Anybody else have fibromyalgia?
553925
I was diagnosed with it when I was in my 20's...over 20yrs ago!  It is a relatively new diagnosis and doctors are just now beginning to understand just how debilitating it can be... make sure you trust your doctor as it is not an easy diagnosis to make and there are alot of other illnesses out there that have symptoms very similar to fibromyalgia!  My sister swears by herbs to help hers.... I swear by pain meds and rest.... guess it all just depends on a persons point of view and just how bad a day that person is having!
122578
Have you been checked for Fibromyalgia? PTSD is usually caused by a traumatic (physical or mental) event and so is Fibro. However, Fibro could be what is causing your pain. If so, pain medications will not be of assistance and you may then want to look at muscle relaxers instead. I have had Fibro for twenty years and have tried every pain reliever possible. Most worked initially and then I built up a tolerance causing me to move to heavier medications.\n\nHere are a few exerpts that I found linking Fibro and PTSD and are sourced below.\n\nThe mysterious chronic pain condition fibromyalgia is widely thought of as a woman's disease, but new research suggests it is also common among men with posttraumatic stress disorder. \n\nPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or chronic stress may play a strong role in the development of fibromyalgia in some patients. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that is a reaction to a specific traumatic event. Symptoms of this condition, which can occur for years after the traumatic event, include emotional withdrawal, hopelessness, irritability, mood swings, sleep problems, inability to concentrate, and an excessive startle response to noise. There is some evidence that PTSD actually results in changes in the brain, possibly from long-term overexposure to stress hormones.\n\nThis is a list of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia http://www.fibrohugs.com/article.php?story=20040301122908997
645845
No, fibromyalgia is a long-term problem that causes pain in the muscles and soft tissues but it does no permanent damage to your muscles, joints, or organs.
631187
I know how you feel. My mother was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 8 years ago. She is in shocking pain for which she takes prednisolone. She is allergic to many things so this is her only option. She also suffers from extreme tiredness and very weak and sore muscles. She also has Mitochondriamyopathy which contributes to the fibromyalgia. I have been having a lot of trouble for several years now and my physiotherapist thinks I have fm as well. I can understand how you must feel. Are you very sensitive to touch? that seems to be a major problem for my mother and I. I don't know if there is any other suggestion to help with pain since you are on meds, apart from hydrotherapy which is what I am doing at the momment. It allows you to get moving more freely without the weight of your body putting strain on your muscles. Keep moving for as long as you can, the hydro really does help. Good luck.
522125
Oh, PLEASE. "God will help you!" I'm still waiting.\n\nI was involved in three car smashes in the space of four years. Each time I was hit from behind by another driver - two of these three were hit-and-run. I now suffer pain, day and night, including chronic migraines and sometimes, agony so bad that I literally cannot think. I have fibromyalgia, which is chronic incurable pain. I had to give up ballroom dancing, martial arts, horseriding and more. I can't even do grocery shopping anymore and have had a disabled parking permit since I was around 24 years old. A good night's sleep doesn't help, because when you have fibro, there's no such thing as a "good night's sleep". The pain is such that proper sleep - and often, ANY sleep - is impossible.\n\nInterestingly, I was a devout born-again Christian at the time of the first two accidents. Jesus didn't help me.\n\nTo give you an idea of what fibromyalgia is like, have you ever been in a car smash and when you woke up the next day, you could barely move? Or have you ever had a really bad flu, so bad that every part of your body ached and you couldn't think? That is what fibro is like - EVERY SINGLE DAY. I have days where the pain is so bad, I can barely move and even just lying down in bed is agonising. Two Panadeine Forte don't do a damned thing (that's 60mg codeine and 1000mg paracetamol).\n\nYet I know that there are people who suffer much more pain than I do, and I cannot believe that there are other people who would stop them from ending their own life. The pain I endure on a daily basis has been disabling and debilitating - I no longer have a social life and doing normal, everyday things is nearly impossible. Even standing in a queue is an almost insurmountable task for me. But I *can* stand, and I *can* walk. What about those who can't?\n\nI am willing to put money on it, that the people who would have the "right to die" made illegal, have never truly experienced severe pain, and if they have, they haven't lived with it day in, day out, year in, year out.\n\nUntil these people live in agony every second of every day, year after year, with no cure and minimal relief (if any), they have NO RIGHT to stop another person from ending their own life.
165408
Fibro is related to several different illneses, from Mono (ebstein-barr syndrome), IBS, to Cancer even...  It seems to exist alongside other diseases, and is not technically a disease.  It is a syndrome with known symptoms, that can be debilitating at its worst.  At best, one can expect any of several conditions, muscle ache, joint ache, Abdominal problems, Lower back aches common.  Stiffness, burning skin, numbness, and on and on.\n\nIf the lumps don't go away, they should be checked.  They could be fibroid tumors, or something worse.  Best to see a doctor to be sure..
63047
Unfortunately there is no cure yet for Fibromyalgia. I believe I have had Fibromyalgia since childhood myself and have run the whole routine for treatments from biofeedback to Fentynl patches. \nMy best advise is make sure they get plenty of sleep, take a multiple vitamin, keep them active in at least low impact sports, and consider Magnesium Glycinate and Malic Acid supplements (consult the doctor or a nutritionist to have their Magnesuim level checked- it is a simpe mouth swab and not painful), you may want to learn some massage techniques for "growing pains", and try to get them to take 2-3 warm Epson Salt baths a week (Epson salt contains Magnesium and soaking in a warm tub of it helps to get the mineral into the body. Magnesium aids the muscles in using oxygen and when the level is low (which is typical in Fibro) it can cause are cramps, spasms, and pain.) Also, Fibromyalgia is a neurotransmitter disorder and certain foods can trigger similiar symptoms to Fibro. Try eliminating Monsodium Glutamate from their diet. I did and some of my symptoms (chronic headaches and nausea) went away. It is in everything from Doritos to chicken soup. A few key finding's of an FDA study found MSG to cause a "burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest". \nGood luck!
932465
HI Angela are you under alot of stress/pressure at the moment and feeling tired or overcome even with simple things. Has your weight changed recently and did you get you blood sugar levels checked recently in case of diabetics.\n\nHave either your mother or your young sister ever presented similar symptoms as to the dizziness, blackouts foggyness forgetfulness and feelings of unreality.\n\nYou don't mention having pain or feeling fatigue or sickness. I have the symptoms you explain except the blackouts and other smyptoms. I have also pain that migrates fatigue sickness and mood swings and numbness. I am diagnosed with Fibromyalgia/ME since 2000. I know other Fibro/ME suffers who have regular blackouts with the symptoms you present plus pains fatigue mood swings and numbness. \n\nThis is difficult to diagnose and nothing shows up on scans etc which can seem to the un trained lay person or doctor in some cases (all in the head and the patient is depressed or lazy)\n\nTry to relax a bit and not dwell on this until you get the results of the brain scan back I know it not easy for you but worring can't do any good.\n\nTake care around machinery and do not drive and take it easy hubby's can some times make you feel worse at times like this if they don't support you or have compassion. \n\nAsk him to help out more and not hurt it doesn't work explain to your young children that mummy is feeling poorly and loves them very much but just needs to go slowly and cant rush about like a bat.\n\nHope you get the help and answers you require to take charge of a very frightening situtation. \n\nTake LOL.
222778
I have had Fibro since I was 16 and am now almost 36. I have seen more doctors over the years than I can count from Neurologists to Rhuematologists to Chiropractors to Psychiatrists to Pain Specialists. In my experience pain medications do not work. A muscle relaxant is much more helpful. I have also tried biofeedback, steroid shots, trigger point injections, two sleep studies, nerve blocks, accupuncture, foot braces, wrist braces, carpal tunnel release surguries, and so much more. All just torture and I felt like a guinea pig.\n\nMy best advise is to get as much rest as she can. Nap if she needs to and sleep when she can. Try delegating some responsibilities to others whether it's at work or at home. \n\nTaking a muscle relaxant (I take Zanaflex) is more helpful than pain killers. Have her take a good multiple vitamin, a B Complex supplement (helps in dealing with stress), keep active in at least low impact sports, and consider Magnesium and Malic Acid supplements (consult the doctor or a nutritionist to have her Magnesium level checked- it is a simple mouth swab and not painful), meditation does help some in keeping the pain back if you can seperate your mind from the pain. You may want to learn some home massage techniques for people with Fibro.\n\nHave her try to take at least 2-3 warm Epson Salt baths a week (Epson salt contains Magnesium and soaking in a warm tub of it helps to get the mineral into the body. Magnesium aids the muscles in using oxygen and when the level is low which is typical in Fibro it can cause are cramps, spasms, and pain.) \n\nAlso, Fibromyalgia is a neurotransmitter disorder and certain foods can trigger similiar symptoms to Fibro. Try eliminating Monsodium Glutamate from herr diet. I did and some of my symptoms (chronic headaches and nausea) went away. It is in everything from Doritos to chicken soup. A few key finding's of an FDA study found MSG to cause a "burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest". Otherwise, help her learn herr limits and pace herself.\n\nThe last source below is a study that shows how Fibromites differ from "normal" people in their reaction to pain. I found it very interesting and it helped me verify that this is all real and not just "in my head".\n\nGood luck!
37713
hi there ,, this is what i could bring to u about fibromyalgia ,,,,, hope it's useful \n\nFibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissue ,,,\n\nsymptoms of fibromyalgia :\n\nMost people with fibromyalgia endure cycles of muscle, soft tissue, and back or neck pain, \nsleep problems, and \noften debilitating fatigue. \nFibromyalgia is also characterized by the presence of up to 18 specific tender points on the body—these are painful only when you press directly on them.\n\nAlthough less common than pain, fatigue, and sleep problems, a variety of other symptoms may occur as well. These include headaches, morning stiffness, difficulty concentrating, a circulatory problem that affects the small blood vessels of the skin (Raynaud's phenomenon), and irritable bowel syndrome. As with many conditions that cause chronic pain, anxiety and depression are common in people with fibromyalgia and may make symptoms worse.\n\nSymptoms tend to come and go. Periods when they are constant (flares) may be followed by periods when they are absent (remissions). Some people find that cold, damp weather, emotional stress, overexertion, and other factors make their symptoms worse
922392
I have/had it and it killed mine for the longest time.  If you are in pain, you really don't care about anything except pain relief.  It almost destroyed all my friendships and relationships.  The only time I felt like having sex was when the doctor game me percocets.  Fibro was terrible.  My whole body felt like one big bruise for three years.  I had worked in a steel foundry and was used to pain and this was  intolerable.  I was on morphine for six months.\n\nI find/found relief by keeping the temperature in the house very constant at 70 degrees.  I never take hot baths or hot saunas or expose myself to the cold weather too much.  The cold cause pain, but the heat does the real damage to the deep layers of the skin.  (the fascia) .  The facia(deep bruising pain) in my case was caused by overexposure at work.  Deep fascia pain feels exactly like muslce pain and in my case the skin looked almost normal.\n\nhttp://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/300/cdn_medical_association/cmaj/vol-162/issue-1/0077.htm
489958
It is called: Fibromyalgia!\n\nFibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is a debilitating chronic syndrome (constellation of signs and symptoms) characterized by diffuse and or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, fatigue, and a wide range of other symptoms.
1025883
its called fibromyalgia\n\nill be the wikipedia whore for you\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia
367211
Hi, my mother has has the same problem and she was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia....A lot of Doctors will tell you that you might be suffering from depression or stress but in reality there really could be another diagnosis. You should try to find a doctor that actually specializes in Pressure Point Exams and Fibromyalgia.\n\nAlso, I have been living with undiagnosed pain for the past 4 years. I have alot of the signs/symptoms so I am going to see a specialist soon that deals with fibro and maybe I can get my pain under control. I hope this helps!
898337
U can go to ur gp and tell him of ur symptoms. Here is some informatiom on fibromyalgia. \nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079
548740
I heard before that an anti depressant works very well with fibromyalgia.  It wouldn't hurt to try one. If you havent already.  Maybe get into a meditation class or a fitness class.  Keep yourself moving.  I myself don't believe that fibromyalgia exists until I had unexplained pain for quite some time.  It wasnt fibromyalgia but I do now believe it does cuz it took so long for the doctors to figure out what was wrong with me.  Good luck
247953
What a terrible situtation for you! As if having Fibro isn't enough. The two answerers above seem to have forgotten that there's a little law called the Americans with Disabilities Act.  \n\nDoes your employer know for a fact that you have been diagnosed with having Fibro? If not, speak to your doctor about the situtation and have him/her send your employer's Human Resources Department and your Nursing Supervisor a letter explaining that you have Fibro and provide recommendations, be sure to get copied in on the letter for your records. Next, create a paper trail by keeping a journal of what happens each day at work and how you feel at the end of the day. Next share with Human Resources your situtation and see what they have to say. This gives them notice that the hostility needs to be addressed immediately.\n\nA study explains why we feel so much pain and you may want to share it with Human Resources also.\n\nFibromyalgia pain, isn't all in patients' heads new brain study finds. \nJune 7, 2002 \nfMRI scans give first objective measure of mysterious ailment, provide road map for future study\n\nANN ARBOR, MI - A new brain-scan study confirms scientifically what fibromyalgia patients have been telling a skeptical medical community for years: They're really in pain.\n\nIn fact, the study finds, people with fibromyalgia say they feel severe pain, and have measurable pain signals in their brains, from a gentle finger squeeze that barely feels unpleasant to people without the disease. The squeeze's force must be doubled to cause healthy people to feel the same level of pain - and their pain signals show up in different brain areas.\n\nThe results, published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, the journal of the American College of Rheumatology, may offer the proof of fibromyalgia's physical roots that many doubtful physicians have sought. It may also open doors for further research on the still-unknown causes of the disease, which affects more than 2 percent of Americans, mainly women.\n\nLead authors Richard Gracely, Ph.D., and Daniel Clauw, M.D., did the study at Georgetown University Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health, but are now continuing the work at the University of Michigan Health System. In an editorial in the same issue, Clauw and U-M rheumatologist Leslie Crofford, M.D., stress the importance of fibromyalgia research and care.\n\nTo correlate subjective pain sensation with objective views of brain signals, the researchers used a super-fast form of MRI brain imaging, called functional MRI or fMRI, on 16 fibromyalgia patients and 16 people without the disease. As a result, they say, the study offers the first objective method for corroborating what fibromyalgia patients report they feel, and what's going on in their brains at the precise moment they feel it. And, it gives researchers a road map of the areas of the brain that are most - and least - active when patients feel pain.\n\n"The fMRI technology gave us a unique opportunity to look at the neurobiology underlying tenderness, which is a hallmark of fibromyalgia," says Clauw. "These results, combined with other work done by our group and others, have convinced us that some pathologic process is making these patients more sensitive. For some reason, still unknown, there's a neurobiological amplification of their pain signals."\n\nFurther results from the study were presented last year at the ACR annual meeting. The project will continue later this year at UMHS, joining other fMRI fibromyalgia research now under way.\n\nFor decades, patients and physicians have built a case that fibromyalgia is a specific, diagnosable chronic disease, characterized by tenderness and stiffness all over the body as well as fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and depression. Many patients with the disease find it interferes with their work, family and personal life. Statistics show that far more