Do I have fibro?

Hi all,

I'm wondering if I may have fibro.  When I was 28, I was diagnosed with depression.  I definitely have depression.  But it is so well controlled now, has been for years.  I am happy and have a great life - everything I ever wanted.  But the fatigue never left.  It comes and goes but is here more often than not.  I am going through a large time span of fatigue right now and I just think it's not depression related.  I'm also stiff a lot, I have knee pain, sometimes shoulder and back pain.  My neckand shoulders are so stiff right now. 

I don't quite understand trigger points - would I be really aware where they are, or is that something you figure out with the doctor.  I do know that sometimes when my kids come up and pretend to spank me on the bottom and hit the lower back, it hurts a lot more than I think it should.  I am stiff and sore all the time.  I have a hard time falling asleep at night, but want to sleep all day - I've slept all day and night long before.  Sometimes if I stay in bed a few days and sleep I feel better.  usually I wake up feeling exhausted.  I have headaches quite frequently. 

Any thoughts?  If I need to see a doctor,what type do I see?

Thanks!

Well if I were a doc and I'm not I'd say you not only have fibro but also chronic fatigue which tends to go hand in hand with the fibro. Usually it takes a doc to work the trigger points. I'd suggest seeing a rheumatologist or pain specialist for an actual diagnosis. There are meds that can help but it's kind of trial and error to see which ones work just for you. Feel free to post here any time and we'll be glad to try to help you.

The tender points are listed on the web... You can sort of test yourself. Have to have 11 of 18 for diagnosis of FMS.

 I just went to the Dr with similar complaints, in addition to a kidney infection.
          For the pain issues, which I prefaced with I wanted to know what I could do about it...not medication... She said to cut all asparatane and MSG.   I thought I had,  but it was in my meat tenderizer. The only meat tenderizer I could find that does not have it is Lawry's brand.   Just FYI, Denise

Thanks everyone,

I just found out my vitamin D level is really low.  I'm on a mega vit D now and when my levels are normal I'll re-assess the situation.  

Thanks!

Something like 60% of women have a D def. It isn't unusual, but it will help you gain SOME energy. One thing you might want to figure out is if you have any other "sensativities". Fibro is a problem with the actual nerves and doesn't only affect pain sensors. I've got a problem with noise sensativity that I didn't realize until an ex pointed it out. Trigger points are easy to figure out. If you press, just one finger, into the spot and pain lingers, it might be a trigger point. Press on a long muscle with the same pressure and compare the pain. My main trigger points are my upper arms where everyone likes to poke you in the shoulder. I also have back of the neck and lower back trigger points. When diagnosed, I had 16 of 18 points of pain.

I am also wondering if I have fibro too mainly because of the FATIGUE. It's terrible, and unpredictable. I also have low vit D which I am taking huge prescription doses to get it back up. Last round didn't raise it one bit for some reason, and I tested negative for celiac. I don't have that much pain, except for in my neck, but when I go to the chiropractor on a regular basis it keeps it pretty much gone. I do think I am a little more tender than average and feel sore sometimes, too. My grandfather has fibro, but he has nothing but PAIN PAIN and more PAIN and I'm not really like that. I thought the vit D was helping but now I don't think that anymore - must have been a coincidence and like someone else said, D deficiency is quite common, but most of those people don't suffer the same type of fatigue. I am really sick of it - I am going to ask my PCP to check me for it when I go back about the vit D! Good luck to you!