does anyone know what fibromyalgia is and does anyone have it?
613321
I know several people who have it. We have found that Guaifenesin Therapy seems to help. I've posted a link to a page that gives some info about that.
922392
I have/had it and it killed mine for the longest time.  If you are in pain, you really don't care about anything except pain relief.  It almost destroyed all my friendships and relationships.  The only time I felt like having sex was when the doctor game me percocets.  Fibro was terrible.  My whole body felt like one big bruise for three years.  I had worked in a steel foundry and was used to pain and this was  intolerable.  I was on morphine for six months.\n\nI find/found relief by keeping the temperature in the house very constant at 70 degrees.  I never take hot baths or hot saunas or expose myself to the cold weather too much.  The cold cause pain, but the heat does the real damage to the deep layers of the skin.  (the fascia) .  The facia(deep bruising pain) in my case was caused by overexposure at work.  Deep fascia pain feels exactly like muslce pain and in my case the skin looked almost normal.\n\nhttp://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/300/cdn_medical_association/cmaj/vol-162/issue-1/0077.htm
122578
Have you been checked for Fibromyalgia? PTSD is usually caused by a traumatic (physical or mental) event and so is Fibro. However, Fibro could be what is causing your pain. If so, pain medications will not be of assistance and you may then want to look at muscle relaxers instead. I have had Fibro for twenty years and have tried every pain reliever possible. Most worked initially and then I built up a tolerance causing me to move to heavier medications.\n\nHere are a few exerpts that I found linking Fibro and PTSD and are sourced below.\n\nThe mysterious chronic pain condition fibromyalgia is widely thought of as a woman's disease, but new research suggests it is also common among men with posttraumatic stress disorder. \n\nPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or chronic stress may play a strong role in the development of fibromyalgia in some patients. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that is a reaction to a specific traumatic event. Symptoms of this condition, which can occur for years after the traumatic event, include emotional withdrawal, hopelessness, irritability, mood swings, sleep problems, inability to concentrate, and an excessive startle response to noise. There is some evidence that PTSD actually results in changes in the brain, possibly from long-term overexposure to stress hormones.\n\nThis is a list of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia http://www.fibrohugs.com/article.php?story=20040301122908997
78706
I often tell my mom (who has it) that what fibromyalgia really means is "You hurt, we know you hurt, but we haven't an effing clue as to what to do about it"
625375
Fibromyalgia is complicated, I have it.  My theory is a little different than alot of others.  I believe it's a breakdown of the immune system due to lymphatic problems.  See the lymph system is responsible for the T and B cells that fight illness.\n\nThis came out recently, excellent article, somewhat backs what I've believed all along, the fibro, CFS and other illnesses come from a whacked out lymph system.\n   \nUK Physician Believes He's Found Proof of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ImmuneSupport.com\n\n08-10-2005 \n\nDoctor takes stigma out of 'yuppie flu' \nBy Deborah Haile \n\nDr. Raymond Perrin believes he has proof that chronic fatigue syndrome - once dubbed yuppie flu - has a physical cause. \n\nFor years sufferers of CFS - which includes ME - have lived under the stigma of being diagnosed with a condition that many dismissed as being in the mind. But Manchester osteopath Dr. Perrin believes he has proved that the debilitating syndrome is the physical result of the way the body deals with toxins. \n\nHe believes a picture of varicose lymphatic vessels taken during a research project at Salford University shows for the first time the "backflow" of lymphatic drainage that he believes is the cause of toxin build-up. \n\nAnd it is this accumulation of toxins in the central nervous system, which Dr. Perrin believes is the cause of conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and ME. \n\nValves \n\nDr. Perrin, who runs clinics in Prestwich, central Manchester and London, said: "Normally these vessels are the size of the thinnest pencil line and you can't usually see them without a magnifying glass, but the fact they are swollen like this is significant. There is a backflow against the valves. \n\n"Very rarely can you see these, but with every person I have seen in the last 16 years with chronic fatigue syndrome you can feel them under the surface. It means this person has had ME for a number of years." \n\nUntil now experts have believed that valves in the lymphatic vessels only allowed the flow of fluids in one direction. But Dr. Perrin says these varicose lymphatic vessels - which resemble varicose veins but are the same colour of the skin instead of a bluish colour - are the proof that the backflow exists, when vessels are damaged, allowing toxins to concentrate in the central nervous system. He revealed the picture at a seminar at Salford University. He hopes to publish it in a respected medical journal later in the year. \n\nMargaret Cannon, who had to give up work because of the condition, said: "After about three months of Raymond's treatment my concentration was restored and the symptoms improved greatly." \n \n\nOnline at http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/health/s/168/168143_doctor_takes_stigma_out_of_yuppie_flu.html\n\nPS: allergies, long term ones can mess up the lymphatics by the congestion in the nodes, so it all ties in.
574945
I also live in PA.  try this webiste for some very good doctors.  www.geisinger.org    This hospital is fundemental in fibromyalgia and other problems that other hospitals can't fix.  I hope it can be of some help.  Glad to see I can help a neighbor.
36396
I have had Fibro since I was 16 and am now almost 36. I have the same diagnosises as you including Myofascial Pain Syndrome and others. Actually, MPS should be a given. In my experience pain medications do not work. I have also tried biofeedback, steroid shots, trigger point injections, nerve blocks, accupuncture, foot braces, wrist braces, carpal tunnel release surguries, and so much more. All just torture and I felt like a guinea pig.\nMy best advise is make sure to get plenty of sleep, take a multiple vitamin, keep active in at least low impact sports, and consider Magnesium and Malic Acid supplements (consult the doctor or a nutritionist to have your Magnesuim level checked- it is a simpe mouth swab and not painful), meditation does help some in keeping the pain back if you can seperate your mind from the pain, and try to take 2-3 warm Epson Salt baths a week (Epson salt contains Magnesium and soaking in a warm tub of it helps to get the mineral into the body. Magnesium aids the muscles in using oxygen and when the level is low which is typical in Fibro it can cause are cramps, spasms, and pain.) \nAlso, Fibromyalgia is a neurotransmitter disorder certain foods can trigger similiar symptoms to Fibro. Try eliminating Monsodium Glutamate from your diet. I did and some of my symptoms (chronic headaches and nausea) went away. It is in everything from Doritos to chicken soup. A few key finding's of an FDA study found MSG to cause a "burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest". Otherwise, learn your limits and pace yourself.\nGood luck!
631187
I know how you feel. My mother was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 8 years ago. She is in shocking pain for which she takes prednisolone. She is allergic to many things so this is her only option. She also suffers from extreme tiredness and very weak and sore muscles. She also has Mitochondriamyopathy which contributes to the fibromyalgia. I have been having a lot of trouble for several years now and my physiotherapist thinks I have fm as well. I can understand how you must feel. Are you very sensitive to touch? that seems to be a major problem for my mother and I. I don't know if there is any other suggestion to help with pain since you are on meds, apart from hydrotherapy which is what I am doing at the momment. It allows you to get moving more freely without the weight of your body putting strain on your muscles. Keep moving for as long as you can, the hydro really does help. Good luck.
898337
U can go to ur gp and tell him of ur symptoms. Here is some informatiom on fibromyalgia. \nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079
553925
I was diagnosed with it when I was in my 20's...over 20yrs ago!  It is a relatively new diagnosis and doctors are just now beginning to understand just how debilitating it can be... make sure you trust your doctor as it is not an easy diagnosis to make and there are alot of other illnesses out there that have symptoms very similar to fibromyalgia!  My sister swears by herbs to help hers.... I swear by pain meds and rest.... guess it all just depends on a persons point of view and just how bad a day that person is having!
698802
I would suggest posting at fibrohugs.com asking for a doctor in your area. The website has a lot of posters, so they might be able to help.
489958
It is called: Fibromyalgia!\n\nFibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is a debilitating chronic syndrome (constellation of signs and symptoms) characterized by diffuse and or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, fatigue, and a wide range of other symptoms.
739203
You should definitely go to your family physician.  There are many things you could have.  to me, (not a doctor) it sounds like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia or mono.   but I am not a doctor so I don't have any real advice except to see one!  Hope this gets resolved soon.
268381
I don't know if anyone knows what IBS is.
932465
HI Angela are you under alot of stress/pressure at the moment and feeling tired or overcome even with simple things. Has your weight changed recently and did you get you blood sugar levels checked recently in case of diabetics.\n\nHave either your mother or your young sister ever presented similar symptoms as to the dizziness, blackouts foggyness forgetfulness and feelings of unreality.\n\nYou don't mention having pain or feeling fatigue or sickness. I have the symptoms you explain except the blackouts and other smyptoms. I have also pain that migrates fatigue sickness and mood swings and numbness. I am diagnosed with Fibromyalgia/ME since 2000. I know other Fibro/ME suffers who have regular blackouts with the symptoms you present plus pains fatigue mood swings and numbness. \n\nThis is difficult to diagnose and nothing shows up on scans etc which can seem to the un trained lay person or doctor in some cases (all in the head and the patient is depressed or lazy)\n\nTry to relax a bit and not dwell on this until you get the results of the brain scan back I know it not easy for you but worring can't do any good.\n\nTake care around machinery and do not drive and take it easy hubby's can some times make you feel worse at times like this if they don't support you or have compassion. \n\nAsk him to help out more and not hurt it doesn't work explain to your young children that mummy is feeling poorly and loves them very much but just needs to go slowly and cant rush about like a bat.\n\nHope you get the help and answers you require to take charge of a very frightening situtation. \n\nTake LOL.
191959
Fibromyalgia is not well understood.  There is no real test that will definitely diagnose it nor is there any specific treatment for it.  The symptoms are often vague and seem sort of non-specific and seem to have no cause.  Most sufferers are women from their mid-30s to late-50s and the symptoms can sound like depression, PMS, chronic fatique, etc.
1146553
I can tell you that my son and I do not have fibromyalgia. We both do not like the heat as the temperature we give off is already high. I keep my house at 62 degrees (F) in winter and summer and still we both have night sweats. During the day, if you put your hand on the back of my neck, it is sooo hot it is amazing. My son is miserable day or night by how hot he feels. And yes, we also fog the windows in our car.\n\nI don't know if this goes along with fibromyalgia, but my point is, anyone can have this problem. It is not just for people with fibromyalgia.