Hi I hear ya.... it's been a long road with this for me too and I do feel worse with age also

It's been over 32 years since I have had a pain fee day & I am a male 7 men rarely get it - go figure. That picture is of my almost 8 year old grandkids - Carter & Carson the love of my life.

Meant to say men rarely get it - only have about 60 different things now so & one of them makes it hard for me to type so excuse the typos.

I wonder if fibro is under reported in men? Also, I eventually went to a rheumatogist after being diagnosed with CFS, FM.
She did a lot of blood work and discovered that I actually have an
autoimmune disease. Just because nothing shows up initially
doesn't mean it won't eventually.
I highly recommend seeing a rheumatologist if you can. They
are highly skilled in understanding the disease and managing the symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a diagnosis of exclusion. When every other possible source of chronic pain has been eliminated, Fibromyalgia is "it." Fibromyalgia is recognized by Medicare (it has its own diagnostic code), the National Arthritis Foundation, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control. It is not a waste basket diagnosis by any means.

Do you take any medication in addition to a medication for sleep? Have you gotten a second or even third opinion. Have you had a sleep study done? When was the last time you saw a specialist? We all have to advocate for ourselves in order to have a better quality of life. There are still a lot of doctors out there who think Fibromyalgia is a bunch of bull spit or prescribe outdated regimens to treat it.

Do you have a copy of the book "Fibromyalgia for Dummies?" It will give you a comprehensive overview of this complex disease and a lot of ways to try and manage it. None of us can stand it. We all have different ways to try and cope. You are not alone. Take care.

Incidentally, a lot of rheumatologists are not treating Fibromyalgia anymore. It is a disorder of the central nervous system. Neurologists seem to be seeing more Fibromyalgia patients these days.

I've seen several rheumatologists. Been checked for Lupus, MS, Lyme's, RA. All negative. I believe I have some sort of auto-immune, perhaps Lyme's. I feel that disease is not understood by all Rheumatologists. Therefore they do the basic Lyme's test. I think I need to see a Lyme Literate dr. There are none in my neck of the woods, unfortunately.

Fibro is a very frustrating disease! I have had it since about 11 and i am 35 now. NO rhumatologist will see me because i have fibro they will NOT deal with it at least in Michigan! Some meds cant help (so far they dont do much for me but give me side effects) You find out your own limits and new normal. I had a birthday party 9 days ago, my own, and i been in a flare since. My friends that i am closest to ask me how i can stay positive when i am in so much pain all the time ( I have other chronic severe pain as well) But its because for ME i can not always focus on the pain i have to focus on the good in life or i get depressed, focus on what i CAN do not what i cant. When i get overwhelmed i come on here and vent because everyone here does get it! And yes for me it also gets worse with age.