I know how you feel. When I started having terrible panic attacks, then agoraphobia, about 12 years ago I was put on a lot of drugs and was in therapy for two years. I went from a 135-lb. active person to a 240-lb. mental case. My mental illness is genetic so I have to stay on those meds. But I always said I'd rather be fat and happy than skinny and nuts!! Then I got RA and fibro--more drugs. Plus diabetes, high BP, and probably something else that I can't remember. Anyway----where was I going with this? (FIBRO FOG!!!!)---you're not alone. Anyone who has said anything to me about my weight having anything to do with my illnesses gets set straight pretty quick. I'm pretty mild-mannered so people know when I get all up in their face about something that they've pushed the WRONG button and not to go there again!! HAHAHA!! I'm 56 years old and I figure at this age, I've earned the righ to say what I think. And people who think they're doctors are just plain idiots!

my former GP used to tell me to gain weight to help with my back pain...I am about 15 pounds underweight........so i think it is crap!
Sure being a healthy weight is good but the meds they give us mess with our weight. When you feel like crap it is hard to exercise and lets face it, weight did not cause fibro.
Get a second opinion. I feel like I am carrying an elephant on my back today, my joints are swollen, my back hurts and I am so tired walking up and down the stairs is winding me....
I am under weight so if you feel the same as me, I am pretty sure that rules out weight as the cause...it might be a contributor but loosing weight is not going to heal you....that is just a doctor looking for a quick fix or trying to encourage "healthy weight"
You no doubt have enough on your plate don't let them confuse the issue. Weight is one health issue, fibro is another...plain and simple

Because some people are idiots!
I weigh a whopping 130 and Im TALL, Im a bone rack! We get crap too,,,my entire life Ive been bullied and teased about how skinny I am. Its what my Momma gave me.
Personally, I NEVER pass judgement like that! Its like telling people if they get a nose jog, or a boob job THEN life will be good.
What bugs me the most is when people tell e to "pray" or, "think positive" Oh gee, ya think? Well why didnt I think of that!

So, all we have to do is eat right, dont smoke or drink, pray, think positive, exercise, dont exercise, jump on one foot, work harder, stop whing,,,GRRRRR

I'm with you, Kiddo. Overweight due to meds and illness. Got down to size 10, gained weight again. Body is comfortable at size 16, I've begun to thank my body for working at all. I don't need to attract men anymore, my son is supporting me! And my two daughters are helping out, too.

We're lucky if our bodies are alive and working. The weight is just one more thing I can't control, like fibro, trembling, and aging. Got to go with the flo. I was thin most of my life, husband and I both were. Now we waddle a bit. Lyrica has caused some of the gain....good luck to you, Abby

I hear you. I used to be so active---I even played sports until I was about 15. But that pain got so bad that I couldn't run. Then I couldn't walk for long periods of time. Then I couldn't do much of anything. I have days when I can get through a very basic exercise routine, but I can't work out hard enough or often enough to lose weight. People don't get it, and they tell me I'm "not trying hard enough" to lose the weight. Friends and family often don't understand---and that can be the most painful part of it all. Thankfully, there are plenty of people here who do understand.

I hear you!!! For years I have had people say that about exercise, but now I have gained 30lbs on prednizone over the summer, not being able to walk because of balance issues, weakness, pain etc... . I loved the one.."I know someone with Fibro...and they say they walk 3 miles a day it helps them so much!!!"... you should do that??
Really...I was impressed with myself on Sunday night...I walked with my husband around the block...first time in many months...couldn't do more after tho but that for me was a accomplishment...3 miles??? ya right!!!
I hope being on elavil doesn't make me gain more!!
Fore sure it doesn't help i have hypothyroidism as well and menopausal symptoms coming on as well.
best wishes we are with ya!!

I know where you're coming from! I heard that Alot but the thing is I had just lost 75 lbs. I didn't have pain when I weighed 300 lbs but now 75 lbs lighter I do. Go figure...

I think its the PRIME #1 patent answer when doctors don't have a clue OR they dont believe you ( fibro / pain) etc etc... it goes like this....

* They ask the patient*

- Do you smoke? If patient says YES... they say "OH YEAH , well you GOTTA stop smoking! Stop smoking and then come back and see me."

- You are overweight ... ( according to THEIR chart) They tell patient ... "You NEED to lose weight, do that... and then come back."

- "Do you exercise?" Patient says " No. It hurts too much ...Im in pain!" They reply with ..." I know you may not... *want to* exercise..but you HAVE to."

They blame the PATIENT for having pain because they aren't being "PROACTIVE."

Anyway... its irritating.

All those "normal" people don't... and can't... get it. Everyone is sore after a workout. But no one is sore like us.

I'm desperately trying to get more active before I lose what little muscle tone (ha!) I have left. Sunday we went to the zoo and hubby insisted on renting me one of those electric scooters. I still couldn't walk Monday.

So Tuesday, determined, I got on the stationery bike. I rode 10 minutes on the lowest level, and felt fine. Until Wednesday, when every muscle in my body was screaming and I was up all night because of the pain in my legs.

Thinking it might help loosen the muscles up, Thursday I did another ten minutes on the lowest level. Yep - you guessed it. Even after extra muscle relaxers at bed so I could sleep, I woke up at 5:00 curled in a ball almost in tears because of the pain in my legs.

This is about the tenth time I've tried this in the last six months. It's the same thing every time.

It used to be that exercise made me stronger. When I was 35 I was going to the gym 3x a week - with fibro - and felt almost normal. Now I can't get through the pain of the first week.

Yea right - we just need to exercise more and we'll be fine. I wish they had any clue. Normal people feel a little sore after they start a new workout program. We can't walk or sleep for days because of the pain. That's hard to just "push through".

Sounds very familiar~my mom made some comment like "it's those cookies you eat" when I had actually gained weight from being on Lupron for my chronic pelvic pain, which I didn't realize was a common side effect of Fibro and I ended up having a hysterectomy.

My dr did put me on Ritalin for my horrible fibro fog and fatigue. I ended up losing 60 pounds and got back to my regular weight. It was nice. It's my short term memory that still is a problem! Ugh! I write down lots of notes and do voice memo's with my phone - that helps!

~Hugs & Positive thoughts to all~

I can totally understand you. We are in the same boat. I was only 140lbs when I suddenly ballooned to
170lbs! Then everybody started telling me to exercise,
stop eating this and that. Try to be more
active. If only I can without the pains!!!
You are not alone, we are here with you

I Know EXACTLY where you're coming from Coralie.
Amazingly enough, my doctor is one of a few who never nags me about my weight.
I know people probably mean well, but they just don't/can't seem to understand.
If I could find some kind of exercise that didn't cause me more pain I would be happy to do it. I get bored when I'm not able to be active.
I have no solution for you but wanted to let you know you are def not alone in this!
'soft hugs'