I BELIEVE I HAVE FIBRO
Tunia043 - Oct 10th, 2009 7:25 AM
[ Original Post ]

I have been hurting for quite sometime, but within the past year or so I seem to be in pain most of the time. It is awful neck and shoulder pain that does not go away even with pain relievers. All they seem to do is take the edge off. The pain affects how I sleep. I used to be a stomach sleeper but it is too painful. So now I have to sleep on my back with my arm above my head. Sitting seems to hurt worse than standing. My husband says my sleep patterns have changed. He said that I have become very restless and he wants me to see a doctor about sleep apnea - mostly because of my breathing. I have stiffness in my ankle joints. However I attributed it to an old accident I had 15 years ago. I go through periods where I am very, very tired. I attend church in the evening twice a week and sometimes I can barely make it through services without knodding off. My doctor did notice that my muscles in my back were knotted up and she prescribed muscle relaxers. I took one and slept for two days. I also noticed that hot and humid days seem to make me feel worse. This information board has been very helpful. I will be looking into finding a Rheumatologist. My question is if you don't have all the tender points will they diagnose you with fibromyalgia?

Comment


 

Fantod - Oct 10th, 2009 10:51 AM

Hello Tunia043 - Welcome to the forum.

It is possible that you have Fibromyalgia (FMS) but, as you know, a rheumotologist will have to decide. You ask a very good question about the tender points. Not all people with FMS have all of the tender points all of the time. It varies on a daily basis. It is important to see someone who is well versed in FMS. There are still a lot of healthcare professionals that don't believe in it. To find a rheumotologist you can call your local hospital physician referral service and ask them for a rheumy with an interest in FMS. Also, you can go online to the National Fivbromyalgia Association website and register. Then you can see a list of fibro-friendly doctors in your area.

It is very important that you seek a diagnosis and treatment. The longer a chronic pain cycle goes on, the harder it is to stop or manage.
Ask your doctor for the Flector pain patch for your neck and shoulder pain. This patch only works where it is applied. It does not get into the bloodstream. You wear it 12 hours on and 12 off. I use them and find the Flector patch to be very helpful.

One of the reasons you may be in so much pain is due to your sleep issues. FMS interrupts the deep sleep cycle with short bursts of high intensity brain waves. Your muscles need deep sleep in order to recover from the days activities. The less restorative sleep you get, the higher the pain level. You do need to consider a sleep study whether the reumotologist rules out FMS or not.

If you use artifical sweetner, get rid of it. You can now buy 2 products made from the Stevia plant in the grocery store. One is called Truvia and the other Sun Crystals. The Stevia plant is not a toxic sweetner unlike Sweet and Low etc. Also stay away from deep fried foods and lunchmeat (nitrates) as these foods will also affect your pain level.

Good luck with your search for a doctor. If you have other concerns or questions, please let us know. Take care.


katrinalove_1 - Oct 21st, 2009 11:22 PM

Hi Tunia043, I have read that you need to have eleven tender points out of eighteen to be diagnosed with fibro. I have twelve myself and just was diagnosed after twenty years of suffering. I an taking 60mg of cymbalta for two weeks and also take two fish oil gels in the morning with breakfast. I feel better and have most of the pain controlled. I also exercise five plus days a week. Aerobic walking exercise has really helped tyhe pain and stiffness. Hope this will help you. God Bless!