2012 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I have 4 kids also, from age 6 to 18. I would say that 1 good thing about my Fibro is that our children are learning to do more for themselves, instead of waiting or expecting me to do everything. I tend to overdo.

Welcome to the group. I have found this site to be one of the best!
Posted 7/10/2012 6:47 AM (GMT 0)
welcome fibromomf4! I bet you are extremely busy. I was just sayig that I dont know if I could chase a baby these days. I have 2 kids and one out of the house and the other in college at home. I still feel like I am trying to keep them safe from the wordly junk out there. I guess that is a mothers job to nag! LOL

Sounds like you got some great advice already. You found the best forum to be on. My health has improved so much since I started here. It didn't happen over night. I did the change by educating myself on fibro with reading materials. I read other post and got great treatment ideas. It's like a trial and error method. Some things might work on you, but not another. It's important is ask your Dr. before trying new treatments. Simple vitamins can cause some major problems.

I have had fibro over 20 years and I have tried about almosst everything. I finally was getting no where with fibro meds the Dr. were prescribing. It was here that I made a huge change in my treatment plan. I mostly take natural vitamins for my fibro. I think the magnesium made the biggest difference. It made the muscle spams less. I do take one prescription for pain. It's called subutex. It has been a life savor for me. It's less habit forming and controls my breakthrough pain.

The biggest problem I am having is fatigue. My Dr. just told me my thyroid is low. That could be some of it. I am trying to make a change in my diet. This I have never attempted before. I hope to be eating less carbs. LOL I hope to see you around the site. Only the way you learn is ask questions, so feel free to.
Posted 7/10/2012 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi momof4, I have four also 18, 15,11, and 4! And am also newly dx with fibro, march of this yr ! And I agree that my fibro has made the kids a little more self sufficient! My 18 yr old actually can make his own lunch on bad days lololol my children were and too some extent still are as far as mom I am hungry, mom I can't find ...... etc ! I am on savella 150 mg a day, 50 mg tramadol when needed 10 mg cyclobenzaprine when needed, 800 mg magnesium a day and 25 mg DHEA a day :-) ... As my Dr says it is just a matter of finding the right cocktail for you:-)

I have even learned what to take and when according to my activities for the day, and still learning I do have limits, but my body is good at jumping up and down saying STOP! I just have to learn to stop tuning it out when the activity seems so much more appealing :-)
Posted 7/10/2012 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the warm welcomes... Have been on Fibro 101.. I have a notepad, I am such a nerd. :)

I am so thrilled to have found you guys. From what I am reading and learning is amazing. (yes I am lurking on some other posts) :)

I do greatly appreciate the insight and the warm welcomes. Definitely makes me feel like part of the family already. You guys Rock!

-Amy
Posted 7/11/2012 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Amy! I'm a mom of 4, also! Ages 28, 21, 16 & 12. I was dx-ed in May, but like many others here, have had symptoms for years and years. Mine probably way back in my 20s (i'm 48 now). I see a nuerologist and my regular dr, who is good w/ fibro too, thank goodness. It's so hard to get in to see my neurologist, popular guy! lol

I've been doing pretty poorly since January and hubby & I think it's from me hosting our annual Christmas open house/chili party for our church (hubby is the pastor). I just didn't "bounce back" and have been in a lot of pain ever since. I find that pacing myself is extremely important. Also, walking has helped me. I'm taking the supplements mentioned in fibro 101, tramadol about once a week, and a muscle relaxer (I have muscle spasms, and sometimes it includes my private parts and that's just something I don't deal w/ very well & the flexeril helps).

I hope you post often so we can get to know you better. It's so hard to be a mom and have fibro. I know for me I feel like I"m letting them down. I get very sad sometimes when I realize I can't do what I used to do. I'm trying to focus on what's ahead and not dwell on what I can't do anymore.

I get cleaning tips and encouragment from flylady.net - she encourages working in 15 minute segments so we don't over do it, and that's for normal people, so sometimes I work in 7s (7 minutes clean, then rest).

Anyway, glad you found us.
Meg
Posted 7/11/2012 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Meg, I am totally going to check out flylady.net that seems great. I am having major issues keeping house right now, and though my husband does A LOT I know it takes a toll on him. (he's insulin dependent diabetic)

I hear you about not bouncing back, I have been having the same issues. We have had birthday parties since December. December, January, February, March (the kids birthdays) lol. Seemed like every time I turned around something was going on. (and still is)

Nap time? :)

Glad to have found you guys too.

-Amy
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