fibromyalgia?

Question

does anyone know anything about fibromyalgia? I have episodes of where I get a brain fog, anxiety, dizziness, and I have pain at different parts of my body(neck, shoulders, small of my back etc.) I also experience headache at different times. Then It just goes away and I feel great for a period of time and it comes back. My doctor has done a full blood workup on me and everything is fine but I do not feel fine what is going on? Thanks in advance! xoxoo

Answer 1

Hello fellow sufferer. Living in this world with an "invisible" disease brings on a whole set of problems of its own. Many people will label you as "lazy" (Chronic fatigue is so very different than being dead tired- something few people can understand) One of the worst symptoms of fibro for me is the chronic fatigue and pain. Neither go away, ever. Even after an 8 or 9 hour night of "sleep". The sleep is unrefreshing. Naps are not an option, they are a must. Many people with this suffer headaches. I am blessed not to have that aspect of it. I am sorry to hear that you do. I do suffer with Irritable bowel syndrome, quite common with fibro. I also suffered with terribly painful and heavy menstral cycles. (All internal female organs have been surgically removed.) Pain is worst in my hips and lower back, but I have pain pretty much throughout my body. The worst pain gets the most attention. Irritability, depression and moodiness can all come into play which is totally understandable. The better I see that I get the rest that I need, exercise as regular (without overdoing it) as possible, avoiding a lot of fats, carbs and sugars, I do better. However even with all that, I still need to regualarly use a massage seat-heated, hot showers regularly, and get plenty of rest. I avoid stress at all costs as much as possible. I stay away from noisy loud places. The list goes on. The sad part is it never goes away. Then there is the one day in about 90 where I might feel like I am "well" only to have my hopes crushed the next day with the return of it all, sometimes with a vengence. It took at least 10 years for me to be diagnosed by my nurse practioner, the diagnosis was confirmed by a Rheumatoidologist. I have had numerous injections into joints and soft tissue to help me get through really bad spells. The cold it the pits, changes in weather/atmospheric pressure. Neighbors may see you using a cane for weeks on end and then go about your business like "normal'. Little do they know the "normal" day felt so good that the tendency is to do what you can do, only to pay for it with days of agony. There are support groups. Look into alternative medicine if you feel the need. Massage therapy is usually very helpful. I am thinking of trying acupuncture. It is all expensive, not covered by insurance for me, and after a hip replacement the fibromyalgia symptoms got much worse causing me to have to stop working. Thank God I have disability benefits but they are not nearly enough even to meet my health care needs. Let us pray for the day when great strides are made in treating/curing this disease. There have been many studies confirming inflammation of the nervous system. Some people are trying new meds. Mucinex is one. Good luck. I wish I could offer you hope. Build yourself a good support system, associate with positive people and stay away from negative ones who can be quite energy draining. Take good care of yourself and ask for help with symptoms as they arise. If you let them accumulate, they can become overwhelming and unbearable. Remember even at your worst you are worthy of getting whatever help you need and to be treated with dignity
ps. I also suffer from the brain fog, memory loss, allergies, recurrent sore throats.....This can affect your entire body. I didn't list my symptoms to "complain" but rather to share. In time hopefully you too will find what works best to help you with each of the ones that are most troublesome for you.

Answer 2

Wow, I seem to be answering a variant of this question pretty often recently... Here's what works for me. It's not fool proof, I still have bad days, and I still have flares, but it helps. Diet can be crucial. Limit processed foods, sugar, caffeine, etc. Drink plenty of water, eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. Supplements help. I take a magnesium/malic acid combo from solaray that does wonders (also has 5htp, valerian root, a nice combo). I take fish oil (1000 mg 3x a day, Pure Encapsulations brand- very high quality and no mercury worries) Happy Campers are great for those days when stress is an issue (they are a life saver some days) Self care is important. Sleep enough, rest enough, take time for yourself. Use heat and ice as often as you feel the need. Check into the Theracane and trigger point workbooks. Massage and chiropractic are lifesavers. Maybe see about getting a portable electric stim machine, mine is enough to keep me mobile some days... Exercise, although painful, is mandatory. Walk, stretch, swim, do Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, maybe even check out the miracle ball, while it's not all that great as an exercise the little balls do a great job of releasing tension from your low back and hips. Stay comfortable. I know I'm beginning to sound like a sales pitch, but MBT shoes are awesome. They are ugly, and unreasonably expensive, but they mean that I can actually go shopping in Target or at the mall and not have to sit down every few minutes. I went to an aquarium recently and didn't have to stop once, it meant a lot to be able to do that. I've actually been able to make it across campus in them without having to stop and rest my back! There are a number of other supplements people recommend, this is just what works for me. *** Edit*** Ramesh1938, you are full of crap. There is no evidence to suggest that Fibromyalgia leads to drug addiction. Fibromyalgia is NOT a symptom of mental anguish or narcissism. It has nothing to do with getting sympathy from others. Please, pull your head out of your behind and go crawl back under your rock.

Answer 3

I have the same kind of symptoms. I have good day and I have bad days. No one really knows what is the exact cause or the exact symptoms because every case is different...I believe stress, lack of sleep, weather and other factors are a great cause of our triggers. Headaches Yup those migraines...I have medicine for that..sometimes it doesnt work. all the blood work in the world wont come up with anything...I can be tired for weeks at a time..I hate the brain fog and the pain...trying to keep a good esteem is helpful...I would get stressed because I couldnt think right or didnt get things done and it made it worse...I take one day at a time...You want to talk email me...Deb L

Answer 4

Fibro is an inflammation of the connective tissue all over your whole body. It can cause numerous symptoms(like the ones you described) as well as others. The problem is that there is no test to diagnose it, just questions about the symptoms, and the symptoms mimic symptoms of other syndromes and diseases from ANA to depression. If ,though, you feel you have fibro the only real treatment is regular exercise, enough sleep, and anti-inflamatories when in pain. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

My website offers more information on alternative therapies to treat Fibromyalgia so you can decide which choice is right for you.To read more on the condition feel free to browse through my articles at:

http://fibromyalgiaenzymetherapy.wordpress.com/

Hope I can help

Answer 6

My Moms friend has it and she really suffers ...unfortunately she went to her doctor multiple times and they couldn't find out what was wrong. It took her a couple years to get diagnosed and now she is doing really well. I hope you can find a doctor that will be able to treat you quickly because it is a very painful thing to have.
Good Luck.

Here is a website about it ... www.fm-cfs.ca hope there is more info for you there

Answer 7

fibromyalgia

Answer 8

Here's a great link: for symptoms and prognosis... I suffer with it also and have been seeing a Rhuemotologist

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079/DSECTION=2

http://www.fibromyalgiasupport.com/