Friday, March 13, 2009

Will Fibromyalgia ever go away?

Flares can be a day or two or several months. We don't know exactly why they happen. I've had fibromyalgia close to 40 years and I've had some times during that time when it stayed in the background.

Stress seems to make it worse. Possibly because when most people are stressed their muscles tighten up and therefore shorten up. That is why stretching is so important with Fibromyalgia. For me, a hot shower on the muscles before stretching allows them to stretch easier with less pain.

I've been in and out of a constant flare for several months. Weather has not helped. For many of us other diseases/conditions come into play and they have a battle within our bodies trying to decide who is #1 (don't you agree?).

I have arthritis and have had 3 total joint replacements, soon to possibly have the left shoulder joint replaced. That will make both shoulders and both knees. Fibro and my arthritis have both been flaring. They both cause fatigue.

With the heavy fatigue, rest is important. Walking will help the spirits and the joints and the muscles. I have not been diligent about walking as I must get in the car and leave my hill and find a flat place to walk. My goal is to get back to walking as soon as it warms up a little. The weather has been so cold.

In my opinion, Fibro doesn't leave us, it just hides now and then and comes out fighting. Learning how to live with it will help us endure it. My faith helps me face most days when I'm hurting. I rest in Him.

24 comments:

God's Girl said...

I've been hoping to walk some, but my major pain settles in my feet. : (

It makes it difficult to do much of anything. Do you ever hear that Fibro is connected to a hormone imbalance?

Just curious....

Julie

Carmen S. said...

I totally agree with the fibro coming out fighting...there have been a few times I felt so good I thought I was finally managing things, then right out of the blue that semi hits you head on! DEFINATLEY worse with any kind of major stress! Deaths in the family, job layoffs...there were times I was in so much pain I wondered if it would ever let it! Have a lovely day, thanks for the info!

Unknown said...

I have been suffering with fibro for 2 years and 3 months though I am much better it still hasnt gone and I have been told by my reumathologist and chiropractor that it will...but I read the net and I think they have both lied to me... I feel ever so frustrated and sad, and struggle every single day to get kind of a normal day.
Big fibro friendly hug to all of you.
Ana

Carol said...

Ana,

We have to learn to take one day at a time. Relish in the good days and on the bad days, we use our tools to make it easier. (relaxation exercises, stretching, hot showers, medications, rice bags, meditation, prayer, etc)

We can still do a lot of positive living during the good days or hours..

Hang in there, know there are those who care. Come back and visit us again.

Stone Rose said...

55 yr. old female suffering with Fibromyalgia for one year, mostly in legs and feet. A freak accident on Feb 19 10 eliminated 85%-90% of all FM symptoms. A glass door slammed on my forearm creating intense debilitating pain. I feared the injury would cause the FM to travel to my upper extremities however, the exact opposite occured when the next morning before I even got out of bed I sensed my body felt different immediately. I no longer felt the stiffness, spasms or pain. Even though I had been on meds for 5 months (Lyrica and Savella)They were only minimally effective. I also used Hydrocodone sparingly. Now I am not advocating the remedy of slamming a huge glass door on your body but my point is that this illness is sure incidious. Sometimes and for some reason symptoms disappear. I agree to keep stress and exertion in check. Hot rice packs, exercise, heathy diet and attitude all help. Above all, put yourself and your health first when need be.

Unknown said...

52 yr old female...diagnosed last summer by rheumatologist with FM and psoriatic arthritis. I've hurt all over for so long, I thought I was just crazy. She's been great, and has helped me be patient, and we seem to have finally found the right combination of meds - Enbrel, methotrexate, and Cymbalta. (Be VERY concious about depression and be sure your doctor addresses it. Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of depressione.) I have stopped taking muscle relaxers to sleep, and mobic for inflammation (which I've been on for 3-4 years). I'm sleeping much better these days, even though a home sleep study just confirmed the FM (because you don't get enough Stage 4 sleep), and also found I have sleep apnea. We will decide how/if we will deal with the apnea at my next visit. It's been a long year figuring this out, but I really feel having a very caring doctor can make all the difference in the world! I agree that the fibro seems to sort of be in the background still, but I'm doing things now that I haven't been able to do in so many years, its incredible. If I have any bad flareups, I will do all I can to calm them, because now I finally remember what its like to feel "normal"!! Hang in there everyone :-)

Anonymous said...

I don't know if I have fibro or not but what I can say is that for several months, I have been experiencing pressure in my head, headache, mood swings but I control them, I just don't let my emotions show much of the time. I'm very sensitive to noise, it gets on my nerve. The main pain is in my neck and upper back feeling of things crawling, pins and needle sticking in my neck and back. I got pressure in my chest. My hormones have change to the point where my uterus has thicken. Low iron, IBS just to name a few. My neurologist has given me MRIs, test my nerves and I'm unable to throw a peace sign completely up. In December I lost all strenght in both hands when I was tiling 1300 sq. ft. house. The pain was excruciating so I will never do that again. How can I get correctly diagnose instead of an "IDK." My family Physician gave me an antidepressant which I didn't take. I am not depress, I'm in a lot of pain. It seems as if no one will listen because I always seem happy. I'm tire of hurting,not sleeping, not remembering and fumbling for words when I speak. Now I have bags under my eyes. The list just go on..........

Anonymous said...

I was diagnosed with FM after a serious car accident 8 yrs ago. I also have Multiple Sclerosis dxs in 1998 after suffering for 18 yrs trying to figure out what was wrong. The diagnosis of FM was alot quicker for my reumatologist to figure out than my MS. I suffer in pain all the time I eithe sleep too much or not at all i hate canceling out on things I want to do. Going places is very difficult and painful, not to mention tiring. I have not been able to work for almost 6 yrs and I miss the daily commradery that work gave me. Now i am just a mess, i always look tired and I am on so many meds just to control this insidious pain. It has effected ever facet of my life. I especially miss many family get togethers just to stressful and i get way to exhausted to participate. I do try but I pay in the end. God I miss my old self I miss life.

Megan said...

I was just diagnosed with Fibromyalgia today. I'm only years old. After so many (I mean LOTS) of test, they finally pinpointed me as having Fibro. And I feel so sad. I have two small children I stay at home with and its so disheartening that I can't always run around and play with them. I don't know how to cope with this very well. My doctor is prescribing me medications I've been on in the past... and hopefully they work, but I just feel hopeless.
Its so hard to pick up my children or lay in the floor and play because my pain is so severed in my lower back and thighs... I just sometimes cry.
I feel alone in this.

Anonymous said...

Don't give up! You'll have good days! Carol, your attitude is inspiring. Thank you :)

Wendy said...

I was diagnosed when I was 16, but I had seen a doctor since I was 3 because thats when I started to limp and scare my mother. I have never known a "normal day"...I am now almost 30, and it has never let up. I have more bad days than good...I dont really sleep, but sometimes I dont really want to wake up...it just depends on how severe the pain is. I have 5 kids, I try to keep up with them, but they are very aware of the situation. If mom stops during a walk and starts crying they just wait...if I say they will have to have sandwiches for supper, they dont say a word. I feel horrible, but seriously only during my pregnancies did I feel somewhat normal because the hormone that relaxes the body to get ready for child birth, helps a lot. Unfortunatly, no muscle relaxers or antidepressents or even Lyrica has ever helped me. I now have arthritis in my knees, back, and shoulders...and I just get progressively worse. So, does fibromyalgia ever go away? No...because for me, it never even began, I was born to hurt.

Carol said...

Hurting is no fun, but you know what? I have been blessed so many times in spite of my fibro. There are times that have gotten every one of us to tears but there are also times that I've been able to help others with pain. I am very compassionate when I see someone with the recognizable wrinkles in the forehead and scrunch because of Pain. I have prayed for them without even knowing them but knowing how they are feeling. I'm sure you have recognized others in pain. I have found things that are not as physically painful to keep me busy. I just finished knitting a sweater for my daughter. I'm now knitting hoodies for my great granddaughtersl. I love my computer so I have done the church newsletter for some years now. I've helped with my class reunions, keeping track of classmates and forms we need for reunions. Yes, it's a bummer to have Fibro but we are so blessed we wake up each morning and see the wonder of the world and all it's blessings. Never never give up...There will be times when you feel ok.... others when you feel you've been hit with a truck. Listen to your body. Do things that will help ease the pain. Love yourself... and have a great day, every day.

Anonymous said...

well everyone ... i can relate to all this .. iv been in pain for 15 years was dianosed 10 yrs ago .. mine feels like i have had a serious workout very single day ... it moves around and one week its bad in my hips and lower back feelin like it will snap if i move the wrong way .. thenvit moves to the neck shoulders middle of back .. my headfeels to heavy for my neck to hold .. mucles twichand jump .. i ache and throb ... its so exhausing ..!!! i hav to take sleeping tabs and pisition myself so i dont twist anything in my sleep and then its worse .. i take pain killers three times a day .. i have a spa matt i put in bath and lye with it on high which losens me and i sreach afterwards .. volteral creams help to . but it never goes away it jus eases some days ... its so hard but chin up .. think of the better days guys .. :).

elayne said...

ive been diagnosed with fm ,after feeling these symptoms for about 7yrs , just lately ive had lots of flare ups and 4 days out of 7 i feel very poorly , i awake and can hardly move normally after 1 hour im able to get up and go but for the last 2 weeks my back feels like its getting worse , it took me 15 mins to be able to sit up on side of the bed this morning and was in so much pain i was crying , is this normal with fm ? elayne x

Anonymous said...

I feel so scared. I don't know if i could live my life like this but what can you do. I'm not exactly sure what my problem is. I've just been perscribed lyrica. I am worried that i will not be able to work again. Do all of you still work? How exactly were you all diagnoised with fibro

Anonymous said...

I to have FM I feel like i just can not take the pain anymore im to the point of asking god to please take me out of my misery ..i love life but the pain is unreal in my legs back arms head neck shoulders knees seems like my vision is getting worse my memory is poor i feel like my muscles are on fire somewhat a stinging burning cant sleep ...im to the point of exaustion I no longer have insurance and when i did my dr prescribed me cymbalta it dont work atleast it did not do the trick for me now with no insurance i have nothing to depend on but hot baths but even that is to much because the hardness of the tub and sometimes the shower becomes my best friend however it does not ever take the pain away its relieves it somewhat ...To be honest i feel like a prisoner in my own body ....Not to mention i work a full time + job.. working with disabled people its very physical i dred it daily and feel i cant go on ....How much more can i take i have 3 kids and a husband who had back surgery and is out of work now for 9 months they say u have to be out of work a year to get SSI what a joke is there any help out there

Carol said...

I understand your pain emotionally and physically. If you can't afford meds many times the pharm. companies will discount the cost. Please check it out with your doctor. They have information to help you.

Life is precious and if we are feeling depressed/suicidal it is critical you get some help. Most places have counseling based on income. Please check into it. Don't wait. I will pray for you.

Justine said...

I am 40. I suffer in my thighs, lower back, hips, neck, and am extremely sensitive to any bangs or knocks on my arms & legs. I was on max dosage of cymbalta & lyrica and was getting breakthrough pain. My saving grace, and tried out of desperation has been to cut out completely, dairy, gluten and all refined sugar, including honey & agave. It has been 3 months now & I've managed to come off my meds. For me the sun is shining again, my pain is drastically reduced now. All these years of suffering but it got so bad before I could live without foods which I love. It has had an amazing effect on my pain levels.

Lorissa said...

when i gave birth to my son 3 years ago i had a terrible doctor and because of that when he came through my pelvis it seperated 3 and 1/2 inches and my left SI joint broke. i was on strict bed rest which didn't even matter cause i move my left leg anyways. they transfered me to another hospital where this "wonderful doctor" (NOT!!!!) put two metal plates and 8 screws to hold my pelvis together and fused my left SI joint together. i went through recovery just fine.....and then it hit. one doctor blamed my all over pain on my weight so i went on a diet. i was losing 5 lbs. a week. i thought i was doing good. then he demanded i lose at least 4 lbs. a week or he wasn't treating me anymore (meaning throwing percoset down my throat). i had it so i switched doctors and boy do i love him! it's been trial and error but we're working together and i think that is so important. so right now i'm on tramadol, gabapentin, inderal, and i get epidurals in my lowest part of my spine every four months. on top of the fm i also suffer from bi polar disease, anxiety disorder, depression, and adhd so i'm on meds for that too. i often sit there thinking will this ever go away. will i have to take 7 different pills for the rest of my life. my husband fights with all the time because of the days i just can't seem to get going. i also have a 3 year old son whom i have no one to help me with but even though i struggle he gets taken care of. how can something affect every joint in your body? it's crazy!! my knuckles my wrists my elbows and so on and so on. i have a physical therapist tell me "oh they call it fm when they don't know what else it could be". that's encouraging....thanks! i have to wear braces on my ankles cause when i walk they feel like they're going to snap! oh will it ever end!!!!

Anonymous said...

I understand your FM pain, but all the rest is difficult. I am glad you got a new Doctor. Enjoy your new baby. I will keep you in my prayers. Better days are coming just from your body healing.

Anonymous said...

I suffered severely from fibromyalgia for six years, couldn't turn my neck to drive my car, could hardly get up the stairs sometimes, I was so in pain. It started the week my Mum died, I was in so much grief, and though I've had a stressful life and am proud of how I've coped, that seemed to have pushed me over totally and I couldn't get back on my feet. I tried everything, should have taken out shares with Holland & Barrett from reading a million forums and trying so many possible cures. I have a whole library of books on Fibromyalgia and have followed everyone's ideas to the letter, to no avail.

Then I went to looking at videos a year ago and came across the one I've cited in this post - Dr. Murphree Fibromyalgia Talk (Part 1) - YouTube. It was like waking up all of a sudden. He made such sense. I did exactly what he said, and he was talking to a hall full of doctors, and was concerned and genuine, and I can't thank him enough. After using his approach, I will dare to say that it is now six months and and I am better. I have had no pain for six months! Where did the snowman go? I can't believe it, since I'd expected to have fibro for good. I am 68 years age, so not young, but I am feeling 20 years younger and it is just like magic. I do fear though each day that it might come back. My grown family are always having problems and I have often taken matters on board for t he people I love. But it takes its toll, and when something so big as a death occurs, it just knocks you sideways. It's a long journey to realise that you have to take care of yourself. That is where I am at now, because in no uncertain terms, my body has told me!

From New Spirit, with love.

xania said...

hi everyone.

i was diagnosed with fm after a hip and leg injury. taken sever.medicine combos including cymbalta and gabapentin. however, due to other health issues and my sensitivity to medications i was difficult to treat.

i kept praying for help.
the good news i started taking alfalfa tabs. i have been free of meds for almost five months. it works wonders for me. i am not a doctor i would just suggest discussing changes with your doctor before trying it.

alfalfa has several vitamins and natural healing proprties. i was in daily pain for 3 years. only got 1-2 hours of sleep due to pain while on meds.

i can only say what workef for me. nobody deserves to be in pain. i do know alfalfa isnt recommended if you have lupus. i also have arthritis now and it helps.
i do not miss the side effects of meficines.

i wish you all the best in your recovery.
take care.

Unknown said...

May be, as earlier I had been diagnosed with SLE by a hopeless rheumatologist. He just wanted to fool us but by God's grace & some net search, I came to know that the ANA+ could've stemmed from the PCOD medicines which were actually just contraceptive pills not required as I was unmarried & not in a relationship also. So, I stopped taking those pills. By time, ANA also came -ve. Now, I've been diagnosed with FMS & my rheumatologist says that he cannot say when will it go away but it'll go away. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. By experience I'm saying, only believe the doctor who is giving you less medicines, always take minimum 2 opinions. Don't be afraid of anything, fear can create havocs in our lives. Newspaper articles, net, etc. which says that 'xyz' disease is very common these days or you can have this or that if you've 'abc' symptoms please don't even think about taking allopathy medicines for small things or if it's necessary ask your doctor for the lightest dose. Contact me on indiangirl027@gmail.com if you've any queries. I would be really happy if even a single person is able to get out of this vicious trap by this comment of mine.

Unknown said...

Anti depressants do help towards fibro some of them do...and I was so fed up of being in pain that I asked straight out to see a rheumatologist she refused but went back again and demanded 4 weeks later you know your own body more than any doctor they don't feel your pain so I put my foot down and didn't move until she referred me iit was a bit of a wait but worth it I have osteoarthritis
, hyper mobility syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety and agoraphobia the latter 3 I've had 16 years and found tools to manage it but all my joint and muscle problems I'm still learning to manage...don't let them fob you off and make you feel silly and suggest painkillers leaving you to deal with your pain while your mind wants reassurance that your not over exaggerating things as this is how they made me feel until I decided I wouldn't take no for an answer..good luck in finding a diagnosis hope you get one soon 😊