Your legs and fibromyalgia

@pamgalli Baker cysts are a buildup of fluid behind the knees. They can be drained however that is not always necessary. I did not have to have mine drained. They drained/went away on their own. I was given several core exercises and told under no circumstances was I to ride bike but can ride a stationary one. This was approximately 6 years ago at age 60. I do a lot of walking on level ground.

My legs tire easily. Diagnosed 40+ years ago and within a couple months, my legs were like dead weights. Once they got me on 25 mg Elavil for sleep, prescription Naprosyn, and as needed muscle relaxer Parafon Forte, I improved…the dead weight feeling disappeared. But still legs tire. I stopped those meds after 5 years, taking muscle relaxer as needed. Am 76 now. When I did an overseas trip - 9 day southern England tour - more than 25 years ago around age 50, I asked for a wheelchair at the airport coming and going just to save my legs. Very good decision! I have one leg that is weaker - noticed strength problems climbing steps about the same time at age 50-55. Eventually diagnosed with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy and that same leg on the side, mid-calf, is numb. I now walk with a cane at age 76 and have OA in the knee on that leg. Over the past ten years I’ve found if I’m sleep deprived, I might be OK for a few hours walking around - but suddenly, my legs stiffen and I can only shuffle my feet. It’s quite noticeable - I turn as stiff as cardboard. Only happens when I don’t get 8 hrs of sleep. If I do too much exercise (9K steps), my legs get very tired and can give out on me , becoming inflamed. I sort of recognize the patterns now. No one can explain the link between sleep deprivation and sudden onset of loss of leg muscles, though they’re restored with sleep. It’s frustrating - in my mind, I se myself enjoying a nice trip, but realistically, I know it’d be too tiring. I do have sleep apnea and use my CPAP machine every night. Also take Benicar for BP, Potassium and diuretic for BP. Synthroid for low thyroid.

@quilterfingers I was diagnosed 26 years ago. I took everything they prescribed to try and live a normal life, including gabapentin. Nothing let me live normally.

@myo4me I also for over 40 years have found I cannot take any fibro drugs, bad side effects to all that end up taking away my vision.

@pollyperf I too need opioids for the really tough days. I use only sparingly as well for fear of running out and having to convince my doctor that they are a necessity.