Fibromyalgia?

Question

I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia a month ago. I am 23 years old. I thought I was having some horrible back problems; couldn't sleep or even stand for just a few minutes without feeling like I was going to die from the pain. I am chronically tired all the time, no matter how much sleep I get, and feel nauseous frequently. Also, I don't know if this is a factor, but I used to be 155 lbs, and am down now to about 130 (I'm 5'7"). Can you give me any advice as to how to deal or cope with this disease? Thanks!

Answer 1

i was diagnosed 3 years ago- there's ALOT i could say, but i'll keep it short. first, were you diagnosed by a rheumatologist? besides, the prssure points being positive, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and MS must be ruled out. the first 2 by blood test, the third by MRI. losing the weight is great- the fatigue of FMS is enough without dragging an extra 20 pounds around.
this is kind of a new thing, and a lot of doctors will blow you off- saying there is nothing that can be done. in some ways it's true- you are on your own as far as taking care of yourself like nobody's business. i have to take care of myself like an old lady (im 36) i go to bed at a reasonable time, don't over-sleep, eat as bast that i can- lots of fruits and veg- trying to cut down on artificial stuff. exercise- easy stuff- yoga and walking. i try not to overschedule myself- not too many errands in one day- no marathon cleaning or shopping sprees.
another thing that could be helpful is to keep a diary of you food, sleep, activities and your pain and other symptoms- you will see some patterns after awhile. some people develop weird environmental sensitivities, but i haven't really experienced that-yet! the whole thing can be pretty overwhelming- i sometimes feel like i am grieving my old body. my mind feels good and i want to do so much, but my body just says NFW to what i want to do. take care!

Answer 2

Not that welcoming you to the growing group is a comfort - but I have had it for over 20 years - before they had named it or described what it is.

I use a chiropractor who is a muscle speciallist (he uses an activator to manipulate and ultrasound to shrink the muscle damage). He told me about the book at the end.
He works with a massage therapist in his office.

See if you have a yeast overgrowth, they tend to go hand in hand. There are many products you can use but start at a very low dosage - the die-off can cause muscle soreness and bloating. Also replace the bad dead yeast growth with pro-biotics (the refrigerated ones are best)

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas (natural muscle relaxers) daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, (if this does not do it you probably need a chiropractor as well) you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 3

see a specialist