Hello all. I wanted to present you guys, who seem more knowledgable than my doctor, with my case and see if anyone can produce some answers. I am becoming very frustrated! :o I suffer from IBS, I was DX'd 2 years ago after many abdominal issues and anxiety problems. Around the same time I was diagnosed, I started to wake up once or twice a month with an achey body. The aches usually occurred in my shins, ankles, wrists, shoulders, and btwn. my shoulder blades. I would usually call in to work or skip school b/c the pain was so bad. I felt restless, like if I shook my legs or arms around the pain would get better, except it didn't. For about the past month, or month and a half, this pain has become constant, on a day-to-day basis. It has also become worse, as has my IBS, which flares up almost every day. My wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, shins, everything seems to ache. It has become so bad that it hurts to the touch. Moving my hands around to type even sends pain shooting from the wrist to the elbow. The pain occurs on both sides. I have always had trouble sleeping, taking a long time to fall asleep and waking up often. Now I find myself waking up with a throbbing pain in one part of my body, such as my wrist or hip. This happens every few nights. When I do sleep, I dream active, intense dreams, and wake up sweaty and ill-rested. I suffer through my days aching and extremely tired. I even nod off on my breaks at work, that is if I make it to work!! :rolleyes: I have been bruising extremely easily lately as well. (not sure if that might be related). I suffer from extremely painful menstrual cycles, with more achey and diarrhea flare-ups around 2 weeks of my cycle. (before and during). sometimes it feels as if my pelvis is becoming inflamed. If anyone can offer some answers or suggestions, please do so. i am becoming depressed wondering what is wrong with me. when i saw my regular doctor he dismissed the idea of FMS without really supplying me with info or asking any questions. instead he tested me for lyme and mono. please help me figure out what is going on!! :confused:

shortthing,

Fibro is one of those illnesses where the doctor will rule out alot of other illnesses before he would diagnose you with it. If you roam around this site enough, you will come across a post titled "The List". This list has a complete list of symptoms for Fibro sufferers. Let the doctor test you for these problems first, then print out the list and take it in to see him.

You experience everything I have, having fibro...including the menstrual problems etc. Mine have killed me on and off for years. IBS is a major drag, since I have the IBS-C, all the time. I'm flaring right now and I'm SICK of it.

Another associated illness of Fibro is RLS. Restless Leg Syndrome. Look it up on the internet or here, on this website. There is a discussion group also with lots of info.

Good luck on your journey, post alot, ask questions, that's the only way to find out what you need to know. Sorry, if you do have it, I wouldn't wish this illness on anyone.

Gina

Hi! thanks for the reply. i found the list and read it. i don't have all of the symptoms, but i do have a lot of them. if all of my tests come back negative, then i will have to print it out and bring it in to my doctor. i am just getting fed up with the pain. i was sitting in my car a few moments ago and went to rest my forearm on the steering wheel. when i did so i drew back in pain! i also, of course, had to rush on my 10 minute drive home b/c i knew i was about to have an IBS flare-up that would include, gross, diarrhea! grrrr i'm so frustrated!! thanks for the advice and support!!
Annie

Hi,

I feel the same way and right now I want to scream and bawl my head off. My husband tries to be understanding and says what can I do to help, then when I need a little thing done I can't get the help. I could hardly drive or even bring a fork to my mouth without hurting. I don't even want to go to bed because I can't sleep. I usually don't get this depressed and complain that much, but for some reason I just can't stand it!!!!!!!!!!! I will say a prayer for you tonight too, we all need alot of it.

yeah it's horrible i know how you feel! i was sitting on the couch watching tv, and i couldn't get comfortable b/c of the pain! resting anything on any surface killed.....i am going to sleep now, if i can. took some painkillers so should be able to.....

Hi Newbies,

I just wanted to say I'm sorry you're going through all the pain. It's tough getting diagnosed, explaining to your fmaily and trying to learn to live with it when you're not even sure yet what you're dealing with. Everything Gina said about the list and getting diagnosed is right on. If your doctor rules out everything adn still doesn't want to pursue fibro you might have to find another PCP. Not all doctors believe fibro is real, but it is. Check out the website for the Wa** Stre$$ Journ**. There was an article around the 3rd or 4th this month about fibro and it's possible cause or root and new treatments.

Just like Gina I experience all of what you're going through. Yes isn't it fun to hall $$$ down the road because you are sure you will poop your pants. I had two surgeries which damaged my sphincter muscle as well two years ago so I have a double whammy. They sent me to a gastro dude who was useless other than giving me a colonoscopy to rule out Chrohn's Disease. I told him I was on codeine for pain and he said "well that's the best thing I can give you to constipate you". Guess what doc, IT'S NOT WORKING!

You've come to the right place for support and information. I found this board a few months ago and it has saved my sanity, self esteem and improved my quality of life.

I've had fibro since 1992 but it didn't get severe and disabling until two years ago.

Hang in there and rest when you can. When I have that soreness and the I can't get comfortable feeling sometimes a cool/tepid bath will help take the burn and acheing out of my skin enough so that I can get comfortable to rest.

Much Love - Andy

Hey thanks for the reply. Yeah I am just patiently waiting for all of my test results to come back.....i've had most of the tests done before, in fact i've probably had every blood test ever it seems.....to try to get to the root of my stomach and pain problems. when you first started experiencing symptoms of FMS, was it a gradual onset? like i said, i've been experiencing the aches, pains, and IBS for two years, but the aches and pains have been on and off until now. they still aren't severe or too limiting, but it sure does drive me crazy. especially with the IBS! i work in a nursing home and find myself going into the bathroom for 15 minutes at a time, and feeling embarrassed when i come out. of course i don't want to explain to anyone at work what is going on. i'm worried if i am finally diagnosed with fibro, i will have to explain that to them....grrrr....well thanks for the reply and keep them coming!! i'd like to know as much as possible about everyon'es early symptoms of FMS!! thanks!!