Fibromyalgia Case Studies: June - August 6, 2006

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Posted on 8/6/2006: First Name:	Candy
Male or Female?	Female
Single or Married?	Single
Where were you born?	Seattle, Washington
Where do you live now?	Spokane, Washington
How long have you lived there?	7 years
Your Age?	60
How long have you had fibromyalgia?	ten years
What line of work? Still working?	Health Department - still working
Any prior injuries or trauma?	onset following a traumatic surgery for cancer at age 50.
Does exercise help? What type?	Light exercise and stretching my back muscles.
What were your very FIRST symptoms?	Pain everwhere. It even hurt to have clothing touching my skin. I cried all the time in frustration and fear that I would have to live with chronic horrible pain for the rest of my life.
What are your CURRENT symptoms?	Fatigue, cannot deal with heat, painful walking and going up stairs, I suffer from terrible pain if I push myself too hard to get things done. It takes me three days what it used to take me one day to get done. Exhaustion... Depression ... difficulty sleeping...
Did you ever have a long lasting virus?	I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus when I was about 40.
Military Service? What years served?	n/a
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals?	Yes, I lived in a house in Juneau Alaska that was built on old mine tailings. I drank well water that bubbled up through those tailings and never thought about the heavy metals in that dirt pile. Exposure to farm chemicals.
How has fibro affected your life?	It changed everything. I am in chronic pain - ranging from about a 3 to about a 9. Chronic pain causes depression and sleepness. I am too tired to do much of anything except what I absolutely must do. I am too tired for much of a social life so find myself becomming more and more reclusive.
What makes symptoms worse?	Too much physical work - walking, bending, heat.
What makes you feel better?	Pain pills, celebrex, and MSM. I use massage oils and long soaks in the bathtub.
Been to a hospital for fibro pain?	No
What remedies or meds have you tried?	MSM, mint oils, celebrex, and pain pills when the pain gets unbearable.
Theories or Comments?	Why do more women than men get Fibro? Is it connected to hormonal levels? Stress?
Are we missing an important question?	If I knew the right question - perhaps I could find an answer. This is perplexing and life altering - for the worst. At the best it has made me SLOW down my life in every way conceivable.

Posted on 8/6/2006: First Name:	Natalie
Male or Female?	female
Single or Married?	single
If married, how many years?	na
Where were you born?	new york state
Where do you live now?	upstate new york
How long have you lived there?	52 years
Your Age?	52
How long have you had fibromyalgia?	since early 30's
What line of work? Still working?	photolab tech and manager
Any prior injuries or trauma?	no
Does exercise help? What type?	usually exercise and the more strenous it is will make the flare up worse.
What were your very FIRST symptoms?	I had step throat. Took antibiotics. The symptoms remained and I felt sicker. After two months and many tests I was diognosed with CFS. Now the doctor says it is Fibromyalgia.
What are your CURRENT symptoms?	Muscle pain... brain fogg... memory trouble.... fatigue...depression. Flare ups will give me a mild sore throat and mild swollen glands in my neck. An over all flu feeling that you just know is not the flu. I can always tell when I have "the thing" as I call it... or when it is the flu. Though sometimes a real bout of the flu will bring it on.
Did you ever have a long lasting virus?	I had mono in my late teens
Military Service? What years served?	no
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals?	I have been exposed to years of photographic chemicals.
How has fibro affected your life?	Muscle pain when I have flare ups makes life miserable. I wake up at night with aching..pinching.. jabing pains in my legs and arms. Foggy brain fatigue is fustrationg and sometimes out and out scary.
What makes symptoms worse?	exertion...and the more strenuous the more I pay the price later. Also... certain stresses make it flare up rather quickly. Sometimes I will have a flare up that will last a month or longer over something that occured a week or more before the flare up. Yet other times I will over-do in the yard and will be sick the next day when I wake up and the aching will last for days and days.
What makes you feel better?	Low stress... like being at a camp ground and sitting by the water just reading and doing nothing.
Been to a hospital for fibro pain?	no...but there is times while laying on the couch going thru a few weeks of a flare up I would wish I could see a doctor that minute and have him give me a magic pill.
If yes, how did they treat your pain?	Doctor says to take Aleve (antiinflamitory)
What remedies or meds have you tried?	It may be in my head... but a low carb diet seemed to improve it. Also vitamins and DHEA suppliments.
Theories or Comments?	I feel there may be a hereditary factor. My son has Fibro... my cousin has Lupus and so did my aunt. I also feel that it effects those with a more sensitive disposition. Those that can't let issues/stress related problems roll off their back. For example... those that carry quilt...those that are co-dependant enabling unacceptable behavior from others to keep the peace. Those that feel they need to earn love from others and are always striving to be accepted as they are. Those that worry about others and take on responsiblity to make them happy.
Are we missing an important question?	I didn't see anything about weather. Sometimes I think the weather effects it..... and then other times I am sure it does not. I would be curious if others feel the same.

Posted on 8/6/2006 First Name:	donna
Male or Female?	female
Single or Married?	married
If married, how many years?	29
Where were you born?	alabama
Where do you live now?	alabama
How long have you lived there?	a total of 20 years
Your Age?	45
How long have you had fibromyalgia?	at least 5 or more years
What line of work? Still working?	receptionist
Any prior injuries or trauma?	several years ago i remember hiting my head on the roof of a mini van getting out. i thought i heard my scalp crack i never went for a x-ray.also used to have bad panic attacks in which every muscle in my body tightened up as tight as they could.
Does exercise help? What type?	sometimes walking and slow movement
What were your very FIRST symptoms?	my thyroid got under active, no energy. then test came back normal but it has its low and high levels. of course those symptons are so close to fibromyalgia symptons. i had test ran and i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. i also remember having a reaction to two different anti-depressents and also having a reaction to a steroid not cortizone but one of the newer steroids which all made me feel like my blood was boiling. i thought this might have did some damage to my body. whatever it was gave a mile long list of things it could do to you. but alot of the problems were all due to an overload of stress.
What are your CURRENT symptoms?	soreness,fatigue, sugar running low sometimes, weight gain, oh yes stress, tmj,nerve problems circulation problems, sensitive to sound and chemicals
Did you ever have a long lasting virus?	not that i can remember
Military Service? What years served?	no
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals?	not that i know of
How has fibro affected your life?	it has slowed me down, but by the grace of God, i am still going and pray that myself and everyone who has got any kind of disease will be abel to overcome with victory!
What makes symptoms worse?	weather, stressfull situations,not getting enough sleep,over work, some foods.
What makes you feel better?	rest , drinking enough water, eating a well balaced diet
Been to a hospital for fibro pain?	no
What remedies or meds have you tried?	i have used muscle relaxers in the past, but i am not using anything now
Theories or Comments?	i think it has alot todo with our immune system not being able to fight off infections which we know is caused from not having enough sleep and sometimes not eating enough of the right kind of food
Are we missing an important question?	not that i can think of

7/5/2006:
First Name: Gary
Male or Female? Male
Single or Married? Single
Where were you born? Nottingham, UK
Where do you live now? London, UK
How long have you lived there? 9 YRS
Your Age? 31
How long have you had fibromyalgia? 1-1.5 YRS
What line of work? Still working? Film
Any prior injuries or trauma? Suffered for 5yrs with Anxiety Disorder. Had bout of sinusitus, then took antibiotics. 2 days later my CFS/Fibro started
Does exercise help? What type? General walking
What were your very FIRST symptoms? Flu like symtoms
What are your CURRENT symptoms? Fatigue and off/on aches
Did you ever have a long lasting virus? Not that i can remember
Military Service? What years served? 0
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? Unknown
How has fibro affected your life? Makes me miserable and those around me, although they try. Still able to work, but can be hard
What makes symptoms worse? I believe alcohol (but not much), and cigarettes make pain worse. Wheat and high sugar makes fatigue worse
What makes you feel better? A healthy diet. A good day at work and home. Anything which keeps my mind busy , therefore, iss it in my head after all
Been to a hospital for fibro pain? no
What remedies or meds have you tried? Powerful antioxidents - Doctors Choice. About to start Immunplus Rx as have heard good things
Theories or Comments? I don't know where or how it started. One Naturopath believes it stems from my earlier anxiety, weakening my system. Don't know though, but can't wait for cure NOT treatment
Are we missing an important question? Think you are fairly well covered. Maybe something about stress/anxiety

7/3/2006:
First Name: Mary
Male or Female? Female
Single or Married? Married
If married, how many years? 15
Where were you born? Pittsburgh, PA
Where do you live now? N of Baltimore MD
How long have you lived there? most my life
Your Age? 44
How long have you had fibromyalgia? aprox 10 yrs
What line of work? Still working? Office - Disabled
Any prior injuries or trauma? at age 20 was rearended by a Mac truck going at least 60 mph when I was at a stop. At the time felt no problem, then neck problems
Does exercise help? What type? Have tried many, Yoga has been a God send. Any stretching is the least damaging to fibro.
What were your very FIRST symptoms? Had a flu the entire office had, but mine stayed for 2 weeks, then started with tingling limbs & extreme neck pain & all over body pain.
What are your CURRENT symptoms? Shoulder & neck stiffness & pain, IBS, all over body muscle & joint pain, deppression, visual problems, tingling, white spots when in pain, neaurally mediated hypotension(stand & pass out), tmj, allergies
Did you ever have a long lasting virus? Yes, office flu - lasted a few days for them, 2 weeks for me; also had mono at age 16.
Military Service? What years served? No
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? Worked for an environmental lab that tested them, but was not directly in contact with them.
How has fibro affected your life? Totally - - If it were not for my belief in God I would not be able to handle it. Always very social, now just talking is exhausting, unable to go & do things normal people my age do... feel like an 80 year old. Lost friends, unable to work when I would like to, people & a lot of Dr.'s do not understand this condition.
What makes symptoms worse? BAROMETRIC Pressure - never realized til I realized i was always at my worst in the spring. Standing, sitting, sleeping - all must be done at intervals ( 15 minutes sometimes) Doing to much at once, not splitting heavy & idol work. Tens unit.
What makes you feel better? Myofacial massage, yoga, listening to my body & variating idol & heavy work. Prayer. Visualization - staring at pain & working is slowly down to the ends of fingers or feet. Healthy eating. Hot tub.
Been to a hospital for fibro pain? Yes
If yes, how did they treat your pain? dilodid, was nice for the time. DO NOT ever take any OPIUM patch, I was on it & went thru a month of withdrawal, hospitalized. Though it did relieve my pain.
What remedies or meds have you tried? all........ antidepressants, neurotin, flexeril, can't remember all. Only drepressed because of fibro, would like to use natural remedies since prescription don't seem to help, do take oxycotin & eases pain
Theories or Comments? I want a CURE......... but until then.... keep up with the research.. will try the vinegar remedy & brush my teeth after LOL. Totally believe I got from having a neck injury & then getting the flu. Especially since it happened so immediately after. You will go through different extremes, just hang with it, tomorrow is a new day. Fibro has been documented since the 1700's, but since it doesn't kill you not as much urgency in cure.
Are we missing an important question? Yes.... many have felt like they would like to die then suffer this condition, a link should be available for suicide thoughts. Also, Dr.'s knowledgeble in this area are hard to find, should have city, state Dr. help.

7/2/2006:
First Name: Stephanie
Male or Female? Female
Single or Married? Married
If married, how many years? 5 years
Where were you born? Springfield, Missouri
Where do you live now? Joplin, Missouri
How long have you lived there? 6 years
Your Age? 35
How long have you had fibromyalgia? Diagnosed about 4 months ago
What line of work? Still working? Elementary Teacher/yes
Any prior injuries or trauma? Chronic strep as a child Mono at 16 years old; bedridden for a month Head on collision at 21; severe facial trauma; later linked to spinal arthritis and blood clots Last few years dealt with major family stress
Does exercise help? What type? Yes; mild stretching; anything else makes it worse
What were your very FIRST symptoms? Thought I was having heart attack, later determined to be fibro related. Looking back have had chronic back pain (paralyzing at times) for last two years.
What are your CURRENT symptoms? Pain in shoulders, back, hips, and legs. Occassionally, numbness in hands and feet. I have severe fatigue and memory issues.
Did you ever have a long lasting virus? Mono; lasted about six weeks
Military Service? What years served? No
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? Not that I know of.
How has fibro affected your life? Unable to devote energy to family, kids, and work. Just don't feel like doing much of anything.
What makes symptoms worse? Physical therapy made symptoms severe enough that I had to use a walker.
What makes you feel better? Being around friends and family who TRULY believe I am sick. Hard to convince some people and not be labeled "lazy".
Been to a hospital for fibro pain? Yes
If yes, how did they treat your pain? Nitro, davocet. No help.
What remedies or meds have you tried? Effexor for panic attacks/depression; Tramodol for pain, Ambien to sleep, and Flexeril for muscle spasms.
Theories or Comments? Cousin has MS. My aunt thinks there may be a link. I am beginning to wonder if my history of strep and sinus problems has anything to do with this? I do think my car accident contributed to the problem and stress continues to make symptoms worse.
Are we missing an important question? How do sufferers deal with driving long distances?

6/27/2006:
First Name AJ
Male or Female? F
Single or Married? M
Where were you born? Paintsville, Ky.
Where do you live now? Dayton, Ohio
How long have you lived there? 42 years
Your age at the onset of symptoms? Early 40s
How long have you had fibromyalgia? For the past 2 years
What line of work? Still working? Nurse/ I teach now Any prior injuries or trauma? Yes, I have had a cervical neck injury and it was shortly after that I became symptomatic.
Does exercise help? What type? Stretching
What were your very FIRST symptoms? Numbness-tingling in arms and legs. However if I look back when i think the symptoms first began years ago, early 40s the symptoms were I had pain in my knees, ankles, and elbows for no apparent reason.
What are your CURRENT symptoms? I hurt all over especially in my legs arms and ankles.
Did you ever have a long lasting virus? Not that I recall
Military Service? What years served? No
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? Not that I am aware of
How has fibro affected your life? I was once a very happy vibrant energetic person, now I am sad, depressed and have difficulty getting through the day. I spend at least 2 days a week in bed. After i get home from teaching I have to go to bed for about 2 hours before I can continue with my work.
What makes symptoms worse? Weather, highs, lows, barametric pressure low.
What makes you feel better? Sun shine consistently for at least a week with no humidity.
Been to a hospital for fibro pain? No
What remedies or meds have you tried? The medications that were offered to me by my peers in the allopathic community were not acceptable. I knew they were not going to help. I tried a few, they did not work. Neurotin was one, and there were others.
Theories or Comments? I believe after a person sustains a substantial emotional or physical assault on the body, the body goes into a type of shock which does something to the muscles, as a result I don't believe the muscles ever regain their ability to stretch or work correctly which may cause the pain.
Are we missing an important question? How old am I ? 54

6/23/2006:
First Name Connie
Male or Female? Female
Single or Married? Married
Where were you born? West Virginia, USA
Where do you live now? WV, US
How long have you lived there? almost all my life except 4 years in VA as a kid
Your age at the onset of symptoms? about 21 I think
How long have you had fibromyalgia? diagnosed 11 years ago, sick before that.
What line of work? Still working? Not working, going to try to work again soon
Any prior injuries or trauma? No, well just a bit of an unhappy childhood, Also got a bad flu and postpartum depression at 21.
Does exercise help? What type? I try to do what I can around the house, so I do not get as stiff. Aerobic exercise makes me worse. I must do mild things.
What were your very FIRST symptoms? Flu that never seemed to go away completely. I got tired easy and I started getting stiffer. And I had really bad headaches and then neck pain. And I remember sore throats early on.
What are your CURRENT symptoms? A lot, too many to list. All over my body. Headaches are a bit better, major stomach problems leading to bit of a low weight, bad fatigue, pain all over, stiffness, cant think as well, some depression, etc....
Did you ever have a long lasting virus? The flu and I had strep throat many times.
Military Service? What years served? NO
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? Not that I know of.
How has fibro affected your life? It has about ruined it. I try to have a life though. I am thankful. Not having a steady income has put more pressure on my husband. I cant do as much at home or attend all the family functions I want. I cant do many things.
What makes symptoms worse? Cold weather, doing too much-even normal stuff, stress, pop or colas, MSG-esp TV dinners and Chinese food but other stuff too.
What makes you feel better? Well mostly only my medications now and proper diet. Low dose of Klonopin at night, low dose of ativan some, some darvocet-still have pain, ambien when needed, coffee, rest-sometimes helps, lyrica now too, but can't drive and take any of this!!! Drink lots of good Spring Water. My husband of 20 years is more supportive now. I would of never made it through it all without him!!!
Been to a hospital for fibro pain? NO
What remedies or meds have you tried? Too many to list. Tried about all of it!!!! Given up looking for a cure. There is none. Only managing it will work I think now.
Theories or Comments? NO, not any more. Too many theories out there now. We need some real research.
Are we missing an important question?! You need to ask more about eating, diet and things of that nature. And about family support. I am 39 now. Need to ask current age too. Need to ask more about prior health issues in regard to FMS.

6/15/2006:
First Name: Angi
Male or Female? female
Where Were You Born? Canton, OH
Where do you live now? same
How long have you lived there? 36 years
Your age at the onset of symptoms? 36
How long have you had fibromyalgia? just diagnosed - symptoms since auto accident
What line of work? Still working? mortgage broker
Any prior injuries or trauma? car accident - whiplash 2005
Does exercise help? What type? walking helps eliviate stress level
What were your very FIRST symptoms? extreme, continuous headaches, neck and shoulder pain
What are your CURRENT symptoms? extreme fatigue, body aches, constant neck, shoulder and upper back pain, muscles tight and sore to touch, lack of concentration, frequent headaches
Did you ever have a long lasting virus? mono when I was 15
Military Service? What years served? no
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? none aware of
How has fibro affected your life? I hurt and have no energy to do much of anything. Doing my job is very difficult
What makes symptoms worse? cold, damp, rainy weather, stress, being on the computer very long
What makes you feel better? hot showers, heat wraps
Been to a hospital for fibro pain? no
What remedies or meds have you tried? I've been on all kinds of pain medication and nothing really has helped yet - am going to try pain injections

6/17/2006:
First Name: Kathleen
Male or Female? Female
Where Were You Born? Juneau, Alaska
Where do you live now? Portland, Oregon
How long have you lived there? 15 years
Your age at the onset of symptoms? 35
How long have you had fibromyalgia? 2 yrs.
What line of work? Still working? homemaker
Any prior injuries or trauma? At 21 rear ended causingneck pain At 24 passed out while driving (Great medication I was on for depression!) and had neck/back injury. At 26, fell and had severe back/neck pain that often flared up since
Does exercise help? What type? Swimming is like heaven! Nothing hurts while I'm in the water.
What were your very FIRST symptoms? Because I had so many years of back/neck pain from injuries, I didn't start noticing anything until a couple years ago when I realized my whole back hurt and sometimes it was hard to move at all. Sometimes after sitting, it was all I could do to get up.
What are your CURRENT symptoms? All over body pain, from head to foot. Inability to bend knees sometimes. Difficulty sleeping due to pain. Exhaustion. Difficulty remembering things.
Did you ever have a long lasting virus? At about 24 years of age, had ODD illness that lasted for months and could never be diagnosed. I was sick for a short while and then started having SEVERE blood sugar drops. Ate constantly to keep blood sugar up but lost weight. Had odd muscle spasms. A brother and a couple friends also had the same thing happen, and for a few years, it would come back once in awhile.
Military Service? What years served? No.
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? No.
How has fibro affected your life? Very depressed at inability to do the things I want, such as run with my kids in the park. Feel like a VERY old woman. Have no energy to live as I would like, doing the active things I want to do.
What makes symptoms worse? Sugar is the most known. When the weather is hot it is worse. I suspect milk, but I don't drink it often, so I'm not sure. I'm starting to wonder if salt may affect it negatively. Going to experiment with that.
What makes you feel better? Swimming and sauna makes me feel great, when I can afford to do that.
Been to a hospital for fibro pain? No.
What remedies or meds have you tried? Other than trying nutritional changes, I haven't done anything.
Theories or Comments? I believe there is a strong correlation between emotional pain and the fibromyalgia. Even though I may have been more suceptible due to accidents, I think the depression due to a painful relationship has been the most damaging thing to my body of all. It also has made me not care about life and overeating processed, high sugar foods leading to more problems!
Are we missing an important question? Were you depressed before being diagnosed with fibromyalgia?

6/1/2006:
First Name: monica
Male or Female? female
Where Were You Born? jersey city nj
Where do you live now? nj
How long have you lived there? 45 years
Your age at the onset of symptoms? 38
How long have you had fibromyalgia? 7 years
What line of work? Still working? hair stylist, no not working no more
Any prior injuries or trauma? no
Does exercise help? What type? no
What were your very FIRST symptoms? hands were tingling. went for all kinds of tests. it was thought i had nerve damage then got worst from that point on
What are your CURRENT symptoms? every joint in my body hurts me all the time, fingers are stiff like arthritis . jaw pain severe neck pain, severe back pain,eyes can't see well even with glasses sensitive to light, jump at small noises, lower pain in back that i need time to get up slow after sitting a while,can't sit on hard chairs for longer then 1/2 hour, forgetfulness, can't get words out alot of times. i know what i want to say but the words don't get to the brain fast enough, very slow at doing things now, toss and turn every single nite don't get proper sleep.. always tired, every single day i wake up complaining that something else hurts i'm tired of hearing myself along with my husband.... my most recent pain i was in the jaw when i open and close my jaw it is killing me pain leads up to my ear and down to my neck ,,, i also get severe headaches... that don't go away. i get dizzy a lot and lose my balance i trip over my own feet... i stop driving for a while because my reflexes were to slow,,,, so in other words my whole entire body hurts me all the time and when its gonna rain or raining I'm in a constant pain where i don't even want to go out of my house ...its so depressing,,,,
Did you ever have a long lasting virus? not really get sore throats ,,, flu once every couple of years...
Exposure to chemicals or heavy metals? no
How has fibro affected your life? tremendously, i quit my job because of it, can't go into work everyday complaining of this and that no one believes you, my husband now brushes my hair and washes parts of my body for i can't reach them any more, he helps me alot
What makes symptoms worse? weather, sitting too long, lifting heavy things, twisting thing like bottles or jars
What makes you feel better? laying down on a soft couch or bed. relaxing on something soft sometimes a hot shower or bath,getting a neck massage professionally
Been to a hospital for fibro pain? no
What remedies or meds have you tried? right now i'm on a anti depressant med called cymbolta, i have been on xnax, topamax, naproxen few other pain meds
Theories or Comments? my comment i can't believe that this disease is not curable yet, i don't know what else to do to help myself i am miserable with this disease i'm 45 and i feel every bit of 90. my husband is a perfect pic of health and he cant understand the problems i have.. i would love to keep up with him but i cant. i don't do half of what i used to do with him.

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