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Posted 7/18/2013 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. I'm new here and looking for a few words of encouragement. I have been recently diagnosed but have been feeling awful for over a year. Going thru new meds now trying to find something to help me with the fatigue and fibro fog. I do work fulltime and I'm finding each day a new struggle. Never been a depressed person until recently. I'm tired of being tired all the time. I come home from work and basically go to bed for the evening. I know I am no fun anymore and I miss the old me and I'm sure my family does also. I used to be able to handle stress but these days the smallest thing can throw me for a loop. Thanks for listening...
Posted 7/18/2013 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MeMeKay,

I'm really sorry you're going through this :(

It is easy to become depressed with fibro. Try to catch depression early using CBT and seeing a psychologist, so that it doesn't get out of hand.

I have learned how to handle stress a lot better in the last couple years of having fibromyalgia, through piano playing, deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, CBT, massage, etc. You will learn too!

I used to be the grumpiest person ever (because of the pain!) but I have learned patience and calmness despite being in pain. You will develop the right attitude in time (it took me 2 years).

Welcome to the forum!
Jasmine
Posted 7/18/2013 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
It is such a hard transition, sweetie. The first year takes time to process, and discover what works and how far your personal limits are.

Many people take time to adjust to new meds. There is also the possibility that your meds are not the best ones for you. It all takes time, and finding the balance is hard, especially while life motors on while you are trying to get a handle on the condition.

Many people benefit from seeing a counselor for the depression and anxiety that develop. if you are not already seeing one, you might want to consider it. It's a big help.

I am so sorry to hear of your trouble! I hope that you find the answer soon.
Posted 7/18/2013 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, MeMe, and welcome! Yes, fatigue can get to the best of us. I use several things to help with fatigue. I take malic acid/magnesium supplements and vitamin D3 supplements. Many are low in these vitamins and nutrients and this can cause pain and fatigue.

I also do gentle exercises daily. I walk and/or swim as my exercise. You work. If you have a desk job, try to get up and walk around whenever you can to help with muscle pain and fatigue.

Another suggestion would be to put yourself on a sleep schedule. I do that. I go to bed and get up at the same times every day. I don't even need an alarm clock now since I've done this so long. You will fall asleep faster and get more rest that way. If you are like many of us and keep awakening because of pain, you might ask your doctor about a muscle relaxer. I was prescribed one last year and it has made a significant difference in my pain. I'm not as tired because I sleep much better and, just the fact I'm not tensing from pain, I think that helps with fatigue. I take the muscle relaxer four times a day....and takeonly half the amount the doctor prescribed. It does the trick but I'm not drowsy, etc.

Try not eating a lot of carbs, too. You do need some but head for veggies for snacking, etc. Too many carbs can make you tired.

One last suggestion I have would be to have your iron checked and also check for diabetes. Not everything is caused by fibro. We definitely do get fatigue but it sure would be bad if you had something like diabetes causing your fatigue but don't know it. You most likely don't have diabetes or anemia but it doesn't hurt to check. I'm diabetic and when my blood sugar is elevated, I'm extremely tired and can barely keep my eyes open.

Doing all of the above helps me with fatigue and it really isn't much of a problem for me. The only other things I take for fibro are ibuprofen with food and Tylenol.

B sure to read Fibro 101....the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. There are links about vitamin D3 and malic acid/magnesium supplements and how they work in the body and other things that might help you.

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 7/18/2013 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MeMe,

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum. You have come to a good place. I am sorry for the reason, but glad that you joined us.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 7/18/2013 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the posts. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had blood work done in February and was diagnosed with having a Vit. D def. I have been taking a total of 64,000 units a week. Just had all new blood work done 3 weeks ago and only a slight improvement. My sugar is a little high and my doctor said we would address that in 3 months. Tried Cymbalta a month ago, seemed to make me more depressed than I was. Now taking Wellbutrin, trying to hang in there. I know this is a place that I can come to and get great information and not feel so alone. So much to learn. Thank you.
Posted 7/18/2013 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
We can all relate to what you are going through. Depression and Anxiety seem to come with Fibromyalgia. Of all the people that I know that have it, there isn't one person that hasn't had to be put on antidepressant. Good news though is some of them were able to go off of them.

I also try to do as many supplements to help (did this only at first), but sometimes you just need the meds to get you through it and getting the right combinations and dosages can take time.. I knew that Cymbalta was used for depression and also pain control, but I didn't realize till I was just reading this site that it may not be effective for more then 12 weeks Here is the page I was reading. http://www.pharmacydrugguide.com/Cymbalta
Has anybody else found that to be true?

I also take Wellbutrin and that has helped me. I take it in the morning and then I have something else I take in the evening. Also, Lorazepam in the evening for anxiety and sleep. It's taken a long time for me to accept it.
I try and stay away from sugar and caffeine. It's hard to exercise but I do keep trying. I do get massages and that seems to help.
Stay Strong..
Posted 7/18/2013 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Guess what, Junnie? I have never taken an antidepressant. I'm a rarity, though. I keep a positive outlook and focus on the good things in my life and all the things I CAN do and that makes a world of difference.

Living with chronic pain and other illnesses can make you depressed so it's not unusual for fibromites. There is a good link in Fibro 101 about maintaining a positive attitude when having chronic pain. I read that when I'm having a bad day and it really helps.

MeMeKay, I have a form of rheumatoid arthritis in my spine. Not fun at all. I hope you are doing alright with your arthritis.

Sherrine
Posted 7/21/2013 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hello memekay

My first year was a roller coaster. But I decided to make some big changes. I took many foods away to help with pain and tiredness and they made a huge difference. I started with Gluten, dairy and processed foods. followed that change for the next year. Now that the next year has begun I made an even bigger step. I went to a nutritionist and started on cleansing my body and getting rid of the impurities. I started of really well with eliminating soy, sugar, caffeine, corn, and the night shade foods and added some high quality vitamins. it has been a bumpy ride but the results are becoming a great benefit. I used to eat just a little bit of gluten or sugar, and I would be exhausted and have to take a day off work because it felt like I had overdosed on drugs. And in a way I did, just a different kind. Now I am working really working hard in eliminating sugar, soy, dairy, gluten and eventually eat in moderation the night shade foods, caffeine and corn. This way of dealing with my Fribo has come out of a desire to eat more healthier also. I like the feeling I get now of not being tired and bloated and in pain. My pain has been minimal also.

I guess the whole point of writing this is to consideration foods and vitamins as an option to help with your fibromyalgia. It sure did make a big difference for me.
Posted 7/23/2013 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the information and support. I'm learning so much from this site and it is greatly appreciated!
Posted 7/24/2013 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome. welcome, wish you didn't need to be here sad But since you are, I also take Vit D and Magnesium Malate that one really helps with the Fibro Fog. I also take a lot of other ones because I have other medical conditions. I just started on an all natural supp. for the Adrenal System and its been the most effective yet. Its not for everything of course, I take Lithium for Bi-Polar and because I can't take anything else due to the brain tumors. I still have to take pain meds but I'm still on Ultram and IBU so Yeah. Two of the best things I have done for myself are regular visits to a Chiropractor and Yoga, I do Gentle or Hatha Yoga the other ones are too intense for me. Keep in touch, we are stronger together. smurf
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