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I’m 77, diagnosed in my early 30s. I was unfamiliar with this decade-old fibro research (see link below) until recently, but it makes perfect sense to me. Briefly, measuring pressure of the muscles of fibro-folks has consistently given “high pressure” results. Meaning, muscles that are constantly pressurized aren’t getting the oxygen and circulation necessary to keep them “unwound”. They’re constantly tight. I picture one of those clothing/bedding storage bags with all the air sucked out.
This accounts for chronic fatigue, chronic inflammation, and muscles that easily overly-react to triggers. For years, my dr found I had high-inflammation blood markers. My physical therapists have consistently remarked that my leg muscles are tighter than anyone they’ve ever worked with. I did not feel the tightness - though therapists did. Makes sense they’re constantly inflamed and rest/relaxation (muscle relaxers) help somewhat.
Since April of this year, I’ve had 2 UTIs, both with few tell-tale symptoms and both cleared up quickly with antibiotics. The really bad side-effect? Apparently, the slightest bacterial infection triggers already inflamed nerves/muscles near the infection - causing my muscles clench, leaving me in pain for months while they heal and loosen up again - requiring lots of rest, muscle relaxers, Tylenol ( I can’t take anti-inflammatories, had an internal bleeding from baby aspirin a few years back).
Seems like a never- ending cycle of immobilizing tight, painful, inflamed muscles.
Here’s the link to the study -
https://www.fibromyalgiafund.org/why-fibromyalgia-muscles-hurt/
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@jakefix82 ,
My heart goes out to you for having Fibro for this long. My manicurist in Georgia used to say "it too bad you cannot remove your hands, I do your nails and call you to come pick up when im done." I'm always wound up and tight because my body has spent most of my life in fight or flight mode. My chiropractor in NJ used to tell me I was one of his top 3 most difficult clients to adjust.
In 2024, I fell down the stairs at my apartment complex (I blacked out and didn't know I had fell until i was already on another stair.) I ended up essentially destroying my left shoulder, which has been a most of my life pain in the butt. I broke my shoulder, dislocated my shoulder, tore the labrum, and sustained tons of little fractures all over. My occupational therapist who is one of the goofiest yet brightest people i know, used to say "Miss Kelly, i need total "noodle arm". Which meant I am way too tightened up in my left arm/shoulder. But then he would put my arm in all these different motions, and still say "total noodle arm." And I would reply "I would if you weren't trying to twist my arm off my body" I was fully discharged from all appointments back in January of this year.
Yesterday during my diagnosis of Fibro, my Doctor told me "Every hour you are awake and not doing anything else, you need to walk for 5 minutes. You can walk around your apartment and then outside the next hour and back and forth. The movement is good for you and helps with the pain." I started Lyrica today and we shall see how well it works.