Intro, getting diagnosed

FibroHiker

I began having random mysterious pain in various places in my body about 3 years ago that didn't come from exercise. The pain lasted off and on for 18 months then stopped for a whole year when I began drinking wine several times a week with dinner. After that one year period I decided I wanted to lose some weight and stopped drinking. The pain came back so fast. I read online that alcohol could be a numbing agent for fibromyalgia pain since it temporarily numbs the nerve endings. That info accompanied with the chronic fatigue, sleeping difficulties, and difficulty focusing I have been experiencing, I am pretty sure I have Fibromyalgia.

I intend to seek out a diagnosis this summer to rule out other possible Dx.

What have been your experiences with getting diagnosed? So far with my primary care physician she does not think my symptoms are related to fibromyalgia. She has said it's stress, not eating right, depression, etc. I have struggled with depression off and on most of my life and never before did it cause me physical pain like what I have been experiencing now. I want to go to a specialist and think that may be my only option.

FibroHiker

For anyone who's interested:

Update: in November, 2018, after four years of repeat visits to my MD with fatigue and pain symptoms she did a huge battery or tests for vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune Disorders, and of course tested my thyroid yet again.

My vitamin levels were all within the average ranges. I tested negative for autoimmune Disorders or levels of various different things that would indicate an autoimmune disorder. My thyroid levels also cake back within the average range. She finally agreed that it must be fibromyalgia in December. I tried Lyrica and while it helped with the pain, I was so depressed and tired that I didn't want to do anything despite having a huge reduction in pain. I stopped taking it after 2 weeks.

I now take CBD oil in the morning to help with pain and fatigue and I drink a glass of wine in the evening to help with sleep. The wine in the evening really helps because on nights when I haven't taken it, I sleep less, my sleep is more restless, and I don't get as much deep sleep as I need.

I am functioning well enough that I can work a full time job, prepare meals at home, do light cleaning around the house, and go for walks and hikes without huge amounts of pain on a daily basis. I get between 6-7 hours of sleep each night and my Fitbit estimates that I get between 12 and 18% deep sleep each night. I think that because I get adequate sleep that I have less pain on a daily basis over all.

rebecky5505

Bless you I’m right there with you ♥️ I’m Becky from Rustburg Virginia 60 and clean houses for income. This year has been hell for me. Let’s stay in touch

FibroHiker

@rebecky5505 feel free to add me as a friend/supporter.