Living with Fibromyalgia: Introduce yourself & meet others

@tdinnen yes I have and don’t know what to do about it

@kay9t yes I have. Was taking Cymbalta for over 12 years and Gabapentin. Went off Cymbalta by choice March 2025. Terrible withdrawal. But I started to be able to wake up at 8 or 9am instead of anywhere from 1-5pm (Cymbalta side effect went away). Will never go back. Dealing with flare ups as they come with LDN, heating pad, Advil, or crying. Oh yes chiropractor has been very helpful for me. I changed from 2000 mg of Gabapentin to 400 mg currently. Recently read that Gabapentin can also cause weight gain and memory problems. Memory is really bad right now. So trying to wean off it. My weight has stayed the same since I got off the Cymbalta though. Needless to say when I first started Cymbalta it helped and I’m not at that level of pain anymore so I was able to stop it. I also think not being able to exercise or even walk for long is not possible because I flare up and treating myself with goodies to pacify my depression also have played a role in my weight gain. I’m certainly not as bad as when I first started with the fibromyalgia. I’m Trying LDN and gummies suggested on this group. So I have faith that something that I’m trying is going to be it! Since all in all fibromyalgia has gotten better cause it was so horrendous when I first got it. This is just my experience. Especially with fibromyalgia everyone is different. Good luck and God Bless.

Muscular pain and sporadic muscle spasms is what I experience. What are some other symptoms or pain associated with fibromyalgia? I am hopeful for a cure.

Did I comment already in this thread? I don’t remember.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia around 1997-98, when I was about 36. The doctor said that, based on my symptoms, I probably have had the condition since I was at least 19. I remember asking people, including doctors, if it was normal to feel your hands and feet. I couldn’t think of how else to describe it. They said I needed to stretch/exercise/not exercise/drink more fluids/stop smoking (I did when I was 35), and a whole other range of “suggestions” that didn’t help. My “favorite”? It’s in my head.
It was WONDERFUL to put a name to my range of symptoms. Knowing I wasn’t crazy or whiny or lazy allowed me to attack the symptoms, if I couldn’t get rid of the disease/syndrome/condition.
At 64 I’m still in pain. 24/7. It interferes with much of my life but it doesn’t stop my life. I sleep when I need and try (try) to exercise.
Right now I’m working on my weight. I gained weight when I stopped smoking in ‘97. Then I kept gaining weight and over the last 2 years I gained 20 pounds due to being depressed and not active. Carrying the extra weight can be painful plus I don’t feel really good about it. I need to lose at least 30. Not for anyone else but so that I’m not in pain.
To anyone living with this condition, there is no cure. We CAN treat it and take control of our symptoms. We don’t have to let it control us.

I am new to both this site and Fibro. I am 76 years old, and female. I've been in much pain and have tried Naproxen, Meloxicam and Diclofenac to no avail. Lately, I've been taking LYRICA, which has been hailed as a new treatment. It doesn't work for me. I've been on CYMBALTA for many years for depression, and it obviously doesn't work, either. I have been under tremendous stress, which I believe caused the disease and has exacerbated it. The big problem is that my husband is on oxygen and can do nothing, so I've sort of taken over chores and things he used to be able to do. And it's killing me. Some days I can hardly walk, am exhausted and very irritable. I've got to find something that alleviates the pain!
I am a Mayo patient for years but have yet to see a specialist as I spend winters in Florida and summers in Illinois (which is closer to the clinic). I intend to get appointment this summer, but I have to function till then. I am excited to perhaps learn some coping strategies from you people!

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia several years back, but think I had it longer than that. I think it was triggered by a traumatic injury. It stinks.

Lots of different treatments tried-some help-lots didn’t. We’re all so different.

Anything but sunny and 70 with low humidity seems to be a trigger, weather wise.

May we all have fibro-smart care providers who are empathetic!

@hraka13, I should say depressed, not active, and post menopausal.

@dinycat, do you qualify for any kind of in-home care, even a couple days a week to help with vacuuming and laundry? Check with your local elder care facility or social services. Even a little help might help alleviate some of your stress AND allow you to get out to grab some air.

@glife, there are a range of symptoms and not anyone has even all. Sleep disorders are a big one. I know they found that for years I wasn’t staying in REM sleep. I could sleep 2 or 12 hours and still be tired. I was prescribed small dose muscle relaxant but that scares me now as I now am a recovering addict. My mood stabilizer (carbamazepine) for my Bipolar II seems to help and I sometimes use melatonin to help me relax before bed.
Try to keep a journal, nothing fancy, of symptoms you think may or may not be related. There is a TON of info online now. Just make sure it’s from a reputable site like Mayo or some other (actual) medical site.

@hraka13
Thank you. Wish you the best in your healing and best of health .