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.

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How do I know if I have FMS?

merbella
merbella
I started having irregular periods in early 2008. Had severe pelvic and lower back pain starting in Sep 2009. Ended up getting a hysterectomy (partial, kept my ovaries) in Feb 2009. The lower back pain continued and got worse. Body ached all over some days. Then in April 2009 I had an ovarian cyst burst. Then beginning in May my left abdomen was very painful and my hands were numb. I had a cystoscopy that showed I had an infection of the urethra. I lost about 10 pounds. I got a colonoscopy and everything was normal. I then started to get migraines. My back still hurt and MRI showed disc bulg. Got disctomy/laminectomy in Jan 2010. Now I have SI joint dysfunction. My rheumy says I have FMS (even though I don' have the pressure points) but my other doctors as well as my PT say I don't. I am in constant pain all day every day. Does this sound like FMS or is it just a series of misfortune?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Your back problem is probably causing alot of our problems, The rest is just part of life that goes wrong with our bodies then we get t hem fixed.

Maybe seeing a neurologist about your back would help. Acupuncture might help you alot or a chiropractor.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wow, you are just a bundle of issues aren't ya?..lol.

Pressure points are typical among FMS patients, but not all people have them. Some have a few spots, some have many. Docs can only make a diagnosis based on symptoms since there isn't any known lab test to prove otherwise. Your symptoms may be "typical" of FMS, but your other problems (especially back problems) may be contributing to your pain.

Regardless if you do or don't have FMS, you have widespread pain that needs to be addressed. Plus, my family doctor said I didn't have FMS, but my Rheumatologist said I did. I personally don't care what the label is...I just want pain relief. Whatever I have to take to get rid of it or reduce the symptoms...fine. Just ordered a DVD on Tai Chi (very low impact exercise), bought joint supplements, & I stretch every day (hurts like a b*tch though).

Keep us informed, k?
Christine1976
Christine1976
When they did your hysterectomy did they look for endometriosis??? I have that and developed fibro as a result of the endo pain.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I heard a lot of people say they got FM after a hysterectomy or some other like trauma. I hope that's not the case.

The Rheumy is going to be the one to trust........
aprilraven
aprilraven
I'd personally go with what your rheumy says. Physical trauma is known to trigger fibro and given your history, I'd say you fall into that category. It may just be that it's secondary to your original issues, kind of like people with lupus and fibro...the fibro is secondary to the lupus usually.