Anyone bedridden - Fibromyalgia Message Board

kathiat40 · 11-28-2007, 07:05 AM

Hi,
I have been reading this board for several years and I love it. Like lots of you I have been through every test under the sun which are all negative. I have a couple of points. First, does anyone have completely normal bloodwork, and I do mean completely normal. Nothing is ever positive and I have had every test known to man, plus mri's, x-rays etc..
Also I am wondering if anyone has been completely bedridden with this. My last so called "flare" started on Aug. 18th and I have been in bed pretty much non stop. I have lots of meds and a great doctor, but still cannot function due to pain and fatigue. Any feedback would be appreciated.

bluelakelady · 11-28-2007, 07:24 AM

hi kathi,
bedridden. yea. for the better part of a year. in a wheelchair too. that was almost 13 years ago. thought it was to be my life. sure glad i was wrong. never had a normal blood test since this started. also have other health stuff that plays into that.
since you have a grand doctor may i suggest you get a script for p.t.? preferably a start in a heated pool to get those muscle used to motion again. do not do what i did. i went down and stayed there, not realizing it would continue to go that way till i found a way to stop it. exercise is my way. so many studies have show exercise to be the fibro diet of choice. fibro brats starve in an active body.
getting into p.t. was the best. i gave my wheelchair away 4 years ago. that felt so good. i still do p.t. alot. now i am on equipment for building muscles.
i am coming out of a rather touchy flare. allowed myself a few days in bed. boring!!! as of two days ago i am making myself get up and go do the things i know i must and some just for fun. sure i come home and pass out for 3 hours, so what? i did it and that is what uplifts my mind. my mind is my best friend. together we are strong. i know for me if i do not get up and get active i will only make it worse. my body does not like to be inactive and expresses it loudly. who knew i was so loud? giggle, my mom.
peace,
bluelakelady
oh yea, duh! welcome, welcome.

sunny47 · 11-28-2007, 11:48 AM

Hi kathi....as I was reading you post , I said to myself she needs Blue - and then scrolled down and saw she already had responded. Please listen to what she has to say - she knows what she is talking about and has helped a lot of people. She is such an inspiration to us all. Just start slow and push through it and each time will get easier.
I know even when I do not feel I will be able to take my evening walk I make myself do it and feel so much better when I get back home.

Good luck...sunny47

kathiat40 · 11-28-2007, 01:54 PM

Hi,
Thx for the feedback. Just to clear up the blood work thing. My blood tests are always completely normal. No problems. From what I am reading, yours are not.
I think physio is a good thing and hope to start soon.
Thx again.

jam338 · 11-28-2007, 07:05 PM

Mostly bedridden here for the past 2 years. There are people on other message boards who have been bedridden for 5-7 years, so it can last a very long time. Being bedridden comes and goes for most for many years, but it is always sitting on the porch waiting to come in. When one fortunately moves into lesser into a more mobile level it is important to gently exercise and never overdo. It is important to remember to keep your *upright* muscles exercised and working or they will lose muscle memoroy causing a much worse problem and resulting in a more difficult recovery requiring PT.

My bedridden time is spent in a reclined in a recliner lined in memory foam pillows and heating pad. Pillows tucked all around for upright muscle support. I can not sit for more than 15-20 min without muscle support or I go risk flare.

Learn to really *listen* to your body. When you are pushing it too hard, it will make you bedridden. It is the body's way of self-protecting itself when you aren't using good judgment to protect it from further harm. I learned that the hard way; most do. We are all so used to *pushing ourselves* for many years with this, but that is very dangerous as you approach bedridden stage. The body is just too vulnerable at that stage. Its a delicate balance of life.