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Living with Fibromyalgia: Introduce yourself & meet others
Fibromyalgia | Last Active: Jun 15 7:31am | Replies (108)Comment receiving replies
Am 57, have osteoarthritis in multiple joints, and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. To be truthful I have found it very hard to come to terms. Cannot believe how much it has affected my life. Can no longer work, legs are continuously heavy and painful, thought it was from my spine injury 30 years ago, but was told yesterday that my leg, feet, buttock and groin pain is not due to my spine that the nerves to my bowels/bladder are fine, that I only have slight impingement. The problem is that the pains in joints are very similar to osteoarthritis, so am very confused, don't know if its fibro or arthritis, have lost 2 stone in past year and muscle loss, constant head pain and tenderness, patches of my body hurt to touch, neck, shoulder, jaw, ears hurt. Also get chest pain when things get a little stressful. Am tired constantly. It feels like i'm not contributing enough to my family. My husband and girls are amazing. Our dogs make sure I walk daily, so I thank them for that. Thank you for your time Janet
Replies to "Am 57, have osteoarthritis in multiple joints, and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago...."
@rex1971 hang in there! Easier said than done tho. I’ve been battling since my early 20s (i’m now in my early 50s). I still struggle with coming to terms so please know you are not alone. There is a ton of anger and frustration i try to deal with on an almost daily basis, it’s not easy. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, well, maybe one of those awful dictators who treat their people horribly (ha!). Laughter definitely helps. Good luck!
@rex1971 I was diagnosed in my early 20’s (I’m in my 40’s now). My Mom was diagnosed with fibro when I was in college although she had it since her 30’s and I know understand why she be in bed for days with fatigue, remove necklaces saying that they hurt her neck and skin, and the list goes on. After a bad flare with horrible fatigue she told me that I needed to take time to mourn my old self- one that could wake up in the morning feeling rested, go to school or work, then do a million other things without thinking if I’ll be bedridden from fatigue and pain the next day, and all while not once feeling my muscles and skin burning or the slightest touch causing pain.
I now never wake up feeling rested (ever), I feel tired and drained all day, and there are many days when I try to put off taking a shower bc the water hitting my skin/muscles feels like being hit with tiny steel baseball bats.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It’s the pits. I did end up mourning my old body and life and it actually helped.
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@rex1971 Hi Janet, I’m so sorry. I have the exact same problems. Fibromyalgia is very painful, but arthritis is much worse.
Just as you said, life has changed for me too.
I’ve had both my knees replaced, and several surgeries on my hands due to arthritis.
Then there’s occipital neuralgia that gives me pain on my head including my scalp. It sounds like what you described.
I’m not a doctor but I believe your joint pain is arthritis, not fibromyalgia.
I have other problems, but you get the point. You are not alone.
My body is very sensitive to all medications so I don’t take any for the pain.
I have to take one day at a time. I’m 76, live alone but I’m not lonely. I keep myself busy.
Keep up with your life as best you can.
Blessings
Susan