Could I also have CFS

Hello everyone. I haven't posted for several months. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 3 years ago. It started with severe low back pain, which is constant 24/7. A few weeks after the low back pain developed I started to get other symptoms and now have pain throughout my body. That pain comes and goes in severity. I also have periods of time where my joints hurt bad. My knees will be very painful for a week but then I will feel better for a month etc. The doctor doesn't think I have arthritis or anything like that. I have also had the fibro fog and fatigue. Lately though the fog and fatigue have gotten a lot worse.

I have trouble remembering something I said 10 minutes ago let alone something that happened last week. I also sometimes have trouble articulating. My family teases me about this but it really frustrates me when I can't get them to understand what I am trying to tell them. Sometimes I also have trouble thinking quickly such as figuring out tip, etc. I never used to have trouble with that.

My fatigue has become intolerable. I do have trouble sleeping but I have had that for the past 3 years. Even when I get a decent amount of sleep I am exhausted. After a trip to the grocery store I have to come home and take a nap. I've been trying to keep active. I have a Fit Bit, which keeps track of my steps so I am sure to get in a decent amount of walking every day, although I have plantar faciitis right now, which makes it more difficult. My daughter is a hockey skater so this summer we would go ice skating about once a week. I would manage but would have to come home and take a nap. Last week we decided to take a class together. I used to ice skate about 30 years ago (I am 47) but I am very rusty. The class is only 40 minutes long but we were doing repetitive but simple things. By the time the 40 minutes was up I was shaking with exhaustion. When we got home I slept all afternoon and it took me 2 days to recover. I wasn't just a little tired but to the point where I could barely function.

I have always had some fatigue with the fibromyalgia but nothing this bad. I am starting to wonder if I have chronic fatigue syndrome also. How do they diagnosis that and is there any treatment for that.

My kids are teenagers but I still am quite active going to their games and activities. Even though I need to take naps I don't lie around all day so I don't think it's due to lack of activity. I used to feel a bit better after a walk but now I feel worse. I am average weight and in otherwise good health. I take Norco 1-3 times a day and sometimes a muscle relaxer only at night. The fatigue doesn't seem to be related to the medications. My ANA is elevated but the doctors say it isn't Lupus. Any suggestions?

I have CFS along with Fibro, they have said that they could be one of the same. I think that they are closely connected. I take Adderall for the fatigue. It helps keep me awake during the day.

Best wishes, I hope you find out what is going on.

Hugs, Karen...

Hpymomof3,

Sorry you've been going through such a trying time. I don't remember meeting you before (of course, that doesn't mean I haven't - my memory is bad too!)

I know that awful feeling of being totally drained after doing something that really shouldn't cause it...the feeling of having to live what feels like "life lite." And I hate it! To a certain extent, I can mitigate it with all the usual things: a good night's sleep, decent diet, staying active enough (but never too active), positive attitude.

And, yes, meds. It might not work this way for everybody, but if my pain is adequately controlled (down to a dull roar instead of front and center) I have more energy and stamina. I take Norco too - the generic version, Hydrocodone. And Gabapentin. A lot of my pain is spine-related, so it's not only Fibro...but my docs think Fibro makes it more intense. So hard, isn't it, to know what's causing what?

I've heard often, too, that many docs feel CFS and Fibro may be the same disorder, and they just diagnose you based on what you complain about more, pain or fatigue.

Hope to get to know you better - and I hope you'll keep posting because we are here for you.

Debbie

Thnx Debbie
Mine Are of similar age.. they watched me work many hours .. many, all their lives. How could they think I suddenly got lazy ?

As a single parent, I with no child $upport, made them the priority in my life.. My decision & I have never regreted it.

So I Do sometimes wanna smak um up side the head, if you know what I mean, & ask them how they could forget my 'years of tears'..

Mine too have backed off saying anything recently..

Nice to meet a fellow 'mom of .. ?disbelievers?