Yes, I'm a fibromite. Now let's kick ass.
Common signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
•Widespread Pain
•Morning Stiffness
•Fatigue
Vision Problems
Nausea
•Sleep Disorders (Insomnia) Urinary and Pelvic Problems
•Weight Gain
•Dizziness
•Chronic Headaches
Cold Symptoms
•Temperomandibular Joint
Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ)
•Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity Syndromes
•"Fibrofog": Cognitive
or Memory Impairment
•Skin Complaints (Sensitive)
•Chest Symptoms
•Anxiety
•Depression
Dysmenorrhea
•Aggravating Factors
•Myofascial Pain
•Muscle Twitches
and Weakness
•Memory Loss:
•Weather Changes (Triggers)
•Intolerance for hot or cold
•The Menstrual Cycle (Extreme Pain)
• Troubles Breathing (Asthma, Crowded Mouth)
•=my symptoms
My story:
After years of unexplained pain, physical symptoms, fogginess and depression, I was FINALLY diagnosed with fibromyalgia about a month ago. Since then, I’ve had emotional ups and down - I was RELIEVED that finally, someone found SOMETHING with a name for how I was feeling and reminded me it wasn’t all in my head. However, I’m still curious of what this means and how my lifestyle has to change - so far it hasn’t been too bad, I’m on a sleep schedule.
As a kid, I was always unhealthy, I was in the hospital for at least two weeks at three-years old with a horrible bladder infection (fibro usually affects your bowels and bladder), struggled with asthma - I was in the emergency room almost every night for at least 1-2 years, spent two weeks in the hospital in an oxygen tent for pneumonia, spent several days in the hospital for an oxygen deficiency and eventually I almost lost my life from it - for some reason we could not control my breathing. (Fibromites often have asthma)
After a gymnastics injury on the uneven bars, at age 12, I hurt my back badly (so bad I quit the sport), twisted my ankle, overused my wrist and broke my toes once or twice. However, with the back injury, my fibro, I think, all started from there. As some of you may know, fibro usually starts from an injury, car accident, surgery or sickness - I’ve had all four so the doctors are REALLY unsure of what cause it LOL.
During my high school career, I had a great time but struggled inside from what I thought might be depression, which, as I know now, runs all through my dad’s family. In my family, at the time, depression was thought of to be a bad thing, I think, or at least I saw it that way - I was afraid my dad, who I must admit I always wanted him to “like me,” because he was away so long, would think I was “crazy.” So, I kept quiet, although my sister noticed I was very unstable - I would burst out in screaming fights with my mom and sister and then cry. I even wrote a letter to my sister, telling her I thought I had depression - I think she may have even told my mom that she thought I needed some kind of help, at least she told me she did. I didn’t do anything about it and silently (and sometimes not so silently) struggled.
I was in a car accident at 15 that cracked my ribs (which have healed with a small crack in between them, causing a cartilage growth). The accident made my back even worse, which I didn’t think was possible. I would lie on the floor and hope for a moment of release before the pain kicked back in. I took over-the-counter back pain medicine, prescribed muscle relaxers and anything on the shelf that I thought would help my back. Of course the doctors couldn’t find ANYTHING in the x-rays and MRIs -they told me the pain was psychosomatic, or all in my head. Anyone with fibro has heard that horrible phrase before, I am sure.
At 16, I had a near death experience - I had a horrific asthma attack that led me in an ambulance and Intensive Care Unit at UVA. My back and body felt the impact of all the instruments, breathing tubes and restraints for several weeks. Doctors rushed to find medicine that would really take care of my asthma.
While in college, at 19, I got the flu (for three weeks) - that seemed to unleash worse side effects than I was ready for - I was exhausted, sleeping 16 hours a day, I got acid reflux, IBS, went from a size 9 to a size 2 in a few months for no reason and my back still ached so badly I would cry a lot in pain. I remember calling my mom crying, knowing there was nothing she could do, but loving to hear her voice and imagine a big warm hug from her.
In college I still visited doctors and got no answers for the back pain, or now, the IBS and GERD. They sent me home with Metamucil and hoped for the best.
I got my wisdom teeth pulled when I was 20, still in college, and from the surgery, I developed TMJ (a common symptom of fibromyalgia) - it seemed that everything was piling up on me and yet doctors and family was telling me I was fine.
My depression worsened to the point that I was going to a behavioral counselor for being sad and anxious (she told me I was a sponge that takes other people’s problems and then finally explode). There I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder with depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the car accident, from which, thankfully, I've healed. I saw one doctor at Ft. Eustis and told her about my back pain, she said, “Often people with depression think they’re in pain.” - I was so angry and outraged, but more so disappointed and disheartened. I began to think, “maybe it is all in my head.” Within a few years, after college, I gained back the pounds (and then some!), even more, as the pain worsened it spread to all over my body - my chest, face, arms, knees, legs and feet.
I had three foot surgeries in 2007 (before diagnosis), two for tailor’s bunions and one sesamoidectomy - which seemed to set off even more pain, especially in my feet. I developed Restless Legs Syndrome after the surgeries. This impacted my sleep - I woke up with sore legs, feeling like I had run a marathon. My bad sleep kept me in bed for hours and I had to take naps after work.
When I went to a surgeon to have two more foot surgeries, implants for my flat feet - he said, “You know, I’m looking here at all your symptoms, and I think you have fibro, and me doing this surgery would only make it worse.” - well that was the first time that I had a name for my problems. I already knew what fibro was and had wondered if I had it - I had figured out, without a doctor’s opinion, that I probably had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, because of my symptoms, but I didn’t think I was severe enough for fibro. I had always called fibro “Chronic Fatigue with pain.”
Because ALL my doctors dismissed my problems and never connected the symptoms, I guessed I was okay. The surgeon’s suggested I go to a rheumatologist, so I did, and he FINALLY diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, at 25!!! Finally, I knew that my pain was recognized and that someone understood me. It was a great and bad day at the same time, because I knew I had a long journey ahead.
Since then, I have been to sleep specialist to help me sleep better: note: sleep mask, towel covering the crack at the bottom of the door, earplugs, nose strip and sound machine can do wonders. I have been given Lyrica to help my pain subside and take hot baths every night. I also go to a masseuse and chiropractor to keep me adjusted, less stressed and loose in my muscles - they are always tightening up and in pain. I am TRYING to adjust my diet (that’s probably the hardest part so far). I write in a journal to keep the stress away (which can make my condition worse) and I go yoga exercises at home (and I plan to use the YMCA facilities and classes). I also have been trying to get a few last days in the swimming pool to help with my muscle relaxing with little impact.
The most important healing has come from my church network. The peace I get within my heart when I heard His word and sing His praise is undeniable and indescribable. The people in my church, especially my choir, have been very supportive of me through the surgeries and now the diagnoses of fibro - they were some of the first people I let know, because their love and prayers have kept me strong. Lean on your closest friends and family and especially on Him, because He’s the true healer. The main problem I’ve had too is overworking myself. One day I may feel good enough to go out and have fun, which may cause the next day to be so exhausting that I feel as if I had lead weights attached to my body and I’m dragging them along.
The key to overcoming fibromyalgia is to remember balance - balanced diet, balanced work load, balanced physically and emotionally, balanced faith and balanced lifestyle. Keep yourself in balance and the fibromyalgia will never win.
I know this is a long story (sorry, I’m a reporter LOL), but I want to encourage everyone out there that feels the symptoms to FIND a doctor who will help you - I suffered for at least 10-15 years because no one would help me. My family still doesn’t understand the disease (since I was diagnosed recently) and seem to think I am over exaggerating or making up my symptoms. I hope that someday they can come to understand this confusing and debilitating disease. I know they will because love conquers everything, especially sickness.
Amy
•Widespread Pain
•Morning Stiffness
•Fatigue
Vision Problems
Nausea
•Sleep Disorders (Insomnia) Urinary and Pelvic Problems
•Weight Gain
•Dizziness
•Chronic Headaches
Cold Symptoms
•Temperomandibular Joint
Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ)
•Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity Syndromes
•"Fibrofog": Cognitive
or Memory Impairment
•Skin Complaints (Sensitive)
•Chest Symptoms
•Anxiety
•Depression
Dysmenorrhea
•Aggravating Factors
•Myofascial Pain
•Muscle Twitches
and Weakness
•Memory Loss:
•Weather Changes (Triggers)
•Intolerance for hot or cold
•The Menstrual Cycle (Extreme Pain)
• Troubles Breathing (Asthma, Crowded Mouth)
•=my symptoms
My story:
After years of unexplained pain, physical symptoms, fogginess and depression, I was FINALLY diagnosed with fibromyalgia about a month ago. Since then, I’ve had emotional ups and down - I was RELIEVED that finally, someone found SOMETHING with a name for how I was feeling and reminded me it wasn’t all in my head. However, I’m still curious of what this means and how my lifestyle has to change - so far it hasn’t been too bad, I’m on a sleep schedule.
As a kid, I was always unhealthy, I was in the hospital for at least two weeks at three-years old with a horrible bladder infection (fibro usually affects your bowels and bladder), struggled with asthma - I was in the emergency room almost every night for at least 1-2 years, spent two weeks in the hospital in an oxygen tent for pneumonia, spent several days in the hospital for an oxygen deficiency and eventually I almost lost my life from it - for some reason we could not control my breathing. (Fibromites often have asthma)
After a gymnastics injury on the uneven bars, at age 12, I hurt my back badly (so bad I quit the sport), twisted my ankle, overused my wrist and broke my toes once or twice. However, with the back injury, my fibro, I think, all started from there. As some of you may know, fibro usually starts from an injury, car accident, surgery or sickness - I’ve had all four so the doctors are REALLY unsure of what cause it LOL.
During my high school career, I had a great time but struggled inside from what I thought might be depression, which, as I know now, runs all through my dad’s family. In my family, at the time, depression was thought of to be a bad thing, I think, or at least I saw it that way - I was afraid my dad, who I must admit I always wanted him to “like me,” because he was away so long, would think I was “crazy.” So, I kept quiet, although my sister noticed I was very unstable - I would burst out in screaming fights with my mom and sister and then cry. I even wrote a letter to my sister, telling her I thought I had depression - I think she may have even told my mom that she thought I needed some kind of help, at least she told me she did. I didn’t do anything about it and silently (and sometimes not so silently) struggled.
I was in a car accident at 15 that cracked my ribs (which have healed with a small crack in between them, causing a cartilage growth). The accident made my back even worse, which I didn’t think was possible. I would lie on the floor and hope for a moment of release before the pain kicked back in. I took over-the-counter back pain medicine, prescribed muscle relaxers and anything on the shelf that I thought would help my back. Of course the doctors couldn’t find ANYTHING in the x-rays and MRIs -they told me the pain was psychosomatic, or all in my head. Anyone with fibro has heard that horrible phrase before, I am sure.
At 16, I had a near death experience - I had a horrific asthma attack that led me in an ambulance and Intensive Care Unit at UVA. My back and body felt the impact of all the instruments, breathing tubes and restraints for several weeks. Doctors rushed to find medicine that would really take care of my asthma.
While in college, at 19, I got the flu (for three weeks) - that seemed to unleash worse side effects than I was ready for - I was exhausted, sleeping 16 hours a day, I got acid reflux, IBS, went from a size 9 to a size 2 in a few months for no reason and my back still ached so badly I would cry a lot in pain. I remember calling my mom crying, knowing there was nothing she could do, but loving to hear her voice and imagine a big warm hug from her.
In college I still visited doctors and got no answers for the back pain, or now, the IBS and GERD. They sent me home with Metamucil and hoped for the best.
I got my wisdom teeth pulled when I was 20, still in college, and from the surgery, I developed TMJ (a common symptom of fibromyalgia) - it seemed that everything was piling up on me and yet doctors and family was telling me I was fine.
My depression worsened to the point that I was going to a behavioral counselor for being sad and anxious (she told me I was a sponge that takes other people’s problems and then finally explode). There I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder with depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the car accident, from which, thankfully, I've healed. I saw one doctor at Ft. Eustis and told her about my back pain, she said, “Often people with depression think they’re in pain.” - I was so angry and outraged, but more so disappointed and disheartened. I began to think, “maybe it is all in my head.” Within a few years, after college, I gained back the pounds (and then some!), even more, as the pain worsened it spread to all over my body - my chest, face, arms, knees, legs and feet.
I had three foot surgeries in 2007 (before diagnosis), two for tailor’s bunions and one sesamoidectomy - which seemed to set off even more pain, especially in my feet. I developed Restless Legs Syndrome after the surgeries. This impacted my sleep - I woke up with sore legs, feeling like I had run a marathon. My bad sleep kept me in bed for hours and I had to take naps after work.
When I went to a surgeon to have two more foot surgeries, implants for my flat feet - he said, “You know, I’m looking here at all your symptoms, and I think you have fibro, and me doing this surgery would only make it worse.” - well that was the first time that I had a name for my problems. I already knew what fibro was and had wondered if I had it - I had figured out, without a doctor’s opinion, that I probably had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, because of my symptoms, but I didn’t think I was severe enough for fibro. I had always called fibro “Chronic Fatigue with pain.”
Because ALL my doctors dismissed my problems and never connected the symptoms, I guessed I was okay. The surgeon’s suggested I go to a rheumatologist, so I did, and he FINALLY diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, at 25!!! Finally, I knew that my pain was recognized and that someone understood me. It was a great and bad day at the same time, because I knew I had a long journey ahead.
Since then, I have been to sleep specialist to help me sleep better: note: sleep mask, towel covering the crack at the bottom of the door, earplugs, nose strip and sound machine can do wonders. I have been given Lyrica to help my pain subside and take hot baths every night. I also go to a masseuse and chiropractor to keep me adjusted, less stressed and loose in my muscles - they are always tightening up and in pain. I am TRYING to adjust my diet (that’s probably the hardest part so far). I write in a journal to keep the stress away (which can make my condition worse) and I go yoga exercises at home (and I plan to use the YMCA facilities and classes). I also have been trying to get a few last days in the swimming pool to help with my muscle relaxing with little impact.
The most important healing has come from my church network. The peace I get within my heart when I heard His word and sing His praise is undeniable and indescribable. The people in my church, especially my choir, have been very supportive of me through the surgeries and now the diagnoses of fibro - they were some of the first people I let know, because their love and prayers have kept me strong. Lean on your closest friends and family and especially on Him, because He’s the true healer. The main problem I’ve had too is overworking myself. One day I may feel good enough to go out and have fun, which may cause the next day to be so exhausting that I feel as if I had lead weights attached to my body and I’m dragging them along.
The key to overcoming fibromyalgia is to remember balance - balanced diet, balanced work load, balanced physically and emotionally, balanced faith and balanced lifestyle. Keep yourself in balance and the fibromyalgia will never win.
I know this is a long story (sorry, I’m a reporter LOL), but I want to encourage everyone out there that feels the symptoms to FIND a doctor who will help you - I suffered for at least 10-15 years because no one would help me. My family still doesn’t understand the disease (since I was diagnosed recently) and seem to think I am over exaggerating or making up my symptoms. I hope that someday they can come to understand this confusing and debilitating disease. I know they will because love conquers everything, especially sickness.
Amy