I was browsing the internet for health related concerns and noticed this link..how awesome is that,..from a believer that all happens for a reason..well I would like to know the reason for my failing health at 33 years of age...Currently I have switched DR's again and am apt to deal with the diagnosis stage all over again,..but my symptoms for fibro are classic...it is a no-brainer...they put me on elavil, 30 mg a night for the sleep and chronic pain..but now I am up to 100mg a night and 25 pounds gained in weight!..I cannot gain anymore weight,..so I stopped taking the elavil about 2 days ago...last night my depression almost got the best of me,..I wanted to OD......I didnt and am trying to be more patient with the DR's and all....but noone seems to understand..for me,.. have all over pain,..but more so in the left hip and leg,..the pain radiates down the leg and most of the time I cant move because my hip spasms so badly,..it feels like bone pain,..or joints..I have been dealing with this for 3 years now and am fed up...the pain is worse then ever,...and yes,..I did do physical therapy,..last summer and it really helped..I was going to the gym for three days a week after the therapy stopped and had made huge strides!...until December when I stopped going,..I relapsed and am worse now then before...so once again therapy..yuck.....I cant work and I lost my financial aid for school because of my health..I dont know what to do..I am so sad about it all....

Hey psycho,

First of all, welcome to the board! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Believe me when I say that I can empathize with you.. I'm 28 and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 3 years ago (I had struggled with symptoms for at least 2 years before my diagnosis).. The knowledge that I was going to feel sick for the rest of my life was a lot for a 25 year old to deal with.. It's still a lot for me to deal with..

Have you ever seen a rheumatologist? You mentioned a doctor, but I wasn't sure which type.. I know that it's definitely difficult to be patient with doctors, especially when you're suffering & they either don't seem to have any answers or don't seem to care about your health.. I'm pretty sure that all of us on this board have gone through that at one point in time or another..

Try not to be too depressed.. I know it's difficult, but at least you realize that you can feel better and you've found a way that actually helped you feel better.. I know going through all of it again will probably be emotionally tough, but it's admirable that you've taken your health into your own hands.. You're obviously a lot stronger than you think!

I'm sure the weight gain doesn't help with depression either.. I was on prednisone (a BIG mistake) for about 6 months and managed to gain at least 25 pounds.. I've taken 15 of it off since, but it's still been tough to deal with.. It was enough that my health was suffering, I didn't need to gain weight on top of it..

I'm not sure what your living situation is or whether or not you have anyone to turn to in your time of need, but it sounds like therapy and exercise will help get your life back on track.. I wish you the best of luck & hope you'll stick around to let us know how you're doing! Try to keep your chin up, okay? I know it's tough, but that's why this board can be so great.. There are so many great, supportive and caring people here!

Take Care,
Melanie

Unfortunately, you are beginning a journey you don't want to take. Fortunately, there are a lot of treatment options available to you. I too, gained a lot of weight on Elavil, so my doctor switched me to Doxepin, which can also cause weight gain, but didn't for me. I am taking Ultram for daytime pain and Vicodin for nightime pain, plus Feldene, and two other anti-depressants, which seem to balance each other out. It only took me about 20 years to find something that works well enough to allow me to work, although I'm feeling that is in jeapordy now, as my pain has increased lately. Try eliminating sugar from your diet. If you can survive about 10 days without it, you won't want it so much. Also I have found a book called Breathworks for the Back that looks promising for non-strenous stretching and strengthening exercises that work the deeper muscles in your body. Regular exercise only works the outer muscles, so the inner muscles can't do their job of maintaining correct posture, at least that's what the book says. I just started it so I can't say whether or not it works, but it really looks promising. You may need to visit different doctors before you find someone who is willing to take time with you and find treatment that helps you. I wish you luck.

Thankyou so much for those who responded to my plea,..and also for welcoming me aboard.

I went to the DR today...actually had to drop of release of info forms,..my appointment wasnt until the 10th of July..I spoke with the triage nurse and they got me an appointment for evaluation on Tuesday!..I was so pleased,..at this time we will find alternatives to the elavil I quit taking a couple days ago...I am also on flexeril, codiene, and voltaren...I am in desperate need of something stronger..The nurse said they may have to do a sleep study on me..I can stay awake for days..like right now...two to three hours ago I took two codiene/300mg..and also two 10mg flexeril..and here I am..wide awake!...and you all know thnat sleep is the most crucial for us!!..UGHH

Ive just been so depressed, partially because I cant work, I lost my aid for school and my fiancee and I just bought a new home and were suppose to be getting married next weekend,...but because of the tight funds we have had to cancel it.. sometimes I feel so helpless..I took care of me and my child for 6 years by myself...I am not use to being so disfunctional.....Yes,...in the past I have learned how to cope with things..but this time, as I am sure you know,the attacks are much greater, as well as the depression....I guess I am just dealing with it..I have no other choice...if it wasnt for my beautiful 11 year old daughter I would probably just kill myself..ThankGod she is in my life...

Ok,..time to try to rest...goodnight all