help me understand this

So yesterday all of a sudden in the afternoon (this has happened to me before) I feel pain in my neck and shoulders with knots in my muscles. I get so tired and I feel like its actually hard to even breathe without using so much energy. I cant even explain how it makes me feel. I feel like I cant even standup because my spine feels like its crisscrossed in my lower back. I feel like my spine is so painful and like my whole body is out of joint and cant support its self. Is this fibro and how come I can feel so awful one minute and fine a little later. I'm so confused about this disease and worry its something more. Any help or information you can share would help me. I do not take anything for my fibro because I cannot tolerate a lot of meds. I did take a half of Xanax yesterday because I couldn't handle it anymore and hoped it would help. I guess it did because I felt a little better later on. Its been a very stressful week as my mom has been in the hospital. Im 48 and was told I do have fibro but just wondering if anyone else ever feels like this.

Have you been checked out lately, preferably by a board certified rheumatologist? The reason I ask is I had more extreme pain in my back/spine and I got checked out and found I had another illness causing the extreme back pain. I was given medication to help and I'm so much better now. Remember, not all pain and symptoms are caused by Fibro.

I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate and vitamin D3 supplements, and a prescription muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has made a significant difference in my pain. There are medications I can't use but these don't cause me problems. There are links in Fibro 101 about the supplements and how they work in the body just in case you want to try them.

The supplements are things our body uses and some can be found in foods but you would need to eat a lot if the food to get a medicinal amount needed. That's where supplementation helps out a lot.

Sherrine

Thank you for all your replies, I do often feel better after a good nights sleep when it is such a bad day. My mom was moved out of ICU to a regular room last night which is a huge relief. I agree that the stress seems to make it so much worse. I do have a rheumatologist I see on a regular schedule. I just think its so strange how I can feel honestly close to collapse and then feel better an hour later and it of course flares my anxiety thru the roof.

I don't have much to add to the good advice/comments above, but want to wish you well.

It helps me to try to take things in small 'sections,' like one day at a time, or, sometimes even one hour at a time. Also, trying to work in something relaxing, even for a short while, gives us a much-needed break.

I'm happy that your mom is out of ICU--always a relief.

I hope you'll take some relaxing time for yourself soon, enjoying something fun. I like the old TV shows like "I Love Lucy" or "Leave It To Beaver" or "The Andy Griffith Show." Great for laughs and much-needed down time. Hobbies help, too. Prayer is big in my life, and I find that if I'm praying for others' struggles, it also helps me.

Have a great day and best wishes! :)

Let's hope the news will be good!

If nothing else, after things calm down for you personally, you can start to figure out some coping techniques. Knowledge is power! That's the good take-away from your situation.

If you feel bad, you do need to figure out how to make yourself feel better. You don't have to go the medication route--many choose to go med-free. Full disclosure--I am not one of those people.

Learn some coping mechanisms for yourself. Fibro is quite individual in how it affects us, so learn what you can do for yourself. I know it is easier to do nothing--but that's not sustainable for the long run.