Newly Diagnosed With Fibro Yesterday - Fibromyalgia Message Board

janiee08 · 06-28-2008, 06:19 PM

Hello! I have been sick for years, but never diagnosed with anything except,TMJ, arthritis, and lots of real problems with my back. Had spinal fusion with Harrington Rod @ age 16. At 46, last October, I had a massive surgery lasting over 8 hours. It was, (and this is not all of it....) Spinal Fusion from T4 to L5 with ten rods, Harring Rod Removal, Laminectomy etc. They didn't take bone from my hip bone this time, but they did the last time. I forget what this is called-something new. I think my surgeon is a pioneer in doing this. I was getting better in May of this year, except for the upper part of my back-more on the left side. The pain snowballed from a 6 to off the chart. Also, it was sometimes hard to breathe, left knee hurt, and left little toes. I do have arthritis in knees by x-ray. From Fathers Day till now, the pain has been unrelenting, and have been confined to bed. Not sure how much I can even type here. May have to add more info later. Sorry. Surgeon says x-rays are great. PCP says all tests are neg except 1 RA test was "minimally inflamed" which he blamed on my weight. Pain Mangement increased my pain meds to Vicoden 10 4-5 times a day. Nothing helps. Also, I reached out to these 3 people for 2 weeks- 3 weeks and they would not take me seriously @ first. Finally, I went to a Rheumatologist @ a well know facility, and after 2 hours of questions and exams, he said I have Fibromyalgia. I am beside myself. I feel so bad. I had read about this, and didn't want to have this-even though it sounded like me. I had already been homebound since October. Now, he said it could take MONTHS? for me to get over this initial flare-up. I need to take care of my children and was looking forward to enjoying the summer with them. Any words of encouragemnent??...Janiee

.....P.S. Even went to the E.R. 3 weeks ago and they said it was Anxiety Reaction

Grapedy · 06-28-2008, 06:31 PM

The first thing you have to do is accept that you have it and that it's real. Then you have to accept the fact that the pain will never completely go away and the person you used to be isn't around anymore. Then you can start figuring out how to cope with the current situation.

Most of us live in pain of some sort every single day.

moetwins · 07-31-2008, 07:51 PM

I'm sorry that you feel so bad janiee08. I too was just recently diagnosed with Fibormyalgia and I also had a spinal fusion with Harrington Rod when I was 15 (I'm now 24). I wonder if that has anything to do with why we are in so much pain? Reply to this post when you can and let me know how you're feeling maybe we could help each other out with what helps and what doesn't.

gimpydimp · 08-01-2008, 10:08 AM

Sorry to hear you have had so many issues -- it sounds awful. All I can say is that with time, you get used to it all. There are some meds now that help with pain from Fibro (Cymbalta or Lyrica) and you adapt. I don't know if the pain gets to be less over time or you just get used to it but IT DOES GET BETTER and you do get a life that is bearable at some point in the future (at least the vast majority of FM'ers do.)