I feel so bad that your doctor is not more caring of your situation, and that you are suffering so much. Nobody deserves to be in that much pain. We do understand here. I had to go on disability because of fibro, and my depression/anxiety. It took me 2 years to get there though. I really feel badly for you. I can just tell how much you are hurting. Come here anytime and talk with us.

I'm sorry you're going through this. But you did come to the right place for we all understand. I have heard from many before that most often, pregnancies do help put fibro in what I can only explain as a remission like state. Your body is constantly healing itself just to protect the baby.

As for your doctor not wanting to put you back on the various meds, and how overwhelming everything is. What gets me through flares is not looking at the big picture. Just focus on making it through one hour at a time and checking each one off as an accomplishment. Then move onto the next.
I had two young ones also when I was first diagnosed. And I was scared and overwhelmed. Since then I have learned quite a bit about living with fibro. It's always there. But, I know that flares are not always there. I know that even though I'm in incredible pain, my time with my kids is irreplaceable. The pain may or may not be there tomorrow, but my kids always will be.

I see fibro is something that is latched onto me, I tote it around and some days I have to just not do much. I plan meals around my fibro life (always having something to fall back on in the freezer if needed), I have learned that sometimes if the laundry waits one more day it wont rot (although my mind struggles with that) and I have learned that I need to press through the pain to be the mom/wife I want to be. And that works for me.

Early on (and many moons ago) I received some great advice here. Start a pain journal. Not the kind you write your thoughts out into, but start logging every day, your level of pains, what you ate, how it made you feel, any exercise, what you could do vs couldn't do (i.e. I was able to do the dishes but could not stretch my arms to fold the towels), log your sleep and any meds you took and at what time.
What this journal will tell you in a few months are your triggers. Everyone has fibro triggers that will set off a flare. And once you know what dietary intakes, exercise, and activities aggravate your firbo, you can then make choices to feel better. I know that caffeine, simple sugars, and red meats trigger fibro pain for me, so I try to avoid them. I also know that if I do a simple chore like raking leaves, I can guarantee that I will be down for 2 days. But I still do it because then I have two days of looking at a nice yard.

One more thing to consider is taking supplements to help with specific troubles.
For example, if you are not sleeping well, maybe adding in some melatonin, valerian root/ 5HTP will help you. Or for low energy, adding in some Co-Q-10, and D-ribose will boost your energy levels which helps to reduce your pain levels (not entirely, but enough to notice). There are ways to help and in combination, it starts to work.

I hope you find some answers here and welcome to the group.

I believe I had my first fibro flare when my son was 4 months old (he is 16 now). My doc put me on some meds but the only thing that helped was Prednisone. I then had to stop breast feeding too. That surely takes an emotional toll. However, it stopped my flare and I was good for several years. I would bug the doc again to get something so you can get through a day with your children. Do you see a Rhuematologist?

Wishing you the best of luck. You certainly have your hands full with 4 littles.

Thank you for the replies. I have just been going to my pcp. It is not the same dr i went to 5 years ago bc i moved... i liked my other dr much better as far as dealing with my fm goes. I am thinking about switching to my mom's dr onstead, but i don't want to seem like i am a junkie or something who is dr shopping. I am always scared of the stigma that fm creates with doctors...

I would highly recommend a rheumatologist, they can give you more meds and help specifically with fibro.

Hi and welcome to the group. I started my fibro journey after the birth of my twins, but mine went into full force by the time they turned 1yr old. Doctors kept making excuses for my pain and fatigue, after all I just had twins and that is hard work. I knew something else was wrong, and I have pretty much stayed in full flare mode since then, 6yrs ago. My heart goes out to you for dealing with this pain and trying to be a great mother of 4. I can't imagine. I am glad I got to have twins and that I got sick when I did, sooner and I wouldn't have had kids, and later, I could have ended up with more kids. Bless your heart. I hope you have a good support system. I would suggest you asking family for help. When I was diagnosed my mother and father were great. My dad would do things for me, and help take my girls to appointments if I couldn't. He even took them to school and picked them up during preschool. He passed away and I deeply miss that support and help. You have to step outside of your comfort zone and ask for help. I wish there was something I could do. Please let me know if there is, and know that I will be praying for you.

Aloha and welcome! I'm so sorry to read all that you've been going through... even sorrier that your doc isn't empathetic towards you. Can you request to see a rheumy, neurologist, or someone else who can give you what you need? I remember years ago having to go through multiple docs before landing both a compassionate and knowledgeable (in fibro) one. Now that we've moved, I have had to start all over again in finding good doctors. Right now I'm just getting by. Don't be scared to go doctor shopping (as you said). It is YOUR care and your health after all.

It would also help if we could develop a support system. Unfortunately for many of us, people don't like to believe we are chronically sick with anything. I'm reading this PTSD book right now and it suggests sitting down with your spouse to make a list of people who may be supportive in times of "emergencies". For example, who would most likely provide a ride? Bring a meal(s)? Who can you talk (vent) to that most relates to your "issues"? Who is handy at home / car repairs? Who could baby sit? And so on. I think this is good for anyone dealing with chronic physical / mental conditions, not just ptsd. I hope this helps you in some ways. Best of luck and hope to see you around. HUGS

Chelsea I am glad that you are here but sorry for the reason you had to come. I would say that if your doctor is not willing to work with you in getting this under control it may be time to find a different doctor. I understand what it feels like to have coworkers and family and friends not understand. If a person doesn't have fibro they really can't. It is good that you are here where it is alright to cry and let out what is going on. I am glad that you are not suicidal but understand how low a person can go when in pain all the time. I hope that you will seek the help you need and please feel welcome to come here for support.

Thank you. I mean, i try to exlain how i feel to people, but it's like they don't get it bc unless i am crying or something, ot doesn't look like anything is wrong with me. I try and put on a happy face all the time especially at work bc im in sales... and i have an appointment with a neurologist, but the soonest i could get in is july! I have private insurance and medicaid, but my copay for my private is 100 for a specialist and i just don't have the money... i am about to make an appointment with my mom's dr, he works with fm and migraine patients and she said he's nice.

@twinmomab my husband helps a lot, he takes care.of the kids. My mom.and her husband live with us, so on her good days she cooks. I have yet to find anyone willing to help clean, though. Lol. But thank you for the thoughts and prayers. :)

@idajoy thank you for your reply. I think it's crazy that there are not more doctors willing to help and learn more about fm instead of just assuming we are drug addicts... i learned when i was looking for a new pcp not to even mention that i had fm bc the 1st thing out of the receptionists mouth was we don't give out pain meds.

@autumnsong thank you. I have an appointment with a new dr on monday and i am definitely going to mention my depression.

Welcome to the group! I'd like to recommend that you purchase the book "Fibromyalgia for Dummies." You can find it on Amazon. The book will give you a comprehensive overview of this complex illness and a lot of ways to try and manage it. It is also a good educational tool for family, friends and any doubters. We have also used to it to knock the occasional ignorant doctor upside the head.

I'm sorry that you find yourself in such a difficult situation. I'm hoping that you can find a doctor who will listen to you and help. Take care.

Chelsea, I just want you to know that you have my support. FMS is still so misunderstood -- even by doctors. Sorry to hear that you are going through this. Here's wishing you some low-pain days in the very near future.