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Jenn10232005

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Joined
Aug 20, 2014
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Undiagnosed
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Country
US
State
GA
I couldn't wait anymore. I told the doctor all my symptoms / other past illnesses: constant body aches, tender areas around my head, neck, back and hips, major sleep disturbances since my teenage years. Chronic IBS since my teenage years. Tmj so bad it required surgery, tension headaches which were new this year and have been killing me.... I basically fit every symptom of fibromyalgia. I just didn't think it was possible at 26 Years old. I didn't know enough about it. When I read up on it though it was like reading my whole life story. I have also suffered With anxiety and depression throughout my life which I have learned are symptoms. I cried. Partially knowing it's chronic and lifelong and partially because it explains so much. The doc is running blood work to rule out lupus, Lyme disease, and RA but he said if it didn't come back positive for any of those he agrees it has to be fibromyalgia I'm textbook. Any advice for a newby? I just don't know what to think. He recommended cymbalta but that was kind of it for treatment so I don't know where to go there. Thanks. Jenn
 
First off, breathe.

It might take a while to find the medicine combination that works. Until then, deal the best you can with the symptoms. I am a fan of IcyHot spray, heating pads and hot showers. If you have someone who can work massage your pressure points it helps as well. It will get better, it just takes time.
 
First off, breathe.

It might take a while to find the medicine combination that works. Until then, deal the best you can with the symptoms. I am a fan of IcyHot spray, heating pads and hot showers. If you have someone who can work massage your pressure points it helps as well. It will get better, it just takes time.

Thank you for the advice. He said
Antidepressants are the best way to go? Do
You agree?
 
Thank you for the advice. He said
Antidepressants are the best way to go? Do
You agree?

It is the best place to start. Honestly, I wish they had worked for me. They have the least amount of side effects to deal with. I started on those and they didn't help me, so I am on Gabapentin, which is an anti-seizure medication.
 
It is the best place to start. Honestly, I wish they had worked for me. They have the least amount of side effects to deal with. I started on those and they didn't help me, so I am on Gabapentin, which is an anti-seizure medication.

Oh ok. Thank you so much for the advice on that. I'll try to start with that. Do you see a general practitioner to help with your fibromyalgia or some kind of specialist?
 
I couldn't wait anymore. I told the doctor all my symptoms / other past illnesses: constant body aches, tender areas around my head, neck, back and hips, major sleep disturbances since my teenage years. Chronic IBS since my teenage years. Tmj so bad it required surgery, tension headaches which were new this year and have been killing me.... I basically fit every symptom of fibromyalgia. I just didn't think it was possible at 26 Years old. I didn't know enough about it. When I read up on it though it was like reading my whole life story. I have also suffered With anxiety and depression throughout my life which I have learned are symptoms. I cried. Partially knowing it's chronic and lifelong and partially because it explains so much. The doc is running blood work to rule out lupus, Lyme disease, and RA but he said if it didn't come back positive for any of those he agrees it has to be fibromyalgia I'm textbook. Any advice for a newby? I just don't know what to think. He recommended cymbalta but that was kind of it for treatment so I don't know where to go there. Thanks. Jenn

Hi there! The only advice I can tell you is to start finding ways to cope with this, since you haven't been diagnosed yet, I think you should wait and see, but I'm almost certain you have fibro. If I'm right, don't worry, this isn't the end of the world, because believe it o not... there are far worse diseases out there. Plus this can be manged by doing some adjustments in your life, just relax and try to take it easy.

f you stay long enough around here and take the time to explore the forum, then I'm sure you will find a lot useful tips and stories of how some people cope with this.
 
Oh ok. Thank you so much for the advice on that. I'll try to start with that. Do you see a general practitioner to help with your fibromyalgia or some kind of specialist?

I see a GP, and I am hopefully also about to start seeing a chiropractor and a pain specialist.
 
Thank you for the reply I should find out soon by ruling out the other possible causes. Thank you for the advice.
 
First off, breathe.

It might take a while to find the medicine combination that works. Until then, deal the best you can with the symptoms. I am a fan of IcyHot spray, heating pads and hot showers. If you have someone who can work massage your pressure points it helps as well. It will get better, it just takes time.

Now that I see you comment remember that my grandmother had similar symptoms and a friend recommended to do something similar, then improved.

"Jenn10232005" I can see that you have some problems and hope that you to continue looking for more opinions. Do not you tired and above all you must be positive. Happy day
 
I couldn't wait anymore. I told the doctor all my symptoms / other past illnesses: constant body aches, tender areas around my head, neck, back and hips, major sleep disturbances since my teenage years. Chronic IBS since my teenage years. Tmj so bad it required surgery, tension headaches which were new this year and have been killing me.... I basically fit every symptom of fibromyalgia. I just didn't think it was possible at 26 Years old. I didn't know enough about it. When I read up on it though it was like reading my whole life story. I have also suffered With anxiety and depression throughout my life which I have learned are symptoms. I cried. Partially knowing it's chronic and lifelong and partially because it explains so much. The doc is running blood work to rule out lupus, Lyme disease, and RA but he said if it didn't come back positive for any of those he agrees it has to be fibromyalgia I'm textbook. Any advice for a newby? I just don't know what to think. He recommended cymbalta but that was kind of it for treatment so I don't know where to go there. Thanks. Jenn

Hi jenn,

Your symptoms sounds familiar.. You may have symptoms of candida overgrowth..
And there are certain diets & natural remedy for it.
 
It is certainly possible for people of any age to have this condition, and unfortunately that is one of the many things that people don't realise about it. Nobody is exempt. It is understandable that you are worried about your future, and the potential progression of the condition, but I would urge you to stop worrying. There is more and more research coming to light all the time, meaning that at some point I am confident that there WILL be a breakthrough. Also, now that you know you have the condition, you can start to experiment with things that could improve it a little for you. Everyone is different, but you should be able to get plenty of ideas and support from the people on this forum, as they have all been through it before and can suggest things for you to try in order to improve your quality of life.
 
Hi Jenn10232005,

I realize that you posted this on 8/20/2014, but I have been on an extended involuntary hiatus from this forum (i.e. I hurt too much to type and click.). I hope you don't mind me adding in my "two cents." All of the previous responders to your original post were dead-on. Unlike other support forums I have been on, this group of ladies and gentlemen have been just those: ladies and gentlemen. Now, like I said, I have been gone a while, so I may have missed some drama, but I have yet to encounter any.

First of all, as Seph said, breathe... and breathe again. I know this sounds a little hokey, but take time to take some slow, deep, cleansing breaths several times a day every day. This is important for several reasons, both physically and psychologically.

Secondly, know. Know that the pain and tenderness you feel is not "all in your head." Know that you are not "too young to be feeling like that." Know that you have some limitations, and accept them as your new way of life. Most of all, know that you are NOT alone. There are an estimated 2-5 million men, women and children from all walks of life diagnosed with this disease in the US alone, not to mention the countless others who have the symptoms but are yet to be diagnosed.

Thirdly, don't quit. Don't quit bugging your doctor until the two of you find the right kind of combination of meds that help treat your symptoms. If need be, don't quit looking for the right doctor/specialist who will help you to get on the right meds for you. Don't quit independently doing your own research on homeopathic or other alternate treatments, creams, diets, or therapies. Don't quit until you have found yourself a support system that helps you when you are down- either physically, emotionally or both. Whether it is a friend, coworker, family member, significant other, a forum like this, or a smattering of all the above, don't quit until you find a system that works for you.

And lastly, remember. Remember that you may have hurt terribly yesterday, but you are feeling a little better today, so it does get better. Remember that you are strong. Having the strength to bear this condition is not something that we often think about because of the limitations we have because of it. But having the strength of mind, strength of character, and strength of body to have all the symptoms we have and still find a reason to smile is a testament to us all. Most importantly, remember this condition does not define you, nor is it "bigger" than you. My doctor says that I have one of the worst cases of Fibro he has ever seen. There are days when no amount of pills, herbs, topical analgesics, etc, etc, etc can help me to even be able to get out of bed. There are days when thought of a massage hurts. There are days when I cannot stand to even have my clothes touching my body. But you know what? The pain is not bigger than me. I know this may also sound a little hokey, but I say that to myself all the time. "The pain is not bigger than me," over and over again. If you speak to and believe in a Higher Power, call on Him/Her for help. That helps me to feel like I am not alone in the pain at the very least.

I am glad you found this site, and I hope you find the treatment that helps you soon. ((Gentle Hugs))

Jill
 
Three pieces of advice.
If I could go back and do one thing at the start of all this, I would avoid the formal diagnosis of FM. It has prevented me from getting certain kinds of insurance and paying more for others. I think a better diagnosis would be chronic pain.

Take it one symptom at a time. While FM may not be curable, individual symptoms are often treatable. This also does not overwhelm your doctor who may not know where to start when confronted with a FM patient. Plus relieving one symptom often helps relieve another. They are often interrelated.

Beware of people trying make a buck off of you or who want to use you. FM symptoms wax and wane. Remedies taken when you can no longer stand the symptom often seem to work when the symptom had run its course all on its own. The therapy, pill, or whatever just appeared to work. This has happened to me with back pain and restless leg syndrome. Both disappeared for ten years and then came back. Just keep this in mind when reading testimonials or trying to interpret your body's own reaction to a new therapy.
 
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