Fibromyalgia and no sex drive...

[waiting4acure]

Does any other woman have a problem with no sex drive because of pain from fibromyalgia? I am only in my 40's and have pretty much given up the idea of getting close to a man again. I just feel like I am a nusiance with being in pain most of the time and couldn'd get close and start any type of relationship because of the feeling bad issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've had fibro for a year and divorced for several...

[hb2002]

I have fibromyalgia. The first symptoms appeared at age 30. I went on medication to help with the sleep disorder associated with fibro and it was a tremendous help. The severe pain lasted about 2 years; then I had moderate to mild pain until I was about 38. Now, I am pain free but if I miss my medication even one night I wake up in the morning barely able to move my neck and terrible muscle knots in my back. I was divorced at 30, undergoing a lot of stress, but it didn't necessarily affect my sex drive. It more affected my social drive . . . I hated going out because I was in constant pain. Have you been to a sleep disorder clinic to see if yours is related to the central nervous system being affected by a sleep disorder? I was very fortunate. I'm 51 and fibro was almost unheard of when I was first diagnosed. They figured it was a physological disorder and the pain was all in my head. In fact, it was called fibrosytis when I was first diagnosed. An early diagnosis, my age (30 at the time of diagnosis), and being in very good physical condition all made me one of the lucky ones who was able to beat it. My doctor did a ton of research on it after sending me to a specialist. I remember it took me six months to get an appointment with the specialist and it was what kept me going. I thought I would walk into his office and he would have a magic pill which would instantly cure me. After an excrutiating examination he said "Well, you have fibro and you'll have to learn to live with it." I left his office, called my family doctor, was sobbing hysterical telling him I can't live like this and he told me to give him some time to research it and he will do whatever he can to come up with an answer. After several weeks he put me an Elavil which is an anti depressant. I said "Hey, I'm not depressed, I'm just in pain!!!" He explained that it was caused by a sleep disorder which was caused by the central nervous system and that Elavil is the pill I need. He also sent me to the sleep clinic to confirm the pill was working. Within three weeks the pain had gone from severe to moderate/mild. I still take an anti depressant (wellbutrin SR) and have been pain free for many, many years except if I forget to take a pill. And further to your original question . . . at 51 my sex drive is higher than ever and if I had a willing DH, I would love to have sex every single day.

Originally Posted by waiting4acure

Does any other woman have a problem with no sex drive because of pain from fibromyalgia? I am only in my 40's and have pretty much given up the idea of getting close to a man again. I just feel like I am a nusiance with being in pain most of the time and couldn'd get close and start any type of relationship because of the feeling bad issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've had fibro for a year and divorced for several...

[waiting4acure]

Thanks for the response. You certainly have a wealth of insight and you have really me "hoping." I have bounced from doctor to doctor and currently see a rhemy and she is only treating the severe pain with "PILATES"....how do you do the Pilates if you are aching so badly. I have never went to a sleep specialist but have suggested it several times. I am now going to PUSH it. Wellbutrin SR kept me very wired and made the sleep issue much worse. Unfortunately Elavil packed on the pounds...it has been a now win situation. Do you have a problem with Wellbutrin and sleep? I very much appreciate your thoughts. I hope the day comes when I can say what you have. Good for you!!!

[hb2002]

Pilates? How is that supposed to help you. It's a bandaid just like massage is. Aside from the Elavil causing weight gain, did it help reduce your pain? If so, then it is definitely caused by a sleep disorder and you need to see a sleep clinic who is well aware of how sleep disorders affect fibro.

Wellbutrin kept me wired for two weeks. I was having panic attacks. I was anxious. I came close to giving up several times. But I had read it takes two weeks for the body to get used to it so I pushed through the first two weeks and have been fine ever since. I can't say for sure if it affects my sleep. I have always had insomnia so I don't think it affected it negatively. If I can't sleep I pop an Ativan or a Gravol. It's not the quantity of sleep. It's the quality of sleep. Even a good 5 hours of quality sleep is better for fibro than 8 hours of poor sleep. You need to get to a clinic. They will/should test you first without being on any meds. Then a couple of weeks later they will test you on the meds. The difference in my sleep patterns were amazing and therefore the diagnosis was easily made. Zoloft made me gain 20 pounds in a couple of months. I went from 100 to 120 without changing my eating habits. I quickly went off it and lost the weight. Every pill had some side affect for me except Wellbutrin SR. Elavil made me very groggy in the morning but I was on it for years and just dealt with that side affect. Keep pushing for a sleep test.

Originally Posted by waiting4acure

Thanks for the response. You certainly have a wealth of insight and you have really me "hoping." I have bounced from doctor to doctor and currently see a rhemy and she is only treating the severe pain with "PILATES"....how do you do the Pilates if you are aching so badly. I have never went to a sleep specialist but have suggested it several times. I am now going to PUSH it. Wellbutrin SR kept me very wired and made the sleep issue much worse. Unfortunately Elavil packed on the pounds...it has been a now win situation. Do you have a problem with Wellbutrin and sleep? I very much appreciate your thoughts. I hope the day comes when I can say what you have. Good for you!!!

[Budoguy]

Let me say this......in my experience, fibromyalgia points to an underlying depression. The other responses are helpful too. I took wellbutrin and wanted to sleep with every woman in site, I mean, they all looked hot. Many men have found the same thing with Wellbutrin, in short, it should work as an aphrodisiac, but not for everyone, obviously.

Depression and fibromyalgia are 2 sides of the same coin. I have bipolar disorder so I know what you going through, in part. Its different for men, the social construction of fibromyalgia, in short, we arent allowed to get it, its seen as psychosomatic so men often dont face up to it.

You have the courage to realize that something is wrong and the integrity to discuss it openly here. I appalud your efforts and hope, sincerely, that you find a way back to sexuality.