A long time Fibro sufferer

I was finally diagnosed with Fibro at 38 but had it for some time. I was given all the stuff everyone else has been given over the years some affected me worse and some helped for a short time to take and edge off. Nothing and I mean nothing makes you normal. So if your depressed then your not on the right anti depressant. large doses of pain meds are what most people wish for to help. I refused to go that route. getting hooked on pain pills is not an answer. I had my Gastic by pass 5 years ago and felt good with alot of my weight off but I also had knee problems I had both knees replaced 3 years ago this Sept. My legs swell and I move slow I fall and I hurt along with the fibro. I am now almost 54. But give up I won't Most don't understand and husbands boyfriends etc seem to never quite get it. And your baby will not understand. Exercise is so painful, but I will say get to a warm pool and I mean one for therapy or senior citzens and get in and just walk. It helps all the muscles and the heat helps you feel better along with water not putting pressure on your body. You need a good anti depressant it seems and try very hard not to let it control you. I had 3 co workers who had Fibro like me. Most crawl into bed and take high doses of meds and never get out of bed. Laying in bed makes your muscles worse They have to move to get toxins out. I must tell you I live in Idaho now prior to Sunny california. I get snow like crazy and very cold weather. It bugs but I keep socks on and sweats and yes have been known to shop in PJ's a nice acceptance up here. Hot weather makes my arms and leg joints swell and I suffer from muscle spasams daily. I have not worked since I was 38 and was a work aholic. But I raised my kids have 15 plus grandkids and about the same in neices and nephews. I babysit once in a while walk my 4 dogs and make myself get up every day. A therapist once told me when you lay in bed or say I will do it tommorow you just wish your life away a day at a time. So i get up make myself do at least one thing I will enjoy each day so I never can say I lost a day. Everyone has a drug that helps and everyone has had their share of problems with them. You have to find a balance for you. Clonazapin is an antidepressant I have taken since day one. 1 in am 2 at night and Baclofin a strong muscle relaxer which I take the same dose of and on bad days I might take an extra one or two. It helps me. But I have been getting off all the rest, They just work for a short time and then side affects make me worse. I guess what I am saying is you have to make your self get up and fight. i keep saying I am going to get a medical card for marijuanna as i know it will help with sleep and rest but I am not a smoker and the stuff I feared is strong but they teach you to put it in capsules and baked goods etc. Yes they have classes for it. But you have to fight through the pain and get moving some or you will just get worse. THERAPY does help some to get you started massage is a no no it hurts just to be touched. But I will bite my lip so mygrandkids never know they hurt me when they hug me. Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you want to talk. If I can help you get through any of the pain I will try. Sometimes just having a friend who has it can help. marylou

You are so right about keeping moving and staying alive. That's something I always tell newbies, you choose how you live with fibro either you lay in bed and die a slow miserable life or you keep fighting and live life as full as you are able. Me, I choose to live the fullest I can, some days are awful and some are great but they are all worth living. Life is what we make it! Hope others see this and know that they can have a happy life even thru the pain!

I am glad some read this, and Thanks for being one that knows also. You myst be like all of us old folk ha ha who do the Gee I feel great and run and do all the fun things you can or spring clean etc, and the next day ask your self "why did I do that! I know better. But had a great time so just live with the days after. I felt lousy today got off Cymbalta to see if I can handle not being on it. Don't like withdrawls from it at all. But I took a short walk, made a tart with berries for dessert tonight and am taking care my friends 14 year old with a broken hand. Not to mention 4 new puppies and 3 other Shema's we own. And sick feeling or not going fishing tomorrow! Because like it or not this Fibro is not going away and neither is the pain, but I just love life or I would have stayed Fatter and unhappy.

Hi,
I have had Fibromyalgia for years.....so I feel your pain. I am waiting on a date for my surgery, I have 80-100 lbs. to lose, and I have set my mind to it, knowing what I feel like after everything is said and done~ I will for 1 feel better about myself and for 2 feel better fibro wise too.

I have had fibro for about 10 years and will have my surgery in two weeks.  Like you I want to lose some of this weight (about 100#)  but my main goal is to feel better.  I don't expect the weight loss to take away all the pain but I believe it will help and that's all I ask.  I have been working on this process for over a year and I'm just thrilled it's finally here.

How long did it take for you to get diagnosed?  I am not sure if I have fibro or chronic pain or what! My doctors (and there have been many) just don't have a clue why I suffer? They don't seem very sympathetic either and I am quite tired of seeing new doc's!

I have pains in different areas along my spine. Abdominal pains in different areas and different severitys. I have been getting pains in my knees and have suffered ankle pain since I was a kid.

I also feel as though doctors give people diagnosises of fibro, chronic pain, IBS, etc. when they just don't know what else is causing the pains. (process of elimination) I am just afraid that my doctors are getting sick and tired of hearing my constant complaints about the same ailments that they are just going to give up and just call it fibro just to shut me up and get me out of their face!

I want a diagnosis of something so bad!  I am tired of suffering with no answers as to why!