Hello everyone im new to the group here. I was recently diagnosed
with fibromyalgia. Im 33 years old. Female in washington state.I had
had a bad virus a few years ago that had developed into a ring worm.
They said it was a parasite that lived in the lining of my stomach
muscles. I was really sick at the time throwing up sometimes over
12 times a day. I was treated with alot of antibiodies and the ring
worm also cleared up. Since then i have always been sickly.

Now im always hurting. I hurt really bad in my back,neck shoulders.
Sometimes i can feel it in my knees pretty severly. I have gone
through specialist after specialist. whenever i get lab work done I
always show way too many white blood cells. They thought i had
Fibromyalgia but the specialist they send me to did not really do
much of nothing. He looked at me and said i was too young etc. He
basically said I had to loose about 100 pounds which would put me at
80 pounds lol. I thought he was just ridiculouse. He also said i was
way to flexible. Guess im a flexible fat person then.

I asked my doctor to send me for a second opinion and am waiting.
She believes i do have fibromyalgia and i show almost all the signs
of it. I wake up and just hurt. I hurt all the time. Things i used
to take for granted like being able to walk miles at a time now i
miss. No one seems to understand. I hear "dont think about it" how
are you not suppose to when you are always in pain?

Im told to take tylenol,advil,naproxen, for now to just relieve some
of it. I was also told to learn to live with it becuase it never
really does go away. My biggest problem is that I am always
exhausted at this point. I walk my child back and forth to school
and exercise on a treadmill. I have also begun to loose weight and
am really watching what im eating.

why dont folks understand that there really is something wrong with
me. Folks say oh its no big deal people can work full time etc. I
have problems just coming down the stairs. I cant sit or stand for
too long and have restless nights trying to get comfortable enough
to sleep. I hate when folks tell me its all in my head. I say no It
seems to be in my bones. They simply hurt. Its not my fault im
too "young" to be sick. How do you guys handle the pain>?

Oceana

Welcome to the boards! Glad you wrote. I know you must be frustrated with the pain & just feeling crappy - having people look at you and say well you look fine just suck it up stinks. Been there done that. Fibro is hard as you do look "normal" on the outside but, your insides feel 20+ years older than you are. The pain is difficult to deal with but, I do try to manage it with Eleve (Naproxen) as much as possible - good nutrition - lots of water & sleep aids. The keys I've found are stretching daily & getting into a good water physical therapy program. I know it sounds insane since you are in pain already but, this helps you to feel better & sleep better. The benefits for me were huge.

Do make sure you have a doctor that believes in you & Fibro it's key. (Sounds like this newer one is better). Most of us spend years trying to get a diagnosis & see doctor after doctor that say well there's nothing we can do - learn to live with it. That's not good enough. For me I found that with the constant fatigue & cognitive issues that working was simply "not working". I couldn't remember the simpliest things & was so fatigued/pained that do anything was a struggle. When I wasn't working I was at home trying to recover - weekends were spent doing just trying to recover. Functioning was difficult. We all deserve better than that. As that is not living just existing.

I noticed you said you lived in Washington State. There is a "Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers" located there which might be worth looking into. Personally I haven't used one since there is not one near me but, there have been multiple people who post who have. Also there are quite a few places in Seattle that also specialize in Fibro including a few Unviersities. All of which are really supportive & are using the latest techniques/strategies out there.

Keep us posted on how you are doing & know that you are not alone. It will get better & you will get better. God Bless. :wave:

Hi there, welcome :wave:

I empathize with you when you talk about how people poo-poo your having Fibro. I have had Fibro for 11 years and still come across people who say that I look fine and how could anything be wrong.

I had to stop working since I was getting to the point where I was afraid I would make a mistake. I also got to the point where physically I could not do it. Luckily, I was able to get disability.

As Sunshine said, having a doctor who believes you have Fibro is very important. Hang on to the doc who believes you have fibro and is sending you to different specialists. It never ceases to amaze me how so many doctors lack a good bedside manner. Try not to take it to heart.

There is no age limit on getting Fibro, IMO..People will also say things such as it is in your head...it is hard to hear and I know it hurts. There are a lot of people that unless they see something concrete they believe there is nothing wrong. If you hurt, you hurt.

Why is your blood count off? I would definitely try to get to the bottom of that.

When it comes to dealing with the pain, there are different ways since Fibro is not the same for every person. There is physical therapy, exercise and other things. Meds can be a tremendous help. It sounds like you are trying to keep up with the way you exercised before which is a good thing. However, it is hard when you are exhausted and in pain. So don't beat yourself up and be to hard on yourself for not being able to do what you used to.

Keep searching for the right doc and try not to let those that do not know get to you when they say it is in your head. By now I am immune to it since I have had it for so long. Remember, fibro does not mean your life will never be the same. Everyone is different.

You have a great sense of humor. :D This is a major plus in dealing with any illness.

Hang in there. Let us know how you are doing.

Peace and love, Hangin

Hi! I'm new too! Joined yesterday. I have always been so bubbly and active most of my life, whether I hurt or not, people truly don't understand how badly I hurt inside. I'm known for being energetic. Well, not so much anymore or at least I try not to complain. Find a good doctor #1. I would question the white cell count though. They can help relieve some of the pain. It won't ever all go away. And exercise. I've always been an advid exerciser, but now I walk and do Yoga. The breathing and stretching really helps. Keep a good attititude. It's everything. :)

Hello everyone,
I am so glad I found this board. I have been suffering since november 2004. I have pain everywhere and this month (november 2005) I went again to my doctor and told I simply couldn't keep on living like this. She just doesn't know what to do with me and refuses to give me a medical certificate so I can stay home and relax.

Well, last week i went to see her again and again all she says is I don't know what is wrong with you. I have been taking anti-inflammatory pills for a year and yes it helps but not that much.

Well, after I left the doctor's office last week I went home and boy did I suffer. For four straight days, i was in bed not able to do a single thing without suffering tremendously from muscle spasms, etc. I wanted to die.

I've been back at work for two days and last night I had to go to bed the minute I walked in the house. I was in so much pain I could hardly breathe. so this morning I called my doctor again and pleaded to see her. I got an appointment for tomorrow am and I hope to god she gives me a medical certificate so I can stay home a few days.

I've also had friends do research for me on the Internet and everything thatt was downloaded on fibromyalagie is exactly what I have. Exactly! I will bring all this information to see my family doctor tomorrow. She has already referred me to a specialist whom I am only able to see on January 31. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO IN THE MEAN TIME!!!

I've met someone who has fibromyalagie and she takes natural products that contain Zinc, Vitamin C, etc. etc. and it has helped her alot. These products were concocted by an american doctor by the name of Ray Strand. His wife suffered tremendously of fibro and these products are helping her.

I am suppose to receive these products today. It takes about a week for the effect to be felt. I can't wait.

In the meantime, I hardly do anything. I have trouble holding a book.

I have slowly begun to use my treadmill at home. I have been really fighting naps..has anyone ever tried a product called sea silver? for the last 2 days i have taken it and feel more energetic. I used to take it before and found an unopened bottle in my cabinet and said what the hay might as well and i dont feel as tired any more. The pain is still there but something in the product seems to make me personally feel a little better. Before when i took it i was always so active..id clean house,clean the yard,take care of my god children and still had the energy to go go go...

I really dont know why my white blood count is high. No one has been able to tell me for the last 5 years. :confused: I went to a specialist who was a complete moran. I asked my doctor to send me for a second opinion somewhere else. Im waiting on the referral. Someone said there was a good fibro clinic here in washington state..does any one know where it is located at?

I wish i did know what was up with my blood work. The first time it happened my doctor freaked and had me go back for more..he thought it was some sort of lab mistake since he said there was no way it could be so high. :eek: ..and then it came back the same. Ever since then the doctors just tell me..you must feel like crap. Your blood work shows you are fighting something severe..we are afraid to give you anything becuase clearly it is fighting it..the only problem is that it takes everything to fight off whatever it is that the common cold really hits me and wham im down with pnemonia. I guess im just sickly at this point. hopefully the new doc will have more answers then i dont know..

Hello everyone,
I am so glad I found this board. I have been suffering since november 2004. I have pain everywhere and this month (november 2005) I went again to my doctor and told I simply couldn't keep on living like this. She just doesn't know what to do with me and refuses to give me a medical certificate so I can stay home and relax.

Well, last week i went to see her again and again all she says is I don't know what is wrong with you. I have been taking anti-inflammatory pills for a year and yes it helps but not that much.

Well, after I left the doctor's office last week I went home and boy did I suffer. For four straight days, i was in bed not able to do a single thing without suffering tremendously from muscle spasms, etc. I wanted to die.

I've been back at work for two days and last night I had to go to bed the minute I walked in the house. I was in so much pain I could hardly breathe. so this morning I called my doctor again and pleaded to see her. I got an appointment for tomorrow am and I hope to god she gives me a medical certificate so I can stay home a few days.

I've also had friends do research for me on the Internet and everything thatt was downloaded on fibromyalagie is exactly what I have. Exactly! I will bring all this information to see my family doctor tomorrow. She has already referred me to a specialist whom I am only able to see on January 31. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO IN THE MEAN TIME!!!

I've met someone who has fibromyalagie and she takes natural products that contain Zinc, Vitamin C, etc. etc. and it has helped her alot. These products were concocted by an american doctor by the name of Ray Strand. His wife suffered tremendously of fibro and these products are helping her.

I am suppose to receive these products today. It takes about a week for the effect to be felt. I can't wait.

In the meantime, I hardly do anything. I have trouble holding a book.


you know hun I think the majority of us suffer with ignorant doctors. I call my doctor all the time and she tells me the same thing. she just does not know what to do with me. She gave me a pain med that did not work at all and i did not like what i read up on it..so i stopped taking it. she looks at me half the time like im nuts. I guess somewhere she wonders if it is all real pain or if it is all in my head. I say this becuase im on antidepressants for ocd and i guess she thinks im just being obsessive. Trust me I am suffering real pain and it is not in my head. I got sent to a specialist who spoke to me for just a few minutes and just told me that he had no diagnoses for me. He also said that may be a good thing. I guess they are all concerned that becuase my blood work shows such imflammed high levels of white blood cells..it could end up being something seriouse.

I dont want to think of that..my mom has had cancer and we have a long history of it. I get checked every year and so far im always good. Thank GOD! anyhow im sick of tired of being treated like im an idiot for being in pain. Yet so many doctors still dont understand fibromyalgia. Im in housing and have to put in 8 hours of community service a month. I cant becuase i dont feel well enough. I spoke to my doctor about it and she just said for me to find community service to do at home and that is about the help she is ginv me..giving me a letter saying i cant do it outside of the house becuase of the fibro.

I do alot of leg keeping at night. My husband was saying he saw that leg kicking runs in alot of folks with fibro. Guess it happends when we sleep. It is suppose to be dangerouse or something and we are suppose to tell our doctors about it. Im finding a new doctor soon. I have also had to file for disability at this point based on alot of medical stuff.

really hang in there hun. I think once people get more informed they will understand more about the disease and treat it and us with the respect that is needed.

I found the link and statement. My husband says i kick alot during the night. I jerk all the time and he has wondered if i have had seizures...i did not really think of it all this time until he has brought it up again tonight...he says i have done t hat for a long time. He says at least over 2 years now. I guess it explains why im so tired in the morning. Im going to talk to my doctor about this.
Here is the statement from the website.


Treat other sleep disorders
Several other sleep disorders besides insomnia may aggravate fibromyalgia. Almost half of men with fibromyalgia and some women have obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition the patient snores loudly and has periodic pauses in breathing after which he starts breathing again with a snort. Periodic limb movements of sleep is a condition in which patients jerk or kick every 30 to 90 seconds for long periods during the night and is also frequent in FMS. Patients may be completely unaware of either of these conditions until the spouse complains. Not only will it be difficult to get fibromyalgia symptoms to improve without treating other sleep disorders, but if sleep apnea is left untreated it may lead to injury or even premature death. Be sure to tell your physician about these problems if you notice them.

wow guys i am having a good day today! it is wierd i have not had a good day in so long i did not realize i was today LOL. ;) My husband looked at me and said today boy you sure have alot of energy. I was like what do u mean? :confused: He is like you have done alot of work im like why? and i turned around and heck yeah! :jester: I cleaned my whole house. Hung up pictures on the wall. Put curtains up(we just moved) cleaned out the closets and boy everything looks great. Then i stopped and really thought about it. im not hurting so bad today :bouncing: . I think that is why ..so this must be on of the good days i hear everyone talk about. I have been taking my seasliver though. That stuff always gives me so much energy. Now im off to do dishes while laundry gets done and heck i might even bake some fresh rolls why not. The sun is out and i feel great. I want so share this feeling with you guys. I hope tommorrow is YOUR great day! :wave:

do you all want a good laugh?get this the phone just rang ok and it was the same specilaist office i got sent to last time. My doctor was suppose to send me for a second opinion so she is sending me to the SAME PLACE!!! :eek: what a MORON i tell you guys some folks are not too bright you know what i mean.I am going to go to another doctor i heard about that is suppose to be really good. But tell you guys we need more doctors that know w hat they are doing!