Hi rschulstadt, I cannot imagine having fibro with chronic fatigue at the same time. So debilitating. Most of us can get a little better with our medications and be able to function. But chronic fatigue can go either way, some people are bedfast most of the time. I hope for you that will not your future. I recently watched a documentary movie about individuals with the advanced kind of chronic fatigue and it helped me feel better about having only fibro. My brother has chronic fatigue but he can get out of bed and do things. He is just tired all the time, but that is how I feel with fibro. Donāt give up! You are an amazing women!
So what is the difference between chronic fatigue and fibro?
Chronic fatigue is thought to be caused by a virus, like mono, Epstein-Barr virus, or herpes virus. But not everyone will get chronic fatigue because they have had a virus.
Fibro is thought to be caused by an injury- like a car accident and in my case I broke my tail bone and injured my neck. Also, it is thought to be caused by trauma (emotional or physical- and yes, that is my case, too), having another chronic pain disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis- or even chronic back pain, gene inheritance, or infections (I used to get a lot of sinus infections).
So, keep seeing a therapist. I just started seeing one because I have been depressed and need help sorting out my feelings. Like Hobbit, we are using cognitive behavioral therapy.
Blessings and prayers to you!
Hi Rschulstadt,
I havenāt been on here for a while now, but today when I saw the topic of your conversation and read your story, my heart goes out to you. As many have said, you are not alone in how you are feeling. It is very overwhelming dealing with this illness and all the limitations it puts on your life. On top of dealing with pain, it is everything else that follows because it affects jobs, relationships, friends, family. I myself have been coping fibro since early 2012, I had to leave my job because I could no longer function. My inexperienced doctor let me go for 7 months not knowing what I hadā¦it was through my mom and a referral to see a neurologist that led me to finally knowing what I had. The following year it was a cancer diagnosis that took up much of 2014. I had applied for disability and to this day, I am still waiting because I was denied 2 times and now this is my final appeal. The world is still not ready to accept this as a real illness. Even the new doctor I now have to deal with wants to take away my pain medication which is scaring the heck out of me. Sadly, the wonderful doctor that diagnosed me had a stroke. We all hoped he would return but 2 years later he was unable to get past the medical board and decided to take early retirement. I will be seeing this new doctor next week and I am dreading it. I saw him 6 months ago, he had no interest to see my file and said it would only take up space and to keep it. All he did was lecture me, insinuated that all these artists like Prince overdosing that it was a concern. He told me to go gluten free, sugar free and no sugar supplements, to eat only organic. There were a few more, but I left there feeling so not supported and left me with no trust in this doctor, but it is so difficult to find a doctor these days with waiting periods of over a year. I am so depressed and cry most days which as you know doesnāt help with the pain. My family doesnāt understand, friendships were lost because it was too difficult to deal with my sadness I guess. I donāt know, but itās a struggle every dayā¦so no you are not alone. I really to empathize with you how this illness took away a job that you loved and I suppose coming here to hear other peopleās stories and struggles helps. Everyone on the site understands each other and it truly is the best place to come when you need support and want to vent. Iām sending you positive thoughts and prayers for strength to get through these rough times.
Sue
This pain meds issue is crap. I have been on oxyco, hydroco, and tramadol. Changed to tramadol just so I did not have to take off work early, a day, every month to get a new prescription. Now every time I go to the doctors office, especially any new doctor the first thing is take away the pain medication. My last discussion on pain meds from the doctor āpain is normal, you are going to have pain, you will never be pain freeā. Oh how I wanted to just slap her. If she thinks being on pain medication makes me pain free she is crazier than I already think she is.
I too am both frustrated and frightened. If i had MY way, I would be working and gardening and traveling. And at the very least not be scared that all possible pain meds will be taken away. I was on cortisone and Norco for a dozen years. finally the norco didnāt work even at high doses. I was NOT addicted. I cut it from 10 a day to 3 a day in less than a week. I realize that is not the way to do it, but for ME, it worked. Then the doc put me on neurontin which made me very sick, then tramadol which was like eating a bite of sugar.
Then my primary doctor who had been giving me 300 Norcos a month told me to my face he thought I was pretending to be in pain so I could possibly sell Norcos. I was in tears. If he thought that, why did he overprescribe for several years? I am now under the care of an orthopedic pain specialist, and there is nothing left except morphine. so 2 weeks ago I started on extended relief 15 mg morphine. it is no help at all. I am in my 70ās so they have to be careful, but there is very little joy in my life. i have had fibro over 35 years. I had to sign a ācontractā with the ortho that he will be my ONLY pain provider. I really liked my primary, but due to cartel drugs, addiction, street buyers, etc, the ānormalā person like me and others on this site have to suffer through each day and night. PinkCat, I truly feel like your crazy MD deserved a slap ! Too bad we cannot just wrap up fibro in a pretty box with ribbon and give it to our medical personnel who say things like that. Iāll bet if they had YOUR pain for 1 week, they would be begging for mercy. Good Luck and keep coming back here.
I am really upset right now. My general physician has taken all my pain medication away. (had to change doctors, no insurance) Be it that I was only on Tramadol and it was not working. I have two weeks till I see a doc in pain management. I was told he will not prescribe pain meds either that they only do the trigger shot injections. Really not thrilled in getting more shots. Kind of thought to myself that they are switching to this because it is not a pill and something that they can keep more a handle on. (till someone finds a way around it)
I just got discharged from a partial hospitalization program for my severe depression and anxiety. I couldnāt handle 5 days a week (on hard chairs) and had to take off 3 days straight to manage my fibro pain and chronic pain. Automatic discharge. I donāt know what my psychiatrist is going to say because he is on vacation. However, before he left he prescribed gabapentin (Neurontin). It made me sick to my stomach for 2 days and then it was like a veil was lifted off because I had a brighter mood, energy to do things (with limitations, of course) and less anxiety. I was very concerned when I had my flare-ups that it had stopped working but after the three days of sleep and rest, my mood and energy is back. The energy increase is no where near what it was before I was diagnosed in 1988 but at least I can take care of myself. I wish all of you little successes to hang onto and always remember to take care of yourselves and your pain and moods. I am only on meloxicam for pain and takes the edge off if I donāt over do it. Gentle hugs!
Some doctors are now concerned that medications may be worsening our symptoms. The pain specialist I see is convinced that pain meds have been a huge part of the problem for many patients as he sees improvement when he can get them off certain meds. Iām only on Panadol Osteo, as I canāt take anything stronger (it makes me sick and sends my anxiety sky high). There might be something to the no wheat, no sugar suggestion (theyāre common inflammatory triggers). Itās not the be all/end all and no one Iāve seen here who has tried it claims to be pain free, but several have claimed a huge improvement. Personally Iāve just found it another set of restrictions and that little bit more upsetting.
Doctors just need to relearn a bit of the old ābedside mannerā. Treating you like youāre a drug dealer or just simply nuts is no way to approach change in management.
If you canāt trust your doctor for medical support, who can you trust?!
That is exactly what we are here for, Rose.
All the best to you
Seenie from Moderator Support