hi everyone!
im pretty new here. and had quite a few questions for you.
how did fibro start out? what were your symptoms? how old were you? can anything help with fibrofog? can anything help with pain? my fibrofog has alot to do with my past. im 20 years old and was justdiagnosed 4 days ago. so i dont really know much about it.
i know its quite a bit of questions, but and help advice or tips in general would be greatly appreciated
thanks :D
hai!!! my fibro started about four years ago after i got a concussion, i had constant migraines and ear pain that was unbearable which after a few months turned into severe fibromyalgia. i was 12 when i got my concussion, im 16 now! i go to dr.enlander, hes great, i am going to post in a day or two the list of vitamins he has that have helpes me my fibro fog and overall being. hes a great doctor in NYC if youd like more information on him. id love to give any advice possible!
Hi Cassie, and welcome. I'm sorry that you had to join our club, especially at your young age. It never ceases to amaze me that fibro can hit people as young as you (and even younger) but I guess that illness is no respecter of age.
I hurt my back in a gym accident and it never got better. I suffered with it horrific back pain for at least three years. It never got any better or went away. Then I started a job that included pushing old people in wheelchairs. Some of them weighed as much as 400 lbs. it was like pushing a mountain! At that point, my fibro really emerged, although i think I had it in my back for the prior 3 years as doctors told me the herniated disk i had was mild and not enough to cause the pain i experienced.
I was in my mid forties when i got the back problems.
I find that resting and sleeping are the two things that help my fibro fog. If I'm very tired, I get much worse fibro fog.
You should get a good workup with a rheumatologist in order to rule out other illnesses that can mimic fibro. Sometimes they can even coexist with fibro.
There are several medicines that are used for fibro pain, including Lyrica, Cymbalta, Gabapentin, and some narcotics. Some people find good relief with these medicines but each person's body is different so one medicine does not work for all fibro sufferers. Your doctor will help you find the best course of treatment for you. Also, avoiding stressful situations helps to reduce having episodes of fibro pain, as does getting enough rest and sleep, and not overdoing it in a job. I can't emphasize that last point enough. If you push too hard at a job, the fibro will just push back, 10 times as strong.
I strongly encourage you to read other threads on this discussion board so you can familiarize yourself with fibro and how we manage. I hope we can help you in your search and we'll do our best to help answer your questions and get you more comfortable with your diagnosis and how to cope.
Hugs to you,
Petunia
Hi Cassie! Am sorry that you are suffering from so much pain.. Wish I could tell you that it gets better! But what does get better is your ability to cope. I have always had symptoms of fibro ( from the age of 9 or so) - but the complete invasion happened when I was 18. The diagnosis came in when I was 35. And I am 40 now! I do not know what caused fibro - I do not recollect any major physical accident.. My mom is convinced that I got it coz she was stressed during her pregnancy..
Whatever the reason - I have to accept it. I have tried all kind of therapies - but none that has worked wonders.
I would advise you to stay positive and believe that you have a life beyond fibro. I know that we tend to use this forum to crib and share our problems - but I can assure you that most of us have our happy moments. We all have our coping mechanism and find our solutions.. You need to be mentally strong and work on it constantly. I worked through my graduation, my MBA, a few high profile jobs, marriage, a child , friends .... with fibro.. and believe you me - it is possible. I still cry with pain, I still have my moments when I want to end it all .. but I take a deep breath and think of the positive moments and crawl on.
What helps?
1. Listen to your body. When it is screaming with pain, do not push it. Take power naps. Go to bed at a fixed time and stay there - even if you have pain. Wake up at your usual time. Walk ( or hobble) around a bit and then if the pain is still bad - go back to bed - else get on with life.
2. Have a regular gentle exercise schedule. By exercise - I mean just stretches and simple stuff like neck movements, wrist rotations, toe stretching, ankle bending etc. Walk for at least 15 minutes ( even inside the house is counted). It helps. Try yoga/meditation
3. Stick to a nutritious diet. When the body is in pain, it craves for sugar and carbs. Try limiting your sugar intake. It causes more problems later.
4. Do not try and be a super woman. Ask for help.
5. Stay positive. Realize that however much your loved ones may care for you, it is difficult for them to cope with fibro too. Constant cribbing alienates them. Use this forum to crib and complain. We understand what you are going through!
And finally, do not expect others to understand!
Hope this helps!
Gentle hugs!!
Looking back over my life I believe my fibro started at age 8 due to stress over piano and theory exams and it spread to generally all exams I had to do all the way through school and university.
And then it continued like a tumbleweed throughout my life due to continued stress. There is nothing that I know of that will help with stress other than rest.
Lucy,
Well said!