Oh, Honey, everything you said I've experienced and understand! Those painful places you mentioned are some of the tender points the doctor checks for. No matter what, I can always count on those places hurting, then it seems like new places get added to the mix over time.

I've been diagnosed for 3 years, and I'm still trying to figure it out. I don't know if you ever do! My husband also thinks if I just exercise it'll all go away, too. Right now I can't exercise, because I started walking a couple of weeks ago twice a week for 15 min., and both my knees are hurting too bad!

As far as housework, I can maybe do one thing a day. I do keep up with the kitchen everyday and the cat box, but the other things like vacuuming, dusting, bathrooms, I have to do only one of those things at a time. I can work for maybe 10 min., then I have to sit down and rest.

I have to even rest while doing my morning shower, fixing hair, makeup routine! It wears me out to go anywhere.

Do you work outside the home? If you do, that's probably about all you can handle in a day. I'm retired, so I've started to have to take things very slowly.

Well, I don't know what happened, but I wasn't finished!!!
Anyway, I'm glad your medicine is helping some. You may need to talk to your doctor about adding something else. Most people take a combination of meds.

I take celexa (antidepressant), skelaxin (muscle relaxer) and xanax at night to sleep, and hydrocodone for pain. All those together plus my many vitamins help me to keep from crying everyday.

Take care, Hun, and keep coming here. You'll find lots of friends and a wealth of information.

Take care.....Elizabeth

well,im so sorry you were diagnosed with f.m. im 45 and have been dealing with this since early 20's..at least you have a name for it..the places you mention hurting at,i too hurt there...my ribs also..even stomach muscles,i feel bruised all over,like lizzy said,i am the same,10 mnts working,then i have to stop and take 30 mnts break,then try again,i too keep up with the kitchen daily,i also try to keep the laundry done,the key for me,is,a little here and there,then rest....then do a little more.im on disability,have been since 23...i hate it but i also have m.s. i was married 16 yrs,he never understood but i dont think he cared too..i would suggest to have your hubby to read about this,go to docs with you...knowledge is key to understanding..im new to this support group..but im here if you need to talk,
amy

Thank you so much Elizabeth for your testimony. It helps to know I can talk to someone about how I feel without feeling like i'm constantly complaining. Although I do complain A LOT, lol, but I think because I want my family to understand how I feel.

OMG, I cleaned my bathroom and I was exhausted and couldn't move for days. I told my doctor about that and she stated I over-did it. I feel so inadiquet (sp?). I feel my husband will get upset with me if things are not done. I do work outside the home. I am an Admin. Assistant at a small company. When I get home I just want to plop down and take a nap. But I have dinner to make, I have to take my son to Karate, and bring or pick up my girls from somewhere. The kids have their chores to do and it helps me emensely!!

I get so depressed. I am on Effexor 37.5mgs 2x's daily, I take Gabapentin 600mgs daily, Valium 5mgs daily, plus more meds for blood pressure.

Thanks again....Kelly

Thank you Amy, I will have him come to the docs with me.

im happy you are able to work,and that your children do chores,mine are 9 and almost 11.they also do chores,i thank God everyday that my children dont complain about chores...the medicine your on,the gabapentin,is that helping in anyway?ive heard about it but never been on it..

Welcome to the group. I am sorry you are hurting so bad. That is what we all deal with, day in, and day out. Do you have a good doctor? I am in the process of looking for another doctor, but for now, I am treating myself. My husband did not understand, until he read some of the posts here on DS. He couldn.t believe that all the words he was reading was something he had heard me say. He also went to the doctor with me. He understands now,to a point, but when people can't SEE your pain, it really is hard for them to understand. You came to the right place, because we all know and understand pain.

So sorry for the dx, but it's good you know what you're dealing with now. This is a great place for learning and sharing and sometimes just venting. Welcome!

Yes, I feel this way too. Doing the just getting by tasks are more than I can handle most days. And I've found exercise only makes it worse, although most docs disagree. Maybe I do too much, like 10 minutes instead of 5 minutes.

As for getting your husband to understand, I wish I could help, but mine doesn't get it either. He just says I hurt too. He doesn't get that it's not the same and his goes away, mine doesn't. I try not to talk about my pain too much unless it's a worse than usual type of day just so he knows I'm comatose for the day.

I understand everything u said as well. I have alot of pain too, Physical therapy does help alot if you can find someone familiar with fibro. Also, do lots of stretching. We are here if you need to complain anytime. hugs.

Welcome to the group.

I think most of us have felt the way you do. There is no drug that can get rid of all our pain and fatigue.

Sorry you have this diagnosis.

Hugs

Yhank you all so much for your words of encouragement, and welcoming me to DS.

Amy, the Gabapentin does help me. I still have the painful pain points, but it helps the throbbing. I have been doing excersise in my pool, which helps with the stiffness, but, if idle to long i'm stiff again. My doctor pushes the excersise too, and I don't feel a change. My sister-in-law is a physical therapist and she says the same thing....excersise! I get so wiped out. There are times I don't know whats worse, the pain or the exhaustion. But, I am trying to do what I am told, just wondering when I'll give up. Fall is approaching fast and the pool will have to be closed for the winter. Then what? I have severe athesma as well and the heat and cold aggrivate the condition. So, no walking in the winter, unless I go to a mall.....UGH, too tired for that!

My kids are ages 21, 16, 16, 11. My oldest lives in Oklahoma :( But the 16 year olds (my daughter and my niece) with my son help very much. I couldn't do it without them.

Hugs to each and every one of you!

Kelly

How to get your husband to understand? Wish I knew. My husband is a Patent Examiner and his field is to examine drugs to treat certain conditions including Fibro. He understands the mechanics of it but sometimes he thinks that I can do things that just aren't possible. I know that he is trying to help but sometimes his suggestions just tick me off! He is very good about helping around the house but his standards of clean and mine are different.
Wishing you the best.

i have been on the gabapentin..almost died from it,i knew it as nuerotin..i cant take any meds made for nerve damage...go into shock..scary...i cant exercise as in getting heart rate up..even just walking in a pool is way too much..i stretch tho..feels good to do that....does your sis-in-law ever give you massage?they do help...my ex used to do that for me everyday..looking back..he spoiled me...anyway..good to meet you all..
amy

Hi
I too understand what you are feeling. I have to add that when I was on Gabapentin, I felt it helped with the nerve pain in my feet, but the longer I took it, the more my joints hurt., especially my knees. So keep an I on that. It could be making some of your joint pain worse. I had to quit taking it. Maybe your doctor can get you something more for your pain. It really is hard not to be able to do household work or exercise in any way. Exercise always makes me feel worse. Even when I try to do simple exercise in the hot tub. Some people try massage therapy and find it helps. I am trying acupuncture now, and am hoping it will give some relief.

Don't let your husband believe that you are lazy. This is not your fault and we all have these same problems getting by with the everyday things that others can do easily.

I hope you find something more to help with your pain.

You are not alone.. i get so tired of hearing the excercise comment
it is so hard to get people to understand..
So sorry for Venus Williams.. champion tennis player and according to
my grand daughter she is one of the best female atheletes in the world.
she has come out to say she has to give up tennis because the pain is so great.. she probably gets more excersise than most and still suffers greatly with fibro.. you are in good company so to speak..
hugs
Bet