I recently found this webpage and it is something I have been searching for. I live outside a metropolitan area and there are no face to face support groups available. I was thinking I could start one myself, but then I reminded myself that I can barely force myself out of bed some days. I don't really need to add more responsibility and stress to my life.
I was diagnosed last April after going to several specialist. This seems to be the case with many fibromyalgia sufferers. I hate it because when I am in pain, I don't really know what to do. Using tylenol or advil doesn't work.
I don't know if this is normal for others, but the past few weeks have been brutal. The weather has gotten drastically colder, the holiday season was upon us, and just getting things done seemed uphill battles.
I have also had this horrible experience lately where my jaw aches. There are times when it hurts so bad, I don't want to eat, drink, talk, etc. And the pain in my jaw makes it incredibly difficult to sleep. I think the two have held hands and made me feel worse.
I am excited to be a part of this group and see what works and what doesn't for everyone! Suggestions are always welcome!
Well, hello, JM, and welcome! This group is a GREAT alternative to attending fibro groups in your area. I'm willing to bet that most members of any local group would not make it for many (most?) meetings.
Have your doctors not prescribed any medicines for your pain? Some meds that people use for fibro pain include: gabapentin (Norontin,) Lyrica, Cymbalta, amiltriptyline and nortriptyline. I use Lyrica plus nortriptyline at night. I would NOT be able to get through the day - or night - without them. If your docs haven't prescribed anything yet, it would be worth looking into.
Yes, colder weather is brutal on me too. And it seems that I'm much more affected this year than last year. I can barely walk, with my knees hurting badly. It's pretty standard that fibro seems to attack us worse in the cold weather. Right now I'm visiting Florida and while still having flares, my knee has finally "thawed" and I can use it again. Prior to coming, the muscles of my left knee were so tight that it felt like the skin would burst. Fibro does all of this pleasant stuff!
Do you have TMJ? Sometimes that can make your jaw hurt a lot. Or clenching it at night could also affect the jaw. I know that jaw pain is related to...fibro! Almost everything leads back to fibro, seemingly, sorry to say. I've found some over the counter pain patches that really help me and they might be appropriate for your jaw pain. They're called Salon Pas. I'd definitely ask your doctor, first though, to be sure. They help me to cope with the pain, though, and you can stick them just about anywhere.
We're excited to have you here. Please continue to post and enrich our community.
Hey there, JM! I am new here also. I found out I have fibro in December. You said you have jaw pain and I can so relate. Sometimes, the muscle just feels like its going to pop. I rub mine a lot and that helps a little. On occasion, I have put capcasin on it, but I would warn to NOT open your eyes after you apply it to your jaws (it will burn your eyes). Sometimes, I place a heating pad there and it helps. I have pain everywhere except my arms. Weird, huh? Anyway, I also get like you and don't know what to do when the pain hits. I feel very alone and extremely frustrated. I take Cymbalta once a day, Lyrica twice a day, clonazepam as needed, and trazodone at night for sleep. I will agree the last few weeks have been brutal for me too, but the people on this site seem to help. Their advice and support helps me so much. Glad you joined the group! :)
I am new to the group and have found everyone here to be so welcoming and VERY knowledgeable. Sometimes, just knowing others are going through the same things as you are is comforting in itself. My best advice is to tell your doctor your symptoms and work towards treatments that work for both of you AND take care of yourself.
I wish I could write more of an introduction but as you know the pain is taking over so I am glad you found us. This has been a great place for me since I joined and I am sure and hope it will be a great place for you to find comfort, support and understanding.
I have to say, that the few responses to this post as well as others I have read have been so...great! I too feel very alone. I don't like to talk about having fibro because I don't want to put my stress on anyone else. I tried Cymbalta when I was first diagnosed and it ended up making things worse. It actually made me really mad all the time, and I am not a mad person. Anyway, I am grateful to have found this site, and grateful for all of you!