I think I may have fibro..what do i do now?

Hi Nellaboo,

Yes, I would get a family doc and go from there. We have an awesome thread called "fibro 101". It is the first thread on the forum. Please take a look at it and see what you think. There is a list of symptoms there. I think you may even see yourself there.

You can't worry about what others think, you have to deal with this and try to get better. Keep moving. Being still makes it worse. I know it is hard, but you have to do it. I hope that you feel better soon. Keep posting. It really does help.

Hug, Karen

Welcome, Nellaboo.

I want to second everything Karen said! :)

If your friends are real friends, they'll stick by you, even if you aren't quite the same - if not, well, then you'll know their true colors. We've all lost people we thought we were close to...it hurts.

There is nothing easy about Fibro. I'm sorry you're afflicted at such a young age. Hopefully, even though he's not too thrilled, your boyfriend has developed some extra compassion from seeing what his mom goes through.

Yes, you need a doctor who believes in Fibro and is willing to listen, and to work WITH you. Sometimes, docs don't take us seriously (in 2012, you'd think that wouldn't be true anymore!   ) so find someone who does...I wouldn't even waste my money on one who doesn't. Ask right up-front, when you call to make an appointment. If s/he doesn't, move on to the next possibility.

I was diagnosed by an internist/allergist, which is kind of rare, but a friend had told me he was a great diagnostician. He is still my GP and treats my fibro, too. A lot of people are diagnosed by rheumatologists.

Debbie

Hi, Nellaboo, and welcome!  It does sound like you might have fibro but you do have to have other illnesses ruled out first just to be sure.  There are other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibro.  A board certified rheumatologist would be a good choice to see.  Just make sure they treat fibro patients.  Ask first.  There are still some doctors out there in the Dark Ages when it comes to this illness.

 

I'm glad you like Fibro 101.  Do read all of it.  There is a wealth of info there and you will learn a lot.  We do need to be our own advocates with this illness.

 

The only prescription med I take for fibro and another health issue I have is a muscle relaxer called Robaxin and it has helped me significantly.  It's generic, too!  I also take ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, and vitamin D3 supplements.  None of these are very expensive.

 

I also do gentle stretching exercises, walk daily as a form of exercise, and I pace myself.  Doing all of the above has helped me live a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness. 

 

I'm also a positive thinker and that has helped me as much as any medication could.  There is a link in Fibro 101 about maintaining a positive attitude when having chronic illnesses.  It's very good and I hope you read it.  You see, if you tell yourself you can't do something, then you usually can't.  I always try things first and usually can find ways around fibro to do what I want to do.  Perhaps your boyfriend's mother doesn't do that.  Some people don't.  Also, you just might be able to work.  Many with fibro do. 

 

I worked while having fibro but only for a few years.  When money got very tight, I worked in a photography studio putting class pictures together and packing the boxes for mailing.  I had been a teacher but have a significant hearing loss now so I couldn't do that anymore. Still, I could do this photography job!  So don't tell yourself you can't.  You shouldn't be terrified of working...especially if you find the right job.

 

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

 

I love all the positivity here! Me and my mom watched.this movie the secret awhile ago its about how you call things to your self and if you truley belive in your heart and mind that you can do something it will happen. Its about like the universe and all that it a very inspiring movie…shes alway telling me to quit talking or thinking negative! Ypur calling it to yourself! And when shes feeling down i tell her the same…i have a REALLY hard time with ghis i just cant seem to keep the negative thoughts away or believe in myself. My boyfriend thinks that is me just not "trying" or being lazy (we've been together and lived together for 2 years. Hes really a nice guy but frustrated very easly with me. He says that he watched hid mom ruin their lives with being sick (shes a very self centered woman i use to let her talk AT me for hours if i tryed to switch the convo to anything but her you could see her get uncomfortable) and he dosent know how if he could.handel me being sick( like an offical diagnosis) but im a giver not a taker i tend to think about others before myself it can be an amazing quality and a bad quality sometimes.

Thank you for all the adivise i will certainly take it i look forward to getting to know all of you better also..it feels so great to vent to people who understand thank you thank you thank you you guys are doing a.great thing here im sure this will be a great tool to help me feel better :)

Much love.