IT WON'T BEAT ME! (My Experience of Fibromyalgia)

Member Name: weeonelass

Product:	My Experience of Fibromyalgia
Date:	03/10/01 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: none

Disadvantages: pain, fatigue, depression

I have just been diagnosed with a condition called fibromyalgia. I have been suffering for 8 months now and was told by all the doctors that I was having panic attacks and it was al in the mind.

WHAT IS IT?

Well it is a type of rheumatism which effects ligament and tissues, not the joints. It cause a patient to feel very tired and can be very painful. There are no outward signs if a person has it and it is difficult to diagnose. It takes a good GP to recognise the illness. Mostly it is rheumatologist who gives the diagnoses.

CAUSE:

They are not really sure of the exact cause. The disease is similar to ME (myalgic encephalmyelitis) which can be caused by a virus. But it is thought that there are close links to lack of sleep and stress.

SYMPTOMS:

It is characterised by certain pressure points on the body like the neck, back, chest, ankles and hips. If pressure is put on these areas pain occurs. Sometimes it is just an ache other times it can be like a stabbing.

Other symptoms inlude extream fatigue, sleep disturbance, tingling and numbness in arms and legs, headaches, depression, forgetfulness, weeing lots, irritable bowels and swelling.

TREATMENTS:

There are no cures for this condition but it is thought that if an anti depressent is given it helps the muscles relax and aids sleep. For the pain non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs like nurofen are useful.

LIVING WITH IT:

Need support from family members.
Avoid nasal sprays, caffine, alcohol, chocolate.
Do gentle exercise to strengthern muscles like swimming.
Learn to relax and do not get stressed.
Eat healthily and keep weight down.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS:

I have found that things like osteopathy, homeopathy and meditation are excellent. Homeopathy in particular as it treats the whole body and not an individual symptom. It does not pump chemicals into the body which could al
so contribute to symptoms.

This illness can last for months or years. There is no indication of how long it will last. All I can say is that I think I am lucky because at the moment I can still do every day things. It has not stopped me living my life as normal.

OTHER FACTS:

It affects 1 in 10 woman in britain between the ages of 40-50. Woman are at higher riskd of suffering from the condition. Men have a different range os symptoms.

My tips on coping are-
positive thinking, do not give in to it. Some days I do feel like staying in bed but I can't I must get up and get on with my life. At first I was very scared, but now I am determined that this is not going to ruin my life. I am only 28 and I have a great husband and two year old daughter and I am not going to beaten by this condition. I want to still enjoy my life and that will not happen if i give in.

Take all the help offered. Try it, if it doesn't help then try something else.

WORST PARTS FOR ME:

I can sleep for 12 hours and still wake up tired.
I have limited energy.
Bloated stomach.
Worse every month when my period is due.
Because I do not look ill, people do not understand how i am feeling.

Helplines and support groups are about and it is nice to know that there are others out there who fell the same.

STIFF(UK)- 01782 562366
FIBROMYALGIA ASSOC.
PO box 206
stourbridge
west midlands
dy9

There are also lots of web sites.

Remember when reading others experiences that we are not all the same so do not be scared of others if you do seem that bad. It does not mean that you will get as bad, but be prepared.

Summary: