Fibromyalgia Symptoms HOME

Hello Flyingferret002 - Welcome to the forum! I'm so sorry that you are having a rough time dealing with Fibromyalgia (FMS). You are not alone. Even us veterns have spells when we feel like we just can't go on.

In order to give you some advice and help, we need to know more about what you are doing to treat FMS. Do you see a rheumotologist? What meds are you taking etc. Other than the infernal pain, what other symptoms do you have and severity. Do you have health insurance and prescription coverage? Once we get past the formalities, you'll get some great answers from the folks on this board.

I would, however, like to comment on panic attacks as I have had episodes of them myself. They are a serious problem and nothing to be ignored or not taken seriously. Have you told a doctor? If not, you need to do that and get some medication to stave them off. You can also try deep breathing - the kind that makes your stomach move. In through the nose and out of the mouth when you feel one coming on. Do this several times and you may start to calm down a bit.

Ok - back to you. Give us something to work with and we'll see how we can help. Hang in - we are all here for you. Take care and God Bless.

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I too feel like I am just a shell of a person now. I am 29 and feel like my life is completely different than it was just a year or two ago before I was diagnosed. It's awful to feel anxiety. I am not experiencing the panic attacks, but I am noticing that I see my friends once in a blue moon as compared to meeting up for dinner at least one night a week with them. I feel like since I don't have anything really positive going on why burden others with my issues. My pain has completely consumed me. Have you thought about talking to your doctor about getting on something for anxiety or depression? Sometimes meds can realy make a huge difference. Just remember you are not alone. I understand what you are going through.

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The biggest problem is, I couldnt continue my job when the FMS became too severe, so I quit and am now a full time student. But I dont have medical coverage, and until things pick up I cant afford to get any. So I am really in a bad situation. I would still love any help and support I can get. The biggest problems (other than just aching all over) are the panic attacks, the dizziness and ear problems, and my vision. it used to be 20/20 but now it is terrible and I have migranes with auras that flash really brightly. it makes everything more difficult. Thank you everyone for being there!

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Hello Flyingferret002 - You are in a tough spot especially with no health insurance. I'm going to give you a crash course in Fibromyalga (FMS) and make some suggestions both homeopathic and conventional medicine.

First of all FMS is a disorder of the central nervous system. The mechanism that causes it is not understood. There is no cure but it can be managed with prescribed medication. It is recognised by the National Arthitis Foundation and the Center for Disease Control.

Part of the reason you are so achey is the lack of restorative sleep. FMS interrupts the deep sleep cyle with short bursts of high intensity brain activity. Your muscles need deep sleep in order to repair themselves from the days activities. No deep sleep means higher levels of pain which rapidly beomes a vicious circle. Amitriptyline is usually prescribed for this problem. You might want to try Melatonin which can be found in any decent health food store. I'd start with 1 mg when you have nothing to do the next day. See how it works, you can take up to 3 mg if necessary. If you can get a better quality sleep some of your pain level should improve. Make sure you follow the directions and that you understand any risks associated with taking Melatonin.

For energy issues, try to eat smaller, high protein meals spread out through the day. You can also get a sublingual B12 tablet. Make sure that it has folic acid too for better absorption. I use 1000 mcg B12 with 400 mcg folic acid. This type of tablet must be used in a specific fashion. No eating, drinking, smoking or teeth brushing for a half an hour before AND after letting the tablet dissolve under your tongue. They don't taste bad. I keep my bottle on the bedside table and pop one first thing before my feet even hit the floor.

If you use anything containing an artifical sweetner, get rid of it (including Splenda). Artifical sweetners make you eat more anyway in addition to increasing your pain level. The same can be said about deep fried foods and lunchmeat (nitrates). If you need a sweetner, use Truvia or Sun Crystals which are made from the non toxic Stevia plant. You can find them in any grocery store alongside the sugar.

There are now three prinary medications used to treat FMS. Lyrica is advertised on TV all of the time. The most common complaint seems to be rapid weight gain. Cymbalata is used to treat both the pain and depression that usually accompanies FMS. I use it myself and have had good results. The newest drug is Savella which was approved by the FDA earlier this year. It has been used in Europe for decades. People either seem to tolerate well and have good results or can't take it at all (me).

You are going to have to find a rheumotologist to help you. Call your local hospital and ask them if they offer a free clinic or if one of the rheumy's on staff might take you pro-bono. If they say "no" ask for suggestions where else you might try. Also, try the United Way Agency in your area. If you do find a doctor, be sure to ask for drug samples. Also, most drug manufacturers offer assistance to people in your situation. All you need to do is go to their website and find the section on free or low cost prescription help. There is no shame in any of this. A lot of people find themselves in situations like this. It is part of life and you should never be too proud to ask for help when legitimately needed. When things improve for you, think about doing something to give back to the community. The reason you need to find a doctor is because FMS only responds to certain classes of prescribed medication. OTC remedies like Tylenol etc do not work and you will only overload your stomach and liver and create more problems.

You should also be tested for a Vitamin D deficiency which can cause widespread pain. People with FMS seem to have issues with vitamin D.

And finally, rest is so important with FMS. I can not stress this enough. You need to do things in smaller increments and sometimes not at all. Pushing yourself will only result in higher levels of pain and days or possiblity weeks of being unable to function. Learn to say "no", mean it and not feel guilty about it. Be grateful for anything that you can do as opposed to dwelling on the things you can no longer manage. Things are going to get better but you will have to take a proactive approach to make it happen. Start tomorrow, get on the telephone and ask for help. We are all here for you. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

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Hi Flyingferret002,

I am only 22 have had this since i was 12 years old i know how you feel. You just have to hang in there. For me i do take natural medicines. I do take Melatonin and it does help me go to sleep you want to take it like 30 minutes to an hour before bed it does not make me drowsy in the morning which is really nice but it doesn't help me sleep all night it helps put me to sleep and stay a sleep for a bit. I don't have panic attack so sorry can't help you there but i do have many other problems. I get lightheaded but not everyday and i get the aches in my ears to but mine usually last a couple minutes and go away. I wish you the best of luck and you can also go to any health food store and try natural medicine to help relieve some of the pain.
Good luck.

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I have always lived with Fibromyalgia but I wasn't diagnosed until June 2009 at the age of 26. It has gotten more prominent over the years, especially since the birth of my daughter.

The best thing you can do is educate yourself. Helping yourself to understand what is going on with your body will also help you treat it.

There are a great many things that you can do to help mitigate your pain and maybe, if you are lucky, abolish some of it.

Take a look at the entirety of this website. Find yourself some good doctors who know what they are dealing with. I am so lucky to have found a doctor who is very knowledgable of this disease. I just had an appointment with her today and she told me she actually has FM herself! Not only does she understand from a doctor's point of view but from a patient's! I couldn't believe it.

Try your hardest to stay positive and when you are feeling down watch some good comedy. I love America's Funniest Home Videos, I laugh so hard every time. Laughing releases endorphines which makes your pain less. In fact, even singing along to your favourite song has been shown to do the same. I know it can be very difficult to stay positive especially when depression is a part of the equation. It is hard work to push yourself to stay on the lighter side of things but it really is worth it.

Just remember, you are not alone, and coming here and discussing how you are feeling will most certainly help you.

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