Fibromyalgia???

Hello, not been on here for a while & am looking for a bit of advice please. My question is... what exactly is fibromyalgia & is it a real condition??(I am not saying this to offend anyone,so apologies) its just that I dont understand fully what it is & how its diagnosed?? I have had recurring problems with my shoulder & neck for many years after I injured it whilst working, I also have problems with my lower back (again after an injury & the job that I do) I have also had 3 RTA's over the years,which has'nt helped at all:( & I also broke my hand some years ago (which still gets painful from time to time)my knees often ache also!! Pheeww,I do sound a demic!!:o I often feel like I have been 'battered' & am tired a lot. I have an underactive thyroid,although this is controlled with meds. I am overweight by about 3 stone:o,so I know this will contribute to aches & pains (but am trying to do something about this,but its hard & weight coming off slowly) Many thanks for reading 🙂

Hi there

Fibromyalgia is liked with low thyroid. It is pain in the muscles and specific points are used to give a diagnosis if they are painful - this is done by a doctor/rheumatologist. When I was diagnosed I was so sore my husband couldn't hug me - but it is only occasionally bad now.

Have a look at the google selection of sites . Dr John Lowe was one of the first to link FM with thyroid problems. Lots to read there and you should get some answers too. There have been several threads about it here on HP too.

Thankyou for your reply Caroline.That sounds awful that you could'nt even have a hug,I don't know what I would do if I could'nt have a hug off the hubby each day! Glad you dont have symptoms as often. I was just wondering about the condition,as it seems to fit with a lot of symptoms I have.GP keeps sending me for various xrays etc & painkillers/gels have minimal effect,it was just a thought I had.Heat packs take the aches away to a point,I have had physio which works for a few days then pain comes back! Also had acupuncture many years ago with not much effect really.Have also been very low for some weeks due to quite a few things a bereavment being one reason, my shoulder & back have been very painful & things have just snowballed really.Thanks again for the reply, I will have a nosey at the links. Take care 🙂

Fibro specialists don't rely on the pressure points now. I was diagnosed in December last year and a lot of research is now being done. Diagnosis is now done by specific symptoms.
I do Yoga stretches to relieve the pain, gentle massage, gentle exercise (note GENTLE), shamanic drumming, and am now having Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which is a great help (this is on the NHS!) CBT involves meditation which also helps a lot,
I have tried most of the alternative therapies, but any results were tempory. I have found that there is no magic pill for FB,I have found it involves taking responsibility for my own body and life style. I'm told its not curable - but I don't believe that.

I have fibromyalgia, one of the rare men that have it. To say it has disrupted my life would be an understatement. It is a real condition? It depends what you mean. The fatigue, muscle and nerve pain, insomnia, headaches, lightheadness, IBS, sensitivity to cold, brain fog, and a bunch of other symptoms are real. Everyone has the same symptoms, for the most part. But some suspect difference reasons, such as hidden thyroid problems, lyme disease, or a bunch of other immune disorders. I'm praying they figure out what my issues are...been struggling for 12-13 years with this. You become anti-social, can barely work.

Know the feeling!

Quite agree - nice to have you back Gillie 🙂
23 years is too long! But it's had its ups and downs.

You are right Caroline - 23 years is too long. I know what you mean about hugging! Hubby touched me on my back the other day and I hit the roof - it was so painful. I honestly dont know how long I have had FB, its well over 10 years - I seem to have been in chronic pain forvever. I'm finding CBT reall6y helpful though. My therapist uses a book on Mindfulness -which is about being in the now. Started the meditation course in it 4 days ago - and I really can feel a difference. I actually feel 'normal' - whateveer that is:confused: It could just be one of those lovely peaks that FB gives once in a while - OR it may really be helping. Will keep you posted 🙂
Yes, its great to be back - still a lot of familiar names on the Forum. Haven't been near a Forum for a couple of years as j7st go within myself with the pain.
Wishing you well
Gill x

I have had Fibromyalgia for years and before I found 'my magic cocktail of meds' I could not walk up and down the stair, and was in so much pain I could not bear to be touched. Anyway my doc prescribed Amytriptiline and Diclofenac for me, and they are like miracle drugs for me. The Amytriptiline works by blocking the pain signals going to the brain, so even though the Fibro' is still there, you don't feel all the debillitating pains. And the diclofenac is to help with the joints etc. If I take these 2 simple drugs last thing at night, I sleep well, and wake refreshed. All the mind fog, confusion, and pains just dissapear. I know that these drugs may not work the same on everyone, but if by recommending them here to other sufferers, and just one person is helped then this is good. Fibro is a dreadfully debillitating thing to have.

I once went on holiday and forgot to pack my meds. On day one I was ok. Day 2 I did not sleep that night. Day three the pains started to set in. Day 4 I was in such a bad state that we packed the car and headed back home, where I duly chucked the magic pills down my throat and presto, next day back to normal. God bless Amytriptiline.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal syndrome that is characterized by pain, aches, tenderness, and stiffness in the muscle tissue, ligaments, and tendons. It most often affects the neck, shoulders, chest, legs, and lower back. Pain is commonly accompanied by sleep disorders, fatigue and depression. Many of its symptoms are similar to those of chronic fatigue syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).

Accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia is often difficult, because tiredness, fatigue, poor sleep and muscle pain are symptoms that are common to many other ailments that need to be investigated and ruled out before a positive diagnosis can be made. Although new tests are being developed, most doctors agree that there are specific criteria that need to be passed before a diagnosis of can be confirmed. Among these are the requirements that widespread pain that should have been present in excess of three months, that pain should be felt in at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points when pressure is applied.

A regime of Shiatsu, augmented by Qigong exercises, is often successful in reducing pain, increasing flexibility, improving sleep patterns and increasing energy levels. In my practice, I use Shiatsu to initialise the healing process through its effects on the musculature, the Qi flow, and the relaxation and wellbeing of my clients.
Gentle (specific to the client) Qigong exercises help to keep symptoms at bay and also give the sufferer the opportunity to be proactive with their condition and empowering them.