Good morning everyone. I have a question. Before I was diagnosed with FM,I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I've been following different discussions and chatting with some of you and nobody has mentioned CFS. My doctor told me that they are intertwined and I was curious...Do people here not bother to add the CFS label because it goes without saying or can you have Fibro and not have CFS?
Thanks Lovett
Because I was first diagnosed with CFS I researched it to death....I'm convinced that I've been suffering with CFS for years and it being mistaken for major depression because of my long history with depression. When in reality,I was depressed because I was so darn exhausted all the time and until I broke down and took my sisters advise and actually looked into it,I didn't say much about all the other symptoms I was having because it was bad enough that I had Mental Illness written across my forehead...I didn't want people to think I was also a hypochondriac!
Alas...we can only live in denial for so long.Depression is misunderstood...CFS EVEN MORE misunderstood...At least Fibromyalgia is getting more attention nowdays and people(even though it doesn't always feel like it) at least recognize it as a real disease...
fightergirl - I was diagnosed with fibro in 1991 and chronic fatigue syndrome in 2002. As I learned to adjust with my FM, I found it interesting that it started off being mostly about pain and as time went on, it became more and more about fatigue and less and less about pain. The diagnosis in 2002 was a real kick in the groin because I'd much rather deal with pain than fatigue. At least wth pain, I can grunt through it. With fatigue, there are some days where it is like trying to walk shoulder deep in mud.
I've had good luck with Provigil taken in the AM.
I wish you love and luck. Keep fighting, girl!
Marc
THANK YOU !!!!
So mine happened in reverse to yours. It's sooo good to hear someone else relate with the CFS. My doctor,the Internal Medicine doc that I was referred to,who finally diagnosed the Fibro,asked me..."If I could help with the pain or the fatigue,which would you choose?". I immedietley responded with THE FATIGUE!! They're neck an neck but like you,I can push through the pain but the fatigue is incapacitating. You can't even carry on a conversation. If I wasn't asleep,I'd lay there and stare at the wall.
Last Friday,I started taking a small dose of Methylphenidate(Ritalin) for energy and the fibro fog. This is only day 5 and even though I have a fever and swollen glands from the CFS,my energy has increased and my mind is much clearer. a week ago I was having total meltdowns almost daily....now...feeling optimistic. My plan is to,(now that I have a bit more energy) try to increase my activity level and incorporate an exercise routine and build from there.
I started a small dose of Elavil 2 weeks ago for pain. It makes me tired in the morning but that wears off and even though I still limp across the floor when I first get up,It doesn't hurt as bad.All positive so far.I'm actually starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel :-)
I WILL KEEP FIGHTING!!!It's kept me going this long and I have no intention of stopping now
Take care Marc
Carolyn;-))))
hi there/ I was diagnosed with a severe case of chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome 28 years ago. I was totally bedridden for the first 10 of those years .My husband had to feed me and wash me.The never ending flu and viral symptoms were awful. I could barely use my brain either and had many things happen such as aphasia, vertigo, migraines wiht auras and gran mal siezures. I did not read, write, hold a remote so no computer or tv watching. A rheumy also told me i had fm. Many things happened to me in all these years that could or could not be related to these illnesses but i will say now that i am not bedridden or as disabled as i was ,i am fairly homebound but as you can see i am able to do some things now so i am very grateful.. Not to make a whole novel about my journey through illness and wellnes ( actually i am just getting a little tired now. lol) many schools of science and medicine think cfs and fm are intertwined. i am not so sure actually. my reason is this.. i think that cfids( cfs/me) is way more debilitating and is a multi-symptomed illness.But then again ppl with fm may have more than just fatigue and pain. Anyway it all stinks, doesnt it.?! I attribute some of my betterness( is that a word lol) to my strong spirit and my will to leave. I never give up the thought of healing., for cures and /or miracles.. It is a difficult journey but i have high hopes in improving and i hope you do as well. i send to you peace,love, laughter and healing. As you can see i can write and talk a lot. lol One of the things i do since i was a child is write poetry and i will begin to add them to discussions .
i hope to catch you in the chatroom sometime.. i am in and out of there since i am home most of the time and enjoy making friends.,
suzie
Hi Suzie and thank you.
It seems that just when I think I have things figured out,I read something new and the confusion begins again.CFS has been a nightmare,especially the emotional aspect of it when I didn't know what was going on. The feelings of guilt and worthlessness.My frame of mind is much better now that I know but I find that I get resistance from my hubby when I talk about it...you know? I'm just trying to share as I learn more and I always get the feeling that he thinks I'm not pushing hard enough.I don't move enough blablabla....I got really upset with my mother about a month ago,told her how it's been making me feel for so long hearing "You just gotta push yourself".I swore to God the day before she said it(for the last time)That if I had to listen to that ONE MORE TIME,someone was gonna lose their head...lol Aaaand that's pretty much what happened. It's become abusive because you end up questioning everything you feel. Insanity! It happened with hubby justa few minutes ago so I guess i'm feeling really defensive.
The fibro is bad but CFS messes with your head.Fibro does too but...well you obviously know all too well.I'm not as bad off as you were thankfully.I'm on disability and have been for 6 years now for depression.That's why I went on it origionally....Thank God,from what I read,it's hard to get disability with fibro.
Thank you so much Suzie.Having both diagnoses has been difficult for me...and confusing for those around me.Hearing from you and the others has helped a lot
Carolyn