Dealing with Fibromyalgia

Why can't I print all the pages on this site. Only allowed me to print page 1?

I was just diagnosed with this mess and although I have not been depressed at all, I have become very discouraged. It takes every ounce of energy I have to get out of the bed in the mornings and go to work. After taking the vomit pills in the am, my body starts to function like it's supposed to, but then my stomach is like YAK all day. I hate the meds and would love to find a natural way to deal with this pain. There has to be a cure for this, there just has to be, I want my life back.

I am 34 and the fibro came on after one of my visits at the chiroprator. I also, have a hernia in my thoracic spine, digenerate disease, arthritis in my lumbar. My family does not understand, I think they try sometimes. Sometimes they yell at me, my daughter even told my she hates me, she is sick of me complaining. Everyone is tired of my pain and my crying and moaning. My hands are starting to go numb and they hurt all of the time, I am gaining weight, and can hardly dress myself. Does anyone no how to get the pain out of your hands?

I've been diagnosed with Fibro since 96. Everything else was ruled out. I'm now doctoring for my feet, which are sooo bad, I have cried at times. I'm a cook working full-time, and often by myself in a 46 Client facility. My son is 18, with Asperger's Syndrome(Autism). I am a single parent. I'm 52 going on 152. Anyone else experienced Fibro in their feet?
I'm pondering Disability, but due to the fact, i'm still working, cuz I couldn't live otherwise,
It's not an option. What do I do? Any clues out there?

Thank You for your site. I am in a flare-up, this one worse than most, so there goes another job. Reading about others with same situation, and their opptimism gives me some gumption.

For the lady who can't afford Lyrica, call the drug Company. Also, I take the cheaper nurontin.
Wal Mart has the RX Aid Program, where you can get greatly reduced scripts. Buspar (40mg per day)
helped with giving me back my kick-ass attitude.

As for work, I search Craigslist.com under gigs for temp. work when I am in the "it only feels like the flu" stage. I do keep Hydrocodone on hand to take edge off, and get me out the door. However the stuff does make me vomit. I like the garbage diposal or a bush for that side effect.

In exchange for cooking, household chores, waiting for repair men, etc., I get a room situated in half of one car garage. Thank heavens for this senario. No more getting evicted, being homeless, only having cheap booze for pain relief, and all that blatt.

So, at age 53, and no longer cute, trying to cultivate an attractive personality while in pain is a, well pain.

When trying to get empathetic cooperation, I apoligize in advance, admitting to not only being old and sick, I'm a blonde too! After they stop laughing, it is smooth sailing.

I'm praying for our researchers, us, and those who understand, those who don't.

Now I have enough strength to brush my teeth, and maybe some lipstick too? Naw, would't want to over do it.

Remember, more high-profile men are being diagnosed with Fibro, sorry for them, good for us. Means more research bucks sooner. Besides, we all know how well men deal with illness. Hate to be that one's wife.

Now that I know of this site, I will be back.

Good luck to all, and Thank You all.

I was diagnosed with fibro about 3 months ago tried all kinds of meds, and they haven't seemed to work or they will work for awhile, then stop working. My new doctor just prescribed me lyrica I haven't started it yet, has anyone here tried it yet does it work? and not just short term?

How does one deal with the loss of family and friends? I have my wonderful, but sooo stressed out husband, and it is now just the 2 of us. I struggle every day with this overwhelming sadness. We have been tossed out by his family and mine...Bless my daughter, she loves us both.
No more weddings, parties or even phone calls. Just name calling. My heart hurts more than the rest of my body

I was just diagnosed on Tuesday of this week with Fibromyalgia. I am still wading through information, and that is what brought me here to your site. It is nice to see others out there talking about this. I have been suffering for most of my life and have been passed from dr. to dr. Frustrated doesn't even begin to describe how I have felt and still feel. Apparently, the book on Fibromyalgia could have been written on me-- I have everything from muscle pain and fatigue to twitching nerves, a vitamin D deficiency, a low thyroid count, neuroma, vision problems, muscle cramps, ALL 18 pressure points... you name it. It's a lot to deal with, and I am just glad there are others out there who understand.

Glad to find you,
Lynn

I enjoyed reading your post and comments regarding Fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed last year after a full year of tests after tests. I too was told it was in my head by some. Thank God for my current physician.

I wanted to pass on, what I hope, will help others deal with Fibromyalgia. I was debilitated almost to the point of a wheelchair, was in a fog all the time, visual disturbances, irritated, and just flat out miserable. Could not get up by myself. I cut aspartame out of my diet and lo and behold began to regain quite a bit of my strength back plus no more visual problems. Unknown to me, I was drinking it in the diet pop, my smoothies I made every morning (in the yogurt) and in the gum I chewed all day. I would recommend cutting out aspartame (as well as other fake sugars) and see if that helps you. It certainly did me. I still have Fibromyalgia and certainly can't do what I used to, but at least I can get myself up without help and I feel like I can think again!

Thanks for listening.

I was diagnosed with fibro 2 years ago. I recently went on a detox/vegan diet (now on my 13th day) and feel wonderful. I have not felt this good in almost a year. It actually helps me sleep better which makes me less fatigued during the day. I highly recommend to anyone struggling with sleep.

I'm so glad all of your posted comments. I believe it is important to feel comfortable talking about Fibromyalgia. Let me invite you to review some additional comment on my website. www.sbtv.com You'll find a number of programs on the management channel as well as featured expert podcasts. I'm glad I had the opportunity to produce these programs to help spread the word about this disease.

Love the title of your site.
Please do visit mine if you have the time!
www.womenandfibromyalgia.com
Barbara Keddy Ph.D.

It is hard for a lot of woman with fibromyalgia to go out and work. I suffer from Fibromyalgia along with other issues and am looking for work I can do from home. I keep running into scams. Anyone have any ideas on legitimate work at home sites???

Thanks,
Lisa

Kudos! For sharing your story and creating awareness for this very painful and chronic affliction. I too have to manage my fibromy"Ow"gia and wish to encourage others. I was diagnosed with "chronic fatigue" when I was 29. I deal with multiple health issues including sleep apnea. 20/20 did a nice piece on the effects of sleep deprivation and attributed pre-diabetic symptoms, endocrine and adrenal issues to the lack of rest. When one suffers from a debilitating illness such as fibromyalgia, it can also take its toll mentally. This is exactly what I deal with. I was alway physically active and up until a few years ago in serious denial. I pushed the limits of my pain. I could no longer do it and subsequently lost my job. I fell into depression and have had to fight my way out of the pit with the strength of the Lord Jesus. The word is a powerful tool and is empowering.

I am now 39 and have since learned to accept my limitation. I focus on what I can do instead of being hung up on what I can't do. We all have been given many gifts and talents. One of the gifts we are given through our sufferings is compassion. I hope you find your gifts beyond your sufferings and seek new ones.

Sage

I too suffer from fibromyalgia, my father had me in and out of specialists trying to find out why I was so sick and hurt so badly. It was about 15 years ago; fibromyalgia was not considered a true disease at that time. The doctors kept saying I was fine and that it was all in my head. Sound familiar? I have it under control basically, however loss of my job meant loss of insurance so I can not afford the medications, Lyrica is a blessing but too expensive for me to buy without insurance. So now I am out trying to keep up my strength, and deal with the pain and trying to find a job that I can do in my condition. Office work is the only thing I can now do, anything else is too physically challenging.

I too have experienced fibromyalia through the years. I was so relieved to have it diagnosed. I had most of the painful trigger points, disturbed sleep, and fatigue.
Also after being diagnosed, I was saddened to feel that something was "officially" wrong with me. I have dealt with the condition by trying to rest more and be positive in my attitude about it and about life in general. Massages are helpful, also.