Fibromyalgia

Hi, I'm Elizabeth. I was diagnosed a little over 4 years ago after many years of increasing pain and exhaustion. I fought the diagnosis and went down many other paths. I work in a busy medical imaging center with a hour commute 1 way. I was panicking because the discomfort and fatigue made it difficult to function. I finally agreed to go on Lyrica and within 2 weeks I had a significant improvement in the pain. I begin seeing a Rheumatologist and worked with a physical therapist. I was referred to a sleep specialist and put on a c-pap  machine. Other than these medical interventions, exercise has bee the best thing I have found. It was painful to start and finding motivation when I was exhausted was terribly hard. But  I stuck with it and worked thru the pain . I began to get more relief. The stretching of simple yoga feels sooo good. Swimming, bicycle, and elliptical have proved the best for me,  it is not easy to make yourself go to exercise when you are fatigued and your body aches all over. But now I go any way and it real really really helps.. I am determined to fight the fibro and continue to work and live my life.

Hi Naomi,

I have had FM for over 30 years. I had to retire at 55 because coping with the symptoms became too much. The biggest lesson I have learnt over the years since, is how much our pain is associated with Stress and low self esteem. Unfortunately, We are often perfectionists and if we cannot do it all, we feel inadequate and seem to give up on ourselves. So I have often stated that 'recognising our limitations and having reasonable expectations' play a major role in managing this disorder. Prolonged stress makes muscles constrict and tense up. Years of adrenal exhaustion finally knocks us flat. It is no wonder that we develop certain conditions that are accompanied by pain and exhaustion. We also often allow the expectations of others to define who we are. That is only counterproductive. We would often never treat a friend the way we treat ourselves, putting unnecessary pressures and unreasonable goals on ourselves. So the best advice I can give to others now is to learn kindness towards ourselves. Getting our emotions out in a healthful way can help tremendously. I journal. Just putting into words how we feel, is very liberating. To learn to Listen to ourselves, for all the times others did not. Argue with your negative thoughts. Don't believe everything you think. Learn to treat yourself as you would your dearest friend. Take care of your body through nutrition and healthy living. That is also a gift you give yourself. These are the main lessons I have learnt through experience. I hope it helps you Naomi. Maggie xx

I was diagnosed in 1996 but I did not believe in it it went away in six months just recently flared up again the last year went to a rheumatologist and she diagnosed me with fibromyalgia she has put me on Cymbalta has not helped yet. I find exercise works best for me. Sitting to much makes me stiff. Trying to keep a positive attitude and just keep reading and researching. Stay moving. Good luck

Hi! My Dr. recommended that I get a Tens unit for my Fibromyalgia pain.    I did get one and they are very inexpensive. It works 80% of the time! You might want to discuss one w/ your Dr.

Nancy

I too have recently been diagnosed by a Rheumotologist with Fibromyalgia . However, about 15 years ago I recall the GP I had back then thought it might be this - I had never heard of it and thought he was being rude and was thinking I was a hypochondriac!! There was no google then!!  He said it was unexplained pain.

Throughout my adult life, I've always tired easily and suffered with neck and back problems - nothing major, but at times really uncomfortable.  Especially when I was pregnant and raised my family.

4 years ago I had a bad accident and was diagnosed with having Post Traumatic Stress as well as nerve damage.  For over 2 years everything went haywire in my life.  I was put on Amitriptyline which I had to change as I put on over a stone in weight, which put more stress on my body and mind.  I was changed to Gabapentin, which helped but still I had pain and discomfort.  Through many different forms of treatment and time itself I improved.  It was dedicated hard work.  Yoga was probably one of my best friends, after doing hydrotherapy, physio, etc...

Early last year I felt the best I'd felt in a long while and thought I could take on so much more.  Bad decision!  By the end of the year I thought I was suffering with exhaustion, no rest or holiday made any difference.....I just got worse and worse.  Almost like I had been after the accident - but with a difference.  Pain found it's way into the strangest places.  After a few crashes at important functions (one being my son's wedding) it was time to go back to the doctor.  My husband had started to worry I might have MS.  I looked up the symptoms, but they didn't all match quite how I felt, but then I saw that word my old doctor had mentioned all that time ago and clicked on it.  Yes, yes and yes were my answers to all the symptoms listed, bar one. Finally I have the diagnosis, which makes so much sense when I think back over most of my life.

It's great to have the diagnosis, especially for family and friends to try and understand exactly what I can go through, but it's hard to know there's no amount of dedicated hard work that will end it as I THOUGHT I had last year.  

I am embarking back into exercise I had no time to do last year and felt too exhausted to start again, up until now.  I have also been referred to a physio of pain management (no real physio, she says it's more life coaching for this condition).  I am learning to pace again and to try to stay optimistic and try once again to laugh and smile and not be afraid of this difficult condition.

I start tomorrow with a personal rehab trainer and nutritionist. Who will take me on a new journey slowly.  I will have confidence in knowing, I can't really hurt myself.  Just to take small steps

Will let you know how it goes....

My fellow Fibro sufferers - we are strong and we will still live well.  Good luck to you all.

Jilly x