Fibromyalgia

[Cami]

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have had fibromyalgia for nearly 5 years and it is only getting worse. I take medication to block the pain receptors in the brain, muscle relaxers (occasionally) visit the chiropractor 1-3x's per week and get therapy massage's 3-4x's a month and I don't feel any better!
Work, (I am a self-employed hair designer), is becoming almost impossible. One day of work takes 3 days to recover from. And to top it off my hubby doesn't get it. He wonders how anyone can be in pain all the time? That is a major part of the disease but it also has about 50 other symptoms that I deal with on a daily basis.
Just wanted to vent as I am having a tough week. Thanks for listening.

Susi

 

[Linda/NJ]

Hi Susi: Sorry to hear you have not been feeling well. Sounds very painful. What is fibromyalgia? I heard of it but don't know what it is. With you being a hair designer you are constantly on your feet, so I am sure that does not help at all. I hate to hear people in so much pain. Sending you healing vibes~~~~~~~~~

Linda & Ginger

 

[Cami]

Linda, thanks for the kind words.
The best way to describe fibromyalgia is sorta like arthritis of the muscles, tendons and ligaments VS the bones and joints.
A "normal person" can go about their day and do all the normal things and go to bed and feel "normal" the next morning. If they were to work in the yard or do any type of overly strenous activity they might feel a little soreness the next day or two and think that they have overdone it and then possibly take an advil to relieve the inflamation and sooner rather than later return to feeling fine.
A person with FM does not recover from "normal" daily activities like everyone else and the thought of doing anthing outside of normal, like planting veggies, flowers, mowing the grass, cleaning windows etc.....puts us (most times), on a weeklong+ recovery period. Extreme stiffness, like our muscles have atrophied (sp?) overnight, the full range of motion takes hours to resume, the pain is in my case a stabbing feeling that doesn't go away. On bad days (many triggers for this), I can barely make it to the couch and when I do it is to curl up in a little ball and try not to move. This can last for hours, and sometimes days. It drives my husband crazy because one day I think I need a hip replacement and then the next day the hip is fine and the pain mysteriously travels and takes up residence elsewhere.
This is all compounded by the other 50 or so "ailments" that go along with it and show up whenever they want to. Teeth grinding, irritable bowel syndrome, frequent urination, carb/sugar cravings, migranies, slurred speech, dizziness, chemical sensitivities, sensitivites to sound and light, etc....
So again, thanks to listening.
Susi & Cami

 

[VTbxrFan]

Thanks for the explanation - I had also heard of it before but was never clear on what it is. Are there support groups (or internet forums) where you could at least talk about your frustrations with people who understand what it's like? It sounds pretty miserable, and I'm sure it doesn't help that your husband can't understand what you are going through. I hope things improve for you!

 

[Jazz&Thumper]

Well that just sucks.....

One of my daughters, friends mother (clear as mud) has the same thing and Dani is fine some days and down for a long time others. It must be so frustrating and painful. Whop your husband up-side the head and tell him that's how it feels only you'd feel it longer!!! I hope you feel better. Anyone know anything about thyroid?? My 14 year daugher is hypothyroid with a goiter. We are trying to find the right Dr. and treatment, but living in SW Nebraska is not the hot-spot for endrocrinologists. Her goiter really seems to be growing. She's 5'3 and 106# so being thin you really tend to notice it. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. I've done so dang much reading on it that now I'm really over informed and more confused than ever.

Take care and have a "pain-free" day!!
Steph, Jazz & Thumper

 

[Austin's Mom]

Susie does this ever go away or is it a lifelong illness? I can't even imagine how miserable you must feel. ((hugs))

Chris & Austin

 

[Cami]

It's forever and ever. You don't get any "remission". But on the bright side you can go periods with a liveable pain of around 5. That is if you can find your triggers and try to avoid them, (barometric changes, extreme cold, certain foods, etc...).

It's not progressive in like arthritis terms where actual damage is being done to your body. On the downside, exercise is extremely painful so alot of sufferers neglect to do any form of it and then you get athrophied muscles that break down which then allow for other problems to show up.

Susi & Cami

 

[meb0585]

Susi--

I dont know personally from experience where your coming from, but my boss has the same thing, and I see how she is.........she is constantly in pain....... misses a LOT of work, because she can't get out of bed. I just wanted to say sorry to hear that you have this horrible disease...........i know how bad she hurts............and it sucks that you can't do anything about it.

Mallory

 

[Cindy Creel]

Susi,

I am so sorry for you and this illness. It does sound awful. My mother had arthritis, and I know how much pain she has had. I hope and pray that you have better days than bad days. I pray that your husband can be a little more understanding.

Cindy

 

[debbievfr]

Susi
my heart goes out to you, I too suffer with alot of pain and people who have never experienced it before cannot understand. I to am tried of being tired and in pain which makes you more tired ARRRagh.
I smashed my leg up in a bike accident and the only thing i didn't break was my toes, do a job do it good.They managed to save my leg and although they said i wouldn't walk again i am.
The only good thing to come from this experience is my two muppets. Whilst in hospital at a horriable time my boyfriend and i agreed that when i could walk i could have a dog. I now have two 14 mth old boxer boys who keep me sane.
Don't let the pain grind you down and when it does lots of boxer cuddles and kisses usually helps me.

deb