Living with Fibromyalgia: Introduce yourself & meet others

Hello everyone,
I live in alaska and was recently diagnosed with FM. It's been a ride and still going. I'm 52 and my job is physical which has been scary since it flares my arthritis and FM. I'll be honest I've been having a hard accepting the diagnoses since there isnt a real way of conclusively diagnosing. Also I'm to young (lol) to slow down which has been the most difficult to accept. I tried to get a referral to a rheumatologist but doctor refused so seeing a new doc Mon, just to find out today they dont see diagnoses of fm only. So far I have been reading all I can and following tips to manage symptoms. I declined medicines since they interact with my bp meds and my bp is doing good it actually lowered to point of decreasing meds since my first big flare up. So I'm prepared to work at this each day and continually asking God to keep me positive and thank him for the good in my life because there is so much. I used to be very active and outdoorsy and went on a short walk for the pain, which is mild today. Enjoying the beautiful summer and reminding myself I dont have to give everything up just tweak stuff a bit. Right my job is my biggest hurdle and worry. I look forward to sharing and hearing what all of you have to share. I'm glad this forum is here.

I'm a month into this so far, I very feeling off for a couple years tho. So Im new and learing Im going to research the ketamine. Also I have a question, a ton actually, has anyone with arithis have their nodules on joint grow quickly. Mine did after first big flare.

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

Justin Thank You!, I numbered these as it will make it easier to read. I have had fibromyalgia for 28 years and below are symptoms & coping mechanisms that I hope will help others. God Bless You all and praying for you all that have this. It is not an easy road.

1) Fibro can cause burning, aching, pain to the touch, stiffness, muscle spasms, migraines, IBS, daily headaches. brain fog, deep pain that even feels like its in the joints....buts its the in the fibrous tissue & muscle. Extreme fatigue. Chronic Fatigue Sydrome & Fibromyalgia go hand in hand. Us Fibro folks are also sensitive to a lot of things that other people are not.

2) Thyroid Disease tends to go along with Fibromyalgia, so please get all of your thyroid levels checked: TSH, T3, T4 & Thyroid Antiglobulins & Antibodies. You can have more than 1 thyroid disease. I have Hashimotos & Graves Disease.

3) Arthritis tends to go along with Fibromyalgia.

4) I find rest is helpful, hot bath soaks in Epsom salt or a hot shower if you can't get into tub, heat packs (Bed Buddy on Amazon), Voltaren Gel rubs (a few times a day) and I use Flexeril 5 mg for spasms. I take a lot of supplements. Magnesium is good for Fibromyalgia. Make sure that your D3 and B12 are in check and you are not low as this can cause pain and more fatigue.

5) Extra strength tylenol 650 mg as I cannot take NSAID such as Motrin, Advil, Aleve or prescription Mobic. I have tried so many meds and I can't tolerate most of them for Fibro.

6) Somedays a short nap with heatpacks helps. I turn the ringer off on the phone. I may feel good for an hour and then start hurting all over and become exhausted for no reason. Crazy, isn't it?

7) I cannot overplan my calendar. If I am invited to something, I say, "I'll see how that day is going for me". It's hard to commit to something with fibromyalgia.

8) Keep moving even if you don't feel like it or you will get stiffer. Stretch in the morning when you get up. If you can tolerate a massage, it helps.

9) If you see a change in the fibromyalgia, see your primary physician as other things can mimic fibro such as: Lupus, MS or RA.

10) Birthdays for family & holidays can be hard as you have more to do. Try and pace yourself (I am a type A and this is hard for me!) and do a little something each day to prepare. Order gifts online. Use gift bags instead of wrapping...that aggravates my hands (I have arthritis in my hands).

11) Order groceries online and bring bags in the house making more trips rather than fewer or you can flare yourself up. There are actually some grips you can put on grocery bags to take the strain off of your hands. I think Amazon has them.

12) Try to avoid stress (I know!) and a steady diet of negativity such as the news & people that always have so much drama in their life. Emotional turmoil can cause a flare up. Extreme weather change can cause a flare. Also, caffeine & sugar are not your friend. If you have extra weight on you, try and get it off. This has helped me greatly and I still have a few pounds to go. 1 pound of extra weight is 4 pounds extra on your knees!

13) Women are more prone to fibromyalgia than men. I believe that having Epstein Barr and chonic sinus infections for many years triggered this for me.

14) COVID ramped up my fibromyaglia a lot.

15) Wear good supportive shoes.

16) When I have a good day, I cannot over do it or I will have a flare up. Pace yourself on the good days! Mornings are the worst time for me and so I try and not plan early morning appointments.

17) Laugh! Be around people that are postiive and make you laugh. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine....but a broken spirit drieth up the bones" Proverbs 17:22

18) I have 2 dear friends that have fibromyalgia and we talk a lot and pray for each other. It feels so good to unload sometimes.

19) Do things that relax you. I love crossword puzzles, music, singing, writing, Pinterest recipes, journaling, sitting in the sunshine, watching birds, baking, writing cards to others to gets my mind off of myself. Pain can consume your thinking. Be others minded. On days I am able, I make extra soup for my family so I can drop off some at someone's door that has COVID, the flu or other illnesses.

20) Most of all, I love reading my Bible, Praying for others. My personal relationship with the Lord all these years is what has sustained me and kept me going. Chronic suffering has changed my prayer life to trust Him more and pray for others fervently that are suffering.

21) When I have a pity party (and I do) I must get out of that kind of thinking really quickly. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" Proverbs 23:7. I remind myself there are others a whole lot worse off than me.

22) I'm getting ready to try red light therapy and possibly try a chiropractor. Stay tuned....

23) Find at least 5 things daily you are grateful for.

24) Cooking huge meals is something I no longer can do. The standing is hard for long periods of time. I keep my meals at home simple and use the crock pot a lot.

25) If I have a doctors appointment or errands for that day, I get a takeout meal and bring home if I do not have leftovers. I know that I will be exhausted.

God Bless You All Greatly. I empathize. I care.