duddlebug
07-16-2001, 12:55 AM
I have FMS in all eighteen tender points, I did not get this until a car wreck i had a little over a year ago, can someone tell me what is good for the pain, and for getting some rest at night, each day i face i have to deal with something new.
Thank you for your help
duddlebug
------------------
Sharon
Thank you for your help
duddlebug
------------------
Sharon
Sponsor
Caring
07-16-2001, 01:03 AM
Wow Sharon,
You sound like me. I have developed a condition similar to Fibromyalgia (still waiting for official diagnosis) after having been in a Motor Vehicle Accident. Question, did your car have airbags? What types of injuries did you sustain?
These can be contributing factors. I will explain the rest later, but would really like to know more details.
Hope you found a good doctor who is helping you. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Caring
[This message has been edited by Caring (edited 07-16-2001).]
You sound like me. I have developed a condition similar to Fibromyalgia (still waiting for official diagnosis) after having been in a Motor Vehicle Accident. Question, did your car have airbags? What types of injuries did you sustain?
These can be contributing factors. I will explain the rest later, but would really like to know more details.
Hope you found a good doctor who is helping you. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Caring
[This message has been edited by Caring (edited 07-16-2001).]
kraypm
07-16-2001, 06:28 PM
Hi there!
I have done a lot of reading on FMS..Mine came out of nowhere last Dec., and I wasn't firmly diagnosed til March. From what I've read, the onset of FMS can result from physical or emotional trauma, and not necessarily immediately following the trauma, either. It could be a very long time after. I lost both of my parents the year before, and I've always wondered.......?
Hugs from Houston,
Karen
I have done a lot of reading on FMS..Mine came out of nowhere last Dec., and I wasn't firmly diagnosed til March. From what I've read, the onset of FMS can result from physical or emotional trauma, and not necessarily immediately following the trauma, either. It could be a very long time after. I lost both of my parents the year before, and I've always wondered.......?
Hugs from Houston,
Karen
lj-111
07-17-2001, 06:20 AM
There is no proof that FM is caused or even aggrivated by physical or emotional trauma. On the same token, there is no proof of any thing about FM.
It could be from any thing. I have my own personal suspicions of what causes it though. I know some people who have never been traumatized physical or emotionally or ever been sick from any thing before and they have horrible cases of FM.. This illness is not prejudiced.. It hates every body and can attack any body from any where or walk of life. What you need to do is to keep searching like us, for any possible underlying reasons for your symptoms and you may find out that it something curable or at least controllable. Don't give up until you have exhausted all investigating!! Please.. As long as you have insurance or can afford it, keep SEARCHING!! In the meantime, Ultram, Vicodin, Lorcet etc. are pretty good for treating pain for the most part. Ultram may be easier to get due to he fact it is not yet a controlled drug in the Narcotics class. Vioxx 50mg is a good anti inti-inflammatory/analgesic to take in combination with Ultram and/or other pain meds as it is not just for arthritis. Some people say that antidepressants such as; Effexir, Prozac, Zoloft and others, are a great help to them. Others say they make them worse and for me, it makes my pain really bad and gives me symptoms of anxiety, as I am one of those people who have a reverse allergic reaction, meaning I get all the symptoms that antidepressants are supposed to relieve. I also find that over the counter stuff drives my pain to full force as well, such as, Nyquil, Contac, anything with guaifinisen, sudafed, or phenylpropanalomine etc. Others find tremendous relief from guaif & the like.
Lisa
It could be from any thing. I have my own personal suspicions of what causes it though. I know some people who have never been traumatized physical or emotionally or ever been sick from any thing before and they have horrible cases of FM.. This illness is not prejudiced.. It hates every body and can attack any body from any where or walk of life. What you need to do is to keep searching like us, for any possible underlying reasons for your symptoms and you may find out that it something curable or at least controllable. Don't give up until you have exhausted all investigating!! Please.. As long as you have insurance or can afford it, keep SEARCHING!! In the meantime, Ultram, Vicodin, Lorcet etc. are pretty good for treating pain for the most part. Ultram may be easier to get due to he fact it is not yet a controlled drug in the Narcotics class. Vioxx 50mg is a good anti inti-inflammatory/analgesic to take in combination with Ultram and/or other pain meds as it is not just for arthritis. Some people say that antidepressants such as; Effexir, Prozac, Zoloft and others, are a great help to them. Others say they make them worse and for me, it makes my pain really bad and gives me symptoms of anxiety, as I am one of those people who have a reverse allergic reaction, meaning I get all the symptoms that antidepressants are supposed to relieve. I also find that over the counter stuff drives my pain to full force as well, such as, Nyquil, Contac, anything with guaifinisen, sudafed, or phenylpropanalomine etc. Others find tremendous relief from guaif & the like.
Lisa
duddlebug
07-19-2001, 10:58 PM
HI caring My name is Sharon I was in a car accident last april my car does have airbags but they didn'tcome out I was rear ended. some people think that drama could cause FMS but people go through drama everday if that was the case I would have had FMS a long time ago. I have been to every doctor my family doctor has sent me to. They dont't really no what to do. I've had five different doctors tell me I have FMS don't really want to except it I guess. Everyone I talk to say it will get worse and it's going to be hard . I have headaches all the time their is not a day that goes by that i dont't hurt. When I was hit in the accident I really didn't get hurt I walked away from the accident my 15 year old daughter was with me. maybe after a hour we both started hurting and went to the hospital they thought we had whiplash. Even the doctors thought we did. But my pain kept getting worse I went to a chiropractor like other people who don' no about FMS he thought I was crazy so i fired him. Even though when you talk to people about FMS you feel like you crazy cause the symptons are to weird. My physicals therapist told me i had FMS first I couldn't do the thearpy i was in to much pain first i kept on doing it cause i thought it would help after awhile i i said no more it would take me hours to get relief from the pain it would cause. I would love to here what you have to say about FMS it takes away the little things in your life. Take care I hope and pray you don't have it. good luck. you can e-mail me at spudnick@kih.net
Originally posted by Caring:
Wow Sharon,
You sound like me. I have developed a condition similar to Fibromyalgia (still waiting for official diagnosis) after having been in a Motor Vehicle Accident. Question, did your car have airbags? What types of injuries did you sustain?
These can be contributing factors. I will explain the rest later, but would really like to know more details.
Hope you found a good doctor who is helping you. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Caring
[This message has been edited by Caring (edited 07-16-2001).]
Originally posted by Caring:
Wow Sharon,
You sound like me. I have developed a condition similar to Fibromyalgia (still waiting for official diagnosis) after having been in a Motor Vehicle Accident. Question, did your car have airbags? What types of injuries did you sustain?
These can be contributing factors. I will explain the rest later, but would really like to know more details.
Hope you found a good doctor who is helping you. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Caring
[This message has been edited by Caring (edited 07-16-2001).]
duddlebug
07-19-2001, 11:12 PM
Hi Karen My name is Sharon I to have lost my parents Ilost me father 16 years ago my mother just last year it is very hard i am only 40 years old. I no my parents were both sick an for what they went through i knew i had to let them go. that was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. I have 4 kids a 2 grandkids they are the light og my life. I did not get FMS until I was in a car wreck. The wreck was 3 months after i lost my mother. I've been told and have read a book my brother got for me that a wreck can trigger FMS. I wish you the best of look hope you have someone to be with you cause it is hard to handle FMS. GOOD LUCK.
Originally posted by kraypm:
Hi there!
I have done a lot of reading on FMS..Mine came out of nowhere last Dec., and I wasn't firmly diagnosed til March. From what I've read, the onset of FMS can result from physical or emotional trauma, and not necessarily immediately following the trauma, either. It could be a very long time after. I lost both of my parents the year before, and I've always wondered.......?
Hugs from Houston,
Karen
Originally posted by kraypm:
Hi there!
I have done a lot of reading on FMS..Mine came out of nowhere last Dec., and I wasn't firmly diagnosed til March. From what I've read, the onset of FMS can result from physical or emotional trauma, and not necessarily immediately following the trauma, either. It could be a very long time after. I lost both of my parents the year before, and I've always wondered.......?
Hugs from Houston,
Karen
Caring
07-21-2001, 02:19 AM
I never had symptoms of FMS until after my motor vehicle accident. The pains were very bad immediately following the accident, but both of my airbags went off too and the chemicals made me chronically sick. Some bad stuff in those things.
Well, my health and pains would vary from day to day since the accident, then my body just completely gave out on me. Terrible pains, chronically sick. Now, it's painful for me to even cross my legs and my legs are weak and wobbly. Pains in all my joints and muscles. Lots of other problems too.
There are many other people who have developed Fibromyalgia after car accidents. This is one of the more common and "accepted" causes. Although the fact that we were in accidents has allowed us to be taken more seriously, I feel sorry for those who were overcome by this and do not have a specific instance to relate this to.
I am trying to get into a Rheumatologist, but have to wait for referral date. Besides I've been dealing with other health problems related to the chemicals, so pain was put on the back burner for a while since my biggest concerns have been my breathing problems and other strange health issues which I never had before.
Finally the pain got so bad, I just could not ignore it anymore, and fortunately I have a doctor who helps me in every way he can. Will be a few weeks before I get to see the Rheumatologist. My HMO is usually pretty good, but sometimes the wait is long. Advil is my friend right now. I really don't want to get a stronger pain medication, I just want a diagnosis, I want to know what is wrong with me, I want a name for this thing that ails me.
I hope you all get the help you need.
Sincerely,
Caring
Well, my health and pains would vary from day to day since the accident, then my body just completely gave out on me. Terrible pains, chronically sick. Now, it's painful for me to even cross my legs and my legs are weak and wobbly. Pains in all my joints and muscles. Lots of other problems too.
There are many other people who have developed Fibromyalgia after car accidents. This is one of the more common and "accepted" causes. Although the fact that we were in accidents has allowed us to be taken more seriously, I feel sorry for those who were overcome by this and do not have a specific instance to relate this to.
I am trying to get into a Rheumatologist, but have to wait for referral date. Besides I've been dealing with other health problems related to the chemicals, so pain was put on the back burner for a while since my biggest concerns have been my breathing problems and other strange health issues which I never had before.
Finally the pain got so bad, I just could not ignore it anymore, and fortunately I have a doctor who helps me in every way he can. Will be a few weeks before I get to see the Rheumatologist. My HMO is usually pretty good, but sometimes the wait is long. Advil is my friend right now. I really don't want to get a stronger pain medication, I just want a diagnosis, I want to know what is wrong with me, I want a name for this thing that ails me.
I hope you all get the help you need.
Sincerely,
Caring
duddlebug
07-21-2001, 11:13 PM
Hi Caring, My airbags didn't come out sometimes I wonder if I even have any, I was In a car accident about four years ago, I even busted my radiator my air bags didn't come out then either. I never had any kind of pain like I do now, my to started about a hour after my wreck and it gets worse everyday. You said you were going to go to a Rheumatologist unless he nows something about FMS you are wasting you time and money. All he will want you to do is go to physical therapy and you regular doctor can sent you to so that but unless they no how to treat FMS they will make you feel worse. I have a doctors name he lives in South Carolina he has a whole wing he has just for FMS patient HIs name is Dr. Frank Harper in Mt Pleasant of course you will have to probably have a referral from your doctor. I have been trying to take medicine that is natural I take kava kava to help me sleep it is also for pain to me nothing helps the pain when it whats to hurt I don't think their is anythink for that.Taking hot baths help our getting a towel wet then putting it in the microwave get it hot lay it where it hurts if your like me most of the time thats everywhere. Are you still able to work I do but can only work 20 to 25 hrs. a week i'm a waitress and some days I cry by the time Ibut my day in I can't hardly walk,hold on to anythingit even hurts to set your muscles hurt so bad you can't lay down cause the bed touches them. You can't be massaged cause my muscles fell so tender they can't be tipped. Their is nothing they are saying can be done for FMS I hope you have something that can be treated. The doctors now just want to give you medicines if I took them I would not be able to get up every day. They just don't understand. I can't stay in bed all day I'm only 40 years old I have 4 children and 2 grand babies I have been told by other people in a few years there doctors say they will be in a wheel chair I say in my mind thats not going to be me, It seem like it's going to be hard to handle and deal with I sometimes feel like giving up sometimes when I hurt so bad I do I don't want to be around no one I tell my husband to just hit me in the head and get it over with but he hangs in there with me he goes to the doctor with me he's will supported he's great my kids don't really no everything that is going on it's hard to get people to understand. When you look fine on the outside but every muscle inside is hurting. I will close for now if you have any question maybe I can help you sometime people don't understand. GOODLUCK
JB*
07-22-2001, 03:24 PM
I've read somewhere along the way about car accidents and the whiplash can affect the pituitary gland which is the master gland affecting all your other hormones. It was speculated that this was the cause of FM after car accidents. I don't know what tests they have for pituitary but it may be worth looking into. Pituitary affects thyroid and adrenal also.
JB
JB
cioc1212
07-22-2001, 08:28 PM
In my case, a car accident along with PTSD in my early teens triggered a low level of symptoms. Pregnancy in my late 20's did me in.
I had/have several underlying conditions: TMJ,Chiari malformation,degenerative disk,etc.
I had/have several underlying conditions: TMJ,Chiari malformation,degenerative disk,etc.
Caring
07-22-2001, 09:41 PM
Thanks JB I will look into the hormone subject. Wow duddlebug how awful for you, my prayers are with you.
You were asking if I work right now.
I have developed tremors since the accident, severe tremors, and have to take medication for Parkinson's patients, it's the only thing that will work on the tremors. My neurologist says I don't have the other signs of someone with Parkinson's at this time, aside from the bad tremors. If I am in a busy or noisy environment, or if I am really tired, then the tremors get bad even though I have taken the medication.
Aside from that I've developed severe breathing problems, and am extremely sensitive to many airborne things (thanks to the chemical exposure which sensitized my airways), which causes me to cough all the time. These are along with the pains, including the fact that my hands and feet are so red and sore all the time I feel like they are burned.
So right now I am not working, and can't even figure out a job that would accomodate my conditions at this time. Let's see, no customers, no noise, not busy, no airborne irritants, and frequent long breaks. Yes, so unless some of these conditions improve, it looks like I won't be working for a while.
Wow duddlebug, you must be in so much pain. Isn't there anything you can do that is not so hard on your body?
Take care of yourselves now. Let me know how you are doing and I will fill you in on any news.
Sincerely,
Caring
You were asking if I work right now.
I have developed tremors since the accident, severe tremors, and have to take medication for Parkinson's patients, it's the only thing that will work on the tremors. My neurologist says I don't have the other signs of someone with Parkinson's at this time, aside from the bad tremors. If I am in a busy or noisy environment, or if I am really tired, then the tremors get bad even though I have taken the medication.
Aside from that I've developed severe breathing problems, and am extremely sensitive to many airborne things (thanks to the chemical exposure which sensitized my airways), which causes me to cough all the time. These are along with the pains, including the fact that my hands and feet are so red and sore all the time I feel like they are burned.
So right now I am not working, and can't even figure out a job that would accomodate my conditions at this time. Let's see, no customers, no noise, not busy, no airborne irritants, and frequent long breaks. Yes, so unless some of these conditions improve, it looks like I won't be working for a while.
Wow duddlebug, you must be in so much pain. Isn't there anything you can do that is not so hard on your body?
Take care of yourselves now. Let me know how you are doing and I will fill you in on any news.
Sincerely,
Caring
cioc1212
07-24-2001, 11:11 AM
Caring, I work from home, in an upstairs office, away from the mess and fuss. Those conditions you described ARE my work conditions! ;)
Caring
07-25-2001, 12:47 AM
CIOC!!!!! Please DO TELL. I hate not working, drives me crazy, makes me restless. What work do you do that you can be at home? I will definitely have to look into that!!!
Sincerely,
Caring
Sincerely,
Caring
pixiepoodle
07-25-2001, 06:52 PM
Hi everyone,
I too had 3 car accidents in a 6-month period between 12/83 to 5/84. The pain I suffered from the 1st accident was whiplash (a sideways whiplash since I had my head turned completely to one side) and lower back injuries. The 2nd accident was 2 weeks after getting out of a neck brace and the accident was worse since besides getting whiplash and lower back injuries, my jaw was also dislocated. The 3rd accident was actually at a very slow speed, but enough to send my neck and back into spasms. It took appox. 7 yrs. (1990) for the whiplash pain to go away. I was pain free and very physically active and well until 1992 when I started having symptoms that sent me to the dr. (fatigue, dry brittle hair, problems swollowing, etc.). I was diagnosed with low thyroid (and hyperprolactin - a female hormone which causes your entire chest to be extremely painful to the touch if your pituitary produces too much). Approx. a year later, one day when I woke up and jumped on my treadmill to do my 20 min. @ 4 mph as I had been doing 5-6 days a week for 3 yrs., I noticed my lower back was hurting. The pain continued for several weeks and seemed to get worse after a month. I had the thyroid dr. do blood work to see if I had a touch of arthritis because of my car accidents. Of course it came back negative. I continued to proceed on my treadmill and started to notice that my hips felt stiff and sore. I then turned the speed down to 1.5 mph and everything still hurt. Then I tried doing warm up stretches (which I had never done before) and found stretching was extremely painful. When the pain spread into other areas, I knew something was drastically wrong and ultimately, 3 mos. later I was diagnosed with Fibro. I don't know if the car accidents helped to set my body up for Fibro since they happened back in 83/84 and my only pain was in my neck area from the 2 whiplashs. I do know from reading everything I could get my hands on about Fibro and going to support meetings that it has been medically proven that a chemical that is in everyone's spine called "Substance P" that carries messages to the brain to tell your brain you are having pain and is connected to your level of pain tolerance, is 4 times higher in people with Fibro than a normal healthy person. One thing I always experienced since I was in my early 20's (I'm 49 now) is that I have a low threshold for pain. I could never understand why my periods were more painful than anyone elses, why my wisdom tooth extraction was so painful they kept me in the hospital an extra day and why my childbirth experience was so painful that there was no question I would ever go thru that again. So what I am wondering is if Fibro is caused my chemical imbalances. Maybe those imbalances are brought on by injuries from car accidents. I just hope this illness is not passed on by heredity. Does anyone know if this illness has been around long enough to disprove that theory?
I too had 3 car accidents in a 6-month period between 12/83 to 5/84. The pain I suffered from the 1st accident was whiplash (a sideways whiplash since I had my head turned completely to one side) and lower back injuries. The 2nd accident was 2 weeks after getting out of a neck brace and the accident was worse since besides getting whiplash and lower back injuries, my jaw was also dislocated. The 3rd accident was actually at a very slow speed, but enough to send my neck and back into spasms. It took appox. 7 yrs. (1990) for the whiplash pain to go away. I was pain free and very physically active and well until 1992 when I started having symptoms that sent me to the dr. (fatigue, dry brittle hair, problems swollowing, etc.). I was diagnosed with low thyroid (and hyperprolactin - a female hormone which causes your entire chest to be extremely painful to the touch if your pituitary produces too much). Approx. a year later, one day when I woke up and jumped on my treadmill to do my 20 min. @ 4 mph as I had been doing 5-6 days a week for 3 yrs., I noticed my lower back was hurting. The pain continued for several weeks and seemed to get worse after a month. I had the thyroid dr. do blood work to see if I had a touch of arthritis because of my car accidents. Of course it came back negative. I continued to proceed on my treadmill and started to notice that my hips felt stiff and sore. I then turned the speed down to 1.5 mph and everything still hurt. Then I tried doing warm up stretches (which I had never done before) and found stretching was extremely painful. When the pain spread into other areas, I knew something was drastically wrong and ultimately, 3 mos. later I was diagnosed with Fibro. I don't know if the car accidents helped to set my body up for Fibro since they happened back in 83/84 and my only pain was in my neck area from the 2 whiplashs. I do know from reading everything I could get my hands on about Fibro and going to support meetings that it has been medically proven that a chemical that is in everyone's spine called "Substance P" that carries messages to the brain to tell your brain you are having pain and is connected to your level of pain tolerance, is 4 times higher in people with Fibro than a normal healthy person. One thing I always experienced since I was in my early 20's (I'm 49 now) is that I have a low threshold for pain. I could never understand why my periods were more painful than anyone elses, why my wisdom tooth extraction was so painful they kept me in the hospital an extra day and why my childbirth experience was so painful that there was no question I would ever go thru that again. So what I am wondering is if Fibro is caused my chemical imbalances. Maybe those imbalances are brought on by injuries from car accidents. I just hope this illness is not passed on by heredity. Does anyone know if this illness has been around long enough to disprove that theory?