Fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue - I had it for 7 years (sm)
Posted By: Better now on 2007-12-20
In Reply to: Anyone here diagnosed with Lupus? - Hayseed
Started at about 27. If they rule everything else out, that might be what you end up being diagnosed with. I have a tendency to go on and on about this because I tried so many things over the years, so I'll try not to do that right now :-). My first question would have to be "Do you get good sleep?" If not, please Google the effects of long-term sleep deprivation - I had ALWAYS been a poor sleeper, sort of anxious person. Long term DEEP sleep deprivation causes the exact same symptoms as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and other chronic illnesses because your body does not ever get a chance to completely repair itself. If DEEP sleep is an issue for you - that is a great place to start - get a good prescription sleep med and don't be afraid to use it! Over the period of a year of using sleep med and getting good sleep I noticed myself getting gradually better and better.
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Epstein-Barr or chronic fatigue syndrome
Anyone here deal with Epstein-Barr virus and/or chronic fatigue syndrome? My 17-year-old DD was diagnosed recently with CFS. Her EBV titer came back at 2900 or so. She hasn't been sick with a fever or sore throat for over a year but has been tired a lot for at least that period of time, so we assume she was infected at least a year ago. She never had swollen nodes, so I really don't have a specific time in mind.
She is also anemic and recently started iron supplementation. Hopefully that will help some. We just wondered about some tried-and-true therapies for the symptoms. Hopefully she will be one whose levels continue to fall over time.
Sandi
fatigue
Have you had any recent blood tests done to rule out anything? I was thinking maybe your thyroid. Also, how much exercise do you get like walking maybe?
fatigue
Fatigue that you are describing can sometimes be a symtpom of depression. Take a look at your life and try and decide if there is anything you would like to improve/change, anything you are unhappy with?
How do you deal with fatigue?
Do any of you suffer from fatigue? I mean being so tired, no matter how much sleep, you could just hit the floor and go into a coma? I thought it was the Lexapro I was on for about 6 months so I discontinued that. While there was a teensy bit of improvement (and that was well over a year ago I stopped it), the fatigue is back in full force. It is a year-round problem for me, certainly moreso during winter, but it is at its worst when I sit down to the computer.
Do you have any suggestions as far as if it could be something to do with my work space? It's clean and bright, almost always has a nice Yankee candle burning, and my chair is a typical task chair with no arm rests and I try to sit as upright as I comfortably can. My keyboard is a regular style, nothing fancy, but nothing hurts. Monitor is a flat panel LCD. I stay away from sodapop and only have 1 cup of coffee daily, otherwise it's water w/Crystal light, and I'm not taking anything for pills except a daily vitamin.
I'd certainly appreciate any tips or suggestions you might have. Thanks for taking the time to read this! 
Jaundice, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, muscle pain,
itching. My husband was an alcholic for about 15-20 years. He is also 47. His last drink was on September 4, 2006. He finally quit drinking when his weight dropped to 122 pounds (he is 6' tall). His liver enzymes were way off. He was hospitalized for a few days and has not had a drink since and, boy, am I proud of him. It has been tough for him I know. Several years ago, he experienced jaundice and was hospitalized then. He quit drinking then for about 6 weeks and the jaundice did clear. He is doing much better now after having been sober for 3-1/2 months. He was prescribed Valium to help and it has helped. We do not know that he has liver damage already, but he has gained about 25 pounds since September and I just keep praying that he will stay sober because his father died from the effects of alcohol at 54. I hope and pray that your husband will get some medical help.
Does anyone else have chronic sinusitis
I have been battling this particular bout for two months now, and I am on my third run of antibiotics (Avelox the first two times, azithromycin this time). I have negative pressure in my left ear which has caused severe dizzy spells, and I am still running a low grade fever, even though I took the last of the azithromycin today.
I've had allergy problems for a long time and I usually get a sinus infection maybe once a year, but it has never been as bad as this. I was wondering if anyone else has had this kind of experience and, if so, is there anything that helped?
TIA
Friend of a chronic farter
I've been friends with a man since we were about 6. He has ALWAYS had chronic gas. He used to be sent from class after the fact, which never made sense to me. Some teachers even made jokes about it. I can't believe you would punish a child for farting in class. I'm guess all the teachers are fluffers not farters.
Cymbalta for chronic pain?
Does anyone know anyone who uses this for pain or depression? Any info would be appreciated. TIA
I thought there was a chronic illness board - ? (sm)
If so, can anyone tell me how to get to it please?
Chronic back pain, AKA, just keep me in drugs so I can be ..
in a stupor and maybe get disability or at least a handicapped sticker for my car.
Yes being in this field and/or having had chronic "mystery" health problems (sm)
You do quickly learn that physicians are only human and they don't know everything. We really have to take a lot of responsiblity for our own health and that of our family members who may not have the same knowledge. We do not know as much as physicians know about medicine, but we know more than they do about our own bodies and our family members and we just might have the insight they need to put together a diagnosis.
Good for you for writing to them!
Do you have fibromyalgia and if so
are you able to get any relief at all from it? I was diagnosed about 2-3 years ago and it seems to flare. This morning when I woke I felt like every bone in my body was sore. Earlier I took a half tablet of a pain pill but I do not want to zonk out on anything as I want to work and don't need that, just needed some relief as just sitting in my work chair feel like my spine was right up against the chair. What, if any, things do any of you do for the pain, soreness, etc., etc. I know you probably know this is considered "all in your head" by some physicians but I gosh darn didn't even know I had something until my bones ached and when the rheumatologist ran fingers up my spine as I jumped off the exam table, told me then. When I awake, even if early, have to get up as too uncomfortable to just lie there in the bed. TIA.
Fibromyalgia
I have had it for 25 years and it gets worse all the time. The only time it didn't bother me was when I was pregnant (4 times!). I feel like I have the flu all the time and I am tired and exhausted. I also have arthritis and have had a hip replacement and need the other hip replaced now and I have degenerative disc disease and need spinal fusion. It never goes away -- ever. Stress doesn't matter and not being stressed doesn't change anything. A lot of drs. think it is "all in your head" and many have told me that. Some put me on antidepressants which helped the burning sensation a lot, but made me gain 50 pounds. Sorry to hear you have fibro---it is very debilitating. I work in downtown Chicago and have to walk 11 blocks from the train to work -- it is very hard. I had my first hip replaced when I was 43 -- very, very unusually young.
Fibromyalgia?
Wondering how many others here have fibromyalgia or similar illnesses and what your coping mechanism is? Recently diagnosed in January of thisyear? Finding it difficult emotionally/mentally to accept that one day I may feel great and then the very next day I'm laid up in bed - completely exhausted, hurting, etc...I know gotta get a grip on it - think positive - behavior modification - but it's still difficult at times - guess I'm just venting a bit and curious as to others here.
Fibromyalgia
Unfortunately, I'm part of this club too. I can relate to what you are saying. I also feel completely emotionally/mentally exhausted at times. I just deal with it the best that I can and push myself to try to get beyond the pain. I have to care for a small child and my husband has a disability, so it is me or nothing. I wish I had more great days. During that time of the month I could just die. That is the worst for me.
Fibromyalgia
 I have pain in my shoulders, neck area, lower back and knees. I also get a lot of, what I feel are severe headaches, no photophobia though. The pain is worse when I am under a lot of stress -- and when I have stress I often break out in shingles -- not fun at all. Sometimes when I first wake up in the morning I have trouble walking. My joints are really tight/stiff at my ankles. After I move around a bit it gets better. I'm 39 now, started having symptoms for the past 2 years now.
Fibromyalgia and CFS
While transcribing a report recently I came across a website that discussed somatization disorder with regards to fibromyalgia and CFS. I just did a Google on somatization disorder and it was the first website that came up. It was very enlightening and I definitely going to check out my medical records and physician dictations to see if I have ever been classified as having somatization disorder when in fact I have fibro and CFS. These are very different disorders, but fibro/CFS can be missed if a doctor is not well-versed in all 3 disorders. I hate it thought that many doctors do not want to be forthcoming with your medical records - I have run into that more than once. Well, I'm on a mission now -
fibromyalgia
I have this as well. Have had for years on top of osteodegenerative arthritis. For years the docs thought is was only arthritis (have had several implants in both hands.. All of the specialists I have gone to do not believe fibro is real illness. One had the nerve to tell me I was pain seeking. I was so angry.. Told him to do drug tests and whatever he wanted, but I was sick of the pain. My pain is located in my ribs and goes all the way around like at my bra-line (as if I were wearing one that is too tight).My BP went up because of it too.. Hurts all the time. Finally, my (really old old GP doc) whom I love told me that they have no real proof of this problem and a lot of docs don't want to deal with it. He put me on vicodin 1 a day. He told me to break in half and use it twice a day (1 pill) which I do. Although it doesn't stop it naturally, it does help me and I can work. He believes me and knows I don't abuse or over use.
Any good affordable alternatives for chronic constipation besides Glucolax? sm
Our 17-year-old stepdaughter has chronic problems with constipation. The insurance company is now refusing to pay for this medication because MiraLax is now over-the-counter and is similar. We were paying $3 a month in copays for the Glycolax and I'm seeing prices of $22-25/month for MiraLax. She doesn't eat the best high fiber diet (typical teenager) even though the GI doctor told her to because her mother died of colon cancer and other relatives died of various cancers.
Any recommendations of things to try?
Fibromyalgia versus the above MS
I know mine not as bad and really feel for the MS sufferer. I do not eat much sugar on a day to day basis, half teaspoon with first cup of coffee to get me started but not a real big protein eater either. I do not want to take a lot of ibuprofen if I can help although I did take 3 tablets upon waking this morning because of the sore all over feeling. Ibuprofen is really hard on your kidneys. I had pasta today that hubby fixed but will try on cutting back on the "whites." Is this something you heard or just something you tried? I am open to all suggestions what others have done to help their fibro. Again, thanks!
My husband has fibromyalgia
Hi, I have posted this on here before but my husband uses a natural supplement called Activive. It helps him tremendously, he has fibromyalgia and has chronic leg pain with it, sometimes it is unbearable for him. He tried everything before this, an antidepressant suggested by a rheumatologist, pain pills, etc. Nothing has helped him but this amazingly has. Maybe something for you to look into. God bless!!
Fibromyalgia, meant to say
in the above post. Thanks again.
fibromyalgia/Lyrica
I just thought I would let anyone with fibromyalgia know that I was diagnosed 16 years ago with this disease and I have been on many drugs and also homeopathic alternatives. Well, I saw my physiatrist the other day and asked him about Lyrica because I am tired of waking up and feeling chronically fatigued and so painful in all my trigger points especially in this cold/dry and snowy weather. Well, I have taken it for 4 days now and I feel like a new person, and I do not have any of the side effects that could go along with it, so I just wanted everyone to know that there is hope out there. I hope this information helps. Lyrica is the first FDA approved drug for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Also, fibromyalgia is now recognized as a disease to the point that Aflac will not insure you for short term disability if you have fibromyalgia, so that is something else that is new too in the world of fibromyalgia. 
Fibromyalgia Questions
I had low back surgery in June of 2006. About 5 days after my surgery, I had a huge muscle ball up in my back. Then everything went to pot. I finally was sent to pain management and they diagnosed me with myofascial pain syndrome.
I know the dx of fibromyalgia is very skeptical. All I know is I feel like I have been run over by a truck. My joints are killing me in my hips, knees and ankles. They are constantly popping and cracking. My neck muscles are constantly sore to the point where I cannot hardly move my neck. I even had 1 bout where all my muscles in my neck, down to my scapula and left arm locked up. I have very little use of my left arm with lifting because of pain in my left shoulder. Sometimes I feel like my body is misaligned.
Can you tell me if this is consistent with fibromyalgia symptoms and pain?
Advice from any MTs with fibromyalgia
Hi. I would like to know if there are other MTs around that have fibromyalgia, and if so, I could use some tips on working with it, especially during a flare. I was so miserable yesterday I had to quit early. Better today, but still not great. I'd love to hear from others in my situation. Thanks.
Need fibromyalgia info.
I know a lady who was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She has been suffering for well over a year and now almost two years. She has yet to break the pain cycle and feels that nothing will help her. She currently spends most of her time in bed.
I just wanted to know if there were any tips or treatments that have worked for people with fibromyalgia that might help her too. So any information, books, etc. that you are willing to share would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!
Very true! Chronic sinusitis here, neti pots don't work for me but oceans do!
x
Need some advice on this fibromyalgia deal
I am working and have already taken a half tablet of Oxycodone- do not want to be out of my gourd trying to work today. My back just up against the work chairs feels terrible, the ribs really hurt and I have some weight on me, gosh if I were skinny I would really be in trouble. Any advice out there as to how to sit here for 8 hours with pain?? Thanks
Have fibromyalgia and wondering if connection with
eating bread, things like Stromboli or pizza could aggravate this. I would have put this post on the immunosuppression board but not many seem to visit there. I was doing ok, taking some Lyrica which seems to have blocked a lot of the intense pain I have had and the other day ate some Stromboli and the rest of the day was very, very achy for me. Are there persons out here who might have some information on this, maybe working with people who have this or others who might have picked up information that can pass some on to me. I really, really love Italian food but I would pass on the bread ladened parts if that is what is causing the majority of the pain I have. TIA
How is this kid in school with chronic infestation? School nurse
s
My husband is 7.5 years younger. Been together almost 20 happy years...nm
nm
My feelings; people shacking up together for years and years
and then all of a sudden deciding to get married don't need a thing, obviously. A shower should not even be given. I lived with my now husband a while (nowadays who doesn't!) before we married and I also had been married before years ago but he was not....so of course HIS mom wanted a shower. I told her absolutely not unless it was just the immediate family, his mom, sisters, etc, more like a celebration/get together. And so that's what we did. Showers are tacky, period. Unless it's a couple of young kids getting married straight out of the house and that doesn't happen much anymore.
Been with a man 13 years older, now with a man 4 years younger.
Younger is better, at least in my case ;)
Sorry, meant 75 cents. Still, that was years and years ago.
xx
I studied to be a scopist years and years ago
Back in the early 1990s I took a course called Note reader Scopist. They read court reporter notes (those long skinny papers that looks like a cash receipt) and types them into documents. I had found the course through something called At Home Professions but just didn't finish it because it was too expensive for me. But I am familiar with them and even found my book from the first course I took. Looking back I think it would have been a blast if I had kept up with it.
It is definitely legitimate. A lot has changed since the early 90s, so I'm not too familiar with the industry now. I do remember what was really weird was it didn't take a lot for me to learn it. For instance I could look at a line of court notes and see something that looked like: NV p srn - and I seemed to know exactly what it said. Just weird. My DH used to say that I understood it because I was an alien and my ship crashed in Roswell. HA HA HA Anyway...that's what I know about it. But if you Google note reader scopist or at home professions i'm sure you could probably find a lot of info.
I have been vegetarian on/off for 35 years, was vegan for about 5 years sm
not that hard. Right now, I am having so many issues with food allergies and celiac disease, having to give up nightshade veggies...nothing left to eat. I am eating some meat now, but not when the gastroparesis sets in!
Being vegan is not hard...unless you are a celiac. This is how I figured out the celiac part because so many of the meat analogs and vegan packaged foods use gluten for the protein and I got really sick from it. I gave up all the premade things and the whole grains with gluten and I was fine.
There is vegan and then there is VE-GAN. By definition, vegans don't wear, use or consume anything that is derived of animals...no leather shoes, most shampoos and toothpastes are off the list, as are deodorants. No wool or silk. Anything with soap usually has animal byproducts. It is very involved and rather difficult to do.
Giving up meat, eggs and dairy is no big deal, except for cheese. You hear that ad about "comfort proteins" in a baby formula and there is such a thing. Mother's milk, be it human, cow, goat, whatever...contains a chemical that triggers the release of endorphins in the brain so that feeding feels good in more ways than one. The purpose of this is ensure that the nursed young want to nurse and thrive. Human milk has a lot of these, so does cow's milk and cow juice triggers the same reaction in the adult human brain. Cheese is concentrated milk and therefore these chemicals are also concentrated. As a result, cheese is an addictive substance. This is the hardest thing to give up when going vegan. Vegan cheese substitutes are nasty and they don't melt. If a dairy-free cheese melts, it contains casein, an animal protein and not vegan.
I studied this years and years and years ago
Most definitely is legitimate. In the late 1980s I studied to be a note reader scopist through a group called At Home Professions. I loved it, but unfortunately could not continue due to no funds. It was reading the court reporters notes which looked like a grocery receipt with a bunch of letters scattered on it. The weird thing was I found it extremely easy. For instance I would see a line that looked like: av e cr, and for some reason I would know what it said. My DH told me that's because I'm an alien and my ship landed in Roswell. HA HA. Well I know that a lot has changed, after all it's been over 20 years since I took the first course and know a lot of it is computerized now, but it is most definitely legitimate and I've heard people like to do it. I think I remember one of the courses was in medical terminology and another course was in legal terminology. Should be able to find a lot of it on google, or maybe go to your local college if they offer it and talk to an instructor.
This has happened for years and years, where have you been?
Frank Sinatra, Elvis, the Beatles, and on and on. This person is acting very normal like the age she is. You would have to have been under a rock to think differently, like this was an abnormal behavior....
Lost my mom 23 years ago and dad 18 years ago.
My son was not even 1 when my mom died....she was only 50. My dad died at age 59. So even though I feel your pain....I would have been very grateful to have them into their 80's. I guess we take what we get and be thankful. Sometimes it is hard though.
I was married for 13 years and 2 years
after my divorce I met the most incredible man. He was also divorced, we both have 2 kids, and though we are not married, we have been together for 9 years. They are still out there, you may have to go through a few marginal ones before you find him, but they are out there and available.
Was your kid almost THREE years old?
tt
I am and have been for 3-1/2 years....sm
feel free to e-mail me any questions you may have and I'll answer the best I can. For me, foster parenting has been a very rewarding experience.
this years
x
I had it done 5 years ago.
The good: Surgery went well. Lost from 420 pounds down to 175.
The bad: Became depressed, lost my hair, damaged a kidney, and eventually gained the weight back. Weight 350 pounds now.
If you can't change your habits now, you probably won't change it then either.
Only 5% of those who lose weight (even with surgery) keep it off.
DH had one about 5 years ago....
It was a breeze for him, and only a $10 copay! He tried to be macho though and lift something pretty heavy 2 days later, ended up home for about 4 days and pretty sore! All in all everything has been A-OK, he has never had a problem. Didn't slow him down any either, he is still quite the man, if you know what I mean! LOL! Good luck, hope it works out for you.
We do...even after 21 years.
About 17 years ago,
I had an ex-boyfriend that owed them money. Don't know if he was buying it or selling it, and never had heard of them before that, or since then.
WW as of 2 years
I did WW 2 years ago. They have 2 plans, the core and flex. I did the flex. It is a point system. Basically you eat anything you want. You keep a diary of what you eat and add up the points at the end of the day. The points was based on the number of calories, amount of fat and fiber I think too. I don't know anything about the core plan. I did loose weight the 3 weeks I was there. I went from 196 to 189. I quit when I got pregnant and never went back. I would love to go back but I don't think I would get much out of a meeting anymore. I have a 5 year old that gets bored and a 16 month-old that won't sit still. I think the cost back then was $11 a week.
Had it when I was 11 years old. sm
I really cannot remember how long I had it before I was diagnosed, seemed to last a looong time though. Mine started out with one lesion on my torso, which itched but would feel like someone was stabbing me if I touched it... even if my SHIRT touched it! All of the lesions were very painful, but I remember that one most because it got infected. Turned a grayish green and oozed. I still have a large scar from it. Hope you feel better soon. It is very painful.
I took it for about 10 years.
I just changed to Effexor. Ten mg is an extremely low dose. To keep migraines and neck/shoulder tightness under control I needed 20. But 50 mg, even though that's still a pretty low dose, could cause daytime drowsiness for me. Other people might take 100 mg, I believe. And at 50 mg there was a little weight gain, also. If you still have trouble, you might try melatonin also. I hope you're feeling better soon.
I don't think 8 years is all that much, I think it would be a lot of fun!
x
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