I can't deal

[avey]

I am a 26 year old female. I have Fibro but nothing seems to help. I am in terrible pain, my joints, neck, and shooting pains down my arms and legs. My limbs also go numb especially on my left side. There are times (frequently) that I completely loss energy, so bad that it takes everything just to breath. I sleep 14 hours a day and still can not function. I am on Cymbalta and Lyrica. I can't go on living like this. Is there anything that I can do or take to help me?

[bon50]

I have Fibro too.  Actually I can relate to everyone's postings.  I always get joint pain all over with my flares..not to mention the muscle pain and extreme fatigue.  I do take Neurontin and Lexapro. The Fibro can cause depression because it is so life changing in my opinion.  Hot showers will relax the muscles, heating pads are good, icy hot and icy hot patches help and taking it  easy during flares but still doing a little bit. Becoming bed bound is counter productive for me because I get pain from being in one position too long and I get very feeble. You are not alone..........I stay away from all food additives and don't eat a lot of carbs. Repetitive motion like typing etc. will put me in a flare, so..I gotta go now.  LOL

[pinkdevil511]

i feel the same way. i havent even been diagnosed with anything but from what im reading it sounds like fibro or ms or a few other things. but i know what you mean. i have two kids and half the time it hurts me to play with them. they stay with my mom most of the time because im so tired i cant get up with them or i fall asleep on them. its so hard to deal with it. i feel like im just crazy cuz i cant get answers

[Zorlak]

There are ways to control CFS/ME/FIBRO- talk to both doctors and naturopaths for dietary changes.

[AmICrazy?]

I completely understand what you are saying.  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was 22.  I am now 29.  My own experience has told me there are things that can help, but nothing can cure -- especially since they know so little about it.  The good news is it is not going to always be like it is now.  The pain and fatigue that you are now experiencing sounds like a peak.  The peaks pass and you can return to a life that somewhat resembles yours before fibro.  When the peaks strike, they can knock you on your butt, and rather unexpectidly, but it is important to know that it will pass.  For me, the peaks have become less frequent than they were.  The first year I had fibro, it was bad, really bad.  I went through all the MS, lupus, brain tumor, etc. tests that are thrown out, none of which showed anything.  After I was finally diagnosed with fibro, I encountered quite a few doctors that didn't believe in its existance.  I wanted nothing more than to throw them in my body just for a little while, so they could experience it and maybe even understand it.  Clearly, that couldn't happen, but I have noticed that the percentage of doctors who question my saniety when explaining what I have has now decreased.  I tried quite a few medicines.  They started me on anti inflammatory meds.  I actually did notice a marginal improvement with one (bextra), but since then it has been pulled from the shelves due to side effects.  However, it is really quite difficult to conclude if a medicine helps since the pain isn't always the same.  I was also put on effexor for way too long.  It may have helped, but coming off it made any benefit from it dull.  Despite the fact that I don't think these drugs help, the doctors have now put me on Wellbutrin.  So far, I notice no change.  For me, cold weather, rain, and stress all intensify the pain significantly.  There is no way to remove stress from your life completely, but there are ways to minimize it.  It may be helpful if you think about ways in your life to do that.  For me, it meant eliminating some activities that I used to do, slowing down my grad school graduation date, and eliminating some stressful relationships.  I also carried a heating pad to work with me and kept it at my desk because I found that could help with the pain at times.  You may want to try that, as well.  I'm sorry there is no silver bullet...I sure wish there was, but stay committed to fighting this.  You are your best advocate.  It will get better.

[LLWB]

When you're in a flare it can seem forever. But it does seem to go in cycles for most people. I have found my biggest challange is when I'm feeling good, to not do too much. The inclination is to hurry and get everything done, cleaning, shopping, exercise, etc. You know what I mean. But that just seems to bring on another flare. Slow & steady wins the race.  How long have you been on the Lyrica? Are you on maximum dose. Your dr can give you some stronger pain meds to get the pain under control. Ask for them. The fatigue is the most frustrating for me too. Just got up from a 3 hr nap. There went my whole Sunday afternoon.  Fibro is awful, but at lease it is not degenerative. Good luck.