Newly diagnosed, and looking to talk to people who understand

Welcome Introductions
1

Hi,
I am a 33 year old, mom of 2. For years I have had problems with my back and hips and legs. At birth my mother was told I would never wall due to my muscles not developing proper. Growing up I always had pain, and the dr would mark it up to growing pains. After having my daughter they marked it up to just being in my head.

2 years ago after going to one dr about pain in my back, hips, and neck they ran tests and told me that I had arthritis in the bottom of the back and hips, and a herniated disk in the bottom of the spin. And the neck was a pinched nerve. They put me on muscle relaxers at the time and I went through 6 months of physical therapy, to which neither one worked.

A few weeks back I went to the dr again due to pain, to which he took me off work for a week and he put me on Motrin and said I could only work for 30 hours a week, when I took that to my employer they fired me, but that is a whole other story. I then had to get a letter stating that it was due to arthritis like he said 2 years ago, only to find out that I have fibromyalgia.

It made sense to me, as not only is it in my back and my hips and neck now, now it seems to be painful all over. Some days are ok bit most days I can’t even use my hands let alone get off my bed. I have to get my husband to roll me off the bed most mornings, and on the days that I am in a lot of pain all I want to do is sleep. My family feels that my sleeping is just me being lazy, because they don’t understand, but I don’t care, I know how I feel they don’t. My dr is refusing to give me any medications other than Motrin at this point because of my age, he says that he doesn’t want to give me anything now, where as I get older things won’t work, but it is hard going day to day in pain.

I am looking for other ideas for pain management, other things that I can do to help myself, to be able to live a normal life, or at least as normal as can be. I’m 33 years old but feel like I’m stuck in a 90 year olds body.

If you made it through all of that, thank you.
Justine

1 Like
2

Hi Justine, I’m Sue. I’m 44 and a mom to 3. I’ve been in pain for years…but the past 5 have been hell. I got my diagnosis last year from my pain management Dr. I am prescribed gabapentin 600mgs taking 1 in the am and 1 at lunch then 2 at bedtime. Plus Soma 3 times a day. My family Dr has me on Zoloft, Trazodone and Adderall. I am new to this group also. I hope find relief from your Dr and guidance from the group! :slight_smile: Sue :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye::disappointed:

3

Hello Justine,
Welcome to this site so gad you are here! I do feel for you, you have had such a hard time. We are a supportive community, hope we can help. First, have you had a look at Fibro101, there are lots of ideas there, which might help. Also info about how to educate your loved ones, they do need educating! No-one can really understand this tricky condition, except fellow sufferers. For myself, I find pacing helps, I practise Mindfulness and I do gentle (and I mean gentle), exercise, among other things. I hope others might weigh in with ideas for you.
Just to say, I have a daughter called Justine, I love that name and you don’t find too many! She’s a couple of years older than you. Wish you well
Take care, Anne

1 Like
4

Hi Sue and Ann,

Thank you for the warm welcome. You are right that my family needs to be educated about it, my husband on the other hand has been such a great help to me, it is crazy how much he has helped me out since getting my diagnosis.

I am trying my hardest to move past all the pain and so forth because I want to fight against my illness for as long as I can. My best friend has fibro and has pretty well given up at trying now, bit I refuse to do that right now. I have two babies that need their mama to help with things (DD is 11 and DS is 5) and as hard as it is most days at this point I refuse to let this all get in the way for them.

I have been checking out some things on the site, and will check out more. But thank you for the welcome :slight_smile:

1 Like
5

Hi I am Jacque and I was just diagnosed as well. I suspected for years that fibro might be my issue, my dad had it. The rheumatologist seems to agree even though he is testing me for other things.
This is hard. One day I am ok and the next I hurt all over and depressed, the next only hurt somewhat and you all understand.
Looking forward to making new friends who understand here.

1 Like
6

Hello, Jacque,
It is good to see you on here. As your Dad had it, I suspect you know what’s in store. You probably also know lots of similar conditions need to be eliminated, hence the tests. For me, I thought that was good, at least I know I haven’t got anything sinister! (Doesn’t help does it)? Anyway, the good news is you are amongst people who understand, also things have moved on since your Dad’s day, although no cure, great ways of managing it. Have a look at Fibro101, there might be ideas for you there. I wish you well.
Take care, Anne

1 Like