Hello everyone.

[sleepyrich]

Hi all.

I may have joined a bit prematurely to this FM forum as I have only had one visit to the doctors and told him I think I could have FM, I have had blood taken and then booked an appointment for the 11th of Jan to see my prefered doctor who I hope will be going over my blood test results.

I'm a 34 y/o male and in June I had my first serious TMJD flair up which was far from funny, however I believe I was able to manage it myself and its triggers, its not perfect now but it doesn't give me any problems. The TMJD was almost certainly triggered by stress, lack of work from my business and having to wind it down. Work never picked up which made handling the stress harder, we also lost a close friend to cancer a couple of months before.

I had a nice holiday in August and managed to get my stress levels right down, I accepted my business was finished and started to think about my future in a very positive way. A few weeks ago when the heavy snow started I did lots of walking, dragging my 2.5 y/o daughter about on her sledge etc and all was good.

In the back of my mind I have felt something was not quite right for some time, then over the past few months I noticed that muscles I was straining/pulling were not actually getting better, I have for a year been using a Shakti mat which is like having a good back massage and I always felt the benefits and it allowed me to quickly fall asleep and disperse those knots and aches and pains well but as of late its not been working as well as it had.

A couple of weeks ago one day I just felt like I couldn't bring myself to do anything but just sit in the armchair (day before I did 2 x 1mile walks in the cold), I thought it might be depression catching up with me but at this time I was mentally preparing myself for a new career and had felt happier and more positive than I had all year! the following day was the worst, I went out for the day but had to go home by earlly afternoon and just slept, the day after that I woke up and had a hot bath then just continued to feel ill, I went to a shopping centre, almost cried on the spot and realised I couldnt focus on anything walking about the crowds (coplete cognitive overload) I also noticed driving was harder and I needed to concentrate on my spacial awareness more than normal.

I have felt like a hypercondriac moaning about my aches and pains for a while now, my lower back is in permenant pain, left wrist, hips and both thighs. I keep forgetting things and had days where my brain is really foggy. I have noticed that from 3-5pm I appear to have a wave that hits me. Sometimes I can bareley stand up and I am really stiff, a few moments walking and I do feel better though. My feet will randomly go freezing and I get stabbing pains in my chest now and again which I know is the muscles which usually happens in the 3-5pm period.

I think I am convincing myself that I have either FM, ME and CFS and just want a quick diagnosis so I can make the adjustments and move on with my life. The pain I can deal with more than the cognitive issues and i have really noticed my complete lack of stamina (need a break from writing this post even)

I need to now find a job but really not sure where to start, theres no way I could do what I know which is electronic security and I have no qualifications for anything else, driving jobs I considered but now after having problems getting in and out of the car has put dampners on that.

I'd like to know what jobs do you all hold down and are there any allowances made?

[shazq]

Hi Rich
Sorry to hear about your health problems.

The best advice i can give you at the moment is wait for your blood results to come back, if they are all clear then ask your GP to refer you to see a Rheumy as they are the specialists would normally dx fibro, once fibro has been dx`ed then your GP will continue treatment.
Fibro is normally controlled by strong pain meds and antidepressants but saying that people deal with they pain in different ways, i know lots of us are unable to work but some people can cope with part time work depending on their symptoms, everyone's pain is different.

I had to give in my job as could not cope with it and cant pick things up and also drop things, cant bend down, my last job i used to works with downs kids, i loved the job but could not lift or play with the kids.
I only drive local now as scared i would lose lack of concentration, my memory has gone to pot, i cant see anyone wanting to give me a job even if i was able to do one, i do miss working so much though.

Good luck with your GP. Keep us updated.

[sleepyrich]

Thanks for the welcome, I am anxious as I have just got myself a motorbike and some decent walking boots in the year, hoping they aren't going to be a waste of money as I love walking and riding.

I am thinking I might try and get another appointment but sooner, although from what I have read a week isn't going to make a great deal of difference in the grand scheme of things.

I am prepared for whatever tests are needed, but I had decided that all I want from my GP is a referal exactly like you say, if my GP is unsure of what is wrong with me then I will be pushing for a referal.

I would like to know if the symptoms worsen over time in a linear sense or do symptoms really come and go, there has been a few days where I wake up and think I'm getting over it, my muscle pain is really minimal and i feel great. A couple of hours later though I will do the washing up and it feels like I have just sprinted 200 meters. I got exhasuted packaging a parcel earlier today, but on a positive note I managed to remember that instance while writing this several hours later lol!

I strangely feel excited abot my symptoms but when I think about it I believe its the feeling that I have a meaning for all those little ailments that have been at the back of my mind for so long. I would go so far as to say that the FM is a sign of myself healing and maturing in a positive way mentally. Its strange.

[FluppyPuffy]

and sorry to hear how you're feeling and what you're going thru. with the tests and getting a diagnosis.

If you get a dx of FM, you'll find that altho we share numerous symptoms, it varies greatly in how it affects us. Some people find that they do get worse over time, whereas others find that they can stay the same pain and symptoms-wise.And as you seem to be finding, how you feel can vary hour-to-hour as well There isn't a definite course that symptoms follow, it can be very vague and unpredictable, which is what a lot of us find so frustrating

Like shaz, I don't work either, I was retired on medical grounds in 2001 and haven't been able to work since then. My driving licence was also revoked due to the wonderful cognitive issues it causes me as well However, this doesn't mean the same will happen to you if you are dx'd with this wretched condition.

with everything and let us know who you go on

[fabme]

Hi

Welcome to the site like you I also have TMJD diagnosed in November 2010 by my dentisit who charged me £60.00 for a mouth guard to protect me teeth and stop the grinding. I have perserveared with it and wear all night and found it has helped with the symptoms.

Like the others have said work on getting your diagnosis then you know what your dealing with and like the other 2 I had to give up my own business as I couldn't cope with it

fab

[denys]

Hi Sleepyrich, to the forum. Cant add much more than has already been said with your appointments and diagnosis

[Shani]

Hi Sleepyrich.

I just wanted to welcome you.

I hope you found the support you were lookin for here, by us.

[carolnotts]

Hi Sleepyrich welcome to the forum there isn't much more i can say that hasn't already been said. Get your diagnosis first and then take it from there

[budda]

to the forum sleepyrich

[Laurajojo]

[KellyBelly]

Just wanted to say Hi too

I'm one of the newer people on here - was only diagnosed in May after many, many years of suffering in silence. I still work, and wanted you to know that it can be possible to hold down a job with Fibro. I am self-employed, but still have quite an active job. I've had to accept my limits though and have changed my approach to my work somewhat - but I also absolutely love what I do so I think that helps a massive amount.

It may sound cheesey, but a certain amount of positivity is needed with this disorder. I try to stay positive (as much as one can whilst in tremendous pain!) and I really think maintaining this outlook helps with day-to-day living. It can be difficult to see the silver lining, but if you don't look you'll never find it! This forum is fabulous for letting off a bit of steam, but please don't think that all we do is whinge and moan!!

Good luck with your Docs appointments, I felt relieved when I was diagnosed (I mean, I didn't want Fibro - you'd be a nutter if you did - but it was a relief to know that there was a reason behind the pain). Once you are diagnosed, you can start dealing with it.

[sleepyrich]

Thanks Kelly,

Yes I am determined to stay positive, regarding work I doubt I could run my business as its the stress of that I think has made me like this, it was also physical as well as mentally challenging.