Fibromyalgia

[gkb]

Fibromyalgia pain I am able to deal with thanks to Tramadol/Ultram and lots of supplements. The fatigue and mental anguish I am not sure I can deal with. Please let me know if others struggle this much coping with normal activities. If I have any energy, I might be able to get dressed, do a few things around the house and that is it. Are the days of: grocery shopping, cooking, daily routines all in one day gone for good? I am lucky if I get 3-4 small things done in a day; and then , sometimes "pay" for it the next day with more fatigue. My mental state is a Zombie...get lost while driving, memory loss, loss of words, brain fog, etc. I take meds for depression ( for 11 years) and don't feel "depressed" but more hopeless and overwhelmed. Massage, trigger point, exercise, acupuncture chiropractic, water therapy, are all great for pain, but what helps with this horrific exhaustion and mental fog. As others, I was a "Super Woman"...my career as an Interior Designer depends on my mental and creative clarity plus lots of physical movement; I have not worked in over a year. My life is revolving around how I am going to feel or if I can get out of bed. To say the least, my family is not understanding; they want to know when this is going to end and the "real me" comes back. "Why isn't anything working you need to find another doctor".When I feel that I have accomplished great strides by doing a FEW things, it is never enough in the eyes of others; and in the real scheme of life what I have done isn't much. How do you make people understand that you are doing the best you can???? I am so tired of hearing "you have to make yourself", "don't give in", "just get out of bed and do it". Going to a Rheumatologist, Internist (of Eastern/Western medicine), and trying to get into a Neurologist (maybe there is no brain); forum members what type of doctors work best for you. My air is running on low....

[janethen]

i feel your pain, i was just diagnosed fibro a month ago, but i had suffered for 3 years from back pain due to herniated disc. it all started there when i got hurt,then the back pain everything just went down hill. i have two kids, husband and i separated because we drifted apart and his' not really helping me out anymore. what happend to for better or worst. Sometimes i just tell people i'm better so they stop feeling sorry for me or think i'm crazy. I still managed to go to work(dont have a choice) everyday and care for my kids. it's so hard, i just want to end everything but my kids keeps me alive. i'm taking cymbalta for pain, i get pain like shooting pain on my neck is that normal? and twitching all over my body. i slowed down with the pain killers because it wasnt' doing anything for me anymore. I'm sorry this is bringing you down, i know when i feel bad or feeling hopeless i get more depressed and bad thoughts in my head. you probably heard this before, try yoga, getting massages ( i would but can;t afford it) or just medetate on your bed will help clear your mind. Dont give up pls, i know you could do it. this is my first time on this site good to know i'm not alone. hang in i'll pray for us.

[DeltaLady]

You are not alone -- I totally understand what you're going through. I have not been diagnosed with fibro but checked in on this forum due to the fact that I've been home for a week from work because I'm exhausted. It all started with foot issues in July, complications -pain set in at Labor Day, surgery mid October, pain after surgery. I'm taking tramadol to control leg pain (before that oxycodone). Missed four weeks at my job as a FF&E coordinator for a new hotel development (so I work closely with designers) went back to work for a week and a half and became so tired I couldn't go to work. Having chills and hot sweats. Thought it was the flu but don't have fever or respiratory problems. Went to the doctor Monday and had blood work/found out today that it's normal. So yes, I understand that no one believes there is anything wrong with you which puts more stress on the situation. I'm very fearful that I'll lose a job I love because I can't make it through the day. My company was very supportive through the whole foot issue because they saw it develop but, of course, thought once I healed I'd be back good as new. NOT!!! Thank goodness my "significant other" has been patient and wonderful because like you just getting a shower and dressed in the morning is a big chore. I made it to the grocery store today (Whoopie!) I've been all over the internet trying to find the magic cure. It's blow's my mind that we're almost in 2009 and there's so little the medical field knows about treating this problem. Like you, I want my life back! Hanging in there with you in the hope help will come our way.