Hi Mary,

A friend of mine has fibromyalgia. Some days she's practically bedridden so can only work p-t because of it and even then, has to be allowed to take sporadic days off. I don't know what meds she's on, but can ask. I know it's affected her life massively; she's very religious and that helps.

At least you now have a diagnosis. I know from experience that it's dreadful to be in pain, have no diagnosis and have doctors sneer at you (well they did at me anyway!). I was even accused of this being psychosomatic by a very experienced PCP (elderly anyway) which was incredibly upsetting. When the neurosurgeon told me I had a collapsed disc, 2 trapped spinal nerves and DDD, I cried too, so know exactly how you feel!

I'll ask her what meds she's taken, but the upside is that some days she's a lot better and can do a lot more.

Bye, Val
PS I'm almost sure there's a recent post where someone said their surgery had actually triggered fibromyalgia; I'll try to find it for you..............

So sorry, it sucks, I know. I've had fibro for more than 20 yrs. I don't understand these people who say they can't work; it's not easy, but the pain do'snt go away just becouse your at home in bed. I don't miss too much work becouse of it, but recently I have been down for three weeks twice. Screaming pain, I think it may be something worse.

My chiro says narcos don't work for fibro, but a vicodin will hold me over and I can work the day through with some discomfort.

Best thing to do, they say excercise; but who can do that when the pain sucks all your energy? I find simple yoga, cat and cow, folded lotus can give some relief. I also bend at the waist while standing and allow my head and arms to hang loose; this can give you a little boost of energy.

I don't do admin anymore, I went to retail when I could no longer sit for long periods of time. I now own my own business and do mobile pet grooming. I believe it's important to keep going, sometimes my work takes my mind off the pain. Push yourself to be social and you will be glad you did it. Everyone has a cross to bare, don't be a victim!

I was diagnosed with Fibro about 15 months ago and can attest that it is horrible. The medications that worked the best for me for the Fibro was Savella and Lyrica (Lyrica 1 every 8 hours). Just when I found that this was helping, I lost my insurance. Now I am taking Doxepin 100 mg each night and Lyrica every 8 hours. Most people that you talk to about it do not understand how devastating it can be. I read a statement by someone else that helps me explain it to other people--"Remember the worst case of the flu you ever had and how bad you ached all over, now imagine that achy pain ten times worse and that is close to how Fibro flares feel". Any weather changes (I can tell if it's raining within 100 miles) bring on Fibro flares for me, lifting something more than a 5 lb bag of potatoes or walking or climbing stairs bring on delayed flares (anywhere from 1 -24 hrs later). I live in the Ohio Valley where the weather is constantly changing and it's raining right now, man it's rough. I had a hard flare one day last week and was sitting in my recliner trying to eat supper, my wife brought me a napkin and dropped it beside me. The napkin brushed my arm and I thought I was going to die, it sent waves of pain all over my body. Like Pamela said, pain meds don't touch it, and there are times when all I can do is curl up in a ball and pray for it to ease up. I bought the book, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain A Survival Manual by Devin Starlanyl & Mary Ellen Copeland. This book helped me have a better understanding of my Fibro, I even read some of it to my family, to help them understand. Your local public library may also have a copy. I hope this helps you out some. Sorry for the long read, I guess I'm one of those long-winded preachers.
Tim

I can feel your relief at getting a diagnosis! Read up on all you can about fibromyalgia. They diagnose it by trigger points that are particularly painful to someone with fibromyalgia, as well as other symptoms such as debilitating fatigue. A lot of fibromyalgia care has to do with taking care of yourself.

Best wishes to you friend,

Marianne

thank thank you for all the great respones.i've written a plan for myself goals for each day.
and will include yoga into that. i am starting swimmin today infact slowly.
alot of ppl i have told some say omg no. and i tell them i wont let this and anything stop me. i have not done much all summer just test and test and docs.
altho the weather is changin here i can feel the damp.i am goin to walk and swim indoors.
alot of ppl that i have reach out to tell in different cyper places,some have said i have it and ya just learn to live with it.i hope all those that have will share the different ways they do this,cause this is all new to me..

thank you val,pamelaG, preacherman and marainne
thank you for you great words
mary

Sorry to hear that you're suffering so much. I highly recommend any books by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, especially 'From Fatigued to Fantastic.' It is chock full of information, and even tells you how to talk with your doctor about these new treatments.

If you can, try to find a doctor that uses a protocol like Dr. Teitelbaum's. I have a doctor here in Sacramento that is awesome if you are anywhere near Northern California or Reno, NV.