Silvia, thank you for the reminder that we need to be doing things we enjoy. This will improve our emotional health, which can break through the depression caused by FMS pain and fatigue. My pain mgmt doc always tells me to play the piano when I’m going through a rough patch. (Piano is something that arthritis and fibromyalgia took away from me - My greatest love. The hardest thing to say goodbye to.)
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Grammy bear did u look at her innocently and ask what are witch eyes? As a retired health care worker maybe it’s a new accepted medical term. People should be mindful how they speak, the medical profession has come so far since my symptoms started in the early’’80s. Then u went in and said doc I hurt all over and they’d roll their eyes and put u on Valium or just blow you off. In the 70’s they just thought you were a nut case and get you out of the office ASAP. I know was working as a nurse then the things they would say. Thank God it finally started turning around in the late 90’s and now we have pain specialists, neurologist’s and so many more that recognize it for what it is, an insidious disease that causes different symptoms in different patients. The doc comments used to upset me and irritate the hell out of me. I could see their pain and knew it wasn’t in their head (wink,wink) but all over their body, Medicine evolves so don’t ever be afraid to tell a doctor how it is. This is your body and they aren’t clairvoyant lay it out and Never be hesitant to say how about a 2nd opinion. This is our body so never hesitate to stand up for it. Oops I rambled forgive me. Now let’s us drag ourselves out of bed tomorrow and shout I am not alone. Nite
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Aww gramybear I’m so sorry you had such a difficult night! I’ve been there too… as have most of the people on this forum, I’d guess.
I have long felt there is a connection between past viruses and fibromyalgia. I’ve even put the question out to this forum, wondering how many people suffered multiple cases of strep throat, -as I did- in their youth or prior to their diagnosis of FMS. I also predict that these “long-haulers” as their being called, who’ve recovered from COVID but are having widespread pains, fatigue and other issues will soon be diagnosed with fibro. Perhaps THAT will be the turning point we need to finally get some SERIOUS research and treatment going.
Anyway… I hope you’re having a better day. (or night) as I’m writing this… and I wish you some good, healing sleep; the kind that makes you look forward to the day ahead when you wake.
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Dear Gramybear, thank you for the post, it made me feel a bit better and reminded me that I am not alone, although I do feel like it most days. The last few months have been horrible with pain all over my chest, sides and back and seems to keep getting worse and never stops. It’s like a tight band that goes across my stomach and across my back, and never loosens. The only time I feel slightly better is when lying in bed, but can’t stay there too long as I then get stiffer. I think I am now at the stage of not knowing what to do for the best as nothing I have tried works for me, and can’t take strong painkillers. Whatever I get from the doctor makes my stomach worse, and it’s bad enough as it is. I’m going to try the low Fodmap diet and see if that helps with anything, if it stops a bit of pain I shall be grateful. I wish everyone a good day and a good hug, pity we can’t have a real one these days.
SueT.
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Thank you for your post. It is a question to ponder. I often wonder from reading books on Fibro, that both physical and emotional health issues can be a trigger that begins the Fibro nightmare. Because I didn’t get any sleep last night (insomnia again), I will share more tomorrow! Big but gentle hugs!
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Oh my dear!! I’m sending SLEEPY vibes and prayers your way!! Hope by the time I’m reading this you have gotten some much needed rest.
% agree that physical and emotional stress can get the fibromyalgia to rear it’s ugly head!! In fact, in the early years of this diagnosis for me, that was about the ONLY piece of information any of the doctors could agree on.
That’s really true of ANY chronic health condition though. And the cause of many others! It reminds us that we need to continually manage the stressors. A full time job in itself 
lol
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Hi, SueT.
It was good to see your post, but I’m so sorry for the continuous pain you’ve been experiencing! You must be completely worn out! Sending gentle hugs and saying prayers for relief. Hang in there! 
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You are so welcome. I wish I could do more. I have many stomach/GI issues and they absolutely cause Fibro to worsen. I too have been having tightness but like you, I can’t lay there too long as I start hurting worse everywhere else! I have Barrett’s Esophagus, Gastroparesis, Gastritis, Chronic Colitis, IBS, Diverticulosis, Gerd, a hiatal hernia, and so on. Too much to name. Our stomach issues are like our second brains and when the stomach is unhealthy, so is the rest of our bodies. Stress and anxiety, of course, make all of that worse as it does our Fibro. I’ve had 3 Colonoscopies and 3 Endoscopies in the last 5 or 7 years, (I forget now). They wanted to do another colonoscopy and I said no. Enough is enough. I was on serious pain medication for over 15 years and I’m really surprised I don’t have ulcers now. I’ve tried every diet known to man. My Nutritionist calls me every 3 months to check on me and try to figure out WHAT eating plan would work for all of my health issues. One way of eating makes everything else worse and so on. The only thing that seems to work for me is eating 1 meal a day. I’ve had diarrhea daily for over 3 years and I have extremely high cholesterol levels. (I won’t take statins). So, one way of eating will make something else worse, etc… as I mentioned. So, I absolutely understand your pain and frustration! Maybe share a bit more if you are comfortable with that I will research what we could do for you? I was admitted into the hospital with severe pain where they found gastritis. And that is painful. Let me know if I can do anything to help, please don’t hesitiate to ask anything, especially support! Love and very gentle hugs.
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Thank you for your post. I am an Empath so managing stress is not in my wheelhouse! LOL…One of the reasons I have to take a break from the internet at times as I soak in everything and what someone else is going through becomes important to me and I want to help them if I can. I did get a little bit of sleep but it takes me a couple of days to start getting back to normal as far as enough sleep goes. I haven’t learned how to turn my brain off at bedtime!
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It’s important to know we have one another here!!! Hugs for you
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Hi Gramybear,
I don’t think I have as many health issues to put up with as you have, but with the Fibro, IBS, arthritis across lower back and osteoarthritis in the spine, I have enough pain etc to be going on with. I did manage to get blood tests taken over a year ago but they didn’t show anything and neither did an ultrasound last year. The wait for that was 12 weeks, and now a 5 week wait just to talk to my doctor. I do have a lot of bloating/constipation which makes things worse. My husband offers a massage but when he does it, my back always feels like it’s on fire. I do wish there was ‘something’ out there that would help us all, I’ve yet to find anything.
Love and hugs back to you, hope you are having areasonable day. I actually was asleep last night-till next door’s dog was barking to go out at 5.30 am! They do like to bang the doors as they let it in and out as well!
SueT
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Hi AussieMom, I’m sorry I don’t post too often on here, usually when I have got really down and fed up with everything. The pain is ongoing all the time and haven’t found anything to help. Things I do try seem to make my stomach worse so I give up. Now we are having to pack as we have to move to somewhere smaller and in a different county-more stress!
My husband keeps telling me to ‘relax’ but I do not find it that easy any more. I do feel worn out, yes, doesn’t help when next door’s dog is barking in the early morning and they bang the door when they let it out and in again. Couldn’t get back to sleep after that.
Gentle hugs back to you, and am hanging in there as long as my nails last 
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IBS definitely causes bloating and either constipation or diarrhea and sometimes both! My oldest son and his wife came over tonight to have dinner and open Christmas presents since we had canceled Christmas. He said a lot of my health issues would go away if I went on the Keto diet. The problem with that is most people lose a lot of weight and my doc wants me to gain 5! Plus, I have low sodium and the Keto diet causes low sodium which is the last thing I need, for mine to go even lower! We can’t seem to win. But we sure did win when we found friendships here on this wonderful site!
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Bless your heart, SueT!
Moving, in itself, is enough to bring on a big fibro-flare. Please hang in there - I hope and pray that better days will come soon for you. I agree that we need this site the most when we are feeling our worst, sweet friend. Sending gentle hugs!!!
and @gramybear (?) and anyone who prefers natural meds:
Psyllium helps me a lot for IBSD. But it’s actually mainly known for helping as a laxative, so for IBSC. That’s if you take it with a lot of water. The opposite tho if you take it with only a little bit. Might be ideal if you have both, the amounts cd just need some figuring out…
I didn’t know about it for a long time, then a nutritionist and an allergologist both suggested taking it, and my GP agreed, and it works a treat. (The allergologist also recommended Mebeverine, but my GP said that will not really help at the root, that’s also what I read, so I’ve left it with psyllium, which is enough.)
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Hi AussieMom,
Well, we have 2 more weeks till we move, and I am not doing too well. My doctor said there was ‘something’ up with my liver-maybe ‘fatty liver’ or something to do with the bile as I don’t have a gall bladder any more, or medication. Can’t be medication as I don’t take any. Waiting to hear about blood test I had done last week then may know what I can do about it.
My lower back decided to ‘go out’ a few days ago and is still quite painful and I am getting so fed up and despondent, it seems everything is making it harder to move. Can’t even donate our unwanted things to charity as all the shops are closed. I can’t get through a day without crying, even though I try not to. If this is a fibro flare then I have been having one for about a year now, isn’t that long enough?
Just had to come and have a vent, this isn’t easy.
SueT.
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SueT, I’m so sorry that you’re in so much pain. You definitely have a lot going on in your life. I wish I had some words of encouragement. Pain is wearing on the body and mind. I hope your tests all come back ok. We are here for you SueT. We get it. You can vent all you like. Sending hugs to you! 
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Hi, SueT.
It sounds like your body/back is telling you to take it a little easier. I know that may not seem possible right now, but there is only so much a “healthy” non-fibro sufferer can do, much less someone struggling with your health issues.
Is there a friend or relative that you can call on to help with things you must accomplish before the move? The shops may be closed, but are churches or other organizations taking in donations? If you haven’t done so yet, you may need to have a checklist of the things left to do and find some creative solutions.
Venting is something we all come here for - We have to let it all out some way! Saying prayers for strength, healing, and that your spirits will be lifted. Sending you gentle hugs - Hang in there!!! Let us know how you’re doing. We are all thinking of you!
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Hi AussieMom,
I am trying to take it easier, but my lower back never stops hurting, and everything else just shouts at me all the time. I heard from my doctor about the blood test, and she said that it all looks ok and the liver is functioning ok. There is no one here we can ask to help as the covid rules don’t allow people in the house, unless emergency. We may have got the furniture we don’t need sorted, as the landlord said he would sort it if we have anything left over. That’s a bit of a relief anyway, fingers crossed. Haven’t managed to contact churches yet, but as we don’t have transport they would have to pick anything they wanted up themselves. We put a few things at the end of the drive with ‘free’ on them and a couple of things went.
SueT.
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Hi Freedom,
What a cool name. Blood tests came back ok, so don’t know what will happen next-if anything, fed up with continual pain. My husband thinks once we move the pain will just stop. I think he’s being a bit over optimistic-or wishful thinking. Thanks for the hugs, could do with a real one these days