Hi everyone, I am 20 years old and was diagnosed with having the symptoms of fibro on March 1, 2013. I am not currently on medication and was told that I can cope with this through lifestyle changes such a counseling and excerise.
The past couple weeks have been really tough for me realizing that pain is okay. I have had many tests to rule out that nothing is medically wrong and that my symptoms are all fibro related. I guess I never knew how painful fibro could be. Last night I was in the emergency room with severe chest and abdominal pain, the chest xray and abdominal ultrasound came back clear. The doctors sent me home contributing that pain to fibro. I am still in a lot of pain. Has anyone else had this kind of pain and associated in with a flareup? How long do flareups last and what are some ways to get through them?
Yes, Fibro pain can crop up all over your body and medical test will show no issues or damage. It can be very frustrating. I have had chronic pain for over a decade. It really started to be an issue when I stupidly got breast implants.
Flare ups vary greatly. I have been having one since March 3rd, but I do have some days here and there where I feel kinda okay and I end up doing too much and getting right back to 0.
I find that when I have balance, that a flare will last day of really bad, and then taper away if I am careful. I spent a weekend at the beginning of the month at Comic Con and drove from Portland to Seattle. It was long days, and I did not take my pain meds as much when I was having to drive so I was pretty beat up upon return.
Not having pain meds can be a challenge. I find that a slow walk outside can do wonders for how I feel. Esp, if some depression is creeping in about the flare. Also, soaking in epson salt baths is very comforting. I use scented salts, but the regular kind is just as effective and it is fairly cheap. I always find moving around to help, even though I have to battle with myself to do so.
Diet might be helpful for you if you continue to have stomach pains. Removing Dairy usually is a positive for us and one physician said absolutely NO SUGAR but fruit and honey.
That is impossible, I love sugar stuff too much and honestly should be very overweight. but the sugar somehow increases inflammation in your body and increases flare ups and removing foods that process into sugar like white breads and pastas.
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. So what kinds of things are considered a flare up or does it depend on the person. Right now I am having severe upper abdominal pain between my ribs.
Hi I was just diagnosed in Nov 2012 with fibro and am still trying to understand it. It is hard to say what does or does not constitute a flare as you said every person is different. It is good to not attribute everything to fibro too as it may be something else. When you talk about pain upper abdomen between ribs, do all your ribs feel sore at the bottom? You may have costochondritis http://www.emedicinehealth.com/costochondritis/article_em.htm which I believe is what I have had. I have had Bowen therapy and it seems to have drastically decreased the pain in my ribs as well as pain all over. I am overweight and have not been a healthy eater and I think some of my pain is because of that.
I hope you feel better soon and I applaud you for doing this without pain medication as I cannot. The pain med that I take is Tramadol and I also take Lyrica and amitryptiline (sp). You have found a great support place and I hope you find out what works best for you.
Yes it is very hard to understand, it seems like there is so much! But I have had numerous tests done to rule out that my symptoms are not being caused by something else and thankfully they have all came back negative. Yes, I am having pain lower, but it is more abdominal pain above my belly button rather than sore ribs at the bottom. Do you know do they check for this and how is it treated?
Hi Danielle and welcome to our site! It's a nice, safe place to come and talk about your fibro issues and you'll find a lot of knowledge and wisdom within these "pages."
I too think that it might possibly be costochondritis, as that affects a lot of people with fibro. As long as your doctors have put you in the clear in regards to it being your heart, then it quite possibly could be costochondritis. However, if it happens to you again or is worse, I would still get yourself to an emergency room because you never know and better to err on the safe side.
Fibro can be very painful...ask most of us on here. I hope your doctor has put you on some pain meds? Like Lyrica or Cymbalta. I would go out of my mind without my Lyrica and Nortriptyline (the second one is for sleeping well at night.) However, do be aware that no pain meds completely eradicate the pain, although they may help a lot. And sometimes the pain gets stronger once you're on pain meds, so you have to have them adjusted every so often.
I'm sorry that you've been introduced to fibro but at least you've found a community to support you.
Thanks Petunia,
It is a contestant feeling, just sometimes it is more painful that others. How is that diagnosed and how is it treated? They said that the pain I’m feeling is a little low for heart pain.
I'm not sure about getting it diagnosed - I guess the doc who initially diagnosed you with fibro could tell you if it is or isn't costochondritis. I know that I get a funny pain in my upper abdomen that is helped by Lyrica but I'm not sure if it's costochondritis or not. Hopefully others with it will give you an idea of what they do to alleviate the pain.
Hi Danielle, WELCOME !!!
I have had Costochondritis twice now, if you take a deep breath does it hurt, does the rib pain hurt if you move the wrong way, raise your arms above your head, like a pinched nerve ?
If your Dr. Said you can cope with this through lifestyle changes he/ she does not understand fibro !!!
Most important thing is to find a dr. That understands fibro, yes lifestyle changes can help in so many different ways, but it’s much more than that.
If your upper abd pain continues I would head back to the dr.\ we do struggle with trying to understand what’s normal for fibro, or is it something else/ the dr’s are sometimes to quick to say its fibro, unless you feel comfortable that’s it’s fibro, you should continue to seek medical help, they have to r/o other things …like Irritable bowel for example, many of us have it, it’s not uncommon with fibro, but then you can distinguish… It does take time, and were all always learning.
Please read some old posted discussions, there is great info here on how to manage the many symptoms, and struggles…
It takes time to understand what a flare is, it’s different for everyone, it took me 2 years to see a pattern in my symptoms, that now I can say I’m in a flare, keep a journal of your symptoms, that has helped me a lot
You have come to the right place, I’m so glad you have joined us !!!
Hugs& blessings
dee
Hi Danielle - I agree with Dee. There is more to treating Fibro then lifestyle changes. I am on my 32nd year of having it. I was about 30 when I was first diagnosed with it. In my opinion, there are 2 things you need to do for yourself. Try to find a Fibro specialist. You can also use a Rheumatologist - provided they also treat Fibro. It's important also, to gain knowledge of what this illness is. You can go to the Library and get some books on Fibromyalgia or do what I did. I went onto the Amazon website and ordered some books. Other illnesses can be attributed to Fibro as well. You are so young to have Fibro though! My heart goes out to you, Danielle! Please stay with this website. It has been a Godsend for me. Hugs!! Laurie
Ah, see? Dee to the rescue with a great response! In fact, I've never even seen costochondritis's symptoms spelled out so well, and I'm really glad that Dee put it out there for us.
I hope her post helps you out and helps you to know if what you're feeling might be costochondritis or not. Of course, best to ask your doctor.
PS: And Laurie has also added some value advice as well. These ladies are on the ball!
I agree with what the ladies said below and they all have great advice. I have lived with irritable bowel syndrome since I was 11 and Dee gave valuable advice down below. Irritable bowel syndrome for me is constipation and so my pains are more like period cramping but in my belly. It comes and goes and will flare up if I eat something I should not be eating. If you notice pains more after eating that may be what is causing your pain. I would definitely keep a symptom and food diary at the beginning and write down all the items for your doctor to let him/her know at your next appointment or if you can email what is going on with you.
If it is major I would go to the ER or get in to see your doctor right away. I hope you feel better and they can figure out what exactly the pain is you are having.
I also agree with Dee regarding the doctor stating that you just need lifestyle changes and not medication to help with the pain. I have been doing a lot regarding lifestyle changes but things don't happen overnight and it is a process to see what works/doesn't work for your pain. I changed my doctor because my old one kept saying that I just needed to get more sleep and I will feel better. Got more sleep and it helped but the pain was still too much to bare without medication.
This is something I was recently diagnosed with, though it has been with me for years. Many with fibro or connective tissue problems have trouble with this.
I am always telling everyone that they should be under the watchful eye of a Rheumatologist, this is one of the things they can diagnose right away, though my Internist made me go for a stress test to look at the heart, just to rule out the possibility. I have had this affect me to the point where my Internist and husband held me down in his office and he gave me a shot of Demerol in the sternum area! Whew, will never forget it, but it knocked it out of me!
I hope that you can get some answers, and some substantial relief!