hello!
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:13 pmHi!
I have been reading the forums for a while now but this is my first post :)
I turned 40 in Oct and was diagnosed with FMS in dec. I have had recurrent pain in my shoulders since i was a child and had knee pain also on and off, also suffered with dreadful migraines during my teens and 20's.
I had a difficult childhood and have anxiety and had depression through my teens, 20's and early 30's. In my 30's I developed IBS and now also have irritible bladder as well - yay!
As my depression lifted and I discovered beta blockers to help me cope with the anxiety I began to volunteer at my local citizens advice bureau to see what I was capable of.
I started to notice that I was getting flu like symptoms for months at a time, without ever actually getting the flu, and instead of my usual localized aches I was aching all over. Even though I was no longer depressed I was still tired all the time, something I had thought was a symptom of my depression.
As the doctors told me over and over that I had a viral infection, or pulled muscles I started to ask questions, what kind of viral infection never goes away? How could i be pulling so many muscles without doing strenuous exercise? They started to test me for all sorts of things and as each test came back negative the doctor thought I should be happy as there was 'nothing wrong with me' But of course this didnt stop how awful I was feeling. I started to become embarassed about my pain, and tried to ignore it thinking it must just be me, still being 'mental'.
I have a friend who was diagnosed with FMS and it sounded so much like how I am that I started to research the subject and I ticked ALL the boxes.By this time the pain had spread to my thighs and hips, and also sometimes migrates round my body so fast (like electric shocks) that I cant keep up with it. I took this to my doctor and said 'I think I have FMS' and she said 'oh no you dont want that!' - like I had a choice!
She tentatively diagnosed me with Nerve Hypersensitivity Syndrome, which Is probably true for some part, but does not explain all my symptoms.
I was horrified when she said the treatment for this is anti depressants as I had been on these for years and struggled terribly with the side effects and have been proudly anti depressant free for about 10 years.(although maybe they were why I never had this much pain before?) She wanted to put me on low dose amyltriptyline, which I know is a common treatment and has helped many people. I said I would only consider this if she sent me to a rheumatologist. This is how I got my diagnosis.
He isnt a big advocate of amyltriptyline and I now take tramadol when the pain gets bad. I am waiting for my referral to the pain clinic and have joined a local gym that has a swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Heaven! I have also bought a wheat bag - How have I survived so long without one!
I take one day at a time, I am used to pacing myself due to anxiety, and the pain I have been coping with, but there is confusing advice about not doing 'too much' and making sure you get enough exercise. i have read the spoon theory, but I guess no one can tell you how many spoons you have, and we will each be different.
these forums have been a treasure trove of information and inspiration and there are so many things I am going to try.
Elfval x
I have been reading the forums for a while now but this is my first post :)
I turned 40 in Oct and was diagnosed with FMS in dec. I have had recurrent pain in my shoulders since i was a child and had knee pain also on and off, also suffered with dreadful migraines during my teens and 20's.
I had a difficult childhood and have anxiety and had depression through my teens, 20's and early 30's. In my 30's I developed IBS and now also have irritible bladder as well - yay!
As my depression lifted and I discovered beta blockers to help me cope with the anxiety I began to volunteer at my local citizens advice bureau to see what I was capable of.
I started to notice that I was getting flu like symptoms for months at a time, without ever actually getting the flu, and instead of my usual localized aches I was aching all over. Even though I was no longer depressed I was still tired all the time, something I had thought was a symptom of my depression.
As the doctors told me over and over that I had a viral infection, or pulled muscles I started to ask questions, what kind of viral infection never goes away? How could i be pulling so many muscles without doing strenuous exercise? They started to test me for all sorts of things and as each test came back negative the doctor thought I should be happy as there was 'nothing wrong with me' But of course this didnt stop how awful I was feeling. I started to become embarassed about my pain, and tried to ignore it thinking it must just be me, still being 'mental'.
I have a friend who was diagnosed with FMS and it sounded so much like how I am that I started to research the subject and I ticked ALL the boxes.By this time the pain had spread to my thighs and hips, and also sometimes migrates round my body so fast (like electric shocks) that I cant keep up with it. I took this to my doctor and said 'I think I have FMS' and she said 'oh no you dont want that!' - like I had a choice!
She tentatively diagnosed me with Nerve Hypersensitivity Syndrome, which Is probably true for some part, but does not explain all my symptoms.
I was horrified when she said the treatment for this is anti depressants as I had been on these for years and struggled terribly with the side effects and have been proudly anti depressant free for about 10 years.(although maybe they were why I never had this much pain before?) She wanted to put me on low dose amyltriptyline, which I know is a common treatment and has helped many people. I said I would only consider this if she sent me to a rheumatologist. This is how I got my diagnosis.
He isnt a big advocate of amyltriptyline and I now take tramadol when the pain gets bad. I am waiting for my referral to the pain clinic and have joined a local gym that has a swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Heaven! I have also bought a wheat bag - How have I survived so long without one!
I take one day at a time, I am used to pacing myself due to anxiety, and the pain I have been coping with, but there is confusing advice about not doing 'too much' and making sure you get enough exercise. i have read the spoon theory, but I guess no one can tell you how many spoons you have, and we will each be different.
these forums have been a treasure trove of information and inspiration and there are so many things I am going to try.
Elfval x
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