fibro pain

I have been reading thru the forum since joining and it makes me feel better that i am not alone as sometimes i feel like im crazy. I feel like those around me cant understand my chronic pain or the depth of it. Does anyone ever feel like they watch other people or friends and they look so happy and energetic and you just feel like you are envious and wish you could feel that way again? How did your pain start ? Mine started in my upper back and then moved to my arms and legs. I feel like i question my diagnoses even though in my heart i know its most likely right as i have done so many test to rule out everything. Did any of you start off with pain in one specific area such as your back? I guess i am just having a hard time accepting that i will feel pain the rest of my life.

I tried to deny my pain, because it was so random and came in quick spurts. As a child I was told I was a hypocondriac because I was so sensitive to pain and seem to get hurt so easy. I decided I wasn't going to complain outloud anymore. Then it got where it was constant I decided I needed to speak up.

Glad you are here JenniferButterfly
My pain started in my neck about a year and a half ago. I couldn't seem to do anything and my neck would start to sting and burn. Then it spread to my shoulders burning when using my hands doing something.
Then my hips would hurt at times and then my back of my legs would feel like I was about to have a charlie horse or that the muscles were too short when using them. Then I had a full blown episode in Jan this year. I new then that something bigger was happening. This all came after a series of three traumas in my life. I have post traumatic stress syndrome from these traumas and this is one of the listed suspected causes. I knew that this was connected.

This forum has been so valuable to me. I know that I can come here and feel understood. It is very frustrating to think that the rest of my life will be like this. This isn't what I planned for my life. I laughed when you said you envied people around you who had energy and could move when ever they want or do what they want. I was thinking that too at times. I to have gone through many emotional extremes trying to adjust to this situation as I am sure most of us have. I do sympathize with you. I noticed that people can't relate...they can't feel what I am feeling. I to, started to be quiet about my pain as people really didn't want to hear about it. So I come here when I am feeling alone in this.
I listen to all these compassionate wise folks who offer their hearts unconditionally offering understanding and support to total stranger.
thank you to this forum

Hi, Jennifer, and welcome! I think we all have felt that way. But I found that once I accepted the diagnosis and moved on with my life, things have gotten a whole lot better. I don't look at what I can't do but I do look at all I CAN do and it is a lot! I also find ways around fibro to do the things I want to do. You don't know unless you try. Too many times we tell ourselves we can't do something when we really can...but we never tried. Some things might take a little longer but you can do them. I know I have lived a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness and done many things I never thought I could do, too. I'm always surprising myself.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are good links to info about fibro and you will learn a lot there...things that could help you, too. We do have to be our own advocate with this illness so we need to arm ourselves with knowledge.

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

Hi JenniferButterfly. I was just diagnosed with fibro also. I think it has been there for years with pain in my back neck and shoulders, wrists and hands. Then I started getting hip, knee and foot and ankle pain. I was told so many different things I could go on for days. It's becoming very painful and consistant now. I went through a very stressful event a few years ago and have been sick ever since. IBS with constipation, diverticulosis, acid reflux, epstein barr, vitilego, hashimoto thyroiditis, gluten sensitive, low vit D, depression, anxiety, lyme and myamotoi (a new strain of tick borne disease).

I was put on Gabapentin recently but it hasn't worked yet. I am trying to go with vitamins and minerals as well as gluten free and foods with no GMO's. I'm also taking Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother 2x a day. Well so far I haven't felt any better as a matter of fact some days I feel worse than ever.

I have been reading through the site and thought I should join in. I have been working from home a lot and fear losing my job or my ability to work. I am in such a fog sometimes I can't even think. My partner thinks I should just go in the office anjd take my mind off the pain. I have friends and co-workers telling me the same. I wish they could understand how the pain feels and that you just can't get it off your mind.

I hope you find something that works for you. I am still trying to find my thing. Thanks for listening. I needed to get that out.

There are a lot of things to try before you try pain medications like narcotics. I wanted to avoid them so I tried a variety of other things and now I take ibuprofen with food Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D 3, and a muscle relaxer. These help me be in control of my pain along with gentle stretching exercises walking and swimming, and pacing myself. Narcotics should be the last resort. This is one reason why doctors are hesitant to prescribe them. Also, if you are taking narcotics, you can build up a "resistance" and would need more to get the same relief.

Read back posts and you will get a good idea of the various things our members use to help control their pain. We are all different and fibro isn't a one size fits all illness. It's more a trial and error type thing when finding what will help each of us.

Sherrine

Welcome new members!!

My fibro started after a fall.. because I was injured in several areas I did not know, still do not know!, whether my pain is injury relatex, fibro, myofascial. And now, scar tissue & arthritis are added into the mix as well!

Lolo142

I've read that some fibro folks have issues with salicylate acid increasing fibro symtoms & pain - is found in varying products, including apple cider vinegar (but please double check me !!)

This is one site which has a list of products containing it; there are many others.

http://christinescozycorner.ca/the-nitty-gritty-of-the-guaifenesin-protocol-and-salicylates/

This is regarded by some as a kind of 'alternative' treatment but I do not dismiss anything w/out research.

As far as family, friends, their disbelief in my pain & need for pain med.. yeap .. all that. Urged to 'shake it off', 'get up & do something', etc. This forum has/ does save my sanity frequently !

First couple of years there was sympathy & offers of help.. guess feeling sympathy gets old ?

Diane,

Thank you for the info. I will check it out. Leave it to me to be one of the people sensitive to salicylate acid. I am started to get hives again. I had them for 10 months last time. I thought it was from my anxiety but who knows.