I am recently diagnosed with fibro and just started cymbalta

I don't have a fibromyalgia diagnosis i have ms and arthritis spinal stenosis and cervical spondylosis. I think I may have fibro but who cares? Certainly not my Dr and my neurologist just says it's not my ms that's causing sine symptom and asked my Dr to refer me to music skeletal she didn't so he asked again and now she wants me off her practice. Neck problems cause arm and around your chest pains so no wonder you thought it was heart. Try pain cream as when you get pain there you tend to tighten your muscles and it makes it worse. I think a lot of ms and fibromyalgia patients have spine problems too. Good luck, I feel for you. Try changing dr's 🌹

Hi Nuthead, they say it's 'probably' fibro! Well, that just means they have no clue as to what it is! I have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and I wouldn't say your symptoms would particularly suggest it. I would be wary of starting the cymbalta. I'm weaning off it just now after two/three months of pure hell on it. It is not a good drug to be on. I know some people say it helps them but even so, the withdrawl from it is a complete nightmare in and of itself.

My advice would be (if it is indeed muscoskeletal) is to take yourself off to a good chiropractor or osteopath. I have my first appointment with one tomorrow Drugs don't actually get to the 'root' of the problem. They only deal with the symptoms. See if you can get some help the more 'natural' way first. And then, by all means, if you feel you need medication then that is obviously your choice to make. Just don't be so quick (like I was) to take pills prescribed by doctors simply because they don't know what else to do!!

Good luck x

Hi there,

I think the first thing I would suggest, is that you ask your GP to refer you to a Rheumatologist who is qualified in this field.  They will do various tests, blood, X-ray's scans etc to rule out certain problems and then go from there.  

I was diagnosed quite a while ago and have had problems in the same areas you mention.   Unfortunately Fibro has no respect for anyone and it thrives on stress, so unfortunately your anxiety, which you can't help, is probably exacerbating matters.  I find different days means different pains.  Big gentle hugs and I hope you get some help soon. x

Well first of all I am sorry you are in this pain. One thing that should ease your anxiety is you have been checked out and it is not your heart or anything life threatening. Pain does make us have anxiety and it is very hard to function with pain. All the places you describe that your pain is is def. trigger points of fibro. I get them too there.  It is that way in the morning because everything stiffens up, like with arthritis which I have very bad in my lower back and spine. Hopefully the cymbalta will help you. Walking and listening to your fav music just a few minutes a day and work up, will help. I am working still and I have found that concentrating on something else and doing things to help others takes the focus off of myself and makes me feel better about myself and I am not so focused on my pain. Its not easy but also try and eat good watching your wheat and sugar. It helps a lot. Take care. 

Yes, that would be me! Mine seem to ease later in the day, mostly when it's time to go to bed. I take Cymbalta for depression, I take oxycontin for the pain.

Mine also starts as soon as wake up. If I don't take my pain meds and go back to sleep for at least an hour, I'm done. I'm had to stop working with all the different diagnosis that I was given. . Couldn't do it, it was taking a toll on me. I have tried everything. And I mean everything. Physical therapy on land and in the water. All of the different types of medication. The Rheumatologist is the best doctor to see in my opinion. Originally accident in 2000 and it just got really bad in 2007. I've seen many doctors of different specialties. Have kicked a few to the curb as well. I know my body and no one can tell me what hurts unless they have the same thing.

Gentle hugs, and good luck with your journey of getting the right answer. 🌷Dee

Hi Nuthead. I've been dealing with a fibro diagnosis for more than a decade now. I completely agree with sukes. Ask for a referral to a good rheumatologist. They specialize in arthritis and Fibromyalgia and will be able to give you a proper diagnosis. Medications effect everyone in different ways. I take Cymbalta and it has been very helpful. Stress is hard on fibro patients so you need to find other calming activities to help with stress. Fibromyalgia can cause pain anywhere. I have so many other diagnosis stacked on top of fibro. Arthritis, Costal chondritis, migraines, IBS, depression, etc., etc., etc. And every day can have different pain. Sometimes my knees hurt when I wake up, but after moving around during the day, they might feel better but my hips hurt so bad I don't want to stand up at all. You will figure out which meds are right for you. I love to lay in a hot tub full of Epsom salt and bubbles. I really hope you can find a good rheumatologist that can help you. Gentle hugs.