Work Stress

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Can severe work stress cause Fibromyalgia or is it silenty underlying and severe work stress bring it on? I began having pain in my elbows and numbness in my 4th and 5th fingers due to rep. motion and position at my work space, and added newly physical requirements over the last year, and along with severe mental work stress, I went to seek medical attn. Shortly after a visit to the ER which severe mental work stress issues were discussed, I began having total body pain, with continuios sharp shooting, deep agonizing tendon, ligament, muscle, bone and joint pain. I am now having extreme fatigue during small physical tasks and irritable bowel disturbances up to 4 times a day. Last week my Dr. said I may have Fibromyalgia and would refer me to a rhumatologist. I am 52 and female and now unable to work. I feel like I am on a rollercoaster at a fast speed with no up in sight.

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Since I found this site and have read much more on the subject, I came across info from a popular search engine at the NFRA (National Fibromyalgia Research Association) which have a Comparable Symtoms Chart for Fibromyalgia / CFS - Chari Malformation - Cervical Spinal Cord Compression. After using this chart, I have great suspiciousions I may have both Fibro/CFS and Chiari Malformation. I will go with printed info to my Dr. next week. Thanks for the insight.

[LLWB]

In my experience, fibro is present all the time, but job stress and overwork, either physical or mental, can cause flare-ups. Also an illness seems to make it more active. Try to destress your life (I know, easier said than done) and see the rhumatologist as soon as you can. There is a lot of help out there to deal with fibro but you have to pursue it. A lot of doctors don't believe in it, and think we are "crazy", but there are also a lot of good ones too. Good luck. With time, it can be managed.