Status
Not open for further replies.

Emma Jane

New member
Joined
Aug 13, 2014
Messages
6
Reason
Undiagnosed
Diagnosis
02/2012
Country
IRL
State
000
Hi, I'm very new to this, have never been on a forum before. Well here goes, I was diagnosed with Depression 3 years ago and if that wasn't bad enough, I was told by my Rheumatologist I have the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. For as long as I can remember, I have always suffered from Headaches, Migraines, Aches and Pains throughout my whole body. A lot of Tender points in my body and always tired. I feel like an old woman and I'm only 38. I used to exercise a lot, practically run till I nearly fell off the treadmill :lol: I loved exercise. Now when I do any exercise my body is just aching for days. All I can seem to do is walking and it is just frustrating. It gets me so down, then I end up binging on food and get even more depressed. It was actually my phychiastrist that said I might have Fybromyalgia. And when I went to Rheumatologist, was there 10 mins asked a few questions, didn't say I had it but I have all the symstoms of Fybromyalgia and €180 none the better. Just take it easy and that's that! OH SO FED UP :cry:
 
Sorry you've been basically brushed off. Can you go to someone else who would take a little more time with you? I've had to give up my life of working with horses and raising livestock, having a homestead and growing most our own food. How I loved all the toil! There are many things I like to do, but that will always be my first love,(besides the Lord & my family of course) My massage therapist is actually the one who said she thought I had FM, years before the Chiropractor and then the pain mgmt. doctor. I guess you will have to learn to celebrate the small stuff now; a good day, a lovely walk, a chat with a friend, a gorgeous sunset. I try to be extra patient-not an easy task-with my good husband , and to be especially kind to others, starting at home and extending to anyone I come in contact with. It helps keep me focused on others, especially when I have a hard time of it.
 
It is so hard to find a doctor that actually knows how to deal with Fibromyalgia. I have been to so many doctors and specialists over the years and most of them have diagnosed me with other conditions. You have to really talk to doctors and make sure that they understand this condition before you go and see them. If they just want to give you medication and that's all, than they are probably not very up to date with all that you can do to improve your symptoms. What I have done is to change my lifestyle and I also try and do as many relaxing things as possible each day. Although I may never get rid of all of the symptoms, it does help to be positive and take good care of yourself. I really believe that this is true for any disease or condition that you may have.

I also find that getting enough sleep makes a huge difference in how you feel. Processed foods are terrible for everyone and so switching those out with whole foods is also a very good idea. Get exercise everyday, even if it's just stretching or going for a 30 minute walk. Someday s you will still feel terrible no matter what you do, but in the long run I find that it has decreased many of my symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Your body needs to regenerate and rest while you sleep so that it can make it through another day. My doctor says that I have a 6 year deficit on sleep. I can't ever get those 6 years back, but I can go from this day forward and keep myself as healthy as possible. Depression can also be reduced to some degree with these suggestions, as well as any condition that takes your quality of life away from you.
 
Last edited:
Emma, so sorry to hear about your depression, I also suffer from that and let me tell you I know how hard it is to deal with it! Not easy at all! I hope you find something that helps, for me the only thing I'm taking now is a few supplements that help me sleep, that's super helpful, but not enough most of the time. It's all about having a positive attitude really, I know isn't easy, but that's the only thing that has helped me long term. Stay strong!
 
I too have depression and Fibromyalgia. And i can tell you that it has not been easy for me either. But one of the things that helps me is knowing I am not alone and that others like yourself know how I feel. I am ex military and was extremely athletic and now I have a hard time walking to the car. Housework is a struggle for me. For your depression you have to find out things that make you happy in order to cope. For me one of the things is I got a puppy. He makes me get out of bed and its his persistence that helps me at times. I also play online games and I find this helps get my mind occupied. For your sleep problem maybe you should go to a sleep clinic and they may be able to help. For my headaches I got accupuncture and that has been successful for me. And I HATE needles..lol And you will probably have to fight to get a proper diagnosis. I was 38 when I knew something was terrribly wrong and the doctor told me it was old age. I was 38 and in great shape.....I had to fight to get them to take me seriously.
 
I would definitely say that the symptoms of depression and fibromyalgia can and do overlap and exacerbate each other. Depression often leads to lethargy, fatigue, insomnia and aches and pains. And fibromyalgia can definitely lead to depression, especially when you are unable to continue to do the things that you normally enjoy, or cease to be able to enjoy the things that you do. And it gets made worse because most people don't really understand fibromyalgia (or depression for that matter), even doctors, which it sounds like you know all too well.

I would say the most important thing is to try and maintain a positive mental attitude. This can be a lot easier if you find some support, be that through some kind of therapist, a spiritual institution, or even through an online forum like this one. You have to try to behave like you are happy and not in pain. I know that this is easier said than done, but once you let your illnesses start to get you down, it can actually become perpetual. However, if you can fake it instead, you can become it. Good luck, and we are here for you.
 
I would definitely say that the symptoms of depression and fibromyalgia can and do overlap and exacerbate each other. Depression often leads to lethargy, fatigue, insomnia and aches and pains. And fibromyalgia can definitely lead to depression, especially when you are unable to continue to do the things that you normally enjoy, or cease to be able to enjoy the things that you do. And it gets made worse because most people don't really understand fibromyalgia (or depression for that matter), even doctors, which it sounds like you know all too well.

In me true depression leads to sleeping way too much, so much I could sleep the whole day and not eat for a couple days, just waking up to drink some water. Depression can make everything way way worse, I feel so sorry for those dealing with this with no meds, I'm one of those persons, but the source of my depression is under control now, if it wasn't...
 
I too have suffered with bouts of depression and I understand from what you have said that if only the doctors would truly take the time to listen better you might at least get some supportive help, if not a diagnosis. When my depression got severe I went and say mental health counselers, at government run clinics. When that did not help I went to a good therapist and she helped get me back on track.

I do not know what types of services are available in your area, but here the clinics are done on sliding scale payments, based on your income. It is a cheaper way to see a therapist. As far as the doctors and a diagnosis go, I ran to doctors for years trying to find out what was wrong. I saw a lot of doctors over the years and wasted a lot of money. Try to be patient and read around this forum for answers to how to self manage your symptoms. the hardest part of any illness is managing the symptoms.

Also check out the different alternative methods other members have posted and add your opinions to other members posts. I am sure just being here will increase your knowledge and equip you with lots of new coping skills. Look forward to seeing and reading your posts. :)
 
Sorry to hear about your depression. It's completely normal for depression to occur with things like fibromyalgia, because of the fact that they can impact so strongly on your quality of life. Finding a doctor who is willing to support you is something that is incredibly important, because the right team of medical professionals might be able to make all the difference when it comes to your treatment. At the end of the day, you need to take control of your life and the way that you are treated, because you might find that doing so changes the course of your illness and life forever.
 
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my post and comment on your own lives. It helps to talk to people who understand as I find my family and friends really don't understand. It's so frustrating when they say "what's up" when they don't hear from me, there is a reason they don't its usually because I'm not up to meeting people, but I find myself ALWAYS explaining myself why I don't want to go out. I find also I can't really drink being on medication, might just have one or two and they still keep offering me drinks! It makes me not want to go out, because I find it' pressure and then If I go home early because I'm feeling low, they are like "well are you coming back later" I hate having to always justify why I'm low, why I want to go home, why I don't want to go out. Why I just want to be on my own! I have also discovered that I have Candida in the gut, so for the next month I will be living on basically nothing :( so no out, no socializing. I'm going to try and get myself feeling better, by not drinking and eating right to make me feel better mentally and physically. I just wish people could understand Fybromyalgia and Depression more!
 
i have also had depression, last year had a mental break. I now go to a pain management clinic which I had
to have a referral from my MD. I do have medical insurance but lousy drug coverage. I am on meds and
pain patches now, it has helped quite a lot. I hate having to take narcotics but feel I the quality of life it
offers is worth it. ;You, however would probably have to be alcohol free to use these meds. I know this alone
is difficult, but alcohol is a depressant adding to the problem. You are among people who can identify with
your problems.
 
I have no problem taking my meds as I feel they keep me sane to a degree lol But yes I know I should not drink alcohol and you know what it doesn't even bother me, but a few reasons I choose to have a few drinks now and then is this 1) My husband loves a drink and loves when I have a drink as I make everyone laugh as I am apparently really silly and make people laugh! 2) I find it hard to socialize and cope with people if I am stone cold sober. 3) everyone thinks I'm weird if I don't drink even though they know I take Medication. I won't go out at all with my husband or friends If I don't have a drink as when they all have a few and I'm sober I can't cope and just want to go home. Sometimes I wish my husband and friends were more understanding about the drinking, but they just love me being silly. But then I have the consequences of suffering with headaches and low mood for a week, due to the drink! I can't win :(
 
A pity for your problems. I sincerely recommend to always be positive, leave home and try to have a normal and active life. Although our body does not want. But you have to be stronger. I have also found that the mind is somewhat surprising and that some problems are mental, and can be solved more easily, only changing our way of thinking.
 
It was a journey for my husband getting diagnosed. We had brush off after brush off - as if he was a hyperchondriac or a drug addict after pain medication (he looks a bit like a hoodlum lol). Keep pushing to get the right diagnosis and treatment. An anti depressant (not cymbalta - avoid that one at all costs ) and get help from psych a part if your treatment plan - you are going to need it. Don't let anyone tell you it's all in your head - it's not. Keep talking about it don't bottle it all up. X x.
 
Thanks for both your comments, yes I have been on Cymbalta, Oh my god, worst drug ever, had awful side effects. Didn't stay on that for long let me tell you. They don't really care what drug they give you :( yes sometimes u do feel like your imagining it when people look at you with ten heads, but then if you don't have your leg falling off and don't look in pain, they you must be making it up :( Thanks guys xx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top