Is anyone else suffering from fibromyalgia?

United States
July 1, 2008 10:14am CST
I just recently got diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I already have occipital neuralgia which causes severe migraines in the back of my head along with neck pain. After adding fibromyalgia to this mix, I am in constant pain. I was put on different medications and am trying to cope with this. Any feedback and recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks
2 people like this
3 responses
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
2 Jul 08
Yes I have fibromyalgia. I've been diagnosed with it for almost 5 years now but had it many before that. I have sever tension and migraine headaches also. Unfortunately I can't take any medication except advil/ibuprofen so I just basically rest and tough it out. If you type fibromyalgia into the search box for discussions you will find some recent one's between another member and myself. I have over 60 symptoms or conditions associated with my fibromyalgia. It's not an easy thing to live with. You just do the best you can. Some things that I've found that help are: 1.Getting adequate sleep. (I have insomnia almost every night. I recently tried a sleeping pill prescribed by my doctor but had adverse side effects so had to stop it) 2.Don't overdo it on your low pain days. 3. Take frequent breaks thoughout the day. 4. Eat healthy and lose weight if needed. 5. Reduce stress 6. Exercise however much you can. 7. A good support system. (This is very important because there are things you used to be able to do that you just can't anymore. I've been blessed with a husband and son that help me out alot) I wish you all the best with this condition. Message me if you want to talk more!
• United States
2 Jul 08
I completely agree that you have to take it day to day. My husband and 2 boys are very helpful as well. It just really bothers me now that I have to rely on others to help with everyday chores. Thank you so much for the information you gave me, it is nice to know that I am not alone in feeling this way. I am new to mylot, but I am finding out there are a lot of people out there with my same concerns. Any time you want to talk as well I will be there for you. Thanks again.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Aug 08
I was diagnosed with fibro last year but had been hurting for a while before that. Much of what I read says to get support from your family & that is not something I have. If I have a bad day & end up in bed, my husband will do the BARE MINIMUM & nothing more. He was raised in a family that believed you should suck it up & deal with it. He has no sympathy for what I go through. That & I don't think he would know what to do for me anyway. Some understanding would be nice. The doc who diagnosed me has a wife with fibro so he is very knowledgeable, however, he closed his practice. Now my hubby thinks the doc didn't know what he was talking about & wants me to get a second opinion. Ugh!! I am not crazy about docs & avoid them unless I absolutely have to go. I have a new doc who is reluctant to diagnose patients with fibro. She asked me where it hurts (my neck & shoulders, among other places), felt that area, said it was tight & sent me to physical therapy. This, by the way, did help with the pain but she didn't diagnose me with anything. It's frustrating when you know what's wrong with you but those close to you don't believe it. As far as what to do about the pain, I basically try to move so that I don't get too tight & I take Tylenol. I can't tolerate many prescription meds so I don't even bother with anything but over the counter. I don't take NSAIDS because they bother my stomach. Tylenol seems to help somewhat. Also applying heat feels great. I've heard that yoga is really good for the pain. I've tried acupuncture for headaches &, while I didn't like it, it did help with the headaches I was getting. I still get them but they don't last as long & they aren't as debilitating. Hope this helps. Hang in there & take it day by day!
@kipluck (143)
• United States
4 Aug 08
I have occipital neuralgia too which, of course I am not used to people knowing what that is! ANd then TA DA! Fibro. I can't offer much help though... I am all new to this. NOT new to the pain, unfortunately. I have had that for years. But I have been told it is all mental or just plain mystified doctors for years (or my favorite, when they argue with me "no, that didn't hurt you." Umm, yeah. IT DOES.) but I am new to a name, a diagnosis. I am not certain that helps, but in a way it does. "Knowing" what it is... except that it seems to cover SO MUCH of what I am. I have so much wrong with me... can it really ALL be Fibromyalgia related as it seems?