Does anyone on here suffer from Fibromyalgia?

[bbbbbbb]

Back in 2020, I had a panic attack which ultimately triggered a mysterious pain I would feel on my chest (where my ribs and sternum meet) and on the backside as well. This also caused internal nerve and joint pain that I would feel across my arms, knees, head and lower back. After many doctor and ER visits, I was told it could be Costochondritis, Fibromyalgia or just plain old stress.

Around October 2020, I decided to stop visiting doctors (plus the amount of money I spending was off the wall!) and to just let my body heal on its own. Eventually, the pain did subside, but I continue to have flare ups every now and then. I'm actually having an episode now, but it's not as excruciating as it was during 2020 - This episode was triggered from stress and over eating processed food.

Even though I have not been clinically diagnosed with Fibro, but I understand the chronic pain that comes with it. I pray that everyone here will overcome this and to continue trust in the Lord.

God bless!

I don't think you have fibromyalgia if the pain is in one area of your body only. Fibromyalgia (or at least my experience of it) expresses itself in excruciating pain which tends to move around various areas of the body. That said, your widespread pain could be fibro if the pain appears in one area and not another and then moves around.

BTW, stress is the fallback diagnosis and I do not give much credibility to that at all. You do have real, physical pain which can be triggered. Hopefully, you will be able to keep it under control and will be able to function normally (whatever normally might mean).

 

[MissFaithfullyHis]

to find out if you have fibromyalgia, see a rheumatologist
one who diagnosed me said there is no cure

I have a lot of daily pain
I use a lot of biofreeze

somedays, I can barely walk due to hip pain
the pain can be overwhelming

a person hit my car on the hwy & totaled my car
accident triggered fibromyalgia from trauma to my body

it's difficult to get restful sleep which increases the pain
then the pain causes lack of sleep
endless cycle

It was actually the rheumatologist who thought I had Fibro, and he also thought it could be Lupus, but he thought I needed more symptoms to fall into the Lupus category. He was helpful to a certain extent, but I was feeling too overwhelmed (and traumatized) with the amount of medication that they were prescribing me.

I was actually bed ridden for almost a month because of the widespread pain I was feeling, and I couldn't even take care of my son. I was in agonizing pain for 7 months straight, then eventually after changing a few things in my life, the pain started to subside by the end of 2020. Now, I just deal with temporary episodes of whatever it may be, but I did figure out stress, weather (when it's summer) and my eating habits played some role in this mysterious pain.

I'm so sorry to hear about your car accident though; that must have been devastating to deal with and the fact that it caused your long term pain. I do hope you're OK mentally, because I understand it can be draining and it certainly can affect your well being ang perception.

 

[mama2one]

I was actually bed ridden for almost a month because of the widespread pain I was feeling, and I couldn't even take care of my son. I was in agonizing pain for 7 months straight, I did figure out stress, weather (when it's summer) and my eating habits played some role .

sorry to hear that!
wonderful that things have gotten better for you

thankfully, I have the absolute best husband & teen
without them, I don't know what I'd do

 

[bbbbbbb]

It was actually the rheumatologist who thought I had Fibro, and he also thought it could be Lupus, but he thought I needed more symptoms to fall into the Lupus category. He was helpful to a certain extent, but I was feeling too overwhelmed (and traumatized) with the amount of medication that they were prescribing me.

I was actually bed ridden for almost a month because of the widespread pain I was feeling, and I couldn't even take care of my son. I was in agonizing pain for 7 months straight, then eventually after changing a few things in my life, the pain started to subside by the end of 2020. Now, I just deal with temporary episodes of whatever it may be, but I did figure out stress, weather (when it's summer) and my eating habits played some role in this mysterious pain.

I'm so sorry to hear about your car accident though; that must have been devastating to deal with and the fact that it caused your long term pain. I do hope you're OK mentally, because I understand it can be draining and it certainly can affect your well being ang perception.

There is also the possibility of a myofascial pain syndrome. Unlike fibro, which is chronic, a myofascial pain syndrome can last for months and then subside, sometimes permanently, but it can also recur for reasons generally unknown.

 

[mama2one]

.

 

[rayraysh]

after a 10 year long search, seeing so many specialists, so many tests, so many hospitals, and no diagnoses and no one knowing what i was suffering from.. i finally got diagnosed with fibromyalgia last month. i was relieved yet scared knowing i will never get rid of the pain.. i also have a chronic sleeping disorder and suffer from depression and anxiety.. but i gotta keep strong and i won't let this bring me down

 

[bbbbbbb]

after a 10 year long search, seeing so many specialists, so many tests, so many hospitals, and no diagnoses and no one knowing what i was suffering from.. i finally got diagnosed with fibromyalgia last month. i was relieved yet scared knowing i will never get rid of the pain.. i also have a chronic sleeping disorder and suffer from depression and anxiety.. but i gotta keep strong and i won't let this bring me down

Wow! It took me six months of intense searching to get my diagnosis - and I thought that was an eternity. I am glad you finally know your disease. I agree that there are very mixed emotions. Now, you need to find effective ways of coping with your pain and getting as much sleep as possible. I will be praying for you.

 

[linux.poet]

Not me, but one of my dear friends has been diagnosed with it. I would appreciate your prayers for Jennifer. She got it from a car accident.

Also, there is a clinical study that says that the use of wool underwear and bedding helps with fibromyalgia pain:

A new nonpharmacological method in fibromyalgia: the use of wool - PubMed

Nurses provide professional support to patients with fibromyalgia. They select suitable clothes and sleeping materials for their patients with this object in mind: to keep their patients warm and to protect them from the cold.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The reason why is that it helps the sufferers maintain a consistent temperature over the whole body and relieves pressure on pain points. This could especially help with sleep. I hope this information is useful to some or all of you.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Not me, but one of my dear friends has been diagnosed with it. I would appreciate your prayers for Jennifer. She got it from a car accident.

Also, there is a clinical study that says that the use of wool underwear and bedding helps with fibromyalgia pain:

A new nonpharmacological method in fibromyalgia: the use of wool - PubMed

Nurses provide professional support to patients with fibromyalgia. They select suitable clothes and sleeping materials for their patients with this object in mind: to keep their patients warm and to protect them from the cold.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The reason why is that it helps the sufferers maintain a consistent temperature over the whole body and relieves pressure on pain points. This could especially help with sleep. I hope this information is useful to some or all of you.

That is really interesting. As I write this I am wearing my wool union suit (a one-piece complete body underwear) and a wool sweater. My fibromyalgia symptoms actually seem to be better when I do this. I agree that maintaining a relatively warm and consistent body temperature is really helpful.

Thank you!

 

[mama2one]

for those with fibromyalgia, has anyone tried medical marijuana?
if so, does it help with the pain?

I just saw a rheumatologist & I qualify for it
thinking of trying it

 

[bbbbbbb]

for those with fibromyalgia, has anyone tried medical marijuana?
if so, does it help with the pain?

I just saw a rheumatologist & I qualify for it
thinking of trying it

Although I have not tried it myself, I knew a lady with fibromyalgia who did, before it was legalized. She told me that it was the only real relief she got from her pain. If, and when (more likely when), my current regimen were to stop working, I would definitely consider it.

 

[Frank Robert]

for those with fibromyalgia, has anyone tried medical marijuana?
if so, does it help with the pain?

I just saw a rheumatologist & I qualify for it
thinking of trying it

There are several non medical interventions that have proven effective as guided meditation.

Some links to free resources on the internet that you might find helpful

The Body Scan is for focus, use before the guided Meditation

Body Scan

palousemindfulness.com

This is on Youtube. It's by Jason Stephenson and is the best one that I come across. (Read the comments by people who have used it) The guided meditations is about 25mins followed by music for sleep which you don't need to use.

Guided Meditation, Chronic Pain Release, Meditation for Pain Relief

I have worked with several people who have found the above combination helpful. For best results and to maintain the pain free state you may need to repeat.

Another option is Neuro Linguistic Programming which uses techniques to reframe (change) pain in the subconscious by reframing the pain into something a non painful feeling or image, or sound, or a metaphor.

How To Reduce Pain The NLP Way

 

[Aaron112]

after a 10 year long search, seeing so many specialists, so many tests, so many hospitals, and no diagnoses and no one knowing what i was suffering from.. i finally got diagnosed with fibromyalgia last month. i was relieved yet scared knowing i will never get rid of the pain.. i also have a chronic sleeping disorder and suffer from depression and anxiety.. but i gotta keep strong and i won't let this bring me down

Some relatives likewise, and others , went through similar experiences. Peculiar almost was the relief they felt in finally having it identified, so they know it is not just "in their head". Better yet, was the few who learnt how to control or even reverse it and lose the diagnosis. They keep on trying until they found it. Harder to find today, but still possible.

 

[Aaron112]

for those with fibromyalgia, has anyone tried medical marijuana?
if so, does it help with the pain?

I just saw a rheumatologist & I qualify for it
thinking of trying it

That works according to the testimony of probably thousands of people nationwide.
But I like other ways that work better, long term, and lower cost. Harder to find, a lot harder due to no one profiting from it, but still possible.

 

[mama2one]

thanks for the above ideas....I listened to both

 

[Plenipotent]

My medical journey has been quite extensive, been extremely sick since I was a child. At the age of 12, I received a diagnosis of Viral Arthritis, which was followed by a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis at 16 when it didn't go away. However, things took a turn at 25 when my new medical team determined that arthritis might not have been the right diagnosis after all. And after numerous tests, including my, what felt like, 100th test for Lyme Disease, they labeled me with Fibromyalgia.

I disagree. While Fibromyalgia remains my official diagnosis, I don't believe it. Medical consensus seems to state that it's a condition without a cure, only manageable through treatment. I've arrived at the conclusion that my true ailment remains unidentified, and Fibromyalgia became the convenient label for their uncertainty. My Fibromyalgia diagnosis was the best thing that ever happened to me, because that was the point in my life where I said; ENOUGH.

I've chosen not to rely on any medication and to reject the notion that I'm limited in any way. Fatigue? I push through. Pain? I soldier on. A desire for a 3-mile walk thwarted by uncooperative eyelids and agonizing leg pain? I'll put on a neon jumpsuit and settle for an unconventional rolling of my body down a sidewalk. My body's attempts to impede me are met with nothing but pure defiance. I refuse to accept that I have an incurable disease and I'm just going to have to 'deal' with this pain and all it's problems for the rest of my life.

I don't want to seem like I'm advocating for this approach for anyone, but since my Fibromyalgia diagnosis, coupled with my realization that doctors may never be able to help me, I've embraced an unwavering stance. Pain and exhaustion are now rare occurrences. Even depression has vanished. My brain's attempts to cause baseless sadness are dismissed. If happiness is my goal, I'll be happy. I will find a way. I dare my body to try to obstruct me. GIVE ME MY DAILY CHALLANGE, LORD! Occasionally, my body insists on pain and rest for absolutely no reason. NOPE! I'm the captain now. Sleep occurs when I decree it. We finish what we start, no exceptions.

Is this approach healthy? I have absolutely no idea. Has it yielded results? I've never been happier and more pain free.

 

[returntosender]

My medical journey has been quite extensive, been extremely sick since I was a child. At the age of 12, I received a diagnosis of Viral Arthritis, which was followed by a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis at 16 when it didn't go away. However, things took a turn at 25 when my new medical team determined that arthritis might not have been the right diagnosis after all. And after numerous tests, including my, what felt like, 100th test for Lyme Disease, they labeled me with Fibromyalgia.

I disagree. While Fibromyalgia remains my official diagnosis, I don't believe it. Medical consensus seems to state that it's a condition without a cure, only manageable through treatment. I've arrived at the conclusion that my true ailment remains unidentified, and Fibromyalgia became the convenient label for their uncertainty. My Fibromyalgia diagnosis was the best thing that ever happened to me, because that was the point in my life where I said; ENOUGH.

I've chosen not to rely on any medication and to reject the notion that I'm limited in any way. Fatigue? I push through. Pain? I soldier on. A desire for a 3-mile walk thwarted by uncooperative eyelids and agonizing leg pain? I'll put on a neon jumpsuit and settle for an unconventional rolling of my body down a sidewalk. My body's attempts to impede me are met with nothing but pure defiance. I refuse to accept that I have an incurable disease and I'm just going to have to 'deal' with this pain and all it's problems for the rest of my life.

I don't want to seem like I'm advocating for this approach for anyone, but since my Fibromyalgia diagnosis, coupled with my realization that doctors may never be able to help me, I've embraced an unwavering stance. Pain and exhaustion are now rare occurrences. Even depression has vanished. My brain's attempts to cause baseless sadness are dismissed. If happiness is my goal, I'll be happy. I will find a way. I dare my body to try to obstruct me. GIVE ME MY DAILY CHALLANGE, LORD! Occasionally, my body insists on pain and rest for absolutely no reason. NOPE! I'm the captain now. Sleep occurs when I decree it. We finish what we start, no exceptions.

Is this approach healthy? I have absolutely no idea. Has it yielded results? I've never been happier and more pain free.

Oh my gosh, what a wonderful!!! I'm positive it is exactly what God expects of us. I'm where you are, were excot for the way you are handling it. I quit going to doctors for the futility of it but i cry all the way to the grave! I pray for mercy for you, truly. Your avatar is perfect for you

 

[bbbbbbb]

My medical journey has been quite extensive, been extremely sick since I was a child. At the age of 12, I received a diagnosis of Viral Arthritis, which was followed by a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis at 16 when it didn't go away. However, things took a turn at 25 when my new medical team determined that arthritis might not have been the right diagnosis after all. And after numerous tests, including my, what felt like, 100th test for Lyme Disease, they labeled me with Fibromyalgia.

I disagree. While Fibromyalgia remains my official diagnosis, I don't believe it. Medical consensus seems to state that it's a condition without a cure, only manageable through treatment. I've arrived at the conclusion that my true ailment remains unidentified, and Fibromyalgia became the convenient label for their uncertainty. My Fibromyalgia diagnosis was the best thing that ever happened to me, because that was the point in my life where I said; ENOUGH.

I've chosen not to rely on any medication and to reject the notion that I'm limited in any way. Fatigue? I push through. Pain? I soldier on. A desire for a 3-mile walk thwarted by uncooperative eyelids and agonizing leg pain? I'll put on a neon jumpsuit and settle for an unconventional rolling of my body down a sidewalk. My body's attempts to impede me are met with nothing but pure defiance. I refuse to accept that I have an incurable disease and I'm just going to have to 'deal' with this pain and all it's problems for the rest of my life.

I don't want to seem like I'm advocating for this approach for anyone, but since my Fibromyalgia diagnosis, coupled with my realization that doctors may never be able to help me, I've embraced an unwavering stance. Pain and exhaustion are now rare occurrences. Even depression has vanished. My brain's attempts to cause baseless sadness are dismissed. If happiness is my goal, I'll be happy. I will find a way. I dare my body to try to obstruct me. GIVE ME MY DAILY CHALLANGE, LORD! Occasionally, my body insists on pain and rest for absolutely no reason. NOPE! I'm the captain now. Sleep occurs when I decree it. We finish what we start, no exceptions.

Is this approach healthy? I have absolutely no idea. Has it yielded results? I've never been happier and more pain free.

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I understand your frustration with the medical industry.

For my part, I don't really care what they call my condition. I am of the opinion that "fibromyalgia" is a basket term for a wide variety of illnesses that share some common symptoms.

Coping with the pain and insomnia is what it comes down to for me. Through trial and error my doctor and I have come up with a very workable plan which I have been on for seventeen years now. I get about six hours of decent sleep, plus a morning nap, so that is fine. My pain levels vacillate from about one in the mornings to about three in the evening. I function 100%, so I am happy.

Attitude makes an enormous difference and I decided early on not to let my illness define me. If you can manage without external help, so much the better. I can't, but what I have works just fine for me. Each and every one of us with "fibromyalgia" has a different story and different things that work for them. If, and when, I revert to insomnia and pain I will reinvent my wheel until I discover something that will allow me to be fully functional.

 

[Plenipotent]

Oh my gosh, what a wonderful!!! I'm positive it is exactly what God expects of us. I'm where you are, were excot for the way you are handling it. I quit going to doctors for the futility of it but i cry all the way to the grave! I pray for mercy for you, truly. Your avatar is perfect for you

Bahah! My avatar is ironically a reflection of myself. My name is Amber, so my avatar is... Amber. I'm super clever. But my father said to me recently, "You know why that is? Because you're Amber. I named you Amber for a reason. It's not just a name, it means something." So, I appreciate that comment!

Honestly, it's very hard to push yourself when you're in that extreme pain, that mental anguish, and feeling that exhaustion. But it worked for me, so maybe it'll work for you. Or maybe something else works for you. All I know is that if I do have Fibromyalgia like they say, I'm kicking it's butt which means you can too!

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I understand your frustration with the medical industry.

For my part, I don't really care what they call my condition. I am of the opinion that "fibromyalgia" is a basket term for a wide variety of illnesses that share some common symptoms.

Coping with the pain and insomnia is what it comes down to for me. Through trial and error my doctor and I have come up with a very workable plan which I have been on for seventeen years now. I get about six hours of decent sleep, plus a morning nap, so that is fine. My pain levels vacillate from about one in the mornings to about three in the evening. I function 100%, so I am happy.

Attitude makes an enormous difference and I decided early on not to let my illness define me. If you can manage without external help, so much the better. I can't, but what I have works just fine for me. Each and every one of us with "fibromyalgia" has a different story and different things that work for them. If, and when, I revert to insomnia and pain I will reinvent my wheel until I discover something that will allow me to be fully functional.

I believe in this as well! You're not giving up, you're continuing on and find something that works for you! I think the best thing you can do is not give up, and not give in!

 

[bbbbbbb]

Bahah! My avatar is ironically a reflection of myself. My name is Amber, so my avatar is... Amber. I'm super clever. But my father said to me recently, "You know why that is? Because you're Amber. I named you Amber for a reason. It's not just a name, it means something." So, I appreciate that comment!

Honestly, it's very hard to push yourself when you're in that extreme pain, that mental anguish, and feeling that exhaustion. But it worked for me, so maybe it'll work for you. Or maybe something else works for you. All I know is that if I do have Fibromyalgia like they say, I'm kicking it's butt which means you can too!

I believe in this as well! You're not giving up, you're continuing on and find something that works for you! I think the best thing you can do is not give up, and not give in!