Does anyone experience SAD who also has fibro? How does it affect you? I have both and I notice that every winter, just after Christmas, my knees act up. Almost to the point of needing crutches.

This happened last year and cleared up in April. I had my knee checked and nothing was found. Again, this year, January 1, my other knee started hurting and now I am in the same place as last year, just a different knee.

The previous year, I had to stop walking and exercising because my hip and lower abdomen were hurting, and previous to that it was my heel.

In addition, I feel lethargic and unmotivated which also leads to weight gain which leads to depression. Happens every winter. I have every ache imaginable and in the summer months, I just ignore these and go on.

BTW, I live in the midwest which doesn't have much sunshine.

I also live in the midwest and hate these miserable winters. I've always gotten depressed in the winter, but it has gotten worse since having children (feeling couped up on cold days). I started feeling bad in November and was diagnosed with FMS in December. My legs ache, feel weak and twitch/vibrate. I love the sun and being warm, :cool: so I'm curious to see if I will feel better in the summer. I just ordered a light therapy box, but it hasn't arrived yet (I'm hoping it will help). I'm trying to avoid medications.

I know what you mean by the legs being weak. I also know what you mean by being couped up in the house with children. Mine are grown now but I can remember the feeling of "what am I going to do with them now? I just want to sleep." It passes all too quickly. I'm sure that you hear that phrase a million times. I did and did not think that was possible. Now, that they are gone, I wish that I could keep them couped up. Oh well, sometimes life is not fair.

I hope your lightbox arrives soon.

I also live in the midwest and hate these miserable winters. I've always gotten depressed in the winter, but it has gotten worse since having children (feeling couped up on cold days). I started feeling bad in November and was diagnosed with FMS in December. My legs ache, feel weak and twitch/vibrate. I love the sun and being warm, :cool: so I'm curious to see if I will feel better in the summer. I just ordered a light therapy box, but it hasn't arrived yet (I'm hoping it will help). I'm trying to avoid medications.


What is a light therapy box?

Hi TW
Yes I get more depressed in the winter. The only thing I don`t understand is I live in the deep south where last week it was 80. Today ist 57. We have alotta sunshine days so I don`t think light therapy would help me. I`m to the point I really don`t want to go anywhere or do anything in the house. I do still work 3 days a week but on the other 4 days I have to rest. My kids are grown and gone and i`m like the other poster said sometime i wish i had them back. I would make myself get up amd out more. I did try the patch along with other meds but I don`t really get any relief.I have 2 sr one believes in fibro the other doesn`t so that at odds on the meds i should be on. I did go to a pain clinic that didn`t work out at all. Was just to many dr involved. When none of them can agree I just remove myself and go to the one that has to take care of my diabetes and b/p and just hope he will know i`m in pain and help. I do not like all the meds and some times think they hurt more then they help. Well good luck to you. I`m going to Colorado in a few weeks and looking foward to cold and snow,lol. But I can come back to the heat of the south in 2 weeks..............jb

It's a light that you sit in front of for an hour or two every day (you can read or surf the net, etc, while sitting there). It should emit 10,000 Lux of broad spectrum light (one lux is equivalent to a candle flame). It is supposed to trick the brain into thinking it's sunny (therefore releasing serotonin, and changing our biological clocks, moods, pain receptors, etc.). It doesn't emit any UV, so there's no risk of cancer. Research reports that it must be used everyday for it to remain beneficial, but a person will notice the effects in about a week. You can easily find information on google if you look up seasonal depression or light therapy boxes. I found mine on Amazon. A friend of a friend sits in front of one every morning while he eats his breakfast and reads the paper and he feels much better (he's bipolar). I figure it can't hurt to try it...I always notice that I am happier and more energetic on sunny days.

It's a light that you sit in front of for an hour or two every day (you can read or surf the net, etc, while sitting there). It should emit 10,000 Lux of broad spectrum light (one lux is equivalent to a candle flame). It is supposed to trick the brain into thinking it's sunny (therefore releasing serotonin, and changing our biological clocks, moods, pain receptors, etc.). It doesn't emit any UV, so there's no risk of cancer. Research reports that it must be used everyday for it to remain beneficial, but a person will notice the effects in about a week. You can easily find information on google if you look up seasonal depression or light therapy boxes. I found mine on Amazon. A friend of a friend sits in front of one every morning while he eats his breakfast and reads the paper and he feels much better (he's bipolar). I figure it can't hurt to try it...I always notice that I am happier and more energetic on sunny days.


Awesome... thanks!!

Does anyone experience SAD who also has fibro? How does it affect you? I have both and I notice that every winter, just after Christmas, my knees act up. Almost to the point of needing crutches.

This happened last year and cleared up in April. I had my knee checked and nothing was found. Again, this year, January 1, my other knee started hurting and now I am in the same place as last year, just a different knee.

The previous year, I had to stop walking and exercising because my hip and lower abdomen were hurting, and previous to that it was my heel.

In addition, I feel lethargic and unmotivated which also leads to weight gain which leads to depression. Happens every winter. I have every ache imaginable and in the summer months, I just ignore these and go on.

BTW, I live in the midwest which doesn't have much sunshine.

I live in Scandinavia and we don't have sun for most of the winter (5 hours best depending). It's usually cloudy/rainy/depressing :D I'm from Southern USA so I'm used to sunlight all the time! I have SAD and it would say it affects my fibro.

I always go out in the sunshine. Even if I don't walk I go and stare at it whenever we have some :) lol I take 1000 mg of fish oil (cholestrol free) and 400 I.U. of vitamin D. Plus lots of chocolate :angel: :) lol It helped a bunch! Last winter I had a mental breakdown from too many seizures and lack of essential vitamins. Wasn't my happiest time. I'm much better off this winter with the supplements.

We have tile floors up here (blah) and I wear slippers to stop the cold from going to my legs/knees. I miss carpet :eek: :) lol My fibro has kicked majorly this year so I'm more achy. I swear the fish oil helps my joints a bunch. I don't ache so bad when I take it every other day and stretch too.

A high carb diet is recommended..you get so tired you don't notice you're depressed :D

I hope this helps and I hope you get feeling better! :wave:
Kat

Hi, I'm new here and haven't been diagnosed. I just have pain in my hips and very tight calve muscles. No one wants to believe me because all blood tests are normal. I get leg cramps at night and take flexeril, not sure anything is working. Do I start with a rheumatolgist??? One Dr. wants me to go to a pain clinic, but I don't even know what's wrong...Its been over a month now.