Yes, I have bouts of extreme exhaustion. Because you are short of breath too, I'm going to ask if you've seen a cardiologist for a work up ever. That is not IMO a symptom that should be ignored or dismissed as part of Fibromyalgia (FMS).

I'd also consider seeing an endocrinologist to rule out any issues relating to blood sugar and so on.

FMS is such a different experience for each of us. Exhaustion has always been part of my "perks." Since what you are experiencing is new, it would probably to wise to see a couple of new medical gurus to get these symptoms checked out. Take care.

Hi fan. Thanks for your reply. The ever changing array of symptoms can be so confusing. Rheumy said same thing. Wants me to see a cardio, a gastro and a neuro. I've had every lung test there is and lungs are fine. Believe short breath coming from acid reflux and gerd but will let cardio rule out anything else. I've been dumping prednisone, antibiotics, ibuprofen, and coffee into an ibs gut so of course I've got major reflux now. Pepcid and omeprazole seem to make breathing little better. Its so hard to tell what's a symptom and what's a side effect. Reading everything on net and trying self diagnose not helping. Playing musical specialists is exhausting in itself. Hearing from others who are surviving this is saving grace. Thanks again.

Hi flawdnotclawd,

Sorry your having such a hard time with the exhaustion, but glad the flare has eased up some for you.

I all so experience every thing you have said. I am glad you are going to check out the shortness of breath. Its all ways good to check new symptoms out, to make sure they are not caused by some thing else.

I all so get the shortness of breath, and had all the cardio test done, and all was fine. So my Dr. says its just part of fibro for me.

But she all so says if it gets worse, or changes at all, we need to repeat the testing.

I really feel for you, the exhaustion is so hard to deal with, and can take me forever to do any thing, well except sleep, I seem to do a lot of that.

Sending you lots of caring thoughts.

I also have flares that seem to involve more exhaustion than severe pain. I'm on levothyroxin so I'm going to have some bloodwork done to determine if the fatigue is thyroid related. I sometimes wonder if I have CFS.

While incredibly frustrating, what you're describing is textbook Fibro. When I first was diagnosed with Fibro the pain was my main symptom. It was ALWAYS something. First my neck, then my back, a lot of times it was just aches all over. Now, 8 years later, the pain is always present, but less intense and more manageable. The fatigue is so intense and unrelenting. My doctor used to send me to every specialist he could think of and nothing major would ever turn up. I finally started being really picky about the specialists I see. Not only can I not afford it, but I'm just too tired to run around town waiting to see doctors and go through pointless diagnostics. That's just me though. Just wanted you to know you're not alone. I definitely feel you on the fatigue issue. Lately I take my fair share of naps. What I do take that helps my fatigue is Vitamin D. My vitamin D is always really low when I get it checked and that can cause MAJOR fatigue. Also, if you have never taken a magnesium supplement then I recommend it. It helps with fatigue, sinus issues, and acid reflux.

(I hate it when people recommend stuff for me to try as I feel so jaded when it comes to supplements and medicines, but the vitamin D and magnesium truly helped me so much that I couldn't NOT share that with you... oh and they are relatively inexpensive)

Hi flawd,
I have had fibro and CFS for more than six years now, and for me the exhaustion is the main event. I only have 10 to 50 percent of the energy that a normal person has, depending on the day. During a flare it 7s a chore even to lift my arms.....and I'm short of breath due to costochondritis (pain in ribcage). I try to optimize my health by eating well, and I take a few supplements. Zollycoco, how much Magnesium should I take, and should I take it with Calcium? I take a multivitamin, B12, B complex, D, and Alpha lipoic acid. And Omega 3 with Co Q10. I feel that this regimen helps to reduce fatigue a little. During the fall and winter I use a SAD lamp daily as well, and I go to a tanning salon twice a week for 12 mins or so to get the extra boost of vit D!

Thank you all for your replies. Comforting to have rheumys opinion affirmed by actual experiences. Helps the anxiety to hear this could all be fibro and not necessarily some other awful disease. I've been dx with vit. D deficiency and taking 50k units a week per rx. Also recently started magnesium, alpha lipoic acid, Cq10. Snip of ativan .5mg. I'd live to attend a heated therapy pool but seem to pick up cold virus everytime I use heavily chlorinated pools. So I settle for hot baths at home. All your suggestions helpful to reassure me I'm not dying or misdiagnosed. My 24 yr. Old daughter showing signs under stress. Tat breaks my heart. Thanks for being here everyone.

See if you can find a salt water pool in your area. They are becoming more common. I have one of those blue inflatable pools which I use in the summer in my back yard. I run a salt water system instead of chlorine. I have problems with chlorine too. Its much less expensive to run and I am not awash in all of the typical nasty chemicals needed to operate a pool and keep it sanitary.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common among people with FMS. Most of us have to take a supplement. My levels are all over the map and have to watched all of the time. That alone will cause widespread pain.

Have you ever tried a supplement called D-Ribose for energy? I use a brand called Coravlen which was originally developed for congestive heart failure patients. You can purchase it online and read about using Google. I think Amazon may carry it. I have the "Chocolate" wafers which, in my estimation, taste like chewing on dirty gym socks. Disgusting. It does work for me though.

However, I find that the backlash after using Corvalen is probably worse than my normal level of fatigue. I only use it in case of dire emergency because I feel so terrible when it wears off. Other people might have different results. Just a thought but please see the cardio first.

Take care.

I thought I was only one imagining chlorine irritates my sinuses and lungs. I mean its used to clean water so when I try to tell doc I'm allergic to physical therapy, car exhaust, exercise and water, they look at me like I'm nuts. Then comes the helpful suggestion that maybe I need to see a therapist or take some yoga. I have nothing against yoga but its not going to fix my burning sinuses. Thanks for your posts. Reassuring to know I'm not imagining all these crazy symptoms.

I take 250 milligrams of magnesium a day and then on any given day I take 1000 to 2000 IUIs of vitamin D.

I've debated the same thing. I've been dx'd with fibromyalgia, but fatigue was the first symptom to appear and stays by far the most prominent. For years no one seemed to get this, nor did I. At first I was told once the depression lifted, I would feel better. Nay.

Recently I've decided to make another go at seeking treatment again with a new physican. He was recommended as fatigue-friendly and Lymes-literate. Well, I got soooo sick on the valacyclovir he prescribed for an elevated HHV-6 titer!

I'm rambling here, but, yes, my fatigue level beats pain, though my mornings are getting more painful by the year. Sleep deprivation amplifies my pain.

I'm still pretty ignorant of how much the dx makes towards treatment. At least this doctor seems to grok how fatigued I am!