Fibromyalgia Case Studies: July 26 - August 25, 2007

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8/25/2007
Name: Olivia
City: Safed
State: Israel
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? NJ but lived in Boston from age 2-4, then moved to Houston, TX
Where Do You Live Now? Israel, (The water is fluoridated here)
How Long Have You Lived There? At the present time 2 years; I also lived in Israel 1996-2000, then went back to Houston (where I lived most my life) 2000-2005
Your Age? 38
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? I've had some symptoms since grade school, stiffness since my teens, and for 14 years I've had bedridden episodes
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? Early symptoms since grade school such as thyroid problems, stiffness and more hormone imbalances since teen years, bedridden episodes since age 24
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? I've been a nurse for 17 years but I'm too sick to work right now.
Medical History:
Does Exercise Help? When I try it seems to get worse and more painful, I only get out when I have to and then I feel even more horrible afterwards from burning lactic acid in my muscles.
What Were Your First Symptoms? I've had hypothyroid symptoms since early childhood but my TSH is always normal (I recently read the TSH can be normal but the body can be unable to utilize the thyroid hormones if other hormonal levels are imbalanced and I've had signs of other imbalances since preteen years - also this test isn't detailed enough for someone who has hypothyroid symptoms like I do but despite my best efforts and even seeing an endocrinologist, I've been unable to get proper help). I had early onset of puberty (I just read this indicates fluoride has interfered with the pineal gland). I've had morning stiffness since my teens. When I was taking weight loss drugs in March 1993 I developed hypoglycemia, abdominal bloating, constipation and an extreme thirst, all of which I have until this day. I also started having bluish bruises for no explainable reason. Soon after that I developed dizziness, balance problems, and extreme fatigue making me bedridden, and I developed anxiety. The bedridden episodes were comprised mostly of extreme fatigue until 2002, when I felt like someone had doused me with gasoline and lit me on fire, the muscle pain was indescribable. Lifting my arms to put a clip in my hair became impossible at that time. I had a clock that projected the time onto the ceiling because I couldn't turn my head. I bruised myself twice daily to get out of bed when I could no longer avoid going to the bathroom - otherwise I was in bed all the time but the pain even lying still was intolerable. I couldn't chew because my jaw was so fatigued and it was far too painful, so as hard as it was to do it, I used a knife to pry open a can of Ensure every few days and drank that disgusting stuff to try and survive. I needed to find a nursing home but couldn't do it on my own and when I asked for help I didn't get it.
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Fatigue leaving me housebound, weakness so extreme it leaves me unable to talk and short of breath when I try, generalized pain especially in muscles and joints, severe hypoglycemia, abdominal pain with bloating and gas, dizziness and balance problems, I have a history of falls and go out (not often and only when unavoidable) using canes, stiffness to the extent I've started using my left hand to pry my right hand open - my morning stiffness has turned into 24 hour stiffness, memory and concentration problems, muscle spasms, involuntary movements and twitching, restless leg syndrome that is sometimes excruciating, irritable bowel and constipation, insomnia, hair loss (for a number of years already), bluish bruises and small red dots under my skin, visual disturbances with blurry vision (since March 2006), spinal fusion with excruciating pain (on x-ray since Feb 2007 and I still feel it fusing further and further up my spine), loss of control over legs (since Jan 2007), around Jan 2007 I started having excruciating tightness and pain in my skull and knew it felt like the bones in my skull were fusing - I just read that this is something that happens with fluoride toxicity. I have anxiety and PTSD with panic attacks and flash backs, sensitivity to light and noise causing me to wear earplugs and not use light during the day and use low to no light in the evening and wear a blindfold and earplugs at night. Sometimes I have to turn the phones off so they won't ring and start a panic attack. Over the last 1 1/2 years I have been bedridden 1/2 of the time.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? I remember having the flu a number of months before my first bedridden episode but I think it wasn't long lasting. I had the flu at the end of December 2006 which dragged on for weeks and I never really recovered before having my current round of fibromyalgia which has lasted until now, August 2007. There have been times over the years I lost my voice for several months at a time, including recently, and my cardiologist said my doctor needed to check for a virus but he never did since he was convinced it was all in my head.
Any Military Service? 0
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? Not that I'm aware of.
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? What life? I have been homeless 7 times after bedridden episodes that kept me from working, until I could get back on my feet and go back to work as a nurse again. Even when I was working it was incredibly hard and since 2001 I took home-health jobs, pulling my car under a tree in the middle of the day to rest before continuing to force myself through the rest of the day. There were times I'd sit in my car for 2 hours before I had the strength to drive to the next patient and the mental ability to know how to get there. I'd sit in my car for 30 minutes near my front door, unable to make the short journey. I've been in psychiatric hospitals 7 times since this began, mostly after suicide attempts. There were times I was so sick I thought I wouldn't make it through the night and there were times I didn't have the physical strength to get out of bed to end it all. Like everyone else with this disease I was told it was all in my head and misdiagnosed and treated like a piece of garbage by the medical profession all these years. I lived in a county shelter when I was a kid so I don't have any family to help me. In 2002 after 9 years of bedridden episodes, hospitalizations, numerous painful diagnostic tests, misdiagnoses and being told over and over that it's all in my head, I finally heard of fibromyalgia and went to a rheumatologist who said fibromyalgia is "nothing." After I insisted I really thought I had it he pressed on the pressure points and confirmed the diagnosis, but told me I had a very rare, deforming arthritis that was causing all my problems and simply waved away fibromyalgia with his hand. He only wrote "fibromyalgia" down as a diagnosis because I insisted he do it. Therefore until now I thought my health problems were all from that rare form of arthritis, which other doctors have no experience with and don't even believe I have, and since they also casually dismiss fibromyalgia when I say I have a history of it, I have been unable for more than 14 years of bedridden episodes to get any help. Countless doctors as well as "friends" have accused me of pretending to be sick for attention. My faith in God is questioned by all sorts of people because if I really had faith, I wouldn't be sick, even though I thank Him for everything and try to maintain a positive attitude (despite all the negativity in this report, but that's what it's for). Recently I was accused of diagnosing and treating myself and friends stopped helping me because again doctors told me to go to a psychiatrist because it's all in my head, but I have to treat myself because the rheumatologist here said he didn't see any symptoms of fibromyalgia (without even examining me!) and none of the 8 doctors I've seen over the last 7 months (some of them multiple times) take fibromyalgia or any of my symptoms seriously enough to help me in any way, despite being in a wheelchair at their appointments. One doctor years ago laughed at me and tried to get a group of students making rounds with him to laugh with him, asking if I'd seen a psychiatrist yet. Once during another hospitalization a social worker came into my room, smiled wide and asked, "Do you like being in the hospital?" and I got the familiar, "It's all in your head" talk, only that's when I started to believe it and now I've questioned and doubted myself and my sanity for many years. I recently decided not to renew my nursing license as I want no part of an industry that keeps people ill in order to remain in business. After reading today about the fluoride connection I've decided to do whatever it takes to get healthy and live the rest of my life enjoying myself to the fullest, to make up for all the years of my youth that were stolen from me. Thank you for caring and letting me get all of this out. I can't explain how I feel after learning moments ago that the prescription weight loss drugs I was assured were safe and further prescriptions like Cipro, which I took and gave to so many patients, are responsible for this, as well as the copious amounts of fluoridated water I drink. The doctors have done a whopping 0 to help me over my lifetime of complaints that now I see all add up to fluoride poisoning and they couldn't help even if they wanted to, because they'd just give me more toxic drugs, since it's the leaders of the medical and other corporate industries keeping the truth suppressed. The poisoning of all these people is criminal and needs to be stopped. I kept waiting since this past January to get better like I always did in the past and finally realized a few weeks ago it's not going into remission this time. After reading the information on fluoride, nerve damage and the advanced stages of fibromyalgia I realize I'M THERE, and I must do whatever it takes now to reverse this or I don't have a chance. Thank you for making this vital information available and for all your hard work. I believe in the regenerative powers which God gave the body and I believe He will help me to heal myself. Tomorrow I will cancel my upcoming psychiatrist appointment.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? The insomnia seems to make everything worse.
What Makes You Feel Better? I feel better when I have a good night's sleep but it doesn't give me enough strength to leave the house.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Yes. I do something and right away forget if I did it, and it's worse now than ever. I can't focus or read more than 2 words sometimes, or at times I read the same sentence 5 times before I comprehend what I've read. Recently I've started calling things by the wrong name, quite frequently. It's hard to fill out this form and it's taking me hours. I think of something I want to write and then forget a moment later.
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? In 1993 just before my 1st bedridden episode I remember getting lost on my way to the doctor's office, even though it was around the corner and I was familiar with the area. It intensified when I developed PTSD after a traumatic event and started having major panic attacks, at the end of 2001, which was followed by a severe bedridden episode of fibromyalgia. That's when I first became unable to read or write a complete sentence.
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? I was overweight and had low energy but didn't have any specific health issues until after I took a weight loss pill called Fastin and HCG injections (a pregnancy hormone), also for weight loss. While receiving these drugs from August 1992 - March 1993, I developed an extreme thirst, abdominal bloating and constipation. When I complained about side effects I was assured everything was fine and the dose of Fastin was doubled. I then stopped taking the drugs because I turned purple and was taken to an emergency room where I was told by the doctor that he didn't know what had happened, but to slowly come off Fastin. (The doctor's office was giving me the pills in a small envelope each week and the color of the pills changed, so they may have changed from Fastin to Phen Phen without telling me, even though when I asked they said it was the same drug.) It was a few months later, after stopping the weight loss drugs, that I developed dizziness, balance problems, and became unable to do anything but lie in bed due to extreme weakness/fatigue. After a number of doctors visits and tests I was told it was all in my head and put on Ativan and Buspar. I just read common drugs such as antidepressants and Cipro contain fluoride, as well as some weight loss drugs. I was later put on Paxil, Zoloft and similar drugs, as well as Cipro for a urinary infection.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? I have actually been diligent in brushing my teeth with fluoride and only discovered today there is a connection between fluoride and fibromyalgia. I also drink copious amounts of fluoridated water due to the extreme thirst I've had and go to the bathroom often since receiving the weight loss drugs in 1992-1993, which I now understand is a sign of fluoride toxicity.
Remedies Tried: In 2002 while going through a bedridden episode I was told about a brown seaweed extract that helped people with fibromyalgia (that' how I first heard of the disease). I took it for 2 years until it became unavailable, and it did help the pain a lot, but I was still losing my hair and low on energy. I've just started taking Sunrider herbal foods but that was just 2 1/2 weeks ago so we'll see how it goes. Also I've been getting acupuncture for 3 weeks, 2 times per week and I don't see any change yet in my quality of life, but I'm continuing to see if things will get better, please God.
Your Theories: The fluoride theory and the fact that it's used in prescription drugs makes so much sense to me, as fluoride toxicity I now see meets every one of my symptoms, even the fusion of the bones in my spine which is devastating to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH for this affirming information and for all your help! Thank you especially for helping me to feel good about myself as a human being, by knowing I don't have to be embarrassed that I have fibromyalgia and that it's not my fault or in my head and that I CAN CURE MYSELF which I'm trying hard to do. It's so important for me to know that fluoride is the cause, to prevent further damage and to help me reverse it. GOD BLESS YOU!!!
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? My teeth have signs of fluoride toxicity.
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8/25/2007
Name: CAROL
City: EDINBURGH
State: SCOTLAND
Your Sex: FEMALE
Where Were You Born? EDINBURGH
Where Do You Live Now? EDINBURGH
How Long Have You Lived There? ALWAYS
Your Age? 51
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 19
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 38
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? WAS A CARER
Medical History: HAD ALL CHILD HOOD ILLNESSES LOTS OF EAR INFECTIONS SOER THROATS
Does Exercise Help? NOT REALLY SOME TIME TRY AUQCA SWIN ITS GOOD
What Were Your First Symptoms? FLU
What Are Your Current Symptoms? SORE HEADS SORE ALL OVER EVEN I SKIN AND HAIR TOO TIRED BRAIN FOG
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? AS A CHILD GLANGUA FEVER
Any Military Service? NONE
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? NO
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? YES I ONLY RUNNING MY LIFE AT FIFTY PER CENT
What Makes Symptoms Worse? STRESS HAVING TO BE SOMEWHERE WHEN NU NEED YOUR BED
What Makes You Feel Better? PEOPLE
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? YES
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? ALL
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? YES HAD FLU, THEN WENT TO WORK TO SOON NO DRUGS FOR YEARS THEN ANI DEPRESSON
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? NO
Remedies Tried: PAIN KILLERS ANTI DEPRESSENTS
Your Theories: EVEING PRIMROSS OIL DID NO HELP ME
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? CANT THINK OF ANY THANK YOU
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8/24/2007:
Name: Demian
City: Seattle
State: WA
Your Sex: M
Where Were You Born? Massachusetts
Where Do You Live Now? Washington
How Long Have You Lived There? 25+
Your Age? 62
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 23+
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 40s
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? - Writing, photography, video, Web site programming, etc. - Looking for part-time office work
Medical History: - Appendix out at 9 - Flat feet
Does Exercise Help? Yes. On stationary bike, daily.
What Were Your First Symptoms? Severe back muscle spasm - unable to breath
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Very bad foot pain, assorted muscle spasms, random numbness, tire quickly, hard to sleep.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? No.
Any Military Service? No.
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? Mercury - in photo darkroom, a lot of dental work.
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? Restricted the type of work I can do. Impacted my relationship - figured into loosing it.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Stopping vitamin, mineral, herbals.
What Makes You Feel Better? Enough sleep.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? No.
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? N/A
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? No.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? Stopped drinking city water 30 years ago.
Remedies Tried: Gentle massage, natural stuff like vitamins, minerals, herbals, and dietary changes. My diet has been macrobiotic and vegan since 1971. I have been able to keep very well except for this weird fibro illness.
Your Theories: Fibro affects -- and is affected by -- diet /digestion, sleep, and thyroid.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? You are missing at least 5 Important Questions: = Do you meditate?
= Do you pray?
= Have you discovered any food allergies related to fibro?
= Have you lost work because of fibro?
= Have you lost a relationship because of fibro?

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8/23/2007:
Name: Michelle
City: Edgewater
State: Maryland
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? District Of Columbia
Where Do You Live Now? Maryland
How Long Have You Lived There? all of my life
Your Age? 33
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 9
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 25
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Yes
Medical History: Healthy
Does Exercise Help? yes. walking, light weights, stretching
What Were Your First Symptoms? severe fatigue
What Are Your Current Symptoms? fatigue, body ache/pain, dry mouth, dry eyes, UTI infections, weakness, increase in cravings for junk food, soda etc. things I would not normally want (this comes with the attacks).
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? no
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? decrease in work productivity, not able to do the things with my 11 yr. old and 6 yr. old.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? drinking alcohol, eating poorly, stress and mentraul cycle
What Makes You Feel Better? eating healthy. taking vitamins, exercise and the determination that this is not going to ruin my life.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? yes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? right when symtoms existed. has something to do with the fatigue of it.
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? I think it could be related to breast implants or accutane (acne treatment).
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no
Remedies Tried: I hate taking medicine so I went with the natural remedies. magnesium. I also tried a medication they use to keep truck drivers alert but can not remember starts with a (p). It did help a little with the fatigue. have been tested for everything under the sun.
Your Theories: I think my was caused by my breast implants or accutane treament.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? yes. How often are the flare-ups. I still have some good days and I wants to know how often people get the attacks. Have any of these people had breat implants or have any other foreign objects in their bodies.Also does anyone else believe the lack in study is why we continue to suffer and is fibromyalgia what we truly have. I think in the medical world we are missing a link here.
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8/21/2007
Name: Kristy
City: Lansing
State: Michigan
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? Lansing
Where Do You Live Now? near Lansing
How Long Have You Lived There? 28 years
Your Age? 47
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 27 or 28
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 19 or 20
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? usually food service or secretarial and no. I've always thought I was just lazy but I guess it's actually been the chronic fatigue that seems to go hand-in-hand with fibromyalgia
Medical History: I've had doctors say that I've had arthritis, bursitis, an impingement syndrom, tendonitis, something I can't even begin to pronounce-and it's all in my head. I used to have migraine headaches regularly but, after the birth of my last child 19 1/2 years ago, I don't get them often-every couple of years or so. I also have a problem with TMJ, ringing in my ears and sharp pains in my right ear sometimes. One of my biggest frustrations is weight. No matter what diet or program I try-counting calories, walking, etc... I lose about 8 pounds and then stop. My sister, who also has fibromyalgia (as does my mother) says that her husband did a google search and found that fibromyalgia patients DO have trouble losing weight. Yippee
Does Exercise Help? Exercise hurts but it does help some. If I don't make an effort to do some walking, I tend to stiffen up more so I know if I stop doing everything that hurts I'm going to wind up being an invilid! Not happening here.
What Were Your First Symptoms? Thinking back, I believe my first symptom was deep depression. Next were severe shoulder and rib pain.
What Are Your Current Symptoms? pain just about everywhere-shoulders, back, hips, knees, feet. My knees, calves, feet and ankles tend to swell up all the time. I'm tired no matter how much sleep I get because the pain wakes me often during the night. I have a bunch of painful areas all over-painful if they're touched but as long as they're left alone, they don't really bother me. In the past five years, I've developed a tendency for pinched nerves in my upper back. This may or may not be all of them. I slept worse than usual last night due to a painful pinched nerve flare up the past few days. Also, I still struggle with depression.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? Yes. But mostly due to the fact that I've gotten disgusted with doctors over the years and don't get treatment like I should.
Any Military Service? n/a
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? I don't know. I did smoke for most of my adult life (quit 10/31/06)
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? I didn't actually know it was fibromyalgia until Dec. 06. I called it bursitis because it seemed the most likely thing, given all the different things doctors called it. It is a relief to know that it IS actually something because I-and most people I know-have always just assumed I'm a very lazy, unmotivated person. And it gets nothing but worse the older I get. I've been up not even three hours as I write this and I want a nap so bad I could cry.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? I don't know. Stress, extra activities (used to love picnics and now the extra work involved to make and transport food is almost overwhelming to me)
What Makes You Feel Better? when I can afford to do light exercise and sit in front of the jets in the warm exercise pool several times a week. Days when the pain isn't so bad-some days are way worse than others
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Absolutely. I have to pin notes to my front door curtain if I really need to remember to do something. I joke about short term memory loss but sometimes it's very real. I lose my train of thought. Sometimes when I'm driving I'll realize that I've driven a mile or two (or more!) and don't really remember them. My I.Q. is around 130 but you'd never know it sometimes!
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? I don't know. People have always said I'm kind of absent-minded but I've really noticed a problem with it the last ten or fifteen years.
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? It's been so long I honestly don't remember. If depression WAS a symptom of it, then I guess it actually started when I was fifteen or sixteen rather than nineteen or twenty. As far as the pain goes, it started in my upper right side and has just kind of spead through the years to the rest of my body.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? not really.
Remedies Tried: I know that years ago a doctor put me on Elavil for depression and, amazingly enough, it REALLY helped the shoulder pain. When I told him he agreed that yes, it was weird, but he'd heard of that kind of thing happening with others. Even so, I quit taking it because I slept like I was dead and that scared me. Shaklee Alfalfa (no I don't sell it) helped tremendously but isn't really in my budget. Department and health food store brands don't do anything. Other than that I just try the pain management thing I've been doing since way before the term 'pain management' became popular. Sometimes I do use ice or heat though.
Your Theories: It does seem to run in families. As I mentioned, my mom and sister have it. I wouldn't be surprised if my brother's do because they have extremely painful joints and use Vicodin and Ben Gay very regularly.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? Do you sleep comfortably and, if so, HOW do you manage it???!!!
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8/17/2007
Name: Robin
City: Bentonville
State: AR
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? Chattanooga, Tenn.
Where Do You Live Now? Bentonville, AR
How Long Have You Lived There? 16 years
Your Age? 47
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 15 years
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 31
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Single parent
Medical History: Scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease. Hypertension, scoliosis. Rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic fatigue. Frequent bladder and sinus infections. Mitral valve prolapse.
Does Exercise Help? No, not usually. Just makes the fatigue way worse.
What Were Your First Symptoms? Severe fatigue, irregular heartbeat,severe back and neck pain with minimal exertion.
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Severe fatigue, bladder infections/urgency,high blood pressure, lower back and neck pain. Difficulty sleeping. Severe depression at times, and anxiety attacks. Sinus headaches/infections.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? Don't think so; not really sure.
Any Military Service? no.
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? Do not know.
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? Profoundly. I cannot even begin to put into words how much it has affected my life. I feel that it has kept me from doing so many things that I wanted to do in life. In my picture of how i wanted my life to be it has limited me severely. I have often felt so misunderstood by others who have put a negative judgement on me because they do not understand my condition. That has hurt worse than anything.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Trying to do too much physically in a day. Pushing myself to do more than I know my limit is. Financial problems cause me to become very depressed Too much exertion in a day can put me in bed for a day or two oftentimes.
What Makes You Feel Better? My medications. Eating healthy foods when I feel well enough to cook. Getting at least nine hours of sleep at night. If I don't I get sicker rapidly and all symptoms intensify.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Oh my goodness yes. My memory fails me a lot. It is frustrating, plus others reactions to this causes me to feel shamed and misunderstood. It makes me appear to be negligent if I forget things, and it is not my fault! At least I know that now.
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? The last six years.
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? Yes! I developed severe acne at the age of 31. I went to a dermatologist who put me on daily antibiotics which I used for over a year. One of the meds was erethromyacin (Spelling?)
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? No I haven't but I have read about that lately. Haven't quit using flouride toothpastes yet, and using tap water to makee coffee with.
Remedies Tried: Meds I have been on and some currently on-zoloft, ultram, cozaar, ambian, soma,flexoril, hydrocodone, xanax, atenelol. Remedies-flax oil capsules, fish oil, cranberry concentrate capsules, multi vitamins, goldenseal, garlic tablets, echinnicia.
Your Theories: I have read about yeast overgrowth in the body, and suspect I have that but haven't tried to address that yet. I would love to be able to afford a lot of the treatments out there but mostly I simply can't.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? I don't think so. I am happy to submit this to you about myself in order that maybe it could help others as well as myself. Just coming to understand there are others like me gives me some comfort.
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8/14/2007:
Name: Susan
City: St. Simons Island
State: GA
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? NC
Where Do You Live Now? GA
How Long Have You Lived There? 9 yrs
Your Age? 47
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 25 or 27
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 23 I think
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? sales, pt
Medical History: Healthy as a horse!
Does Exercise Help? swimming in moderation, very low impact,ache too much afterwards.Soreness never subsides.
What Were Your First Symptoms? The famous trigger points. Achy all over.
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Blurred vision, ichy skin, achy hands,knees,back, neck, TMJ,sensitive to light,noise,smell, cold, heat,air conditioning,have IBS,brain Fog bad, affected hearing, losss of memory mostly short term,concentration is very challenging, spell words, letters backwards now.Was an expect speller, now is hard. Bloating, gas all the time,sensitive to meds, even eye exams and dental visits.Pain and more pain, never goes away, just moves or goes all over.Tend to be exhausted even when I wake up in the morning. Cannot sit or stand too much. VERY limited in activities.Stuttering has now developed on occasion, loss of train of thought when speaking.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? no
Any Military Service? none
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? some farm tobacco pesticides as a child
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? DESTROYED it.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Overextending myself, exercise, usual daily activites,such as washing dishes, vacumming,sweeping, too much sitting, or standing, lift too much.
What Makes You Feel Better? Hot Epsom salt baths, sometimes put vinegar in it. Ice packs too. MASSAGE, a life saver.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? YEs and YES!
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? I do not know exactly as I went many years misdiagnosed, then did not get the symptoms explained to me, so I knew something was wrong, as I was always VERY alert and cognitive, excellent memory and that hurts alot now to not have it and try to hide it from folks.
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? I attribute my now FMS to having been in 4, actually 5 car wrecks, 4 I did sustain some injury each time, aggravated the old injury each time. But mostly was all the stress from bills, being out of work, losing my jobs, depressed from the pain and later incapacity, loss of income and adjusted lifestyle due to it ALL. Then the Drs. first telling me I would recover, and that they did know what all was wrong with me.Constantly running from town to town,dr. to dr. and knowing I was not "right"! I was going insane, surely and the drugs they gave me, did not help any!
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? Now I do, toothpaste, water, since I just read it may be related to FMS
Remedies Tried: Alot, then the prepsctions made me worse! I had side effects.NOW I ONLY do the natural remedies, HERBS, they saved my life, THANK GOD for the naturopath Dr. I found.
Your Theories: Stress or trauma may play a vital role in this affliction. It is debilitating.I forget if I ate, went to work and forgot my underwear, forgot how to get home! All that is stressing. Alot of folks that know me said...go on disability. I am not so much in denial now, and still tying to cope, gets harder with age I think, but i may should tink about it now, getting tireda and acannot keep retyoping these words.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? I don't know.
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8/14/2007:
Name: sharon
City: chicago
State: Il.
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? chicago
Where Do You Live Now? chicago
How Long Have You Lived There? my whole life
Your Age? 42.5
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 3
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 40
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? stay at home mom to 5 children
Medical History: healthy
Does Exercise Help? yes, walking and stretching
What Were Your First Symptoms? joint aches and lower back pain and achiness
What Are Your Current Symptoms? all over achiness, severe lower back achiness,
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? no
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? it makes me irritable, tired. some days i have very little patience or stamina to do things with my children.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? being over tired, not enough sleep.
What Makes You Feel Better? sleep, with help from medication.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? sometimes, because i have trouble sleeping
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 9 months
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? no
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no
Remedies Tried: nortryptoline and lyrica. i am looking for more natural remedies.
Your Theories:
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? yes, i have read research stating that this starts after severe trauma, an accident, severe stress and anxiety. I think this is important and a question should address this.

8/12/2007
Name: rebecca
City: pittsburgh
State: pennysylvania
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? pittsburgh pennsylvania
Where Do You Live Now? pittsburgh pennsylvania
How Long Have You Lived There? all my life
Your Age? 42
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 23 years
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 19 or so-worst symptoms
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? i was a dance major but became very ill and couldnt continue and then worked as a social worker. Im not currently working.
Medical History: had a history of upper respiratory infections, but nothing more than that until age 19-and i got chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Does Exercise Help? no.usually makes symptoms worse. I try to walk a bit, anything more exacerbates my problems.
What Were Your First Symptoms? EXTREME FATIGUE,thyroid problems, brain fog, balance problems, sinus and throat infections etc.
What Are Your Current Symptoms? extreme fatigue, depression, allergies,infections, fibromyaglgia and severe muscle pain and weakness etc.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? yes. i get recurring viral infections, but had one intially.
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? i dont think so. but i do have chemical sensitivies.
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? yes, very much as i am too fatigued and tired to lead a normal life.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? expercise, not enough sleep, chemical exposure, coming in contact with anything i am allergic to-foods, molds, drugs etc. too much stress etc.
What Makes You Feel Better? sleep, and avoiding the above things, but nothing has made me feel my normal self again.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? yes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 23yrs
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? yes. Yes, i was taking erithromycin for throat infections. I took it for a very long time.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no. I never heard of the connection before this, but would like to try eliminating it from my diet.
Remedies Tried: rest. antibiotics. moderate exercise and staying away from things that most apparently bother me, as described above.
Your Theories: I dont really have any theories. I do know that my immune system does not seem to function like it once did.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? cant think of one at this time.
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8/11/2007
Name: Gena
City: Gassville
State: Arkansas
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Houston, Texas
Where Do You Live Now? Gassville, Arkansas
How Long Have You Lived There? 1 month
Your Age? 42
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 6
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 36
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Not able to work due to pain and 2 bulged discs
Medical History: Mitral Valve Prolapse, Arthritis,TMJ, Thyroid
Does Exercise Help? NO
What Were Your First Symptoms? Pain in neck and shoulders and upper back area, headaches
What Are Your Current Symptoms? pain in shoulders, kneck,hips, legs ,arms, elbows ,wrists
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? MONO at age 13
Any Military Service? NA
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? NA
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? Has limited me from raising my children and providing income as a single parent
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Stress, standing, sitting, stairs, over excertion, heat ,cold, walking, sleeping
What Makes You Feel Better? not much of anything
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? YES
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 2 years
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? yes, I was on Vioxx
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? NO
Remedies Tried: too many to list
Your Theories: I wish that I will find a Dr. to help me cope.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions?
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8/11/2007
Name: Linda
City: Greenville
State: CA
Your Sex: F
Where Were You Born? Long Beach, CA
Where Do You Live Now? Greenville, CA
How Long Have You Lived There? 29 yrs.
Your Age? 61
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 6+
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? early to mid fifties
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Clinic receptionist--not working anymore
Medical History: epstein barr pos, HTN and hypotension
Does Exercise Help? Very little d/t pain involved
What Were Your First Symptoms? stiffness and pain all over
What Are Your Current Symptoms? stiffness all over especially in legs and knees. Also, feet hurt on top. problems ambulating
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? Just Epstein-barr
Any Military Service?
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure?
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? Had to stop working, unable to do ADLs, balance problems, aching joints. 24/7 pain unrelieved by high dose vicodin
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Stress, working outside, walking far, lifting, sitting too long
What Makes You Feel Better? only occasionally a change in barometric pressure or doubling up on my Norco in order to shop or make a long trip.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Sometimes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? Two
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? Yes. Don't remember any specific change in drugs. More problems after menopause, but I do not use HRT--only Progesterone Cream
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? I am now as I just read about it this week.
Remedies Tried: Dr. Frank's Pain Spray, Naprosyn, Norco
Your Theories: I would love to have one day when I could walk normally, play with my grandchildren without being in pain, spend time with my husband without letting the pain make me grumpy.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? I will think about that.
----------------

8/10/2007
Name: Mary
City: Talking Rock
State: Ga
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Dorton, Ky.
Where Do You Live Now? Talking Rock, Ga.
How Long Have You Lived There? 10 years
Your Age? 48
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 3
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 32
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Staff Clerk and still working
Medical History: asthema, Fibromyalgia, Heart valve disorder
Does Exercise Help? Not really, but I try to walk. Usually get very tired after a few minutes but push on.
What Were Your First Symptoms? No energy, pain,tiredness, muscle spams and cramps with bruising
What Are Your Current Symptoms? same
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? no
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? Somewhat. Can't do the things I used to do. But still ride my motorcycle, thinking of getting a trike in case of spasms and drop it.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? In one position for more than 30 min. at a time. Weather pressure changes.
What Makes You Feel Better? Not a whole lot. Just put up with it.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? ? Not sure!
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? ? Not sure!
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? NO
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? Not Sure
Remedies Tried: Feledine, Darvacet, Flexiril, soaking in hot tub.
Your Theories: I just wish no one had to go through this kind of pain.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? Seems you have more than I thought of.
--------------------------

8/10/2007
Name: Gloria
City: Earlimart
State: California united states
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? california
Where Do You Live Now? california
How Long Have You Lived There? 45 years
Your Age? 45
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 15 or 20 years
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 25 or 30 years old
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? no
Medical History: allergies.
Does Exercise Help? none
What Were Your First Symptoms? pain musle aches insomnia.
What Are Your Current Symptoms? all the above
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? no
Any Military Service? none
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? yes
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? i am always tired i cant sleep at night and i am always in pain.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? stress.
What Makes You Feel Better? nothing really.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? yes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 10 or more years
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? i was addicted to codien and i still take it sometimes.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no
Remedies Tried: none
Your Theories: i would like to know if there is something that i could take for this unbearable pain.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? no
--------------------------

8/9/2007:
Name: Cindy
City: Baton Rouge
State: Louisiana
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Baton Rouge, LA
Where Do You Live Now? Same
How Long Have You Lived There? Most of my life
Your Age? 44
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 4
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 40
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Lifecoach, currently employed
Medical History: Heart attack, age 42
Does Exercise Help? Yes, walking when not in too much pain to walk
What Were Your First Symptoms? Pain in arms and legs
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Pain and sensitivity in legs, arms, chest area, back and neck
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? No
Any Military Service? None
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? None
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? I can't stand for long periods, severe pain at night, not sleeping well
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Standing for long periods as when cooking, cleaning, speaking to groups for work
What Makes You Feel Better? When I focus on my job or being helpful to others gets my mind off of the pain
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Yes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? One
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? Yes, no drugs by an event. My 16 year old daughter ran away for over a week. The stress was unbearable.I believe this was the catalyst
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? No
Remedies Tried: Cardio Cocktail made by the Formor co. I got it from a friend who is an herbalist. I can bear the pain when taking this remedy. Taste awful but the dose is only 1 ounce per day.
Your Theories: I believe that the stress level in my life is the main contributor of this disease. I worry too much about others.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? Probably about any stressors that are being experienced.
----------------------------

8/7/2007
Name: Heidi
City: Houston
State: Texas
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Ft. Hood, Texas
Where Do You Live Now? Houston, Texas
How Long Have You Lived There? 30 year
Your Age? 33
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 10 years
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 23
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Administrative Assitant-Yes still working
Medical History: 2 c-sections childhood low immune system too adulthood bad car accident at aqe 16 bad reaction to prescrip drugs-had bols all over my body for 2 weeks cysts on my ovaries had mono once
Does Exercise Help? sometimes, though if overdue it make it worse. Type: walking, mild aerobics
What Were Your First Symptoms? joint pain, tender skin and ribs, dizziness, loss of memory
What Are Your Current Symptoms? low immune system loss of memory-"fibro fog" irritable bowel syndrome fatigue joint pain tender ribs irritable, cranky
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? all the time
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? don't know
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? yes, it has drastically affected my life, I can't do half of what I want to for my family.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Everything, stress, overdoing it, waether, illness
What Makes You Feel Better? rest, eating right, getting the right amount of excersise
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? yes, but to those with FM its called Fibro fog
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 10 years, came with the onset of symptoms
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? yes my health decline rapidly, OK one day, seems like half dead the next. I don't take prescrips anymore because they affect mt FM
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? not quite sure what that is but pretty sure that I haven't
Remedies Tried: NSAIDS, over the counter and prescrips Echinacea
Your Theories: I feel it has to do with a low immune system coupled with prescrip drugs and events that traumatized the body
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? Yes, I think you should ask how they were dianost, i.e.: rhuemetologist, self, blood tests(which could rule out other factors such as lupus and thyroid problems which mimic this illness)physical exam? Also if they have experiences depression which can worsen symtoms? Most who have FM have some form of Depression.
----------------------------

8/7/2007
Name: Bonnie
City: Mill Spring
State: NC
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Lewes Del
Where Do You Live Now? NC
How Long Have You Lived There? 7 years
Your Age? 63
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? over 15
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? ? About 3 year old... maybe a little bit older... since I was a child...
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? I have worked for my self for years... lucky for me... still sort of work...
Medical History: underactive thyroid as a child... lots of dental work... fillings, and root canals until having them all pulled out... C section births... leaky gut , MS symptoms, Lymes disease in 80's, polio symptoms in my legs,
Does Exercise Help? ? Can't do too much.... too much pain when I bring the toxins up into the blood...
What Were Your First Symptoms? Looking back on my life now... I would have to say I was very tired al lthe time... but that was when I was about 7 yeras old... I grew to realize that I had to bring up energy... so I was never thought of as a tired person... but I was always tired.. I had all kinds of problems, but was in denial most of my life... until my legs started to NOT allow me t o walk.. or do anything that you nomally do... not a fun thing.. lots of brain fog... and lymphs clogged, constipation a cronic situation... diet/allergy to foods, candida, loss of hair etc... but lit I said always in denial...
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Legs are getting better... was totally unable to walk for three years.. now am walking.. but not a whole lot.. need to exercise, but still not enough energy... food allergies still there... no soy, wheat or gluten products.. only whole organic/biodynamic foods eaten... have been vegan for over 25 years.. candida will flair so I have to be very careful..
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? Measles as a chld were very severe... had the german measles every April until I became pregnant with my 1st preg.
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? Yes lots... Lts of dental.. 18 root canals, all teeth have had many many fillings, then they were removed... lots of the fillings went down the throat.. capped in gold, then removed and capped in procelain, then capped again in something else... then finally removed... starting to feel better as the years go by... Exposure to chemicals in NJ... way too many up there... STate is a toxic waste dump...
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? Shut my life down to a low roar... for over 15 years now... very very limited social life, unable to function on many levels... very sad about this on many levels of thnking.. but I am glad that I am still living and able to recover from this horrible thing...
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Improper eating, exercise of any type, even walking... stress of any type.
What Makes You Feel Better? Eating lots of greens, enjoying my time... getting better..
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? YES!!!! Lots of it at times...
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? For too long... cant' remember... too much Brain fog to remember that long ago... I would guess at least 10 years off and on...
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? Slowly at first... then rapidly.. I have not taken any drugs in over 30 years... at all.. not even aspirin... lots of supplements, but that didn't bother me one way or the other...
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? No fluoride at all in the last 25 years... not in water, tooth paste, or anywhere... but prior grew up on Fluride in water... and lots of fluoride treatments from the "good dentists" we went to.... not a positive at all... bag stuff... should be banned from being used at all...
Remedies Tried: Diet, colonics on a weekly basis..(for years) Chropractic for over a year now 3 times a week... helping a lot... Dietary cahnges all the time.. a must to stay in good physical health...
Your Theories: When the body becomes toxic from any source, you have to get the toxins out...in all ways possible... I am unable to exercise.. and most of the time have a hard time walking as the day progresses... so I have found that eating less, many times a day is good, with biggest meal in the middle of the day... Lots of enzymes, make my own probiotics ( cabbage kraut and kimmchee) we have a farm.. so we are organic/biodynamic and the soil is treated with sea minerals... so the food is potent with energy, vitamins, minerals.. have to eat that during the earlier part of the day... or else I am up all night with excess energy... Positive thinking in all ways as much as possible.. getting rid of negative feelings... not being with people that upset you.. living a good life style. Allowing others to experience what they think is best for them... and being ME... Allowing body to clean itself as much as possible, but to direct certain good things to help it along the path to good health...
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? How to get rid of the excess wieght that has been gained... Links from one thing to the next.. is there an order.. Food allergies, accident or conspiracy ??? Emotional stress from family, friends etc.. people arond us... does this have a larger inpact than thought to have... ??? After I send this... i will think of 101 things I should have said also... thanks for the forum to release the energy that we all need to know and feel like we are not nuts... thanks again...
-----------------------

8/7/2007
Name: christine
City: merseyside
State: england
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? bebington, england
Where Do You Live Now? port sunlight england
How Long Have You Lived There? 26 yrs
Your Age? 58 yrs
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 5 yrs
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 53yrs
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? admin support, still working.
Medical History: appendicectomy, hiatus hernia, depression, osteoarthritis
Does Exercise Help? no, makes worse
What Were Your First Symptoms? insomnia
What Are Your Current Symptoms? insomnia, exhaustion, sore points, foot wrist pain, brain fog, allergies
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? yes, 3 recurrent last one lasted 4 months.
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? what life, I don't have one anymore, used to be very active, can't even walk now due to pain.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? heat, standing, stress.
What Makes You Feel Better? not a lot, just rest.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? yes, yes, yes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 2 yrs
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? yes, just antibioitices, can't remember name.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no
Remedies Tried: amitryptiline, co-codamol, temazapan.
Your Theories: think condition due to excessive stress.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? any theories on the massive weight gain contributed to fibromyalgia?
---------------------

8/6/2007
Name: Virginia
City: Clinton
State: NC
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? NC
Where Do You Live Now? NC
How Long Have You Lived There? 10 years
Your Age? 57
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 17
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 40
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Admin support
Medical History: Thyroid Cancer age 40
Does Exercise Help? walking
What Were Your First Symptoms? extremely tired insomnia
What Are Your Current Symptoms? tired sore spots insomnia
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? no
Any Military Service? none
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? don't do a lot of things because I am afraid of being tired
What Makes Symptoms Worse? SUGAR, white flour junk food
What Makes You Feel Better? Ear sensibly and try to go to bed around the same time everynight.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? sometimes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia?
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? yes - immediately after thyroid cancer surgery
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? yes - toothpaste,anything that has fluoride in it.
Remedies Tried: anything that anyone suggests - vitamins, exercise etc.
Your Theories:
Are We Missing Any Important Questions?
---------------------------------

8/5/2007
Name: Dana
City: Boerne
State: TX
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Key West, Florida
Where Do You Live Now? Boerne, Tx
How Long Have You Lived There? 7 months
Your Age? 40
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 2
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 38
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? nurse no longer working
Medical History: insignificant
Does Exercise Help? unknown
What Were Your First Symptoms? Sleep disorder
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Pain in legs, all over discomfort, nausea, IBS, sensation of cold and hot, extreme fatigue, brain fog.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? no
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? No longer working
What Makes Symptoms Worse? unknown, possibly alcohol.
What Makes You Feel Better? unknown
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Absolutely!
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 1
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? Yes, sudden onset No new drugs
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no
Remedies Tried: Lyrica, Cymbalta, Amitriptyline, Ultram ER 300, Neurontin, celebrex,
Your Theories: onset occurred within 2-3 months of ex-husbands traumatic death
Are We Missing Any Important Questions?
-----------------------

8/3/2007
Name: Sharyn
City: Sanford
State: NC
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? Chicago, IL
Where Do You Live Now? Sanford, NC
How Long Have You Lived There? 3 1/2 yrs
Your Age? 60
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 22
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 38
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Medical Technologist NO
Medical History: Appendectomy age 10 tonsillectomy age 35 hepatitis B 1980
Does Exercise Help? no
What Were Your First Symptoms? extreme fatigue & depression
What Are Your Current Symptoms? extreme fatigue many sore "spots"
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? Hep B
Any Military Service? none
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? Only in the lab
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? Not working; difficult to keep up with my house, my mother-in-law, her house, etc
What Makes Symptoms Worse? heat humidity stress
What Makes You Feel Better? better weather less stree
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? occasionally
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 22
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? yes, no
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no
Remedies Tried: antidepressants, eliminating excytotoxins from diet, acupuncture
Your Theories: the diet worked best, but is too difficult to stay on while cooking for others; acupuncture worked once with a 3 yr remissions, but not subsequently
Are We Missing Any Important Questions?
---------------------------

8/3/2007
Name: Courtney
City: waukesha
State: wi
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? 1985
Where Do You Live Now? waukesha
How Long Have You Lived There? my whole life (22 years)
Your Age? 22
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 3
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 19
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? warehouse/stocker
Medical History: normal
Does Exercise Help? no, it hurts more!
What Were Your First Symptoms? dizzyness, mental fog, confusion and serious depression with muscular pain in mainly the head, face and jaw
What Are Your Current Symptoms? all of the following but now the pain has spread and lasts all day long, I also have trigger points (lumps/knots) all throughout my body
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? not that I know of
Any Military Service? none
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? none that I know of, possibly chemicals from a printing press in my graphic design classes
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? It makes me have NO hope, no one believes me, they think im lazy on purpose, i still live at home and have no desire to work, because I CANT, I get sick and dizzy and freak out.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? standing for long periods of time, and heat!
What Makes You Feel Better? rest and muscle relaxers or sleeping pills
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? YES
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 3
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? YES I DID, It just happend out of nowhere! Horrible dizzyness, then I went to the chiropractor and over the course of about 5 months I was finally better but still in pain all the time. sadly enough I was addicted to vicodin for a good 4 years in my youth and sometimes I wonder if that played a serious role :(
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? I have never attempted that
Remedies Tried: massage, chiropractor, ssri's, muscle relaxors, over the counter pain relievers
Your Theories: I'm doing everything I can to figure this out! one comment is, that doctors do not seem to care, or know about these lumps I have all over... I feel almost ....allergic? to them.... i can point to a stop in my body anywhere and say, theres going to be a trigger point here, people will touch it and then realize there sure is! it feels like grizzle from a chicken all over my body, anywhere from pea to olive sized
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? I would add a question about the trigger points/lumps/muscle knots, its a very important part of identifying fibromyalgia I believe.
----------------------------

8/2/2007
Name: Pamela
City: Sperryville
State: Virginia
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Altoona, Pennsylvania
Where Do You Live Now? Sperryville, Virginia
How Long Have You Lived There? 15 years
Your Age? 41
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? Since a young child
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 5 or so
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Visual Information and Marketing Assistant/graphics. Yes still working but barely able to continue.
Medical History: Heart Mummer, Rheumatic Fever, Asthma, allergies, upper respiratory problems, colapsed right lung, pick up illness rather quickly, cancer 3 times-colon, uterus and Thyroid, lots of unexplained bumps/tumor like on my body, constant headaches, pain everywhere-non-stop along with severe fatigue.
Does Exercise Help? No. Makes pain and fatigue worse. Even my aqua thereapy is very painful in a heated pool-fist the pain gets so bad upon entering the pool that I feel like I'm going ot pass out, then the pain eases up and my teeth start to chatter and I am freezing while in constant pain. afterward, I am so fatigued and still in pain that I can barely function
What Were Your First Symptoms? severe headache, muscle spasms, and pain that moved around my body-was told as a child it was growing pains
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Severe headache-non-stop, flu like symptoms, pain in all the pressure points, pain clear to my skin level-hurts for anything to touch me, severe chest, back pain-all these symptoms are non stop 24 hours a day 7 days a week with no relief from anything I do to aleviate the pain and fsevere atigue.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? Rhuematic Fever. I've had it constantly since shildhood-non-stop
Any Military Service? No
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? Not that I know of.
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? i used to be pretty active, always on the run and helping others. Now I'm the one needing help and can barely function both at work and at home. It's really been a blow to my independance.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? cold,heat, change in weather, stress, being jarred around in any type of vehicle, anything touching my skin, and the high fevers I get/
What Makes You Feel Better? Trying to sleep to get away from the pain and fatigue, but I do not sleep wll, up constantly
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? YES! This has been one of my biggest problems
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 2 years
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? YES! Can't recall would have to check my medical records
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? No
Remedies Tried: Lord so many that I can't remember, currently on Lyrica, have taken Ultram ER, Quinine, celebrex, 3 different types of anti-depressants-Cymbalta, and two others that I am still on.
Your Theories: i had a heart mummer as a chld-actual hole in my heart, Rheumatic Fever since childhood-non stop, asthma, allergies, rashes-since childhood, unexplained pains all over my body-since childhood, been in a few really bad car accidents, 3 bouts of cancer-Thyroid, uterine and colon and much more...
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? I can't think to tell ya.
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7/31/2007
Name: lore
City: yates
State: usa
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? KC, Missouri
Where Do You Live Now? Overland Park, KS
How Long Have You Lived There? 46 years
Your Age? 54
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 24
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 31
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? RN...on disabilty right now for treatment of fms, but usually work partime.
Medical History: RSV as child followed by 8 years of chronic asthma and pneumonia.
Does Exercise Help? Stretching and arobics.
What Were Your First Symptoms? Chest wall pain.Costochondritis
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, foggy memory,insomnia.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? Not that I can remember.
Any Military Service? Not applicable
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? Unsure. Lived near a steel plant until age 7 when pediatrician said to move to the country because of the chronic asthma.
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? What life? In every way.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Stress
What Makes You Feel Better? Really nothing. Demerol injections last for a few hours and I get some relief because it relaxes the muscles and I sleep.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Oh yes!
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 14 years
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? Yes...I was in the best health of my life and one day I bent over and felt like all the organs in my chest fell forward. Then came the muscle pain and overall fluish feeling all the time. The only thing that happened just prior to this is that I was helping a friend clean out her flooded basement (not clean water)and I stuck my finger with a tack from a tackboard that was holding down soaked carpeting. I think it was about 2 weeks to amonth after that that I became ill.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? No
Remedies Tried: Muscles relaxants, Neuro drugs, narcotics, glyconutrients most recently.
Your Theories: Truly, I think there was something like a virus in that dirty water that day and when I stuck myself it had an entry point. Other than that perhaps an immune system that was already compromized from the childhood asthma and 12 hospitalizations lasting sometimes 6 weeks at a time and many many xrays.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? I dont think so...but would love to hear back from you.
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7/31/2007
Name: Erika
City: London
State: UK
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? uk
Where Do You Live Now? uk
How Long Have You Lived There? Since birth
Your Age? 23
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? Not quite sure exactly when started
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? Early teens
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Not working,would love too though
Medical History: Endometriosis I.C Anxiety and depression Raynauds
Does Exercise Help? Just to keep moving generally helps me
What Were Your First Symptoms? Hair loss, irratable bladder,fatigue,blood sugar problems
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Extreme neck and shoulder pain, Restless legs,insomia,intolerence to almost everything i eat, depression, fatigue, severe hair loss
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? No
Any Military Service? No
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? A lot of hormonal treatment for the endometriosis. Took prozac in early teens, does that contain fluoride?
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? I have no life
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Over doing it. Cold. Wrong foods. Getting emotional
What Makes You Feel Better? Warmth.Almost vegan diet. Juicing
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Yes and its so frustrating
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? Im almost sure that came first
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? Had mirena coil fitted around time i felt worse but it could hane just aggrivated condition
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? Yes changed toothpaste
Remedies Tried: Alfred Blasi protocol,has helped sleep. No medication
Your Theories: Have researched and looked at so many ideas on fibro my heads spinning,so i dont really have exact theorie
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? Hormones?
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7/30/2007
Name: claire
City: southport
State: united kingdom
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? southport
Where Do You Live Now? southport
How Long Have You Lived There? 36 years
Your Age? 36
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 2 years
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 34
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? work full time in a school
Medical History: problems gynaecology
Does Exercise Help? walking
What Were Your First Symptoms? pains in legs
What Are Your Current Symptoms? dizziness ,candida , irritable bladder, shakiness ,food intolerences, brain fog and depression
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? yes wouldnt go away
Any Military Service?
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure?
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? made me miss out a part of my young sons life
What Makes Symptoms Worse? stress, food!
What Makes You Feel Better? sunshine
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? yes !!
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 1 year approx
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? quite quickly , my kitten was killed then kept having viruses
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? dont know what it is
Remedies Tried: mannatech products(vitamins, polysaccharides ,)stuff to get rid of candida, probiotics
Your Theories: i think stress(divorce 5 years ago) was the start and the body gets weaker/ having trouble accepting at moment
Are We Missing Any Important Questions?
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7/30/2007
Name: Kendra
City: Big Bear City
State: CA, USA
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? Glendale, CA
Where Do You Live Now? Big Bear City, CA
How Long Have You Lived There? 9 years
Your Age? 39
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 26
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 13
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? had to retire
Medical History:
Does Exercise Help? yes, any
What Were Your First Symptoms? knots in my back
What Are Your Current Symptoms? you name it
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? yes
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? don't know
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? completely ripped it from me at times, i can't work and sometimes can't even socialize
What Makes Symptoms Worse? toxins
What Makes You Feel Better? fresh air, sleep, exercise
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? brain fog is the worst!
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 20
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? no. I was asthmatic as child
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no
Remedies Tried: you name it
Your Theories: I have believed the FMS is some kind of poisoning for many years. However, it has been only recently that I came across the toxin idea and now floride.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions?
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7/29/2007
Name: Debby
City: Hobbs
State: NM
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Bakersfield, CA
Where Do You Live Now? Hobbs, NM
How Long Have You Lived There? Off and on about 30 years
Your Age? 53
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? about 15 to20 years
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? about 35 years old
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Dog groomer. I own my own shop.
Medical History: Nothing really. I've always been a fairly healthy person.
Does Exercise Help? stretching seems to help.
What Were Your First Symptoms? Low thyroid and depression.
What Are Your Current Symptoms? extreme fatigue and muscle aches. Brain fog and horrible memory. Debilitating depression.
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? No.
Any Military Service? 1972-1976
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? I don't know. I was in the field of radar operations.
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? In every way. I used to be an active outdoors person. Now I just sit in front of the tv or computer because everything else hurts!
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Stress.
What Makes You Feel Better? I haven't foud it yet.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? yes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? about 10 to 15 years. It was gradual at first.
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? Mine was gradual over the years.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? I have not tried that yet.
Remedies Tried: variety of body cleanses. probiotics, amino acids, glucosamine, msm, coq10, sugar abstination, massage, chiropractics, water therapy, biofeedback, you name it. I have spent thousands of dollars trying different remedies.
Your Theories: I'm at a loss.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? Probably but who knows what that is. There has got to be an answer for us but I don't know if we are looking in the right direction yet.
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7/28/2007
Name: wyvonne
City: rialto
State: ca
Your Sex: female
Where Were You Born? illinois
Where Do You Live Now? ca
How Long Have You Lived There? 36 yrs
Your Age? 50
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 10 yrs
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 40
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? nursing yes
Medical History: none
Does Exercise Help? sometimes stretching
What Were Your First Symptoms? pain in my shoulders,arms, lower back
What Are Your Current Symptoms? same
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? yes
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? not as active, or able to work like i want to
What Makes Symptoms Worse? sometimes when i do too much work around the house
What Makes You Feel Better? rest, and painkillers
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? yes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 10 yrs
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? yes no
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? no
Remedies Tried: I tried, muscle relaxers, herbal treatments.
Your Theories: not at this time
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? no
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7/26/2007
Name: Cindy
City: Clarksville
State: TN
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Clarksville, TN
Where Do You Live Now? Clarksville, TN
How Long Have You Lived There? 49 years
Your Age? 49
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 9 years
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 40
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Echocardiographer. yes
Medical History: Diabetes II,
Does Exercise Help? yes, water exercises, yoga
What Were Your First Symptoms? fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness
What Are Your Current Symptoms? brain fog, fatigue joint pain, muscle pain and weakness, pain in neck, head and shoulders
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? I once had mono that lasted a couple of weeks
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? I have lost self esteem due to wanting to be in more control of my life. I can't travel or do much of anything on the days I work. I have had to stop working on Wednesdays just to have a day of rest.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? Over exertion, riding in a car over 20 minutes. Lack of sleep.
What Makes You Feel Better? Warm baths, massage, water exercise, yoga, rest.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Absolutly. This is very difficult for me. I can see what I want to say but can't get the words out. My family gets frustrated with me.
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? Since close to the beginning. I was always a quick thinker on my feet and very quick witted.
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? No usually. However riding in a car or doing physical work can bring on symptoms quickly.
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? No
Remedies Tried: Mobic, Flexeril, Lexapro,
Your Theories: Working in the medical community, I see the stigma Fibro brings. I just am in pain and keep my mouth shut. I have to continue to work at least 4 days a week. If I could find a cure for the brain fog, I would be thrilled.
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? I don't think so.
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7/26/2007
Name: Tracey
City: Cincinnati
State: Ohio
Your Sex: Female
Where Were You Born? Cincinnati
Where Do You Live Now? Cincinnati
How Long Have You Lived There? 4 yrs
Your Age? 33
How many years has it been since you developed your symptoms of fibromyalgia? 4 yrs
Your Age At Onset of Symptoms? 29
What is Your Line of Work? Still working? Insurance. Not working now.
Medical History: Healthy. Bout of anorexia.
Does Exercise Help? No
What Were Your First Symptoms? Fatigue. Pain in left side. Neck pain.
What Are Your Current Symptoms? Fatigue is the predominant. Brain fog, pain in bones, joints, muscles. TMJ, headaches,
Did You Ever Have A Long Lasting Virus? i don't think so
Any Military Service? no
Chemical or Pesticide Exposure? no
How Has Fibro Affected Your Life? Changed everything. I can't work or do the things I once did.
What Makes Symptoms Worse? menstration, stress, exercise, hot weather
What Makes You Feel Better? Haven't found anything yet.
Do Your Symptoms Include Brain Fog? Yes
How many years has it been since you developed the brain fog associated with fibromyalgia? 2 yrs?
Was Your Rate of Decline Fast? I noticed a change in energy while taking effexor
Have You Tried Avoiding Dietary Fluoride? No
Remedies Tried: stimulants, antidepressants, lyrica, guai, candida detox, thyroid pills (even though I have normal levels), no gluten, many supplements, protein shakes
Your Theories:
Are We Missing Any Important Questions? How have doctors treated you?

 

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