To everyone who answered my last question about suicide thank you for the replies - please note i have seen a psychiatrist, have been in hospital and spoken to counsellors and am on effexor - antidepressant. I am not saying it for pity i am just desperate and tired of mental and physical pain in my life.
Some people said they recovered from fibromyalgia but there was no email address to reply - if so how did you do it and did the tiredness ever go?
does anyone recommend anyone in the uk to see about this??
2007-09-13 06:22:03 · 9 answers · asked by gleaming_gem 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
oh my gosh im truly gonna have to end my life i cant live like this
2007-09-13 06:50:15 · update #1
My friend you MUST view the movie "The Secret". Therein lies your answer to this pain and stress and depression.
It's blessing MY life RIGHT NOW.
2007-09-13 06:26:50 · answer #1 · answered by stopdieting 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What are the symptoms?
Widespread muscle pain and fatigue plague those with fibromyalgia. Sufferers describe the pain as throbbing, aching, stabbing or shooting in nature. People will often say they 'ache all over'. It's often associated with stiffness, which like the pain may be worse first thing in the morning.
Triggers can aggravate the pain and there are many. Common ones include stress, fatigue, changes in the weather and even physical activity.
The tender points that are characteristic of fibromyalgia affect specific parts of the body - the elbows, around the neck, the front of the knees and the hip joints, for example. These are painful in response to the slightest pressure.
Some people also experience difficulty sleeping
In addition to these characteristic symptoms, some people also experience difficulty sleeping, headaches, numbness, tingling and depression, for example.
Fibromyalgia differs from arthritis because it doesn't cause inflammation or result in damage to the joints or muscles. Most of those with fibromyalgia find their symptoms tend to wax and wane over time, although for some the symptoms are constant.
What causes it?
There's no identifiable reason why fibromyalgia occurs. Many people relate the onset of their problem to a significant life event, such as a bereavement or illness. Some experts have suggested that a virus may be the trigger in susceptible individuals.
Most researchers believe those who develop fibromyalgia react to pain differently from those without the condition. This may be because of genetic predisposition to fibromyalgia, or it may be a result of environment.
Who's affected?
Around one in 100 people develops fibromyalgia
Around one in 100 people develops fibromyalgia at some point in their lives, most often during middle age. The majority of those affected are women, although men and children can be affected too.
Those with other chronic medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
How is it diagnosised?
Making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia isn't easy, because tiredness, fatigue, poor sleep and muscle pain are symptoms common to many conditions. These need to be ruled out before a positive diagnosis can be made.
However, there are criteria that need to be fulfilled if a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is to be confirmed. Widespread pain, meaning that it must be felt above and below the waist and on the right and left side of the body, should have been present for more than three months, and tenderness or pain should be felt in at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points when pressure is applied.
What's the treatment?
Although there's no cure and no specific treatment for fibromyalgia, there are plenty of things that can help. It's important for those with the condition to know that it doesn't damage the muscles or other parts of the body and that in time many people do improve.
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication are often recommended. Antidepressants may be used to treat the pain.
Physiotherapy can help and physiotherapists can provide a programme of gentle exercise and stretching to help maintain muscle tone and reduce pain and stiffness.
Emotional support is important, as the long-term nature of this condition tends to drag people down. Depression is common in sufferers.
Occupational therapists can provide good advice
It's important to think positive and to make necessary lifestyle changes. These may include changes in the way things are done at home or at work. Making these lifestyle changes enables activities to be completed successfully, which in turn can improve overall quality of life. Occupational therapists can provide good advice about what changes may be needed and how they can be made.
Many people with fibromyalgia find they benefit from complementary therapies such as relaxation therapy, massage, acupuncture, osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation and biofeedback. Stress management is essential to lessen the chances of symptoms being exacerbated. It's also important to get enough sleep and to eat a healthy diet
2007-09-13 15:23:13 · answer #2 · answered by starlite3597 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I want to know also. I got diagnosed in 1991. I stopped therapy because it wasn't helping. I recently started taking Elavil at night and Flexorel during the day for therapy. I cleaned my living room on Saturday (picked up toys, vacuumed and dusted), and I'm just now starting to get energy back. I don't want to have to use Provigil, since I have Essential Tremors -- which would get worse, and my insurance company refuses to cover it. I could try to fight the insurance company, but what is the use if I won't be able to take it anyway?. Has anything worked for anyone?
2007-09-13 13:32:06 · answer #3 · answered by Serena 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often people with fibromyalgia are suffering from chronic lyme disease-the symptoms are nearly identical & doctors in general know little or nothing about it.Therefore you may benefit by being tested for it at the private hospital below.
If it does turn out to be lyme disease there could be a chance of recovery.
2007-09-14 15:28:50 · answer #4 · answered by mr.bigz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please work with your psychiatrist to make sure you are on the correct anti-depressant. There are many different classes of drugs and make sure you are getting the uplift you need. Also, once you can accept your condition, work to alleviate your symptoms. When you know how to relieve your particular issues, you'll be able to cope.
2007-09-17 10:21:38 · answer #5 · answered by Diane P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.fibromyalgiasource.com has lots of information about Fibromyalgia and may be able to provide you with some assistance.
2007-09-17 01:11:16 · answer #6 · answered by sideline2084 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to tell you this, but fibromyalgia is a chronic disease. My mom has it and all you can do is take medicine and hope for the best.
I wish you the best of luck.
Love Sarah.
2007-09-13 13:32:09 · answer #7 · answered by metalgirl119 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You may find this source to have information you are lookiing for. http://www.bastyr.edu/ They have many research papers available. Perhaps even have an effective treatment for you condition.
2007-09-13 14:31:29 · answer #8 · answered by mrcricket1932 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please see these sites to help with your depression:
http://forums.walkers.org/
http://podcast.depressionisreal.org/?page_id=78
You can survive this!
2007-09-13 16:38:22 · answer #9 · answered by searching_please 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋