Questions--newly diagnosed with Fibromyalgia

Hello all, I am newly diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and have many questions. But I wont ask them all now...lol. First of all what does everyone do for their "fibro fog" ? I have been having it really bad lately and it is really getting me down. I was at work one day working in a position that I have worked many times and I just couldn't figure out what I had to do. It was really annoying to have to keep asking other people what I should do next. I was fighting back tears because I know that I knew what needed to be done and I just couldn't remember. It is really starting to affect my job. Also, I was taking Cymbalta for depression before I was diagnosed with Fibro and I had been given many samples of it and didn't have to buy it. Well, when I went to pay for it finally I was almost floored when the pharmacist told me it was over $200. I can't afford that every month. Does anyone know if there is somewhere to get help for paying for this? I have checked out a few things but it says I am not eligible because I do have insurance. It really helps with my pain and I would like to be able to use it again. I only work a few days a week and I am still able to work even though I hurt terribly after being on my feet for more than 3 hours. But my husband has a good job and supports us comfortably. We just can't afford $200 a month for one medication. He has told me to try to get on disability but I don't think I will get it. Any help or advice will be great appreciated. I am very happy that I found this community and I promise to try not to become a big pain with many questions...lol. I know you all have enough pain as it is. Thank you all in advance for everything.

Thank you for the warm welcome Karen. I have checked out the "fibro 101 thread. It was very interesting, thank you. I am pretty new to these kind of community boards. But I am finding some interesting things out. I am so glad I found this.

Tink621- welcome to the fibro forum. I can understand how the fibro fog brings you to tears. It still sometimes will bring me to tears too. I forget I watched a movie or forget how to get to a place. It scares me at times. My Dr. Believes it caused by poor sleep. I really can't totally believe that. It's very common to have fibro fog with us fibromites. Sometimes we will have a posting on all the crazy things we have done or lost. Lol I did get tested because I was really having trouble with memory and other daily task in life. My test came back poor and it was no surprise to me. I kind of glad I did it for medical disability records. In the mean time I have tried to read, do puzzles and memory games to try to make some new brain cells.

Cymbalta is very expensive and I wasn't able to take it due to the side effects. I try to stay away from expensive meds and only have brand names. I go with the generic and buy my meds at Costco. You might want to try and old antidepressent. They work as well as the new ones. Maybe you can try tramadol for pain. It's very cheap. I try to stay away from meds as much as possible. I have tried almost all the fibro meds to only get sicker. So I try to stay on the natural side as much as possible. I take remron for antidepressent. It 's very cheap and it helps you sleep.

Many of us do similiar treatments, but we are all different in many ways. Many of us have other health issues beside fibro. Finding a good treatment plan for your fibro is important. I came to this site in terible shape, but I learned from others how to manage my fibro better. It does take a trial and error method, but just hang in there and give it some time. Always ask your Dr. before trying something new. The simplist vitamins can cause major medical problems.

As I said I try to keep my treatment plan simple. I love lots of heat, stay away from lots of stress, eat healthy, rest as needed, excercise, magnesium, calcium, remron and subutex for pain.

Educating yourself with a good book on fibro is helpful. I couldn't believe how much I learned from mine. My Dr's never shared hardly any of the info I read. I just wish I knew it years ago. After reading it I finally knew all these years I wasn't crazy. Lol

Never feel bad to ask questions or to just vent on those rough days. I hope to see you around again.

Welcome to the board!

Fibro fog is a toughie. When I hurry or when I try to do too much, I forget things, or make mistakes. I have several ways to combat the problem. I am not saying I succeed. But, it can help.

Make a list.

Prioritize. This I need to do, this I would like to do.

One thing at a time! Humans are not effective multi-taskers.
Humans with fibro shouldn't even try.

Take a break. For instance, yesterday I did the spring changeover in the bedroom. Comforter, matress pad, and then dusting, vacuuming, wiping down. Yes, it took me an hour for a small room. I rested three times. Fog isless likely to become a huge problem if you pace your brain and your body.

Be patient. Don't try to rush. I think we often get frustrated and then try to go faster, which reslts in more fog.

Be reasonable in what you can take on.