Fibromyalgia

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:53 pm

I've just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia - a condition I hadn't heard of before the doctor told me what it is yesterday. Does anyone here suffer? Or do you know any sufferers?` I'm told it is rare in men. I'd love to hear other people's experiences.

Stu (typing through some horrid neck and shoulder pains)

Big and Bashful · Post by **Big and Bashful** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:26 pm

Might be a silly question but have you tried googling for it? most of these conditions have many support groups out there on the net.

Cams · Post by **Cams** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:27 pm

Good advice there. When I was diagnosed I knew little about the condition. Doctors told me very little. It's amazing what can be found out on the internet.

Departed Member · Post by **Departed Member** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:38 pm

Oh, flippin' 'eck! That pretty much sums up my symptoms - although two crushed vertibrae are the 'root' cause - literally, thanks in part to a repetitive strain injury. Have you had a MRSI scan, Stu?

bmaxim · Post by **bmaxim** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:18 pm

My wife has suffered from it for several years. Sometimes her energy level is good, sometimes her energy level is so low that it is hard to get out of bed.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:27 pm

Thanks for the responses, chaps.

I've not had any scans, but the pain occurs in different parts of my body, right down to my knrres and feet, I have defined pain spots, insomnia, morning stiffness, weak bladder and I've developed some irrational anxiety states lately and all these, according to my doctor, add up to a text-book case of fibromyalgia.

I've managed to locate some stuff on the Internet, but it would be nice to talk to another sufferer on a one-to-one basis. I have repeatedly tried phoning a local support group, but it's either an answering machine, or else some demented person who cuts me off.

Stu (still suffering shoulder and neck pain)

Since1982 · Post by **Since1982** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:30 am

Umm, what is it please? Myo myo myo me..I thought I knew most illness's names. Don't know this one, please humor me and explain what it is?

Post by **Milfmog** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:04 am

Skip,

You can find a short introduction to the subject on Wikipedia here.

Have fun,

Ian.

Departed Member · Post by **Departed Member** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:35 am

Stu wrote:I've not had any scans, but the pain occurs in different parts of my body, right down to my knrres and feet, I have defined pain spots, insomnia, morning stiffness, weak bladder and I've developed some irrational anxiety states lately and all these, according to my doctor, add up to a text-book case of fibromyalgia.

That does sound 'text-book'.

I suggested the MRI scan as I had/have 'defined pain spots', particularly in my right hand, arm & shoulder, lower back & in the 'downstairs' area - these pains (which I had thought were caused by separate problems) have been attributed to collapsed vertibrae trapping the relevant nerves.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:34 pm

For those who don't know, fibromyalgia is a condition which brings the following symptoms:

pain in all four quadrants of the body . I suffer mainly in my neck, shoulders, chest, elbows, hipe and knees
very poor sleep resulting in constant tiredness
physical exhaustion after relatively minimal activity
IBS symptoms and frequent passing of water
sometimes it is accompanied by anxiety or even depression, but it's not certain whether these are part of the illness, or are caused by it

There is no lab test for this syndrome and 90% of sufferers are women.

Stu

Since1982 · Post by **Since1982** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:13 pm

I think I have it...all those symptoms fit me to a T for about 3 years now. The worrying and depression for sure, frequent watering, pain in the shoulders, neck, hips and back. I'm off to the loo about every 2 hours for a drain of the main vein...

Website · Post by **crfriend** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:19 pm

Stu wrote:I've just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia

Aw heck, Stu, I'm sorry to hear that. My wife sufferred with it for a number of years so I know it's no fun. Best of luck.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:26 am

My mother had this for many years. I remember the only thing prescribed were pain killers. Co-Proxamol were pretty good at getting rid of the pain.

Jeff.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 5:58 pm

On Friday I picked up a sick note from my doctor's office. It stated the cause of my sickness was "malaise"! I asked the nurse, "What the heck does that mean? I have been diagnosed with fibrolyalgia. I can't give my employer this!" She replied: "Well your blood test results showed you have no inflamatory markers, so you can't have fibromyalgia."

These people are supposed to be professionals - have benefited from years of expensive training. You would have thought that between a qualified general practitioner and a nurse, one at least would have known that fibromyalgia pain is neuropathic, not inflammatory, and so can not be detected by means of a blood test. My eldest daughter, now completing her 4th year medical training, knew that perfectly well and was horrified that they didn't. I phoned the specialist nurse at the Fibromyalgia Association and she told me that my story is far from unusual. We put our trust in these people and it is a shock to find out just how ignorant they are of conditions they aren't treating every day.

Stu

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:03 pm

That doesn't surprise me at all Stu, unfortunately.....
After 20 years dealing with doctors on regular occasions I came to the conclusion most of what they do is guesswork, followed by prescribing something they think might do the trick, followed by other stuff if it doesn't.
Your example is even worse....They could've at least looked up the disease on the net! Malaise sounds like you're making it up or just lethargic! Insulting to you at the very least and possibly damaging to your health too.

Jeff.

skirtcafe.org

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

Feeling STOOOOOPID!!!!

Thank you all...