A new life ?

Hi jess am all new to this as well I have been suffering for just over a year. I have only recently joined this group an found the people on here are really helpful an very supportive. Many ppl on here which I have read are using acupuncture which I myself am looking into trying. It must be really hard for you with all your exams but what people have told me is try to remain stress which I know is easier said than done. Also I personally worked in a shop as assistant manger but had to pack in work for the time being as I find it really hard just to do day to day stuff like house work and walking to local shops. My recent problem was drying my hair I have heard there is a lot is a lot of support an other medications to try you should look into local support groups in your area which is what I was told. I hope this helps kirsty xx

Hi Jess;  this IS a very hard time for you; ot only having just been given your diagnosis of Fibro, but also trying to sit your QCS and then exams for this term.....as you say your QCS, I gather you are now living in Australia?....were you diagnosed by a Rhuematologist?  If so, what did he/she advise?......I, too, live in QLD, so from my experience of Rhuemies and Fibro, I am sure that if you have been consulted by same, you may have been given some guides?   If, as you say, pain and depression (which is normal, as I don't think there is anyone, who has been given a Chronic Diagnosis, does not suffer from some degree of depression).   Were you given any medications to trial?.....for you at this stage, I would suggeest for you to trial Amitriptylline, as it has a mild anti-depressant with good pain relief (especially for our muscle "burning", and other relief).....the other therapy that should help with your stiffness and headaches/migraines is regular physio.....tell the physio of your diagnosis, and are needing muscle relaxation/relief......there is a "Needling" technique that my physio uses on my Knotted muscles/tendons, and releases the knots, hence relieving the headaches..........if you feel that you would enjoy hairdressing, do you feel the need to sit the QCS exams?.....this is putting a lot of extra stress on you.....and from what I have heard, that even if you later decide to enter a university study, the QCS exams will not be with us for much longer, and you will be able to do a Mature-agged Entrance Exam, to gain entrance to uni?....I Do Know that any stressor in my life has set off another part of my body.....5 years ago I was still able to manage a part-time job, but this has become Completely impossible, and I feel it was all due to the moving from our family home into a smaller, lowset, which the family thought was best for me, and that it was no longer needed due to the fact that the children had all, but one, left home, and the large house was no longer needed.....but the fact that I Was not Ready for this, and found it a Stressor, sent me into Complete Disability..........please don't let yourself lose any of your young life, as this is the time that you should be enjoying yourself....learning an adult life......You Really Need to Look after yourself....and take all the advice that your Rhuemy and others give you.......don't be afraid to trial the medications, as some do help, and others don't   (I trialled Lyrica and Cymbalta which the Aussie FDA are advocating, but had too many side affects, with not much help)........Amitriptylline can be started on a low dose, taken at night, and will help with your sleep, and will hopefully be enough to get you through the day.....cut back on your other work load....get through your exams....and perhaps even think about taking a year's break, before starting working/training.....it maybe just enough time to get your body healed/have a rest????......I also highly recommend researching all that you can, after your exams, to learn about what is available......my Rhuemy directed me towards the WA Fibro Site, and there is another that I read from the USA Fibro Research.............best wishes for the next couple of months..........Bron

Hi, Jess:  I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis...I found out three years ago, next month, after taking a terrible fall onto concrete, that I had fibro.  It is maddening.  I was a paramedic, but had to retire early, due to the suffering.  I went to about five different doctors until I hit on one who prescribed Ultram, or Tramadol, a mild anti-anxiety, and antidepressant pills.  They do help, and I have my good days and my bad days, and it is no picnic.  I don't think anyone could understand your pain unless they experienced it themselves because you don't look any different on the outside, while you feel as if you are dying on the inside.  Please be careful and DON'T fall and don't lift things that will throw your back out.  Just pamper yourself, and know that you are NOT alone in the disease.  I'm so glad we can all realate...My family has no idea what i go through...Gentle hugs...

Hiya Jess, welcome to us...really feeling for you precious, you are soo young, I've had Fibro for  30odd years now..had it 10years before diagnosis.,seems to be the usual for us all....I only get bad flare ups..it's like remission ..in and out..so there is light at the end of your tunnel, so be encouraged..il just tell you what I found helpful..

 Amithriptilyne .  is a Nerve-pain blocker..with sleep assistance and minor anti-depressant)..

Amithriptilyne is  the only med I take for Fibro...gives me a great pain free sleep-which is really vital...- no pain..still feel a tad drowsy waking up...but that sleep is what makes this Fibro manageable for me..only get flare ups now..once  it was just constant  pain almost everywhere and sleepless nights..I take it 6-7pm before bed..it really does work wonders ( for me..that is,) we are all very different..I take 25 mg...never had it increased either ...started on 50mg but I was like a zombie...all the next day..dropped to 10mg for a while-still not too good but 25 mg is perfect for me..it is actually an antidepressant that works excellent for pain..it numbs the nerve ends and stops the pain from jumping on to the next nerve..hence a very painful body...the antidepressant is probably a lil bonus as most of get depressed from time to time..yes it does knock me out to give me that great sleep which is just sooo needed, to be able to deal with the pain etc the next day..but once I'm up and dressed..I'm fine.....Its great...16yrs down the track..have to be woken up in the morning..but once up and about I'm just fine.....when I was first on them I was like a zombie..but it's like a miracle med for me...I really function ver well and always have on this med... it takes a while to settle in. ..also, please remember that less stress is the key to Fibro....be blessed..have a lovely day..:-) xxx

oh bless you jess66516 your so young to have this damn horrid condition. Easier said than done but remaining calm stress and worry free is the way forward with fibro As stress worry makes our symptoms alot alot worse. Your gp will put you on pain meds. These can be trial error as to what works for you and what doesnt. Fibro affects us all differently as in the severity of it. Also what works for 1 person may not work for another.Im unable to take anything for pain med wise. So I use hot water bottles and wheat bags. Some of us have had to give work because of how it affects us, those that do work struggle. good luck with your exams I would get through the exams. May be take a gap year see how you are then. If you want to go into hairdressing you could give it a go, and see how you get on and if you can manage to to do it. fibro is very much a learning a learning curve for us all. Its finding what works for us and what doesnt. also paceing yourself is very important as if you do too much you can end up in more pain and feeling very poorly and bed ridden. Get as much help support as you can. See what is available help support wise for you where you live. Take care gentle hugs xx

I am so SORRY that you are going through this, I have a seventeen year old. I am new with the symptoms , but have not accepted the diagnoses and am seeking several specialist as I research. I have learned that it is different for everyone. Some people it is worse than others some say they have good and bad. My pain is about consistent constantly. The medical people say that excersise helps, it does for some my frioend who is 66 does aerobics 3 times a week in the pool and sees a chiropactor. You could never tell that she has Fibro, she takes no meds. She is more active than many 20 year olds that I know. I am knew at this , I am learning how meditate , but it is a learning process. I am finding some help in accupuncture , I have never done this until now and have been 3 times, it makes me walk like I am a regular person for the rest of the day , instead of bent like I am 90. I am also planning on attending church again as I haven't been in a long while and know that with faith you can over come anything. I suggest that you take time to relax and chill even with you exams coming up .Maybe evey 30 minutes of studying 30 minutes of relaxing. I also find a hot bath helps , maybe you can start your day with one and end it with one. I think that your dream of becoming a hair stylist is great and wish you were near as I need to color mine currently. I am big with coloring it burgandy , it is the only fun color that the school district allows for teachers. I would have it bright blue or green if I could. I also do something a little off the wall as I am suppose to be this professional, mother, wife ,bah-bah-bah. I am suppose to dress just so, act just so. You know like your mother . I wear this bright neon orange hat that is made of this material like a stuff animal or my bright neon pink laui . I do something off the wall, it makes me smile and others smile. Yesterday, I had some one come up to me, and say " You know that you have an orange hat on your head" I said why ofcourse and smiled. Her eyes  and her face just smiled. I know this might not be something at your age be helpful but it works for me. SMILE , LAUGHTER both helps. Rest and eat right.

Hi Jess, my heart goes out to you. I wouldn't wish this on anyone let alone someone as young as you. 

As many have already mentioned on here, keeping stress to a minimum is paramount. If anything is set to make you feel worse it's stress. Is there anyone at school who you can talk to, to maybe reschedule some of your exams or to arrange extra support to get you through them. I live in the UK so I'm not sure how things will work for you and your exams. 

One of the meds that almost everyone with fibro takes is amatriptyalin, so if it's offered well worth giving it a go. Others are pregabalin (Lyrica), and Gabapentin, they're very similar but one or the other are often used. As with most things it's about what works for you. 

I have also found hydrotherapy and especially acupuncture have worked for me. 

Hopefully if you can get your symptoms under control, sleep well and keep stress to a minimum, there's no reason for you to feel bleak about your future. I'm not going to lie to you and say it will be easy but some people can live with fibro with little disruption although they have to put some effort into looking after themselves. Others find fibro has a devastating effect, that said research, don't be afraid to push Drs when something doesn't seem right or you think your not being listened to and if one medication doesn't work for you, try something else. 

Good luck with all you do and this is a great site for support. 

Gentle hugs 😊