Fibromyalgia Case Studies: September 2006- January 2007
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| Posted on 1/15/2007 First Name: |
sandra |
| Male or Female? | female |
| Single or Married? | married |
| If married, how many years? | 27 |
| Where were you born? | Virginia |
| Where do you live now? | North Carolina |
| How long have you lived there? | 44 years |
| Your Age? | 47 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | 14 or 15 yrs |
| What line of work? Still working? | cleaning house and home care now unable to work |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | Not really, Had tumors 7 took out of my face back in 87 but don;t really think it caused my fibro. just don't know, |
| Does exercise help? What type? | no exercise doesn't really help sometimes, it makes it worse. I did aerobics for a couple of years and tyboe, before i started hurting so bad i can't hardly get going in mornings I am very hyper so I never sit down much. I feel like my husband will think I'm lazy, He doesn't understand that I hurt like someone beat me with a ball bat every day, I don't he believes I hurt |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | burning in my muscles. down my neck and shoulders, to hold my arms up is very painful, I burn bad |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | I wake up everyday feeling like someone has beat me with a ball bat, there's nothing on me that don't hurt, It gets so bad my skin stings and is so tender to touch. I have had a kidney infection real bad. ended up in hosp cause I don't know when something is wrong cause i'm always hurting |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | Not that I know of, I have had bronchitis quite a bit over my life time |
| Military Service? What years served? | no |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | just when cleaning the house |
| How has fibro affected your life? | It has drastically affected my life my marriage, I have no quality of life at all, I have had two nervous breakdowns and suffer from severe depression, I hate being me. |
| What makes symptoms worse? | I'm not sure I hurt so bad everyday, I think stress from my husband adds to my pain and my children which are now understanding it better. |
| What makes you feel better? | Right now nothing is helping me feel better, I guess I have had it for so long. I have no medical ins. and I don't want to live on painkillers, My children do not want me to take them |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | yes mam, Was given something for pain and muscle relaxer |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | with pain killers (shots) and muscle relaxers |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | You name it I have tried everything started on Amitriptilene, Soma, clonazapam Bachofen, etc, Hydrocodene Even some Fibro products off internet |
| Theories or Comments? | I really don't have any theories but as for comments I'm a good Christian woman and I pray daily for some cure, just some relief. I just wish some one would take this serious and and help us that suffer so bad. There's got to be something in our systems that are similar, Do some blood work on people with FMS, see if there something there. And last but not least. God Bless you all with Fibromyalgia. And those who search for a cure. |
| Are we missing an important question? | Would you submit to free Blood work, to help research Fibromyalgia? |
| Posted on 1/15/2007 First Name: |
ally |
| Male or Female? | female |
| Single or Married? | m |
| If married, how many years? | 13 years |
| Where were you born? | arkansas |
| Where do you live now? | same |
| How long have you lived there? | 37 years |
| Your Age? | 37 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | diagnosed 4 years but i believe its been over 15 years |
| What line of work? Still working? | fabric designer consultant and secretary/no |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | sexual abuse early childhood speed roller skater from 7 years old to 15 years old resulting in many falls on hardwood floors several rear end car wrecks emotional and sexual abusive involving kidnap & rape and now an emotional and spiritually abusive marriage for 13 years |
| Does exercise help? What type? | somewhat enjoyed Curves a few days a week |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | numbness on left side, feeling as if i was having heart attack, pain so deep inside my body that i couldn't explain well enough to doctors(the doctors who didn't believe it was real) Extreme fatigue and depression from not feeling heard from doctors. |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | fatigue, intense pain feels like the flu without vomiting. having a 13 year old son that doesn't understand my illness and a husband that doesn't believe in it, he believes,as one doctor said 'it's all in my head ' |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | i had mono several times as teenager, steep throat, chickenpox early on. My body didn't produce antibodies as a young girl, i was always on the pink liquid. at nite i became very sick with cough and would be in the er many summer nights |
| Military Service? What years served? | 0 |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | had a relationship were methamphitamines were used around me for a few months |
| How has fibro affected your life? | It has changed my entire life, I'm not able to work follow my passion with design b/c there is so much stress involved and especially not being able to go to early cold soccer games with my only child b/c i cant stand the cold on my muscles. it has damaged my self-worth, |
| What makes symptoms worse? | not enough sleep, unsupportive people, cold weather, STRESS,not eating enough veggies and constipation from pain medication, which is necessary to me arising from the bed each morning |
| What makes you feel better? | restorative sleep approx 5 hours, happy loving people, the love of my only son |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | yes on several occasions |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | pain meds and to get out of stressful situation |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | tramadol-didn't touch my pain. zanaflex, zoloft not using now. I know take 1000u of vit d, percocet, restoril, xanex for sleep and stool softners before bed |
| Theories or Comments? | i believe PTSS has something to do with this disease, but it is not in our heads this is so real it hurts 24/7. |
| Are we missing an important question? | Do doctors have to think about only our poor lack of choices in relationships to determine whether or not we are really feeling physical pain? |
| Posted on 1/15/2007: First Name: |
Teresa |
| Male or Female? | female |
| Single or Married? | married |
| If married, how many years? | 8 |
| Where were you born? | Nebraska |
| Where do you live now? | Kansas |
| How long have you lived there? | 30 |
| Your Age? | 47 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | 15 years |
| What line of work? Still working? | opening my own business |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | Lost a child when I was 17 years old. Husband died when I was 30, I raised 3 children by myself. Father was a alcoholic. My second husband had a brain tumor removed and I worked, took care of 8 children, taking him to the doctors, and basically running everything in the house by myself for 6 months plus some. |
| Does exercise help? What type? | stretching, some yoga |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | upper back pain, headaches, trouble with pain on my left side. Sometimes it would move to the right side. |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | upper shoulder pain, pain in hip joints and knees. Stiff neck which causes headaches. I have anxiety and IBS. Chronic fatigue. I have brain fog, and also I have what I call eye floaters. All have continually gotten worse with years. |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | no |
| Military Service? What years served? | 0 |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | I worked sheet metal assembly for 13 years on Boeing airplanes. I had been exposed to metals and chemicals that would clean the metal. |
| How has fibro affected your life? | You don't know how you will feel when you wake up. The pain will move from one side to another. When trying to do physical chores, I tire easily and don't have the stamina to accomplish what I should |
| What makes symptoms worse? | Physical labor, being tired, stress, my hip and knees will start hurting with to much walking |
| What makes you feel better? | Stretching, heating pad, muscle relaxers, rest |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | no |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | Soma, celexa, aciphex are the current meds I take. I am trying Relacore and MSM now. |
| Theories or Comments? | My Doctor told me when she diagnosed it that it was caused by stress in life. That when my stress levels reduced, that it should start relieving itself. For the last 15 years it has slowly gotten worse. |
| Are we missing an important question? |
| Posted on 1/15/2007: First Name: |
Robert |
| Male or Female? | Male |
| Single or Married? | divorced, soon to be remarried |
| If married, how many years? | |
| Where were you born? | Cherrypoint Militar Base, Havelock, NC |
| Where do you live now? | Manchester, NH |
| How long have you lived there? | 52 |
| Your Age? | 53 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | 7 years, diagnosed after 1st year |
| What line of work? Still working? | advertising sales, yes |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | One year and 7 months prior to onset of FMS, I was in a car accident ...whiplash, torn tendon in left foot, hairline fractures in wrists and ankles were undiagnosed. At age of 35, I suffered a muscle spasm from torn ligaments in back..that lasted nearly 1 year, but was resolved through chiropractic and deep tissue massage. For one year after the accident, it still hurt to walk and use my wrists to turn doorknobs..prior to accident I was very trim and swam 1/2 mile or more 3x weekly, as well as lift weights on alternate days. It hurt to swim (paddling and using wrists/arms) after accident |
| Does exercise help? What type? | Swimming, stretching, tai chi, yoga |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | My very first symptoms commenced once I tried getting back into an exercise regime. 1 year 7 months after the accident (April 14, 1998) I was lifting very light weights and suddenly felt ill and achey. I went home and was sick for several days with flu like symptoms. I recovered from main illness (It felt like pneumonia or mononucleosis), but remained tired and foggy headed, as well as diffuse pain, sometimes rather severe. Trouble sleeping and craving for chocolate at times. Prior to that time, I was in pain in wrists and ankles due to soft tissue injury that was misdiagnosed and hairline fractures to ankles and wrists....after getting sick it was as though the pain I had spread upwards through my ankles and up my arms from my wrists, over my entire body. It is the sort of feeling when you are bruised severely and notice pain the next day. |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | Current symptoms are fluctuating and have lessened somewhat from the first two years. They include sore tender points, sometimes these migrate among the 15-18 points used for FMS diagnosis. Heightened sensitivity to cold, fatigue (having to nap during the day at times) and diffuse muscle achiness, more along the lines of a gnawing pain. |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | Not that I am aware of, save for the illness that preceded my FMS symptoms, that was undiagnosed. |
| Military Service? What years served? | N/A |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | none that I am aware of |
| How has fibro affected your life? | 7 years |
| What makes symptoms worse? | cold, stressors such as work or worry, any sort of exertion (mowing lawn, moving boxes, etc) |
| What makes you feel better? | I think what helps is drinking lots of water, B vitamins and other supplements, and setting regular times for eating, sleeping, etc. |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | Yes |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | At first, I was treated with neuro-uptake inhibitors and low low doses of anti-depressants such as paxil or well butrin, shown to be helpful in alleviating muscle fatigue and pain. |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | Personally I am off all meds as side effects seemed bad and health effects were not long lasting. Paxil, Elveril? (spelling) and testing for sleep apnea were included. I had uvulectomy to help with sleep apnea, the operation does not help. Massage and chiropractic help, as do some herbal supplements, vitamins, and other supplements. |
| Theories or Comments? | I have several theories and read up lots on FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) and related treatments. I try to be intuitive and listen to my body to see if I can discover the root 'cause'. FMS is difficult to treat because of cascading symptoms (lack of sleep, brain fog, muscle aches and pains, depression, fatigue, dry mouth and eyes, swollen glands, etc) that all multiply and affect one another, resulting in other symptoms. However I do believe that FMS is caused by an invasive agent, either paramecium or bacteria, that is opportunistic and enters or already lives in the body and becomes more active after a trauma (either emotional or physical trauma) and a weakened immune system one-two years AFTER the initial insult to the body. I believe that the bacterium or paramecium or parasite takes up residence in the myofascial layer surrounding muscles, and where some nerve endings meet the blood supply that feeds muscles and nerves, as well as in capillaries and all blood vessels. This paramecium/parasite/bacterium pathogyte is anaerobic and can only thrive in oxygen depleted areas of the body. It's waste products build up an epithelial filmy layer that acts as a barrier keeping oxygen away from muscles and nerves, resulting in symptoms. This pathogen is also active in the gut, resulting in abdominal swelling, bowel difficulties (ABI?) and malabsorption of nutrients, also contributing to the cascade effect. I think oxygenating therapies would help...also endocrine support...I have also tried T-3 and T-4 supplementation during fall and winter months..this results in increased energy levels, but there is still aches and other FMS symptoms. I also think that the pituitary, adrenals, sex glands and hypothalamus are involved as well; an assault on the immune system through trauma causes these to "shut down" for some reason, allowing the opportunistic pathogen to make headway and start multiplying. |
| Are we missing an important question? | It took a little over one year to be diagnosed correctly though that is quicker than most. What is difficult is to get any doctor to prescribe new remedies (oxygen therapy, parasite elimination, supplements such as C-Q 10, B vitamins, malic acid, etc.) So if there are FMS friendly docs out there let me know? My email is robertlewis35@hotmail.com. Sometimes my symptoms are readily seen, othertimes not, and this condition fluctuates and is not constant. I'm certainly in better shape than several years ago, but am still at about 60% of former capacity (compared to 20-30% with onset of FMS). |
| Posted on 1/15/2007: First Name: |
Marsha |
| Male or Female? | female |
| Single or Married? | married |
| If married, how many years? | 15 second marriage |
| Where were you born? | Florida |
| Where do you live now? | Florida |
| How long have you lived there? | all my life |
| Your Age? | 56 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | 10 yrs?? |
| What line of work? Still working? | house cleaning/music teacher |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | no |
| Does exercise help? What type? | yes, IF I don't over do it. rebounding,low impact arobics,walking |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | sore muscles especially in my arms. neck and shoulder pain, low back pain. hip pain especially at night. Naps every day! |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | same as above except my energy level has improved. Fewer naps and a little less pain now that I have cut back on working and started suppliments. |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | no |
| Military Service? What years served? | na |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | cleaning supplies |
| How has fibro affected your life? | It has slowed me down! I was always doing something, at one point, working 3 and 4 jobs. Now I work part time just a few hours a week.I get frustrated because I want to do more but I know I will be in pain if I attempt to do too much. |
| What makes symptoms worse? | SUGAR Too much activity Strain on my muscles Stress |
| What makes you feel better? | REST Shaklee suppliments Moderate exercise Eating natural foods Massage!! |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | no |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | at first I used ibuprofen or aspirin Now all I use is Shaklee suppliments...ALL NATURAL |
| Theories or Comments? | I think the more natural food you can eat, the better. There are too many additives in processed food. Sugar is like poison! Drink good water, not tap water! Take good suppliments |
| Are we missing an important question? | Maybe you can ask about what types of food people consume. |
| Posted on 1/15/2007: First Name: |
Marie |
| Male or Female? | female |
| Single or Married? | single |
| If married, how many years? | |
| Where were you born? | london |
| Where do you live now? | london |
| How long have you lived there? | 25 |
| Your Age? | 46 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | 1 year |
| What line of work? Still working? | Customer Service Assistant |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | broken wrist, ankle |
| Does exercise help? What type? | I don't exercise. My job is quite active and that exhausts me. |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | I had periods of a couple of days to a week where I thought I had a virus but I now know these were a precursor of full blown CFS |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | Aching from head to foot. Exhaustion after short periods of activity. Feeling hopeless and useless. Intolerant of nuts and dairy products. |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | no |
| Military Service? What years served? | none |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | no |
| How has fibro affected your life? | It has seriously curtailed my activities as I can no longer make arrangements that I will definitely keep as I may be too exhausted. I do not plan to do anything too physical as this can knock me back for days. |
| What makes symptoms worse? | too much physical activity. |
| What makes you feel better? | Just discovered, today, apple cider vinegar and have much less pain. I take Transfer Factor which seems to control the swollen glands I was getting all the time. Strangely, ibuprofen seems to lift my mood as much as the pain, more so than one would expect from simple pain relief. |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | no |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | loads. magnesium recently, not sure if its helping; transfer factor, keeps swollen glands at bay; apple cider vinegar, relieves pain; ibuprofen helps but I'm worried about ulcers; mega, mega doses of vit C have just headed off a cold, the last one laid me out for 10 days, this one hasn't really come out despite a very sore throat etc to begin with. cod liver oil, not sure if its helping |
| Theories or Comments? | The final straw for me was having a flu jab. Prior to that I had had short periods of pain/exhaustion but after the jab my health and energy went downhill and never properly came back [although I'm loads better than I was say 6ms ago] I read that the pain is caused by lactic acid produced due to shortage of oxygen to the system of ME sufferers. I am a recovering alcoholic. I haven't had a drink for 20 months. I spent 2 years before that trying to get sober, stopping and starting again and wonder if this has had a more detrimental effect than just detoxing the once. |
| Are we missing an important question? | Previous lifestyle - drugs, alcohol, diet, stress. |
| Posted on 1/15/2007: First Name: |
Kathy |
| Male or Female? | Female |
| Single or Married? | Married |
| If married, how many years? | 26 |
| Where were you born? | Minnesota |
| Where do you live now? | Wisconsin |
| How long have you lived there? | 25 years |
| Your Age? | 46 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | 1 year |
| What line of work? Still working? | landscaping--in office |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | husband's affair last year, and drastic cutbacks at work. I am also hypothyroid. |
| Does exercise help? What type? | movement helps, walking, I'm starting yoga, and that seems to help. Anything strenuous will make me pay for days. |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | Tearing fatigue, and insomnia. The pain started about two months later. |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | Constant muscle aches, although it's not nearly as bad as it was. Occasional insomnia, fibro fog, tingling and swelling, especially hands and feet, and weight gain. |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | mono in my late teens |
| Military Service? What years served? | no |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | don't think so |
| How has fibro affected your life? | It has severely limited my ability to keep up with work and home. I can no longer do the physical parts in landscaping. I fatigue readily. I have almost no libido. I've gained weight, because vigorous exercise is out. IBS is another real fun side effect. |
| What makes symptoms worse? | Fluctuations in barometric pressure. Stress. Loud noise. Lack of sleep. |
| What makes you feel better? | Acupuncture, liquid vitamins, ginseng for energy. warm baths and showers, and electric blanket. |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | no, but its been close |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | synthroid, zoloft and vitamins daily. by the way, take your synthroid alone. zoloft inhibits its absorption. found that out the hard way. Occasionally, I'll take Vicodin for the pain. Meditation daily is essential. I go to the acupuncturist weekly. I have gotten tremendous help from it. |
| Theories or Comments? | It seems that a physical or emotional trauma on top of an already busy life is the trigger. Stress management is essential. Teaching our children not to overload themselves and make time to enjoy life is perhaps a good preventive measure. |
| Are we missing an important question? | no |
| Posted on 1/15/2007: First Name: |
Dawn |
| Male or Female? | Female |
| Single or Married? | Married |
| If married, how many years? | 15 |
| Where were you born? | Canton, OH. |
| Where do you live now? | Colorado |
| How long have you lived there? | 20 years |
| Your Age? | 38 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | 3 years |
| What line of work? Still working? | Can't Work |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | Car Wreck |
| Does exercise help? What type? | it helps LITTLE if I use a pallaties ball...Spelling? |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | Aching joints |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | aching joints and muscles...grabbing pain in the muscles. |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | no |
| Military Service? What years served? | No |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | No |
| How has fibro affected your life? | I now lead a very miserable life. I have to stay active and keep moving...never sit down, If I sit, I get very stiff and cannot hardly move. Sometimes I need help getting my hips into bed. And Depression. |
| What makes symptoms worse? | I am a human barometer. "WEATHER" |
| What makes you feel better? | Plenty of rest...a lot of it for a couple of days to recope. Then, I'm good for a couple more days. Swimming does good for about a half a day. |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | No, been to a specialist. |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | I am now on Muscle Relaxers (Soma-500mg 3 x's per day), Motrin (800 mg. 3 x's per day) and Amatryptalin (50 mg. at night) |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | Herbs, lots of water, exercise, perscriptions, hot showers, swimming... |
| Theories or Comments? | |
| Are we missing an important question? |
| Posted on 1/15/2007: First Name: |
Bobby |
| Male or Female? | Male |
| Single or Married? | Divoriced |
| If married, how many years? | 18 |
| Where were you born? | Michigan |
| Where do you live now? | Michigan |
| How long have you lived there? | 39 years |
| Your Age? | 43 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | 12 Years |
| What line of work? Still working? | Computer Consultant |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | |
| Does exercise help? What type? | Light weight training, tai chi |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | severe muscle pains in my legs, neck and severe fatigue. |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | Pain (cervical, legs, back, feet, hands), constant swollen and painful lymph glands in neck, back or neck at base of skull and underarms. |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | Not that I am aware of. |
| Military Service? What years served? | No |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | No |
| How has fibro affected your life? | I work long hours and after work all I can do is eat dinner and go to get, I don't have much of a social life anymore. Impacts my job, memory issues |
| What makes symptoms worse? | Hot humid weather, cold rainy weather. Work stress, family stress, basically any type of stress. Overwork. Walking too much. |
| What makes you feel better? | Sunny cool days, massage therapy, working out when able. Good sleep. Watching humorous films. Meditation. |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | no |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | Ultram works wonders, klonapin, melatonin for sleep. |
| Theories or Comments? | I believe that FMS and CFIDS are auto-immune diseases brought on by many different things, viruses, environmental. |
| Are we missing an important question? | Do you see yourself getting better or feel you ever will? Yes |
| Posted on 1/15/2007: First Name: |
Belinda |
| Male or Female? | Female |
| Single or Married? | Married |
| If married, how many years? | 10 |
| Where were you born? | Meadville, PA |
| Where do you live now? | Meadville, PA |
| How long have you lived there? | 43 years |
| Your Age? | 43 |
| How long have you had fibromyalgia? | Dx'ed 3 years ago but could have been longer |
| What line of work? Still working? | Not working currently ~ mostly secretarial |
| Any prior injuries or trauma? | 1980 severe auto accident; 1992 large heavy can fell on head from a shelf 3 feet above ~ knocked out cold; 1996 auto accident ~ rearended |
| Does exercise help? What type? | NO ~ If I exercise, generally I will pay dearly for it within a day or two. I used to be extremely fit and enjoyed powerwalking and even running up to 6 miles a day prior. Very sad about this now. |
| What were your very FIRST symptoms? | Migraines, swelling of hands and feet, heart palps, tight throat, back of arms ache, inside of knees ache, back ache, severe muscle cramps, especially in thighs, calves, toes, rib area and back, extreme tiredness, sleeping up to 18 hours a day, swollen trigger points, temperature extremes ~ over heated in heat and severe chilled in cold, tight shoulders, brain fog, anxiety, very low body temperature (sometimes around 94*), sleep disturbances, crying, sensitivity to alcohol, odors and medicine, weight gain, bruising - PHEW!! |
| What are your CURRENT symptoms? | My symptoms come and go constantly. One day I will have swollen hands, next day gone but a new symptom or symptoms will appear somewhere else. This goes on and on daily. Symptoms are same as above and there are many more: nasal allergies, low grade fever, cold hands and feet, dry eyes and mouth with increased thirst, total body aches, muscle weakness/pain/twitching, joint pain, lightheadedness, vertigo, ringing in ears, sensitivity to light and noise, bumping into things, decreased sex drive, acid reflux, bloating/gas, acne all over body, hives, dental issues, rashes, afternoon crashes - PHEW again!! |
| Did you ever have a long lasting virus? | Just test 6 months ago for Epstein-Barr and test indicated either an active or recent infection....No sign of Lyme, Mono or any other virus. |
| Military Service? What years served? | None |
| Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? | Severe exposure at my last job...I worked in a prosthetic facility (makes artificial limbs and orthopedic braces)...Exposed to Toulene, Barge Cement, Fiberglass, acetone and possible other industrial chemicals, solvents, glues and paints with no ventilation in facility. |
| How has fibro affected your life? | It has affected me in a very big way...I miss my life. I want to go out and walk again, I want to run again...I just want to wake up in the morning feeling no pain and totally refreshed.......It sure has been a long time. Been in this funk now for 3 years - symptoms come and go. |
| What makes symptoms worse? | Exercise, temperature changes, noise, bright light, odors, lack of rested sleep, MSG, confined quarters like in a small room or MRI unit - bad environments for me. |
| What makes you feel better? | 100% fully rested sleep and sometimes sleep for days on end, chiropractic adjustments on neck and upper back/shoulders, hot water soaks with epsom salts, cervical neck roll pillow, hypoallergenic microrfiber mattress topper (like a featherbed) |
| Been to a hospital for fibro pain? | No |
| If yes, how did they treat your pain? | |
| What remedies or meds have you tried? | Advil, UltraClear by Metagenics, Darvocet/Vicodan, vitamin therapy, hot water tub soaks with epsom salts, chiropractic adjustments weekly, foot reflexology, mild massages |
| Theories or Comments? | I have read about the Whitcomb Theory but not sure there is a relation to my neck injuries and the C1 displacement but I do converse with other FM sufferers and most of us have had either a neck or head injury prior to full blow FM. I "think" my symptoms progressed when I was exposed to the chemicals at my last job. That is when I felt the ultimate worse, although I had other "illnesses or diagnoses" prior to the chemical exposure. |
| Are we missing an important question? | One thing that bothers me the most is no support from my family doctor. No support, no compassion. Also wondering how many other patients feel the same as me? How much support are you getting from your doctor(s) or family? Thank goodness I have a very supportive husband willing to help in any way, shape or form. |
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