Thank you to all of you.
I have a small confession. I really felt I was losing it.
I have been diagnosed or mis diagnosed with so many health issues. When I happened upon this
Forum I was very skeptical. I have typed and deleted many times on this forum. Yes. It is hard.
I am 5 years from retirement. Treading water barely. Thanks Michael , I feel as if I am free falling. As they say falling doesn’t hurt till ya hit something. God bless you all.
I keep wanting to just bang my head on the wall :-/
The anxiety is less now. The cymbalta took edge off pain some. I feel like I am stuck on a treadmill that never stops. Headaches, just over all aching. And strange electrical like jolts at times when I am working.
I have that wonderful interstitial cystitis,carpal tunnel… Awe the list is to long.
Anyways. Just reading about all you makes me feel for ya. And I am not giving up.
Thanks.
Hi Ben, if you haven't already, please make sure your doctor knows about the electrical like jolts. I experience this a lot as well (peripheral neuropathy is what I am diagnosed with), however there are some medications that can help lessen this. I agree, it is strange / painful and mine tends to happen most when I am stressed. I am glad the Cymbalta is starting to help and your anxiety is less. That is a step in the right direction. Please post whenever you want / need. That is what we are all here for, to help each other thru this journey. Hugs.
Hang in there Ben, hopefully things will get better soon.
Micheal, what a wonderful reply. We don't frequently hear from men with Fibro even though we know that they are suffering right along with us gals.
Hugs to everyone on the forum.
Traci
Welcome Ben! I am fairly new to the group, having been diagnosed in October. This site has been a God-send for me. I may not post often, but I frequently refer to the posts of others. I still struggle with accepting my diagnosis, but the advice and support of others has been a huge help.
Just had a terrible night. Wife went to sofa. Says I never stopped
Moving. Hurt all over. Just one step in front of the next.
Hi Ben, sometimes that is all we can do, take this disease one step at a time. I know it can be hard at times but you are not alone. I hope you get relief soon. Hugs.
Thanks. After wed. Have 4 days off. Just seems not able to level off.
All dips and valleys. I try hard not to take regular otc painkillers
. Dont help much anyways
My huge over-stuffed hand me down chair is my best friend.
Just gotta convince my old labrador it isnt hers 
My heating pad and heated throw are mine and have to continually fight with my dog for them. Lol. hope you get some rest and relaxation on your days off.
Ben, I am so sorry you are not sleeping well. Sleep is so important to those of us with Fibro. No or bad quality sleep equals more pain and confusion. Has your doctor given you anything for pain? I could only sleep for four or five hours without taking pain meds at bedtime.
Concerning the otc pain relievers, I have found that some pain is soley from Fibro and the otcs don't touch that pain. Then there is actual pain, like a pulled muscle, that is magnified by Fibro. I find that if I take otcs for this pain it releives or lessens the pain and so there is less pain for Fibro to magnify.
Good luck and I hope you sleep better soon.
Melyn, my dogs are always trying to take over my blankets and mine are not even heated.
Melyn said:
My heating pad and heated throw are mine and have to continually fight with my dog for them. Lol. hope you get some rest and relaxation on your days off.
Ben, I am so glad that you found this site! I can relate to your comments-I still find myself trying to comprehend this diagnosis-hoping it is something else instead, something with a cure, for Pete’s sake! I have been quite miserable for the past couple of years but it magnified ten times over by the time I was officially diagnosed this past March 2014. Like so many of us, I am still working a full time job & some days it is a struggle just to get out of bed & attempt to get myself ready for work. Hang in there & remember we are all here to help you if we possibly can! HUGS from Deb
Hi Ben,
Sorry you need this group because you have FM, it totally sucks to have this, and it has taken me four years to accept it as much as I possibly can. I ended up getting fired from my job in May of this year. I know my illness caused it because I just couldn’t keep up with the work due to the severe fatigue and pain. I ended up just getting permanent disability. I have had a life changing year for sure. It’s been all about accepting my limitations. I tried to hide my illness, but my job performance suffered. Over time my symptoms have worsened. I hear the same thing from many people. We all have to learn to cope as best we can. It’s not like people can see what’s wrong with us. We can appear normal, but we are far from it. Hang in there Ben.
I see you are having trouble sleeping. I like the Aleve PM. It has Benadryl in it and it does help me sleep. It might take the edge off. Good Luck
Oh connie. I am so sorry for your career. I have slipped past several weeks where I seriously thought this was it. I just couldnt make it. I know I have been lucky. I have a lot of support from working friendships. More than once someone would bring me forgotten tools or half carry me.
I was always the guy who kinda teased my fellow workers fixing issues and offering praise for their jobs well done and denying any involvement. Maybe some of that has come back to me. This sight is my opportunity to plan ahead. No more blind wandering. Thats what i appreciate. Crazy disease, I will adjust
Thanks and good luck
Hi Ben. It's nice to meet you here. Welcome to our site.
Crazy symptoms are all part of fibro and are why it's so hard to get a diagnosis of fibro. Even though you are shocked about your diagnosis, you were cognizant enough of the possibility of having fibro to come here. And that was a good move because there is a wealth of information here, as well as people who can help you get through the initial rough patch.
Frankly, it took me several years to totally accept my diagnosis and what it really meant in my life. Other people seem to find peace with the diagnosis fairly quickly. There is no right or wrong time frame for you to accept your illness within, just your own ability to accept change.
Are you on any medications to control the pain? Do be aware that they can also cause some unusual symptoms. Be sure to read up on them and their side effects. It's possible that some of what you are experiencing is due to your meds.
Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. I think you'll find a lot of help via the people who come here.
I like to rock in a rocking chair when the pain is too much. It helps to soothe me.
Ben said:
My huge over-stuffed hand me down chair is my best friend.
Just gotta convince my old labrador it isnt hers :-)
Connie, I'm sorry to hear of your job loss. Unfortunately, fibro does that to a lot of people. We try to hide it but it's impossible to do so. I remember those miserable last weekends where I'd collapse on my couch for the entire weekend off, not having the energy to simply BE, let alone get things done.
I think we're all doing well simply by getting here and posting something positive. In fact, keeping sane and accepting the fibro fight is to be commended in all of us.
Connie Swartz said:
Hi Ben,
Sorry you need this group because you have FM, it totally sucks to have this, and it has taken me four years to accept it as much as I possibly can. I ended up getting fired from my job in May of this year. I know my illness caused it because I just couldn't keep up with the work due to the severe fatigue and pain. I ended up just getting permanent disability. I have had a life changing year for sure. It's been all about accepting my limitations. I tried to hide my illness, but my job performance suffered. Over time my symptoms have worsened. I hear the same thing from many people. We all have to learn to cope as best we can. It's not like people can see what's wrong with us. We can appear normal, but we are far from it. Hang in there Ben.
I see you are having trouble sleeping. I like the Aleve PM. It has Benadryl in it and it does help me sleep. It might take the edge off. Good Luck
Happy new year.
Just wanted to say I think this place is helping my wife cope with
My issues. Not that she doesnt know. Just to understand the crazy
Roller coaster I/we are on. See y’all next yr. thanks again
Hi Ben, glad to hear that this place is having a positive effect for your wife and anyone else. Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year as well.
Happy New Year Ben! Wishing you and your wife a wonderful 2015!