How many of our friends in Seniors are battling fibromyalgia?

Question

I ask this in Seniors and not in a medical area because I have noted mention of this several times in answers. If you have been diagnosed did it take a long time? Is your Dr. up on treatment? Do you have any coping advice?

I was diagnosed in 1994. Took 10 yrs. to get a knowledgable Dr. I use pain meds as needed and they vary in strength. Eat a high protein diet. Stretch exercises. Walk when I am able. Still have occasions totally crippled physically but it is not as often. Brain fog has been better the past year. Barometric pressure changes affect me more than I realized. Thanks to a new Dr. for the last 3 yrs. I actually want to live. The pain had turned me into a mean wimp. Blessing to all of you and deep appreciation for sharing with us.

Answer 1

Yes I have fibromyalgia along with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis and scoliosis, spondylitis in the cervical spine. I've had a knee replacement (wonderful) and a hip replacement (dreadful), and a month ago I had a thyroidectomy. I think the worst part to deal with is the chronic fatigue and sleeplessness. I am a type A personality, had two professional careers, raised a family, and loved fishing, hunting, and camping. Now I'm unable to walk except short distances with a rollator. Otherwise, I'm in a power chair. I have wonderful doctors and I am so blessed. I use pain medication sparingly. I take anti-inflammatory medication along with a muscle relaxant. I take calcium and vitamin D to keep my bones from falling apart. COPING ADVICE: I wear comfortable clothes (it's amazing how much it helps to never put on anything just because it looks good). I keep my stress level low even if it means telling someone I love them but I can't deal with their drama. I stay close to family and friends. STAY BUSY. STAY IN LOVE WITH LIFE. THANK GOD FOR WHAT YOU DO HAVE, NOT WHAT YOU'VE LOST. CHANGE YOUR GOALS. GET A HOBBY. I have a friend who takes me fishing and gets me and my walker to the bank. I crochet lots of things for family and friends. I take supper to a sick neighbor (I live in a senior/disabled type apartment complex and can go in my power chair). I read a lot. I am writing the story of my very unique life for my daughter and grandkids. I spend a considerable amount of time on the computer. I LAUGH! I LAUGH A LOT! I remember to thank God for every day, every blessing. Life is good!

Answer 2

Thank you so much for the question! I am new to it. So you and everyone who answers this question can consider themselves my therapy group. I don't know much about it except that I am in pain and can't walk very well sometimes. Usually while under stress.

At first I thought that it was my back again. So I went to the chiropractor several times a week for a month with no improvement. Or very little improvement. He took an x-ray of my lower back and found some calcium deposits in my hip area on both sides. It isn't attached to the bone and looks like a piece of coral. He thought that I should see an MD and take the x-rays with me. I thought I was going to an arthritus speicalist, but my doctor scheduled me for another x-ray instead. Which didn't help.

I went back to my old pain doctor. he couldn't put his finger on anything either.

I changed doctors. The new one made me an appointment for blood and urine tests. I have no sign of arthritus or osteoprosis in my blood, so he decided that I have fibromyalgia. He perscribed some pills and sent me on my way.

This pain lasted almost three months. I have pain in the back of my neck in a couple different areas, wrists and hands, lower back, hip joints. knees, even my feet. The left foot hurts on top and the right foot hurts on the bottom under the arch.

My left hand is killing me, has been for at least five months. I am going to see if it's carpal tunnel next week. But the main bout of the fibromyalgia has been gone for a month. I expect if I really do have it, it will return. Thank you for the question. I probably can't help you, but you can help me by just being here. Love Granny

Answer 3

I was diagnosed with a similar disease in Dec of 2006, multiple sclerosis. In retrospect, I've had it probably 20 years. I had tons of problems but "just kept keeping on......". Figured unless I dropped dead, what was my choice? I remembered thinking I had fibromyalgia........

I have completely turned my health around through a natural and holitic approach.......natural vitamins, juicing, eating low carbs, low fat, little to no refined sugar, little to no refined white flour, NO aspartane, NO saccahrine, NO MSG, NO Splenda. No fast food! NONE!

In the beginning my stamina was poor but I have worked up to walking 4-5 miles a day and do 1/2/ hour of Yoga daily. Yoga is fantastic! Clears your lungs of bad residual air and brings in fresh clean air that heals. Also great for stress relief and all over muscle tone. It also is great for all that muscle and joint tightness!

I have completely turned my life around and am exceedingly happy! You can do it too!

Doctors will NOT tell you about nutrition. If they can't "cure" you with something from a pharmaceutical company, forget it. The body is wonderous and it can cure itself if you do the right things!

I started this new way of living about 4 months ago. Dropped 25 lbs and feel better than I have in 20 years! Give it a try, you have nothing to lose and your life back is the gain!

Thought of a few more things I've been doing.........No prepackaged or pre prepped foods, NO nitrates, NO alcohol, No coffee and drinking copious amounts of water.

Answer 4

Officially diagnosed about 8 years ago. Till then, it was most frustrating because doctors weren't open to the idea yet and I felt very much alone. I now have three wonderful doc's at my side and they help me deal with all the surprises of Fibro'. Fortunately they get me into physical therapy right away when things are at their worst. I've had to learn to live with the lack of sleep issue...thank God for cable TV and this computer! Anti-inflamatories help, as does keeping stress at a minimum. My best coping device? Giving and getting emotional support. Just being able to relate to others with the same condition, and knowing we're in this together, has made it a lot easier.

Take good care. Gracie

Answer 5

Yes I have been diagnosed with fibro many years ago and its a bugger!!
I have recently seen a new rhuematologist because I was going through a severe bout of it.
I have it constantly of course but there seems to be times that are worse than others.
The rhumatologist was pretty useless I think. All he wanted to do was put me on sleeping tablets and 8 panadol a day. FORGET IT. I think I will ask for another specialist.

I do take painkillers when I really cant stand the pain anymore but I try to cope without it. I have a whole range of painkillers from 'stopping a mosquito' to 'bringing down an elephant' in strength and I take what I need when I need it.

I believe that diet has a lot to do with it. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vege, cut down on red meat or go vegetarian like me.
I also have recently found glucosamine and green lip mussel tablets work wonders. I really was surprised because nothing works usuallly but these two tablets really do. DONT take them if you are allergic to shellfish tho.
Try and stay active even if its just in small ways. If you stop you will 'freeze up' and thats even worse.
I do have some really good info the dr gave me but I dont know how to get it to you. I will see if I can scan it into the computer tomorrow, maybe I can email it.
Anyway, try and stay calm about it. Acceptance helps you cope, dont fight it on days that are bad, just go with the flow and you WILL pick up.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I have had fibro for over 12 yrs. I take Guaifenesin for my fibro and have been taking it for over 8 years. You have to learn how to take the med properly for it to work on fibro. Here is a book you need to get either from a library or you could get it at ebay or amazon cheaper than a bookstore.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia by
Dr. Paul St. Amand

Here is a website for more info and for an online support group for those who take guaifenesin..
www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com

It is not a cure and it is not a pain
med but it has allowed me to stop taking prescription pain meds. I used to take them constantly.

Answer 8

My Aunt did. She owned a heath food store and found most of her relief through natural means, even though her sons were medical doctors and she had access to the best physicians and specialists in the area.

I just know I suffered the majority of my adult with severe migrains when they were considered all in your head too. Then....they finally got around to finding a hormonal link that I had said for a good 25 or so years.

They certainly don't know everything and it's strange so many people are suffering with the same "all your head" disease.

Answer 9

i was diagnosed in '97 after two years of tests. finally someone told me it sounded like i had fibro. my doc at the time didn't really believe in fibro, so when i mentioned it he pretty much ignored the possibility. i insisted that he send me to a specialist.

i went to a chronic pain doc. after listening to a long list of symptoms he checked for the tender points. i had almost all of them. he put me on flexeril. which helped quite a bit.

i have a new doctor now, and he's really good. what a difference the right doctor can make!

it isn't any better, but at least it's not fatal.

coping advice? sleep. i haven't slept well in over 10 yrs. my doc. is trying to find something to help me sleep through the night. haven't found it yet, but we're still trying.

water therapy, massages, and flexeril seem to help.

good luck...i know it sucks.

Answer 10

Embrace your pain. That's how I deal with it. No drugs, stay away from artificial additives & food colorings, healthier diet than I used to have (not perfect), no heavy lifting, stay warm, rest often, hot showers for painful mornings, hot water soaks for your hands & arms on those cold mornings, gentle stretching & yoga exercises, stay away from the Medical People, no alcoholic beverages, no soda, bottled spring water, meat only on occasion, no peanut butter, no white bread, no cows milk, no extra added sugar, herb tea in the afternoons 7 evenings, watered down instant coffee in the mornings for 2 days, then switch to ROMA grain beverage for 1 day, then back to watered down instant for 2 days...this way I avoid the caffeine headaches when I don't drink it everyday! Years of using MOTRIN & Naproxin tore up my system, so I had to improvise to find what works for me. I'm still in pain, but it's far better than dealing with the pain that the meds left me with. Pain is a good thing that reminds me to take it easy & avoid pushing myself as I once did. Afterall, it was my constant need to push myself to higher levels that got me to this point to begin with! Above all...I never worry about being slow or asking someone to help me get something off a top shelf at the supermarket. Multi-tasking is no longer an option...it's a thing of the past. I wonder what will happen to the people who are pushing themselves beyond their limits over the next 30 years? I'll bet they will have bigger problems than my generation has!