Looking for an opinion from the experienced FMS Folks - Fibromyalgia Message Board

hope21 · 07-13-2001, 09:33 AM

Hi all,

I hope you all don't get sick of me. I posted a question previous to this - thank you all for your response.

I'm currently battling Post Concussion Syndrome in connection with the FMS. I'm seeing a neurologist for PCS who does not have much experience with FMS. His opinion is that once the PCS symptoms are relieved the FMS symptoms should get better.

The rheumotologist I'm currently seeing feels the same way. I have days where my PCS headaches are mild and my FMS symptoms are greater and visa versa. Measuring myself, I'm not so sure that one has anything to do with the other. In theory it makes sense (that the PCS can intensify FMS).

If any of you have read my recent posts, you'll know that I was walking near my home last August, which is located near a golf course, and was struck in the forehead with an airborne golf ball. I started having severe stabbing headaches, migraines and head pressure (+ a whole heap of other symptoms from sleep loss to brain misfunction) In September, I was diagnosed with PCS.

In December, the FMS symptoms started occurring. In Feb. I was diagnosed. My rheumotologist feels it was not the trauma itself that triggered FM, but the continued loss of sleep from the concussion.

I'm looking for feedback from you experienced folks. I have the most respect for all of you. There is no cure for FMS, am I safe to assume this is my treasure to keep for life? Do you feel the symptoms of FM will reduce when the PCS subsides?

Thank you for your time...

Hope

robste · 07-13-2001, 06:43 PM

Hi Hope...no, we won't get sick of you,lol...we're all here trying to figure out this awful fms thing together!
In my opinion, fms is usually caused by some traumatic occurance that sets it off, whether that be a virus,accident or injury.
I had many of the "headache" symptoms that you described that you have...for 12 years I literally "hurt all over", including horrible head pain, which I don't believe that too many people who might have fms actually have. I went thru the standard MRI's, Cat-scans, bloodwork, etc. but no one could ever find the cause of my chronic pain. I still don't have a definite answer to what has caused this pain, but I finally have a medication that is helping tremendously (Effexor XR) when nothing else helped. If there's a problem with your "brain signals" and pain, Effexor could possibly work for you. They think I am very, very sensitive to pain, and that my brain just can't turn off the pain signals, even though the cause of the pain might have been long gone..something to do with low seratonin levels, for which there's no test available...just a wild guess by my doctor. I know this all sounds strange, but after 12 years of suffering, my pain has decreased by 60-70% so far. It takes time for it to work...about 6-8 weeks before you feel any results..you might want to ask your doctor. I hope we can all help each other on this board. Good luck, Robin

hope21 · 07-14-2001, 05:55 AM

Robin,

Did you experience a traumatic event before you came down with FM?

Hope

07-14-2001, 06:58 AM

Sleep seems to be a big thing for most of us too; non-restorative sleep,insomnia,etc. Somehow it all seems to tie in.

A car accident and/or a very invasive test called a myelogram in my teens seems to have triggered a low level of chronic problems. Pregnancy and/or the epidural seems to have triggered the rest.

I think that when the underlying problem,if there is one, is fixed, your symptoms may improve. You may still have FM or FM "flares" though. I know that finding my underlying condition hasn't cured my FM. Unfortunately.

Rach

gracieathome · 07-16-2001, 10:45 AM

Hey Hope,
My FM started after getting the flu shot 2 1/2 years ago. I believe it may have triggered the fibro. For 2 years I thought I was gonna die, or that I was losing my mind. I finally managed about 6 months ago to have periods of remission that keep getting longer, and longer.
I have never had an accident, head trama, etc. but I understand that is what triggers it for many people. I sincerely hope that your suffering is short lived and you wont have to go through the hell I did before you finally get some relief.

Gracie