Just diagnosised, meds, symptoms, intro

I am a 45 yr old mother who is thankful I didn't start hurting until after my children were adults.

My neurologist just diagnosed me with FM a month ago. He put me on Savella and after the 1st week I thought "hey this is great I'm not really hurting". I could feel the muscle spasms but there wasn't pain. After the 2nd week I noticed a rash about an hour after taking the medicine. Needless to say I am no longer on Savella and he put me on Cymbalta. Now the annoying pain is back and I want to cry. After reading quite a bit on here I'm not totally convinced I want to be on Cymbalta. I'm not 100% convinced I have FM either because I'm not tired all the time or in so much pain that I can't do things.

My cervical MRI showed bad ddd so within 1 month's time I had surgery to replace 2 discs. They thought for sure that was the cause of the pain in my upper right back that would go into my shoulder, sometimes down my arm and into my chest. (Actually the pain in my chest had me checking for lumps which led them to find cysts in my breast so now that is being monitored every 6 months.) The surgery did not take care of that pain though.

My brain MRI did not show any signs of MS and other than 1 little spot that wasn't cause for concern it was normal.

My thoracic and lumbar MRI showed mild ddd but no reason for the pain in my upper right back or lower left back/hip/pelvis

During the winter I would have these shocks of pain in my hands, knees, and feet but it would only last for 30 seconds then be gone. Now I will have moments of dull ache but nothing bad.

If its below 74 degrees I'm cold and bundled up in a blanket. I have raynaud's syndrome but only when I'm really cold. My memory isn't good anymore and there are times I have trouble following conversation. I will also have random spasms in other areas that will last up to an hour then go away. Just within the past few months my vision close up will be affected. It will last for a day or 2 then go back to being normal.

It seems like every few months there is something else to add to the list of symptoms.

Long story short...... I plan on doing lots of reading on here.

Heymom32000

Post Edited (heymom32000) : 5/22/2015 7:23:26 AM (GMT-6)

Finding what helps with the least side effects, is usually trial and error for each of us....

My sister and i both have fibro (a genetic form) but she has significantly less pain, and much more restless leg syndrome...her pain does increase as does mine, with barometric changes...

Just an example of how very different we can be with the same disease..

Its great that you have less pain!

Hi, Heymom, and welcome! I do a lot of things and still have Fibro. I have found things that help me with pain and fatigue. Some members are still struggling and are still searching for the right combination so they are having more intense pain. We are all so different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. It's more a trial and error type thing.

I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and a muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has made a significant difference in my pain.

I also walk daily and now swim daily too and I pace myself when doing things. I do trigger point therapy on myself and I also get a gentle massage once a month. All of the a love have helped me be in control of my pain and I have had a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness.

Be 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. Good starting links would be Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia. You just might see yourself there. There are links about vitamin D3 and magnesium malate and how these work in your body. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.

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 take magnesium malate for that. I also have found a significant amountof assistance from D-Ribose. Its greatly assisyed my energy and concentration.