thoughts on fibromyalgia

[seganomics]

So I heard about fibromyalgia about two years ago for the first time. My sister had mentioned something about it and my ex went on about how he thought it was a bullcrap disease, how it only is apparent in american women, and it referred to floating pain around the body. First off that's highly inaccurate... it's pain at specific points in the body coupled with fatigue and sometimes depression and anxiety. other symptoms include stomach issues and skin sensitivity.

i've been reading articles about it, and i'm beginning to feel like it describes a lot of symptoms i've had for years, almost as far back as i can possibly remember which would be like 11 or 12. My parents never took much stock in depression or medication so when i would complain about back pain, or being really sad and not being able to sleep they didn't really care. They seemed to think they were normal growing pains and they'd go away eventually.

But now that I'm out of the house with my own insurance and it's coming out of my own pocket, I'm determined to find out what's it's like to live without constant pain, and get a good night's rest. I've been on antidepressants before, but it didn't alleviate my mood or help my sleep... I feel like if I could just get a good night's rest and wake up without the pain, then i'd be ready to start the day, be more active which would release more endorphins, and leave me a much less depressed person.

my question is... has anyone out there be professionally diagnosed with fibromyaligia? what kind of specialist did you go to? did you ask your doctor to specifically look into it? from what i read it's tough to diagnosis but i'd liked to go to a doctor to at least start to pin point what causes so much pain and fatigue. Any advice anyone has would be awesome.

[vashti]

I would advise you be careful about seeking this diagnosis. I think you are headed down a dangerous path.

A lot of professionals I work with don't believe in this diagnosis either, and consider it indicative of psychiatric problems. Also, people who complain about chronic pain with fibromyalgia usually end up addicted to prescription drugs (for the anxiety). A lot of them take Lyrica and antidepressants. Keep in mind that all medications have side effects.

Just sayin', since you asked.

[chansonnoire]

I am sorry you are feeling ill and I hope you get the answers you are looking for.

I have been diagnosed with fibromaylagia, chronic fatigue and restless leg syndrome by an internist, but many different types of doctors can diagnose it too. Fibromaylgia is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that your doctor will have to rule everything else out before they can diagnose you with fibro. Unfortunately this can be a long and expensive process.

Getting the fibro diagnosis was easy for me, but getting doctors to take it seriously was tough. I was told over and over again that fibro is caused by depression, even though I was not depressed. Luckily a very good rheumy I saw a few months ago recommended I get my vitimin D levels checked. It turns out I was severely deficient and after a few months of taking supplements, my energy levels are back to 100%. I feel like I've been given a new life! If you have fatigue, I would strongly suggest that you either get your vitimin D levels checked or that you just start taking supplements. You never know!

Unfortunately I still have a lot of the pain that I used to have, but I find that sleeping well and taking melatonin (another supplement that I would strongly urge you try) has helped tremendously.

Even if you can't get a diagnosis right away, you could ask your doctor for anti-depressants and pain medication if you think that would help. Cymbalta is a new drug that treats both pain and depression and many people with fibro that I've talked to claim it is a lifesaver for them.

I hope this helped. Good luck!

[seganomics]

I have taken vitamin D before. I thought about checking those levels checked because I used to live in a state with much more sunshine. Where I am now the winters are long and takes a toll.

I've been on alprazilam, lexapro, celexa, and fluoxetine... (i know those are horribly spelled)... they're all from the same family and did not seem to help. I got so frustrated that I just did away with all of it except for alprazilam very seldomly for tough nights.

I take melatonin. I sleep alright, but I always wake up in so much pain. thanks for you input. i might go get tested for the vitamin D and maybe look at cymbalta options.

[poetrychic]

My husband has been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia and because of it, unfortunately, it has caused us many intimacy problems in our marriage. He feels awful most days, and he's tried many of the medications that are supposed to help with it, but he also had two herniated discs in his back operated on last November--so because of that, he took pain meds, and now he's still on narcotics pain patches and medicine, also depression medicine to help with his pain for his neck/back and fibro. It's unfortunate how bad someone can feel from this, and it is a long process in finding out the right medications that will help you. I hope you find answers and the right medications that will help you. I think your family needs to support you, and it could be something else but it sounds like it is fibrom. Good luck.

By the way, it's the first time I have been on here (just joined) and I can't figure out how to post something. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[chansonnoire]

I live in Canada and my doctor said that pretty much everyone in Canada is at least somewhat vit. D defficient. If you live in a more northern state it might also be the case there too.

I'm sorry that the drugs you've tried haven't helped you in the past. Unfortunately treating fibromayalgia symptoms is often hit and miss until you find what works for you.

Best of luck!