Hello everyone. I have yet another question...So, from what I understood previously, fibro consists of a series of symptoms with no known cause that can get better or worse depending on the day (activity, stress levels, etc). I've read some other stuff though that says this...situation...gets worse. Is that true? I have gotten worse since I realized there was something wrong, and that was about a year before I was diagnosed. Am I going to continue to get worse??? I've changed my diet and am doing yoga...I thought that was supposed to help?
Thanks for the advice, mimi. I didn’t know that about opiates.
Hello Kmcgou01,
Fibromyalgia is very confusing to doctors and patients. From what I've learned Fibro can effect any of our senses. It can change from day to day and can get better or worse over time. What helps or doesn't help changes from person to person. Fibro can get worse over time. I was diagnosed 12 yrs ago however, I now realize I have had it for about 38 yrs. My first severe flair was what led to my diagnosis and it has been only recently that I can say it is getting worse.
This is just what I have found since being diagnosed. Also don't worry about how many questions you ask. Asking questions is the best way for all of us to learn.
Gentle hugs,
Dottie S.
Hi KMC and thanks for joining us. (I tried typing your whole name and my fingers kept messing it up; I finally gave up.)
I do think that diet change and yoga helps. I mean, at least that means you are keeping your body healthy overall.
As far as progressiveness, I personally believe that it gets worse, based upon my own experiences and from what I've read here. I don't know if it gets worse and worse and worse and worse, year after year. I think it's more likely that it may start out in one part of your body that bothers the heck out of you but you can still function, then it progresses steadily throughout your body. And I know that I didn't do too badly last summer but when last fall came, I felt like someone had smashed a sledge hammer against my knees, back and elbows. And my knees also froze up so I could barely move them for about 6 months.
This fall I'm doing ok so far. I don't know if things will be better than last year but if so, I'll definitely let you know. One difference is that I'm not working any longer. Even though I really liked my job, the stress of it must have been setting my fibro off because I struggled so much throughout this year until I finally quit in mid-July.
I guess the meds and Vitamin D have helped me to keep from going insane. As long as you can find some medicine that reduces the pain, I think you will not go crazy from the fibro pain. Maybe you can keep working, if you still are. Reduction of pain and stress seem to be key factors to dealing with fibro.
Hang in there. If we all prop each other up, we can do it!
Kelly,
Have you been retested for any other illnesses since your initial diagnosis? What about new x-rays for the areas that bother you? New blood tests to check your Vitamin D, plus other things?
The other thing is, do you have something that is stressing you out? Job, husband, mother-in-law, kids? If so, those things could be putting your fibro through the roof. Finding some relief for stress might also be an important thing for you. And what about rest? Are you able to get enough of it? If not, can you sneak away and get more during the day? I know that my pain level shoots up when I'm tired.
I think that sometimes we have to comb through things several times before we catch what it is that's doing us in. Maybe if you get retested you might find a clue. I hope so. I know the pain can drive you right off the edge. Been there.
Keep trucking, Kelly. We're also there for you, pulling for you too.
Petunia