Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
Hi,
I went to the doc yesterday with ear pain...I have fluid in both ears. But my back, which bothers me every winter, has started acting up early. So the doc poked and prodded...and I cried. It hurt so bad! She kept talking about pressure points...I have very sensitive areas on my shoulders, middle and lower back. I also get horrible muscle spasms and shooting pains in my legs and arms. Sometimes my fingers and toes tingle or go numb. She mentioned fibromyalgia, and honestly, I am scared. It would explain so much though...I am always tired, and even when I can sleep I feel like I didn't sleep very well. And I hurt a lot- and often- for no good reason I know of.
I have bipolar disorder, with more depression than mania. I have PTSD and anxiety issues. I also have IBS. With all of these factors and the list of symptoms, how likely is it that I am facing fibro? This has been going on for almost a year...I just thought I was getting old or run down, Is there another answer? And if it is fibro, is there help?
Please talk to me about this, I need input desperately!
I went to the doc yesterday with ear pain...I have fluid in both ears. But my back, which bothers me every winter, has started acting up early. So the doc poked and prodded...and I cried. It hurt so bad! She kept talking about pressure points...I have very sensitive areas on my shoulders, middle and lower back. I also get horrible muscle spasms and shooting pains in my legs and arms. Sometimes my fingers and toes tingle or go numb. She mentioned fibromyalgia, and honestly, I am scared. It would explain so much though...I am always tired, and even when I can sleep I feel like I didn't sleep very well. And I hurt a lot- and often- for no good reason I know of.
I have bipolar disorder, with more depression than mania. I have PTSD and anxiety issues. I also have IBS. With all of these factors and the list of symptoms, how likely is it that I am facing fibro? This has been going on for almost a year...I just thought I was getting old or run down, Is there another answer? And if it is fibro, is there help?
Please talk to me about this, I need input desperately!
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41273321/What%20Primary%20Care%20Physicians%20Should%20Know%20About%20Fibromyalgia%202.docx
As Emily said, there is no way if we can tell you if it is fibro.
The first thing, though, is take a deep breath. The fact is, if it is fibro, you are already living with it and, by getting a confirmation of a diagnosis, you can start on the road to getting some treatment. Treatment may or may not help, but you will be no worse off than you are now and, if anything, should feel some better.
And in terms of having other things with fibro, I know how you feel. I have severe, recurrent major depressive disorder, anxiety, IBS, borderline personality disorder, fibro, and now may be facing MS or cervical spinal stenosis or something similar. It is not easy, but you find a way to make it work.
I can tell you that medicines having given me very mild relief from the fibro. The biggest difference for me since my diagnosis is finding ways to cope with it, which has improved the quality of life some.
Finally, if it is fibro, know that fibro is not a degenerative disease. That, in and of itself, is helpful to know.
This is a great support network. Hang in there and take care!
Ify our doc refers you, it will probably to be neuro or rheumy, to eliminate the other opssibilities. Hang in there, and do not panic!! (I know I know, I have PTSD and anxiety just d'x this past spring, it's like asking water to run uphill to tell me not to panic!!!) But seriously, don't. FM is manageable for TONS of people---I was once one of them---and you also have to question your meds as far as your symptoms. A dear friend of mine is bipolar, thought she had FM, turned out it was her meds---they switched her around, and she did much better. So bear that in mind as well.
Glad to meet you, and I hope you find this is some easily fixable issue!:-)
Leo
I do want to say that some of what you describe with your shoulders and back sounds like myofascial trigger points, and I encourage you to Google that, as it's something you can self treat that also responds well to massage therapy.
Try not to stress - just follow your doctor's instructions - get referred to someone who can properly diagnose you - and then take it from there.
As for help for Phibro, again everybody is different but besides pain meds I highly recommend Lyrica. However you will have weight gain but to me gaining a little weight and feeling better is better then Being stuck on the couch in pain. I just recently tried the new medication for Fibro Savella, and yesterday was my last dose it totally raise my blood pressure and pounded my heart so bad it's just not for me.
You're going to have to try different meds and hit or miss and everybody's different.
My doctor said she thought maybe I was bipolar. But she then realized it was just the Fibro because one minute or half of the day I could be happy and smiling the second half of the day crying in pain.
I can say is hang in there because it is a long bumpy road ahead.
My suggestion PRAY a lot.
Keep us posted and hang in there!
Christine