Fibromyalgia Support Group

Hello. I'm sorry to hear that you were just diagnosed. I found it helpful to know that something accounted for the problems I was having and that it wasn't "just in my head". Hopefully you will find that support from here will be encouraging/informative. I've found that finding the right mixture of medications is critical. Getting enough sleep is very important. I expect a great deal of myself and have learned to accept that I can just do the best I can THAT DAY. My functioning does vary from day to day. Sometimes weather, stressors, doing too much can cause symptoms to flare. When they do, just do what you can do to take care of yourself. In addition to support you can get here, I hope you have a good support system within your family and friends. I'll keep you in my prayers!

yes I think she just about covered it..Stay w/in yr limits for that day..You are gonna have good days and you will have unbearable days..But learn to limit yourself, because you do not look sick. People will push..You have to learn to really take care of yourself...It may the 1st time, but it really is important..And get the pain under control at least to a level 5..that way you can still walk at least...God Bless and we hope we can be of support..God bless. This is a good group..Theyre allways here to listen and advise when we can..

Hi Rachel
I was also just diagnosed with FM. Unfortunately I was also diagnosed with an active case of Mono at the same time. Also a serious ear infection as well. One of those was bad enough. I am so overwhelmed right now. My doctor says the pain that I am feeling is a flare up of FM caused by the virus that also causes Mono. She also said that my rheumatoid factor is also eleveted, but feels it is due to the virus as well.

From what I can read here I think you and I have wandered into a very rich source of advice and support.

Right now I do not have the energy to even think about what to do next. I am still working. That is a bone of contention between me and my doc. I told him that I need to work as long as I can, He says I need to take abou 8 weeks off so that I will be able to work later in life. I dont know........:(

I'm sorry you have to go through this and I know it feels scarey. My symptoms do come and go. I find I have good days and then not so good days. From what I have been reading, it appears this is the case for many. know that your not alone. I do know one thing that holds very true for me, when I real stressed out and also during weather changes, I'm more likely to have a flare up. Try to relax and keep your mind busy with other things as best you can. And smile. Remember to smile.

Hi Rachel. I've had various pain for many years. I was DX a few months ago (along with Lupus and Sjogrens) due to a major flare up that really scared me. I went to the emergency room 2 times in 3 days because I didn't know what the Heck was going on with my body. Since then, I've started meds (Lyrica, Plaquenil and Tramadol and some other stuff for other problems). Anyway, the flare up is gone, but I have pain all the time, some days, worse than others, as other people have said. So when you say "things will get back to normal", I hope they do for you. The meds are helping me some, but they are only doing so much.

I found it helpful to read things like the postings here and also do some other internet research on the subject. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

thank you so much guys :)
all of you are so supportive. im feeling a little more hopeful right now.

i am a bit worried about the other blood tests he did. he tested for lupus, RA, and various inflammation disorders. i guess im more scared of lupus than anything. i guess i will get those results in the next few weeks. im only 32...i still think of myself as young, lol.

the worst part about this for me is that i have a 12 year old and a 5 year old. and lately i cant play with them anymore. no more passing the football, running with the dogs, basketball, etc.

i just simply hurt so bad. it came on rather suddenly. ive done some researching on FM. i was diagnosed with complex post traumatic stress disorder at age 20. apparently this can be a risk factor of developing FM. i never knew that. but i still struggle with the PTSD. i already receive SSI for it. and now to have been given this FM diagnosis just seems so overwhelming.

anyhow...just wanted to thank you guys so much and hopefully when i come to terms with this a bit more, i can be of help to some of you.

Hi, Rachel, and welcome to the group....sorry you have been diagnosed with FM, but this is a wonderful site....lots of great support and information....You can check out folks' profiles for what they've tried, how its worked, etc...Good that you are getting tested for all the other possible problems....

For me, FM developed after a bout of the flu...that was 20 yrs ago. For me, I still have symptoms to some degree every day, but have learned what will trigger flares, what I must do each day (or not do), how to pace myself, etc. You will learn the same for yourself. As others have said, symptoms and severity can vary day to day, even minute to minute. But you can still have a wonderful life. I became ill when my kids were 1 and 4....its hard, but you find ways to cope.

So welcome again....look forward to getting to know you better, and please keep everyone updated on your test results!

HUGS from down south :)

Yes, you will have flare-ups but "get back to normal" will be the normal pain etc... Most of us are never pain or symptom free even on meds.

Hang out here and you will learn a lot. It will help you deal with this FM.

thank you both :)

i have a question. it sounds silly but here goes.....its driving me nuts but since all the pain started, i have trouble swallowing!! its not like when im eating or drinking. its just like when im sitting around and periodically swallow. it feels like i cant and i feel like im choking??? i know it sounds crazy....but DOES this happen? im so new at this, everything is freaking me out.

thanks again for everyone's help.

Yep ~ fibro somehow affects our swallowing as well. Usually happens for me while eating tho....and from reading and practice I've learned to just (1) slow down and (2) take smaller bites.

I'm not surprised swallowing bothers you - maybe someone else, or some further research, will help you know what to do in your particular random predicament --because if it's like mine, it's doggone scary! So hard, but I have to focus on just relaxing until the sensation passes -- and try to keep breathing calmly helps me too.

I cannot explain it - but I can relate to you - it is probably the fibro. :(
I do plan to talk to my doctor about it next week too. Maybe she can explain - and maybe there is something they need to check in the neck and thyroid area -- good question you bring -- and important. Thank you.

and oh....I don't know if your insurance would cover an alternative -- since they turned down Lyrica...but Savella has done wonders for me. I gotta say I do still wake up each morning, and before I get out of bed, I sort of wait to see how my arms and legs are feeling to know if I'm going to have a good day or not :) And when a good one comes, I ride the wave of energy and get busy!