Hi Everyone,

I just joined. I found this board last night and have been reading some of the posts. I have been wondering if I might be getting Fibro. Can this be something that you can get gradually over the years or is it more sudden? I don't want to go to the Dr. and run up a bill so thought I would ask some questions here. A little back ground of my symptoms. For several years I have had problems with low back pain and an MRI in 99 did not show anything. The last few months it seems like it has been worse. The achiness is spreading. Sometimes is feels like I ache all over from my neck down to my feet. I don't have alot of energy and also tend to take it easy cause if I over do it with stretching and lifting then my lower back flares up. I have had chronic headaches most of my life which probably don't have anything to do with this. EVery day I have a pain some where in my head. Most of the time not that bad. Sorry this sounds like such a downer of post. I am just trying to share what I am feeling to see if anyone knows or thinks if this possibly could be the starting of fibro. It could just be the back thing is now causing the achiness to spread. Thanks for any help or input.

Panndy1

Hi Panndy,

Welcome to the board. What about an MRI of your neck? If it's just spreading in the back area, it could just be a back problem that they missed.
Look for the post called " The List" and see if you have anymore symptoms besides the back pain. Check it out and talk to your Dr. about seeing a rheumatologist.
Any kind of pain that hangs around for a length of time is bound to get anyone depressed.

Good Luck and Hang in there.
Chris

Thanks Chris for the information. I appreciate it.

Panndy

Hi Panny, Welcome, I have had neck and back MRI'S, I do have cervical disc herniations, but my lower back was fine, I also get a lot of lower back pain which goes down my right leg with burning pain and foot numbness. I do not think either of these problems cause all over bady and achiness nor fatigue. You need to get a diagnoses.

Lots of luck and welcome, Linda

Linda,

Thanks for the nice welcome and replying to my post. My right leg bothers me alot too and I get pain behind my knee. A friend had mentioned sciatica. I don't think that is it. I was just wondering can Fibro. come on gradually before it gets bad? I imagine it affects each person differently. Maybe later will go get checked out. Right not I don't want to be running up Dr. bills. Thanks again for your help.

Peggy

Hi Peggy, Welcome and sorry you are suffering. I had mild fibro for years that made me sore, achy and tired but didn't prevent me from doing things. Then two years ago I got whammied after several traumas with acute fibro. Some people never have it or notice it and then wake up one day really blasted with it. It's different for everybody. Lots of causes and lots of treatments.

You definitely need more doctor input because it could be lots of things.

Let us know what you find out or if you have any questions. We're always here.

Andy

Andy,

Thanks alot for the input. I appreciate that. I had wondered if it could start out gradual or not. Possibly that could be what is going on or might be something else and just related to my lower back pain. I will keep and eye on it. Thanks again.

Peggy

Hi Everyone,

Andy had said to let you know what I found out. I gave in and went and had a physical this morning. I took a list of Fibro symptoms that I got off the net and underlined ones that applied to me. Also had the body diagram with spots circled that have been hurting. He checked me and asked alot of questions. He came to the conclusion that I more than likely do have Fibro. I said what is the percantage and he said about 80%. That just kind of confirms what I have been suspecting for awhile. He prescribed a muscle relaxant which is the generic for Flexeril. Just wondering if that has helped anyone? I have been told that it makes you drowsy. He said to take it at bedtime. Another thing he said is stretching and getting some exercise. That is going to be the hard part. He said in time that could help. That's all I know right now.

Peggy

When my shoulder was at it's worst, I was taking naproxen, with skelaxin added. PT was not helping either as there was too much inflamation. For whatever reason, I decided to add glucosamine chondroitin. At that point, it took all three to make a difference.

After that my PT consisted of very gentle strengthening exercise. A lot of pain can come from our skeletal muscles becoming flabby and not providing the support needed. One big problem with PT is that the therapist often does not understand that gentle is required. The last PT course, I had to change therapist since he did not seem to grasp what needed strengthening and how.
My lower back has been bothering me for years now. Sometimes even the shoes we wear can make a difference in the lower back. For me, the more cushioning in the heel the better.
It does sound like you have fibro, and that can cause a lot of your symptoms. Treatment usually consists of trial and error.

Alice

Alice,

Thanks alot for your reply. Sorry for not answering sooner but was gone. It is interesting that you would mention Glucosamine. I had thought about that too recently. I have heard of it for years but never gotten it cause it seemed so expensive. Do you have any brand that you recommend or a good place to buy it that might not be as expsensive? I won't be going to a P.T. since our insurance doesn't pay for it. So am kind of on my own there. I am thinking of walking a bit. Also the Dr. mentioned stretching exercises. The nurse was talking about lifting soup cans to strengthen my arms. At this point I am leery of doing anything for fear of making things worse. I know I have to, I guess. I am going to start my new medicine this evening. That always makes me nervous too taking something new. I hope it helps. Thanks again for your help. I appreciate that cause this is all new to me.

Peggy