Do I understand correctly that your symptoms have been present for 3 days? If that is the case, it's unlikely you have Fibro. Many of us have symptoms for 3 - 15 yrs. before we get a diagnosis.

I will say that during the years of doctors not being able to figure out what was going on with me, I read ALLOT of stuff on the internet .. and I had conveniences myself that I had a ton of different ailments. As hard as it is, please try not to self diagnosis yourself based on something you read on the internet .... you mind will run wild and it will drive you nuts.

To answer your question, the only OTC things you might find to help reduce the pain and fatigue you explain would be: Vitamin D, Magnesium, and a good Multi Vitamin (GOOD, not that crap like Centrum, etc ... Go to GNC and get a good multi vitamin. Ultra Mega Green is a great one).

Good luck.

No Valley...Please reread my post...I have had symptoms for 3 days THIS go around..I have had Fibro symptoms for going on 10 years that started gradually but in the last 2 years have really been bad. And I am not basing it on something I have read on the internet. My mother had the same symptoms and I took classes in Medical Assisting and did ALOT of research on the disease. I have days were I feel just fine and days where I wish I could just stay in bed all day. It seems worse when the weather changes so in the earlier years I chalked it up to just arthritis..which I was diagnosed with in my knees....but as the years go by the pain is radiating to my whole body and more specifically the trigure point areas. Like I said it started out gradual but as I look back I realize that what I have been feeling all along has been the symptoms of Fibro. I am not some hyperchondriac who thinks I have every disease I have read or heard of. I really honestly believe that I have Fibro. I have a good friend with Fibro and when we compare notes its almost the exact same thing. I met her a year ago and was so glad to know I wasn't just going crazy and that what I feel is real. Since then I have read books, and yes looked up on the internet, talked to my professor and nurses and have come to pretty much the conclusion that its got to be what it is. Three years ago when I was married to my now exhusband I had insurance under his plan and when I told him I felt like something was wrong with me and I wanted to go to the Dr and find out what it was he laughed and said he wasn't paying $40 co-pay just because I had "a few aches and pains". He was incredibly cheap. Since then we have divorced and I am a single mom struggling to survive. I can't afford to go to the Dr. I even had a friend pay for my trip this weekend because she knew I needed it so much...which wasn't really alot of money but it was to me. I am working on trying to get help so that I can see a dr but right now I just have to self medicate. I live on Ibuprofen! I have people tell me all the time this is just in my head..that there is nothing wrong with me...so I don't even tell anyone I have problems anymore except my closest friends. Only 3 people even know. And it's because of the attitude that since I haven't been diagnosed I don't have anything wrong with me. I know that something is wrong...I am not just imagining this. If I had $200 to see a doctor I would. But my kids need things that I am struggling to pay for. So my needs unfortunately come last.

But I do thank you Valley for the advice.

Dear Mommy24inGA.. I also feel I have Fibro... but no insurance. Went to the doctor, I only had a couple of places I could go since I didn't have insurance.. it wasn't a free clinic but it was low cost. It didn't diagnos Fibro... says it is arthritis (my whole body?) My muscle aches? blamed it on exercising (I made the mistake of telling him I have been trying to workout. And the tingling in my fingers? Pinched nerve.

I don't have 500. dollars to get the MRI. But he did prescribe meds that are also effective for Fibro and my symptoms have eased. I wish I had insurance and could get properly tested... but for now I am doing what I can.

What drives me crazy is when I mention my pain and what is going on... I state... I think I might have Fibro... and I have had several people respond... "Oh, you don't want that!!" Well of course I don't want that... but it's not like I can wish it away... but whether it is Fibro or not, I have all these pain symptoms and it has caught up to me so that it is effecting my quality of life... and that is what I need to deal with right now.

I live on Ibuprofen also... I take the PM kind at night which helps also. Fortunately I have now, the meds from my doctor. I understand your frustration at not have insurance and being tight with money. Hope you find a good, inexpensive medical source. Or chekc with your state office and see if you qualify for free insurance, I have heard some states offer this for people of certain income levels? Later, Have a great day.

Yes Ema I know exactly what you mean. I have applied for medicaid for myself but they said to qualify I would only be allowed to make $200 a month!!! Are you serious!!!??? So basically to get medicaid I would have to be destitute and living out on the streets with my kids..lot of good that would do! Just being fascisious cold weather and stress no job/ no house do not mix with Fibro! I work and take care of my kids..so I am not asking for a handout...just a little help. It takes every penny I make just to pay my bills. There is nothing..I mean nothing..left.

In the county we live, we have a Health Dept. They base what you can pay on what your income is. Be careful of too much ibuprofen. It isn't good for your liver. Of course when you have nothing else, what can you do? I hope you can find some help. With a lot of places offering $4.00 prescriptions maybe when you find a dr. you can get meds that aren't as expensive.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Gosh. I live in fear of losing my insurance, which is provided through my partner. I so wish I had some great advice to give you. And I so wish everyone in this country had medical insurance. :-(

My friend, if you can't keep up, tell the ladies from church that you can't and don't overdo it. You will pay and pay for it if you try to do too much and you have fibro. If you need to sit out or take a nap, don't let it get you down.

You know, I am not traditionally religious per se, but I do believe that having fibro is like all "misfortunes: You can use it as a reason to be negative or you can use it as a reason to learn something you might not have had you not been forced to slow down. I'm not saying I am successful at never feeling angry, lol, but I try hard to make this condition a learning experience rather than something completely negative.

"Be still and know that I am God." That's a two-part deal. Fibro will MAKE a person be still. I think that the rest of it is up to the individual.

I hope I don't sound preachy. I am foggy today, so not at my best writing this. Just know that I mean to be encouraging, is all. I will be thinking of you.

Oh I already know that I am going to pay dearly on Monday..lol. I pretty much have counted on that...but it will be so worth it. We aren't really doing a whole lot. Mostly it will be the walking...we are going to Field of the Woods. Most of our time will be spent at the cabins fellowshipping, movies, chilling out, devotions...etc. So those times I can relax. And I am definitely taking advantage of the hot tub!
Raven you are sooo right....I have no choice but to be still! I do have faith in that things will get better for me. And I prayed and had lots of others pray too and I feel alot better today...not totally out of pain...but not "laying on the couch not able to do anything" pain either.

Mommy Sorry you are feelin so bad The expense of getting a DX for fibro would be very costly paying for it yourself. So many test and Dr. visits .
This is a website for free medical care in Georgia

http://www.gfcn.org/facts.php

I'm not from Georgia but used to live near Kingsland/ St. Marys for a couple of years
I hope this helps

I dont have insurance either...i was diagnosed right off the bat with fibro my first visit to the clinic...dr said i was "classic case" and that i "caught it early". UGG....its so fustrating, i did go pay for bloodwork and they put me on meds for fibro. When i got home i researched it and yes most of my symptoms fit...but i dont know anyone who was diagnosed with fibro after one visit. I am not ready to accept this as a definite answer yet.

I am not a doctor, and do not know what medications or your age and general health is. So I shall be cautious on my advice. I am also a heart patient as well and on heart medications so I am conservative in treatment.
My doctor has approved Naproxen, or also known as Aleve by trade name. Can be bought generic at drug store or walmart and is an OTC medication.
I also find most helpful is muscle rub creams to help ease the muscle pain.
Rest as much as possible while on your trip and use caution about how much caffeine you take in. IT seems to stimulate the symptoms a lot.

Be advised that Fibro is a very long term illness and normally does not just pop up. It is normally proceeded by a accident or trauma. IT is a slow and gradual progress over many months and years and can go into remission and return months and years later.

Fibro is the great mimicker, it looks like so many other illnesses. The closest I can come to is like having the flu all the time without fever and congestion. It is also like the first day after gym class from a summer brake, and your muscles are so weak and in pain.

I know money is a issue, but because fibro is so nasty and long term, and a mimicker of many different illness, you really need the medical treatment to confirm it is Fibro VS a life threatening illness.