In my opinion there is two types of fibromyalgia. Simple fibro (if there is nothing else wrong with the body but the general aches and pains.) Then in my opinion there is the complicated fibromyalgia. The kind that comes with other conditions from injuries or from spinal conditions. Simple fibromyalgia does not progress. (In other words you don't become crippled.) But if one is suffering with degenerative disc disease of the spine, spinal spurs, and/or bulging discs or herniated discs, the fibromyalgia will progress. Spinal spurs "dig into nerves" causing pain. Bulging discs aggrivate nerves and muscles causing the general aches and pains. I wonder who has the simple fibromyalgia and who has the complicated fibromyalgia? Those of you who are lucky to find relief of pain are so lucky. Some of us will need surgery which may or may not help. In my case I think the fibromyalgia came after the other problems because I felt so good in my 20's and 30's. Anyone else think there is some truth to this thought? Thanks for opinions. Dawnsmist

I would say that what I have is simple..I really don't have extenuating pain...just basic, run of the mill(!!!LOL) aches of Fibro that migrates...and fits all the classic descriptions. When I read about what others describe...I always think that there must be additional factors.

Hi Dawnmist,
I would agree that there are different forms of FM. I personally have FM/CMP/CFS and a few other problems like Lyme Disease, S-Lupus and with all those I have Migraine headaches almost daily severe pain daily spasms almost daily, tremors often, IBS, Dizziness,ect. I believe I have a bad case of it. I have also noticed I am getting worse, after I lost my dad I started having a lot more pain. When my daughter's( 8yr old) cat died after a terrible illness I was upset for her and feel so bad for the cat sufferring, I even feel quilty! When My daughter was treated badly at school by her teachers because she had a handicap it torn me up inside. I fought the school like crazy and didn't get anywhere. Now the stress of an abusive husband and teaching my child at home has taken its toll. I know stress is a BIG factor. If we can reduce it things may be less severe. Raven

Thanks for the responses everyone. I have a sister-in-law that has done home teaching off and on for some time. I e-mailed her about the stress of it for you some time ago Raven, but she never resonded. I know she was very very busy trying to do that at home. She was well but in grief as her husband passed away prior to that in a car accident. I was hoping to be able to help you in some way!
Right now I am so confused as to what therapy to do for myself. The only thing I have under control right now is the fibro-fog. It is better now since I have been back on the Evista for menopause. The rest of my body symptoms are the same. Pain all day. I am sure we are all keeping an eye on the colostrum treatment--I sure would like to know what to do. My doctor is willing to try things now for me...as you can see by the other posts--try Low Dose Naltrexone? In that I have to stop my sleeping pill, and Ultram. Guiafenesen? Have to be careful of so many products...Colostrum?
Anyway, right now it is just pills and more pills and since my back is a mess---I really wonder what the future holds for us. I am very happy for those that get relief. Yes, stress of any kind really affects the pain cycle with fibro. My own family can drive me up the wall in a few minutes and I hate being so short tempered. And then the guilt sets in. Lord, give us a break! Thank goodness for the freedom of speech and the freedom to write what we think. Dawnsmist

[This message has been edited by Dawnsmist (edited 01-10-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Dawnsmist (edited 01-10-2003).]

HI Dawnsmist,
I think you are so right. I have had FM for several years and just when I think I have leveled out with the symptoms, they either get worse or new ones appear. I see my self going down hill towards a wheel chair in the future. I think that is genetics. We already have it and then some accident or trauma ignites a whirl wind of problems. You mentioned being short tempored with your family. Please look at my post, titled irritability caused by FMS.

Dawnsmist- As I mentioned before, autoimmune disorders are caused by an inbalanced endocrine system. Some women develop age related autoimmune disorders because of menopause (out of balance hormones = out of balance endocrine system). I suggest that you add Progesterone and Estriol to your menu- this could greatly reduce your FMS problems and maybe eliminate FMS completely. Talk to the same doctor that prescribed the Evista.

[This message has been edited by batman777 (edited 01-31-2003).]

I've been visiting other boards and happened to be intersted in the post by battman (1/31)regarding menopause and new pain symptoms. Recently I started with toe pain, burning and tingling and was diagnosed by a neurologist with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. He ordered a host of blood work (thyroid, ANA, GTT, etc) and when it all come back normal~ he assigned me this diagnosis.
I have presented to him that I am 53, perimenopausal and I think the fluctuating hormones could be contributing to my recent toe pains & tingling. I asked to have this potential imbalance treated and see what happens to the pain. He thinks that is absurd and has started me on neurontin which doesn't help the pain and adds increased mental fog and nausea to my day. My internist listens more effectively and ordered an FSH and LH, although he said they vary daily and are not good indicators. (I'm waiting for those results now) Have you any suggestions as to what natural supplements may help me thru this hormonal adjustment?
I have been using progesterone cream with no particular benefit. I am not on any other HRT. My overall health is fine, with the exception of this new toe tingling and pain. My massage therapist finds that I have very tight muscles and has given me basic stretching exercises to do. I was reading about your enthusiam for colostrum and I wonder if that would help with "the change." I just remembered, the only other health concern that I have is allergies to many airborn substances. Perhaps the colostrum could at least alleviate that problem? Any suggestions from anyone out there would be appreciated. Thanks, in advance for your generous help and sharing. Please know that I will be assertive with my health care practioners, since I understand what works best for my own body.

I have heard many bad things about neurontin- I myself would not take it. Go to a gynetologist (I mis-spelled it) instead of a neurologist for the estriol or buy it on internet without a prescription. Estriol will provide many more benefits compared to progesterone.

If this does not work then do a search for my user name to read all my posts on "low dose naltrexone" or LDN (a miracle drug!)

I have never received any benefits from Colostrum and consider it a waste of money. People with FMS have their wires crossed- Stimulating the immune system with Colustrum will often also stimulate an autoimmune response causing you to feel worse than before. This why FMS, CFS, and MS people get relapses when they get sick- their immune system kicks in which causes an autoimmune response.

This is an interesting discussion. I was diagnosed AFTER I went thru taking care of mu Mother who had lymphoma(cancer). I was very STRESSED! I figure that is when mine set in. I took care of her in her home(in and out) as long as she could stay alone, then when it started to get bad, I moved her in with me. The stress level elevated, needless to say. I took Xanax for stress about a year and half. I couldn't make it without Xanax. Anyway after all was said and done, a year after Mamma was gone, I found out I had it. Life has not been the same since. I think the stress of watching Mamma may have been the key to my FM. What do you think?

Stress, trauma, hormone imbalance, and other unidentified factors can cause FM. I suggest that you have the more accurate saliva test to find out where your hormone levels are.

Just to add my 2 cents...I was recently diagnosed. I have Simple Fibro...nothing else wrong, at least not so far, and it isn't dibilitating. When I told my mother, she said that I've probably had it all my life but only recently it's flared up enough for me to take notice.

I've been in several car accidents, none major, but the stress was intense. Both times I had a pregnant friend with me. I also suffered from depression in college. But for me, I don't think it was one major incident that caused it. A lot of little things over time. Yes...I do believe it can be progressive. Every day I find new places that hurt.

Dawnmist, your post hit close to home.I am new to this discussion and thought maybe you all could help. Any info would be deeply appreciated. I have been posting on spinal disorders for a few months now. Being a nurse, I thought my symptoms were all spinal related and as of yesterday I'm not so sure.
I will try to make my story as brief as possible. I had a motorcycle accident in July 2002. I am a 43 yr old female. I have played some type of sports all my life. When I was young muscle cramps in my legs were very common for me while playing basketball or immediately after a game. I have always had extremely sore muscles after beginning a new exercise, sport or whatever. It wouldn't take much compared to others. Most of my jobs required walking and were physical. For several years the muscles in feet have been sore to touch but it is the type of sore that you want to massage. I also had that same feeling in my back btw my scapula on both sides. Does that make any sense?
When I had my motorcycle wreck in July, the only injury that I thought I had was left shoulder pain.
This left shoulder pain (deltoid area) never went away. It was affecting my golf game and my swimming (I was swimming a mile 4 times a week). In Sept I woke up with a severe crick in my neck for no apparent reason. (I still have the crick) By Nov. I was having severe pain, numbness and tingling in my right arm and fingers. Dec My right leg started getting numb and my left thigh kept giving me the feeling of a pulled muscle that kept coming and going.
I had an MRI done which showed C5- C6 bone spurs and severe stenosis of my left foramen. c6- c7 also shows bone spurs. L4-L5 has a small bulge bilaterally.
My current symptoms are severe right neck pain that radiates up to my jaw and also the clavicle area, shoulder, and back pain - like a big knot in all my muscles on the right side. Severe Right arm/elbow pain with accompanied numbness and tingling. Left back and neck pain that is less severe than the right.Left deltoid pain with occasional tingling of my fingers. Pain in the posterior area of my left thigh that feels like a muscle strain but it comes and goes. Right knee pain (feels like a deep pain). Right lower leg numbness and numbness in my right great toe. I have been to two neuro surgeons and they say my symptoms should be on my left side. If they were on the left they could do surgery to help. They have not helped me at all. I decided to try and help myself. I started walking and swimming. When I first got into the pool, I couldn't even hold my body up to float. I am currently swimming 8 laps so I have definately made progress. I am so afraid that whatever is going on in my body is going to leave me paralyzed before its over. Last week, my symptoms seemed somewhat better. However today they have exacerbated tenfold. I am taking Flexeril at night. Neurontin 300mg every 6 hours. Skelactin during the day. Bextra and also estrogen and progesterone for early menopause. I have tylenol 3 and percocet for pain. I have taken only one dose of tylenol 3 this week until yesterday. Today I had to take the flexeril during the day to get some relief from these muscle spasms. I have not had any relief from the tylenol or flexeril today. I guess I will try the percocet next.
I am so sorry this is so long but I forgot my stupid symptoms go on and on. Yesterday I decided to look up fibromyalgia and it seems like maybe that might be my problem. What do you all think? Is it possible?
I have not been able to work since the first of DEC.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Charlotte
PS. I know my spelling stinks but I refuse to go back over this long, long post



[This message has been edited by charlotte1 (edited 03-29-2003).]

Yes, interesting input from everyone. Charlotte, have they suspected MS? I have the spinal disease as well. Do suffer terribly, but was diagnosed with MS w/out lesions, on findings at a MS clinic. I just have terrible muscle spasms, stiff muscles and all the back stuff you mentioned. Last MRI, 8 yrs. later doesn't have lesions, still. I feel like I am now back to the fibromyalgia diagnosis that came 2 yrs. before MS diagnosis. Altho, primary still feels this is MS. I have weakness, am new to this site and wonder if progressive weakness over the years of arms and legs is also in Fibromyalgia? The severe, increasing pain I have along with the degenerative spine keeps me fighting pain all day with everything I do. Walk around thinking, could anyone else endure this and be acting normally. I put my best face on and grit my teeth, Maybe this is MS, but wondering about the weakness with fibro, since I continue to not show lesions.
About the LDN, my interest is there, but I am on strong pain medication and a sleeping pill that I would have to stop. Batman, how do you stop those to switch to LDN when one can't go at all w/out the medication. There would be w/drawl after being on so long. Thank you and sorry this so long.

Charlotte-have you investigated thoracic outlet syndrome? It's just a thought. Many of your symptoms sound like mine including the facial numbness. It feels like novacaine wearing off in your eyesocket and cheek. I'm not going to become a tos advocate but I've learned my lesson. If you're interested you can check out my previous posts.

Soleil and sweet pea, Thanks for your reply. Soleil, I've had two docs mention MS but no test have been done. sweet pea, I haven't researched thorasic outlet snydrome but will check into it. Thanks you all
Charlotte