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Is Fibromyalgia Progressive?
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I am wondering if I have something else going on in my body. All my symptoms have worsened since the diagnosis. Everything hurts a lot more and I have more spasms. I have been awake all night which is nothing new due to pain levels. Could I have been misdiagnosed? I have all sorts of symptomology and am growing more weary each day. I have been a recluse in my room for weeks now. What should I do? I cannot handle the pain levels and I am desperate for relief!
Thank youu for your reply. I have heard it can be difficult to get the disability. When and if I feel that is the way I need to go I am hoping to go on my employers short term then long term disability and then if needed apply for the Social Security. Not sure how it all works but looking into it. I went to the Rheumatologist today and he signed my Intermittent FMLA paperwork. He also changed my meds... He put me on Morphine Sulphate CR 15 mg BID to try to control the pain (said it was a low dose), I'm staying on the Cymbalta 30 mg, can still take the Percocet for break through pain and off of my Diclofenac. I'm very worried about taking Morphine, has anyone taken this and did it help? I am going to wait until Sat to try it since I will be off work for the weekend...just in case it affects me in an adverse way. Thanks again, hope you all have a Merry Christmas!!!
Hello,
I am on an intermittent FMLA leave and I do think it is a good idea to do this if you believe you need it and you are concerned about your job. Keep in mind though that you are only protected up to 12 weeks in a year. That equates to about 4 days per month. To get full disability in the US is a fight, just so you are aware, and usually you are turned down by the government at least once or twice. Also, I believe you have to be completely off of work for at least six months before they consider your application. I hate to sound so negative, but I've seen many people go through the process and it's a hard one. My advise is to stay in the workforce as long as you possibly can and when you are ready to quit completely you'll know. Just make sure you have good friends and family around to help support you through it all.
I am on an intermittent FMLA leave and I do think it is a good idea to do this if you believe you need it and you are concerned about your job. Keep in mind though that you are only protected up to 12 weeks in a year. That equates to about 4 days per month. To get full disability in the US is a fight, just so you are aware, and usually you are turned down by the government at least once or twice. Also, I believe you have to be completely off of work for at least six months before they consider your application. I hate to sound so negative, but I've seen many people go through the process and it's a hard one. My advise is to stay in the workforce as long as you possibly can and when you are ready to quit completely you'll know. Just make sure you have good friends and family around to help support you through it all.
Hi dhollcraft,
I am the one who posted the same question :-) I have an appointment tomorrow with my rheumatologist tomorrow and am going to try to pin him down on this. I, as you said, feel there must be more going on with me if it is said to be not progressive. From the replies I got on my post, sounds to me like we are not the only ones who feel the symptoms are getting worse. Everyday seems worse than the one before and I wonder if it's worth waking up for the next one. I want to ask my doctor for an intermittent FMLA through my work, at least then they can't fire me. I am missing an average of 1-2 days a week and barely make it through the others. I'm afraid to ask because I stll feel that stigma of the diagnosis. I am really at the point where I need to stop working and try for disability, but again, I feel too ashamed. I am 40 years old and have no quality of life. I'm sure most of you know exactly how I am feeling. Does anyone have any suggestions re: disability. Do I keep pushing myself to try and get through my days of work? If I do will it just continue to get worse? I just want to enjoy life again :-) Dhollcraft, I hope you find some relief from your pain. I will let you know if my doc gives me any insight into our question. Happy Holidays to everyone!
I am the one who posted the same question :-) I have an appointment tomorrow with my rheumatologist tomorrow and am going to try to pin him down on this. I, as you said, feel there must be more going on with me if it is said to be not progressive. From the replies I got on my post, sounds to me like we are not the only ones who feel the symptoms are getting worse. Everyday seems worse than the one before and I wonder if it's worth waking up for the next one. I want to ask my doctor for an intermittent FMLA through my work, at least then they can't fire me. I am missing an average of 1-2 days a week and barely make it through the others. I'm afraid to ask because I stll feel that stigma of the diagnosis. I am really at the point where I need to stop working and try for disability, but again, I feel too ashamed. I am 40 years old and have no quality of life. I'm sure most of you know exactly how I am feeling. Does anyone have any suggestions re: disability. Do I keep pushing myself to try and get through my days of work? If I do will it just continue to get worse? I just want to enjoy life again :-) Dhollcraft, I hope you find some relief from your pain. I will let you know if my doc gives me any insight into our question. Happy Holidays to everyone!
You are so right dhollcraft and Rusty!! It is progressive I too am living poof...
Yes you have to get mad and fight to win with FM! It's a good attitude to have!
Carolyn
Yes you have to get mad and fight to win with FM! It's a good attitude to have!
Carolyn
Don't worry about posting the same question. Welcome to the forum. We all pretty much have similar questions, but everyone has different answers. I was just about to post the same one I posted on the other question, so if you've already looked at that one, that's great news. I think the progressiveness of this disease is individual really no matter what the textbooks and the doctors will tell you.
They say it isn't progressive, but I'm living proof. I have been doctoring steadily since
a year ago last Feb. They say it's my Fibro. I told them I thought they said it wasn't supposed to be progressive- to which they had no come-back. I am now in Physical Therapy and called in today because of a newly found Christmas Present- A cold! LOL
I have also quit my job, because it required me to work over 10-12 hours as needed - alone. I was a cook. Hard labor for Fibro. I can't do it anymore. The pain and fatigue is well overbearing. So if they say it isn't progressive- they're lying! Much like how they tell you you're depressed and need an anti-depressant. It's my pain level that makes me depressed, not the depression they think comes with Fibro. Kinda like the chicken
and the egg- which came first- It was believed that depression caused Fibro. They still play on this...But in my exprience? The pain and fatigue wins well over the depression.
For this reason, I don't like to take their anti-depressants. I don't need mind control- I need releif, and they have yet to show me a drug that will actually work. Lyrica and Savella- all hype. Sorry to hear you have Fibro. I don't wish it on my worst enemy. I hope you have a fast recovery- it will let up- at least- there is no full recovery, but you can manage it. Make up your mind that it will NOT put you down. Don't let it win. Don't play it's victim game. Then, Fibro wins. Best of the Holidays to you and yours!
a year ago last Feb. They say it's my Fibro. I told them I thought they said it wasn't supposed to be progressive- to which they had no come-back. I am now in Physical Therapy and called in today because of a newly found Christmas Present- A cold! LOL
I have also quit my job, because it required me to work over 10-12 hours as needed - alone. I was a cook. Hard labor for Fibro. I can't do it anymore. The pain and fatigue is well overbearing. So if they say it isn't progressive- they're lying! Much like how they tell you you're depressed and need an anti-depressant. It's my pain level that makes me depressed, not the depression they think comes with Fibro. Kinda like the chicken
and the egg- which came first- It was believed that depression caused Fibro. They still play on this...But in my exprience? The pain and fatigue wins well over the depression.
For this reason, I don't like to take their anti-depressants. I don't need mind control- I need releif, and they have yet to show me a drug that will actually work. Lyrica and Savella- all hype. Sorry to hear you have Fibro. I don't wish it on my worst enemy. I hope you have a fast recovery- it will let up- at least- there is no full recovery, but you can manage it. Make up your mind that it will NOT put you down. Don't let it win. Don't play it's victim game. Then, Fibro wins. Best of the Holidays to you and yours!
I can't believe someone else posted the same exact question on this sight. I am so tired...I need to atleast lay in bed and try to rest a bit.
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