new here.. tell me symptoms of fibro?

    I am new to this site, and I am in need of wls...

but first I need some advice.. can someone explain to me what fibromylasia feels like? I read alot about it,, and I understand all of that.. and I think i ahve al lthe symptoms.. need to know what to do about it?

HI, Welcome to the site.
Fibro feels like you have the worst flu like pain in your arms and neck (mostly)  That is the best way to explain it to someone.  That is when the condition is "full blown" and not hiding anymore.  The first time I noticed anything, my arms felt like I pulled muscles in the shoulder area.  Then I felt nerves tingling and muscles twitches (some don't have all the same symptoms).  Very fatigued and even IBS comes with this.  But the most pain we all say the same is the flu like ache, can't touch me can't sleep feeling.  Hope this helps.  Kristy

Usually a rhumetologists Spelled wrong, can give you the diagnosis. There are certain trigger points and then they can tell by the pain you are having etc. But yes it does "feel like the flu"
all the aches and pains and the extreme tiredness. You need a doctor to check you over first.
Good luck!!!!

Pam

   Yes, I feel all those symptoms, My muscles ache and twitch all the time.. My legs and arms feel like you are taking a rolling pin over them.. and it hurts so bad.. Sometimes  I cant even move, it takes me forever to do anything. I cant ev en get off of the couch.. I dont sleep well at all .. maybe 2-3 hours then i have to get up and sit on the couch.. Im exhausted.. But how do i explain this to my doctor? and if he will believe me?

http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/diagnosis/berne.html

Hi go to this link.  It has about 142 on the check list, and I checked  87 or something like that.  It is a very good check off list for you to take to your doctor.  Let me know if you are not able to open it. or just write it down.  I'd like to hear what you thoughts are on the symptom check off list.  Please let me know.  Kristy

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 9 years ago.  I felt like I had the flu and I also had shoulder problems but my chief complaint was I felt like had been riding a horse! My hips and butt hurt a lot.  I also had  frequent bladder infections, experienced reactions to strong smells and I couldn't stand being in large groups of people.  Lucky for me my primary dr. was out sick on the day I had an appt. with him because the dr. that filled in for him recognized the symptoms and referred me to a rheumatologist.

Kristy, I was on my way to check my files for that same link you just gave!  I think I had like 80+ checked on the checklist too!  And when the rheumatologist touched the trigger points, they were so tender I almost fainted with his touch. 

Check out that checklist then talk to your dr. and get referred to a rheumatologist to get properly diagnosed.

Hi Prayhardtoday,
I have already been dx with the fibro from 2 doctors.  I did have the trigger points, but not everyone has the same symptoms, such as the trigger points.  That is one way to dx this condition.  If I weren't on meds, I would still have the same pain the the trigger areas.  The fibro is also mixed in with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  A Rheumy doctor doesn't have to be the one to dx Fibro.  It isn't a joint issue, it is an overactive nerve problem which causes pain in the fiberous tissues found near the joints.  In the four quads. Hips and arms (left and right). I don't know why the nerves make it so painful in the fiberous tissues, but there isn't inflammation with Fibro either.  Just pain.  The checklist is just something I used to be able to explain and justify why I was feeling the way I was.  I didn't use it to self dx.  take care.

I really appreciated what you had to say about the course you had to take to get diagnosed.  I'm an RN also, and manage a large hospital unit.  Being in the medical community doesn't help much when a person has an illness that doesn't fit into the usual diagnoses.  I really feel bad for all of us in this situation.   I've pretty much had to figure out for myself what works and doesn't.  The wheat intolerance was a real eye-opener.  Who would have thought that diet could play such a large role in how a person feels and functions.  I can almost feel normal if all wheat and sugars are eliminated from my diet. Even oatmeal will cause a flare up - a little rice is ok.   I've been tested by an allergist, and it's not allergic reactions - it's a food intolerance.   Eating out is a challenge.  I was doing better for quite some time, then, got complacent, started eating a lttle this, and that - and it didn't seem to bother me much, so thought maybe I could handle it.   Crazy thinking!  It was too much and so for the past 2-3 wks , am really paying for it and hurting all over, can't do much at all, not even work this week -yikes.   So, it's back to basics, mostly veggies.  life passes you by when you hurt.  All the Best to all of us...

If your doctor doesn't believe in fibromyalgia then you  need a new doctor that doesn't have his head up his rump.......but that's just my humble opinion. I am a nurse.  I went to our medical director (I'm a nursing home nurse) for years and years.  Right up until 1999 when I had a small heart attack at work.  Years prior I had complained of overall achy sometimes sharp nerve pain, lack of restful sleep, IBS symptoms, constant fatigue, etc.....and he'd prescribe me various meds for fluid retention (he never figured out I had a severe wheat intolerance causing the severe fluid retention) pain meds, etc.  But I didn't like the jokes I got the day I passed out at work and two co-workers dragged me into a wheelchair and took me over to the clinic.  They did an EKG which made his nurse get eyes big as saucers and they advised me to drive myself to the nearest ER.  Which I did not really knowing what I was dealing with.  It was just a mile up the street.  Well not only did they diagnose me with a Inferior Infarction (small heart attack, no muscle damage thank god) but I had high blood pressure and they advised me to find another doctor!  Which I did...and who diagnosed me with fatty liver disease, an infected gall bladder, fibromyalgia, congestive heart failure due to the wheat intolerance, and a few other issues.  He is still my current doctor who encouraged me to have th gall bladder removed, a liver biopsy to comfirm the sky high liver profile tests ( I was in stage 2 of liver disease) and the RNY.....but most importantly he diagnosed the fibromyalgia and although I'm a medical challege to him...he listens to me...he works with me....and when I fall short on putting things together in my head as to what is going on inside of me....he helps me understand better and allows ME to call the shots on my treatment.  I truly believe that it's vital to find a good doctor who not only tries to dictate to you what your treatment should be but one that allows you the opportunity to learn and participate in your treatment.  But that means that a person has to get educated about their own bodies and the conditions and see how things apply to them.  I find that most folks do not even know their own bodies and how things tie together.  They just walk into a doctor's office and expect them to wave a wand, make it all better.  Fibromyalgia just doesn't work that way as we all have similar yet individual symptoms to deal with.

I rambled on a bit I know...lol  but I hope that it helps in some way:-)