First Experience

General
1

Hiya,

I was wondering what people's first experience with FMS entailed? Was it something that gradually built up to the point of being unbearable? Or did you experience a sudden flare? I think it would reassure people that everyone's experience is different.

For me, I remember it being an "all of a sudden" event. I felt like I was getting the flu - achy and tired. This lasted for a few days...I had to go to a conference for work in San Diego, which is about 2 hours or so from my house. I was really stressed out because I was leaving my boys - who were 1 and 3 at the time- at home. I'd never been away from them. When I got to my hotel I just was experiencing these sharp, shooting pains. I got to my room and just dropped on the bed. I had these waves of pain rolling through my body. They literally took my breath away. It was awful. Then it went (almost) away. I was left with a lingering ache all over my body.

I chalked it up to having 2 kids in 2 years along with a full time job. I told myself I'd just put too much pressure on my body and was having a really hard time with the boys. I was exhausted.

Each time it came back, I just suffered through it. Didn't want to admit I had a problem.

Finally went to a doc, who prescribed Motrin and muscle relaxers and sent me home.

Went from doc to doc...you know that score - and finally got a diagnosis from a rheumy (I was sent to him due to some arthritis in my spine) Diagnosis - yes Plan for treatment - no Was sent home with more Motrin and Oxy

About 5 years ago I suffered a major bout of depression due to a trauma and found a psychologist. I'd been suffering from depression my whole life, really. But with 4 kids, I had to get some help.

Now I am here with all of you wonderful souls...waiting for a cure

2

Mine was a longer. I played softball as a teenager and had odd muscle pulls and injuries. In my 20's arthritis showed up I thought I was just tired from working 12 hour shifts and raising kids. Finally after an asthma attack that put me in the hospital my doctor asked about a million questions and sent me to a rhuemy lupus arthritis fibro.

3

Hi,

Thanks for sharing this.

I realized, after reading this, I'm not ready to think about when this first started because it makes me sad. I started to type about my first experience and deleted it because it was too painful to remember. I've been living with this for what feels like forever (2010 diagnosed, but much longer previously before the official diagnosis). When I think back on when my symptoms first started, I remember that very painful night and then my mind starts to drift back to when I was "normal". I can't think about that right now.

Sending hugs your way, and thanks again for sharing this. It helped me learn a little more about myself and my limits : )

Sara

4

Hi Lilybit, for me the symptoms came on gradually. First it was pain here, pain there. Then it kept building and building until I finally went to the doctor. I also had really bad fatigue which I kept attributing to working too hard / burning the candle at both ends so to speak. It took about a year for a diagnosis.

5

Hi Lily,

I was only diagnosed a few weeks ago, but I can't remember when I wasn't in pain. Over 20 yrs ago, I had days when my arms would fall asleep or I would have neck pains and couldn't turn my head. My pain today is intense and way more wide spread than it was years ago, and it has increased gradually.

Lisa