Friends with fibromyalgia

Jeannelin

HI,

I am looking to meet others who live with FMS or similar challenges. I would like to be friends so that I can pull together a group of people for chat and support. Thanks for your time.

-Julia

vettle

I have costochondritis

LabRat529

Hi Julia. I'm new to this site... but I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I'm not entirely sure I've been diagnosed correctly... but I certainly have the chronic pain and fatigue going Makes it hard to exercise which makes it hard to lose weight. BUT! We can do it, yes? As long as we take it slow and are patient.

Jeannelin

Thank you for friending me.

Jo2926

I have Fibro and M.E. and I've always found it hard to loose weight in the past because of how hard it is to exercise.

At the moment I am in a 'good phase' and have been for around six months. I've done graded exercise (it worked for me, but I'm I'm not going to pretend as some do that it can work for everyone) and a high protein/food combination diet. (montignac - but thats not how I'm eating at the moment, so don;t check my diary for ideas!!) The results are good at the moment, but I worry if I'll be able to keep up the high calorie burns, and the pain the day after is always quite intense.

The most important thing is support. I couldn't survive without my hubby to be. At the moment he is doing all the cooking, housework etc so I can concentrate on losing the weight and doing the exercise. Any support we can get here too is great - so please feel free to add me as a friend.

Jodye
xx

LabRat529

Hi Jodye and Jeannelin. It's good to "meet" both of you.

Jodye, forgive my ignorance, but what is graded exercise?

cschmidt42

I am so glad to find this topic! It is so hard to lose weight with fibro and I really need some advice. Please feel free to send me a friend request, I so need the support!

cschmidt42

Has anyone found out that they crave sugar with this disorder?

Crystal

bregalad5

Just ran across this. I have fibro as well.

Crystal - I crave sugar. Always have, and likely always will. I cut sweets out of my diet almost entirely for a couple months. It helped me gain some control over the cravings, and develop self-control. Hope that helps.

Finigan84

I have fibro as well. I am currenty sufferring through the worst flare of my life that has forced me to quit working. I have a lot of extra weight to lose but, hopefully shedding those pounds will help me manage this pain better. I would be very happy to friend any of you. I would love to know whats working for those trying to lose weight but struggling with pain and fatigue.

cschmidt42

Thanks everyone for the advice on sugar. I find I do tons better when I just keep it out of my diet because I have no stopping sense! :ohwell: That is hard though! Good luck to everyone!!
The main thing I struggle with fibro is the fatigue! Exercise is a killer! But we must just keep truckin on!!

Crystal

Goose28in

I don't have fibro but a close family friend does. Every time I go home and see him he looks worse. He has gained a lot of weight, is in a ton of pain and is depressed. I tried to get him off the couch and at least take walks but because of the pain and depression he isn't up for it. I'm looking for ideas to help him get motivated. Any ideas?

chatterbox3110

I too have fibromyalgia, I was diagnosed in 1998. I also have excess uric acid crystals in my joints, which causes a lot of pain, and as if that's not enough I have sleep apneoa! My weight loss journey will hopefully alleviate some of the symptoms.

I do have gym membership, but i find it a lot better on my poor old joints to do aqua aerobics and swimming rather than going into the actual gym.

If I go into the gym I always come out in some discomfort, usually in my knees or arms, but I find that the water exercise works my whole body overall, and when I do a calorie consumption comparison I've actually used more calories in the water.

A little exercise is better than no exercise at all, that's my motto now!

bregalad5

I don't have fibro but a close family friend does. Every time I go home and see him he looks worse. He has gained a lot of weight, is in a ton of pain and is depressed. I tried to get him off the couch and at least take walks but because of the pain and depression he isn't up for it. I'm looking for ideas to help him get motivated. Any ideas?

Honestly, that was me a year ago - I was chatting with Finigan84 about this yesterday. It took me moving to ITALY and being forced to eat less and walk everywhere to kick that. Now I'm going strong. I still have my days and still have my constant underlying pain, but I'm a LOT better than I was.

I don't suggest you sticking him on the next flight to Rome, but it really is a vicious cycle. Too depressed to exercise + eating junk from the depression = more weight = more pain, stiffness, flare-ups and fogs, whereas if you just go for a short walk and try to eat healthier there's a good chance you'll have less pain.

You have to find something that will personally motivate him. Something he likes. It sounds childish, but what about some type of positive reinforcement? :huh:

Capfau

sounds like a great idea! I was just diagnosed a couple of weeks ago and I am constantly looking for ideas to help alleviate pain and fatigue.

kimiel51

I haven't been formerly diagnosed, but I know I either have fibro, or some form of arthritis. Just taking a long walk sends me into a spiral of stiffness and pain. I also have sleep problem. I am interested in what others have to say about all this here!

adamiller

I am new to the website. I have FMA, DJD, DDD, IBS, Diabetes, hypertension, Reynalds, etc. Lived a pretty active life until I had a radical hystarectomy in 2001 and didn't recover well. They thought I had cancer. Endured many tests, and the list goes on. The Diabetes was diagnosed in February after I was out of work for a month with the flu/virus. I've done most everything asked of me to recover - prescriptive medications, dietary supplements, herbal prescription Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractice, spinal injections, dietary changes and modifications, physical therapy, water therapy, swimming, etc. I should be very fit. But, I'm inconsistent and keep on trying. This new website is one of those new attempts to help me with my reporting to the dietitian and will accompany my charting of my blood glucose levels. I'm not as crippled as I was at the beginning. I had lost the ability to work due to the symptomatic complications and the need for pain management. I've returned to work since the fall of 2008 and still face multiple doctor appointments for various things - pain management, diabetic check ups, lab work, physical therapy, etc. and that's not counting sick days. It's difficult to earn a living when you have to work so hard at staying active.

BEL2901

Hi everyone, I too suffer fro FM and the fatigue is my worst nightmare. The pain is constant and so comes the depression and motivation well that just becomes a word. I was doing pretty well with my weight but broke my heel in January which left me unable to walk for months so the weight gain began. I'm back on my feet now (walking like a duck according to my son ) and I am going to try really hard and this site does help because the encouragement is always there for you. So let's all do our best to support each other and remember, only do what you can ,as a little is a lot more than none . I also have heart disease and need to watch my exercise and diet because of this. Oh the joys . A little life is better than none lol
LET'S GET FIT! (slowly )

LabRat529

Oh man! These threads move so fast. I didn't realize there'd been other posts on here

Ugh... I'm sorry to hear of the struggles. I wish I had advice. I've been pretty lucky to be honest. I hurt pretty much every day, but I can function. I work and am often on my feet and moving about. I am always tired... but... I can manage that too with caffeine. It's hard because I know I could do more and be more effective if I just had more energy! But... it is what it is.

I don't think there is any one cure for fibromyalgia or the other conditions mentioned... there are theories and strategies that work for some and not other. I haven't really found anything that helps me... except maybe yoga, which I haven't been doing lately.

At any rate... it's good to know we're not alone, isn't it? Not that I wish anyone misery... just saying.... um... I like the company?

cschmidt42

Good morning everyone, it is nice to see the new people on here. I have just found this thread a couple of days ago. With fibro, unfortunately comes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, depression, anxiety, night sweats, sugar cravings, joint pain, you name it. I am currently trying to get my disability, I got tired of not having a life outside work, I was on my feet a lot and when I got home I would not be worth anything else. I found that caffeine would work for a while but the doctor told me it really makes fibro worse. I believe that because when I lay off the sugar and caffeine I feel tons better.

I know exercise is the hard part, but if I just get a short walk in a day, I feel better.

Good luck to everyone and lets support each other. We can do this, just one day at a time. Sometimes one minute at a time!!

Crystal

hubbchappy

I too have been diagnosed with Fibro recently, but have been dealing with it since 1981. It has been a long hard slog since then trying to cope with the pain and its debilitating effects. I spent a couple of years in a wheelchair back in 2000-2002. It was very hard, because at that time no one in the medical field had a clue what it was. In fact when it was finally diagnosed I laughed at my doctor and accused him of running out of ideas and grabbing the catch all diagnosis to make me shut up. He didn't laugh along. instead he pointed me to several sights on the internet that explained Fibro, and I was educated. I had major battles with depression, gained a ton of weight and felt like I was losing the battle. A chiropractor got me out off the wheelchair, and has been working on me ever since. He does deep tissue work before adjusting, and I have to say it is not enjoyable, but it has helped a great deal. In March of this year I signed up for the gym, doing very low impact stuff. I now have a 4-5 day per week routine that has helped me immensely. It is more aggressive now than when I first started and I make gradual adjustments as I go along. Not always fun, but well wort the effort. For me it has been a fierce psychological battle for many years, but I feel like I am getting on top finally.( I say that as I lay here on my bed, with a stuffy head and no will to push through the pain today. It is a bad weather day for me.) I have occasional set backs, but I know each day brings with it new opportunities. Nice to meet you all, look forward to getting to know you.

fancydancyme

Hello fellow fibromyalgians. Is that a word? lol I was diagnosed with fibro in 1995 not long after my 4th (and last) baby was born and was told that I probably had it for at least 5 years or more. My 2nd baby, my only girl, was born in 1988 with multiple, severe CHD (congenital heart defects). She underwent 5 heart surgeries (and had 2 strokes leading to temporary blindness and paralysis as well as many other complications to these and other surgeries) all by the time she was 7 yrs old. We found out that she would not survive her CHD and wasn't expected to survive childhood. She passed away one year ago at the age of 22. YES! We beat the odds! Unfortunately during all that time I pushed myself soooo much just caring for her. She was in a wheelchair and on oxygen for 17 of those years and as her CHD progresses she also developed GI issues which caused a lot of pain. I would stay up with her most of the night and then catch sleep as I could get it. I thought that now that I don't have the physical strain on my body of caring for her I thought that my health would improve but it hasn't. My fatigue and pain is really high even on all the meds I'm taking.

I just found this site and am tracking my food and I've started walking almost daily. I still have two teenagers at home who need me... especially my youngest son who has arthritis in his spine and is borderline fibromyalgic. I take him to his appointments including therapy. I've been so tempted to do the aqua therapy in the warm pool... it really looks like it would help as it helps my son... but we just can't afford for us both to go. In fact, I've cut back on his therapy appointments due to the copays adding up.

There is a therapeutic pool in town and I need to just get on the ball and take my son and both of us go in. We can't take any classes right now but there is "free swim" time. I just need to make myself do it - - - and make HIM go with me. Sometimes having to fight him to do his exercises or go for walks with me take a lot out of me. ugh -TEENAGERS! haha - I love my kids. No doubt about it!

So... if you read this far.... do any of you have ideas on how to get motivated to exercise? I'm doing ok as far as eating goes... but I do crave sweets in the evening. Oh yeah, can't forget that I LOVE my diet Coke! (which my new doctor really frowns upon). By the way, I have at least 60 lbs to lose. ugh! It's going to be a long road but I know I'll feel better once I lose it.

Any advice or suggestions would be great! And don't worry, even though I've had a hard time emotionally and the loss of a child is a tender subject... it's ok to say HI! I'm a very friendly, compassionate person. I look forward to meeting you and reading how you all cope with fibro.

kcthatsme

I don't have fibro but a really good friend of my mom works with people that do and has had great success in helping them. I don't know all of the ins and outs but if you'd like to contact her, message me and I'll give you her info.

ashleycat23

Has anyone found out that they crave sugar with this disorder?

Crystal

Yes! I'm trying to break away from that.

ashleycat23

Good morning everyone, it is nice to see the new people on here. I have just found this thread a couple of days ago. With fibro, unfortunately comes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, depression, anxiety, night sweats, sugar cravings, joint pain, you name it. I am currently trying to get my disability, I got tired of not having a life outside work, I was on my feet a lot and when I got home I would not be worth anything else. I found that caffeine would work for a while but the doctor told me it really makes fibro worse. I believe that because when I lay off the sugar and caffeine I feel tons better.

I know exercise is the hard part, but if I just get a short walk in a day, I feel better.

Good luck to everyone and lets support each other. We can do this, just one day at a time. Sometimes one minute at a time!!

Crystal

yeah, sugar definitely makes my pain worse. So does gluten ( I'd love to see if they could find a connection between gluten sensitivity and fibro.) I found that increased protein helps.

fancydancyme

I too have fibromyalgia, I was diagnosed in 1998. I also have excess uric acid crystals in my joints, which causes a lot of pain, and as if that's not enough I have sleep apneoa! My weight loss journey will hopefully alleviate some of the symptoms.

I do have gym membership, but i find it a lot better on my poor old joints to do aqua aerobics and swimming rather than going into the actual gym.

If I go into the gym I always come out in some discomfort, usually in my knees or arms, but I find that the water exercise works my whole body overall, and when I do a calorie consumption comparison I've actually used more calories in the water.

A little exercise is better than no exercise at all, that's my motto now!

I've been told by several doctors that aqua therapy and doing exercises on the pool is the best thing for arthritis and fibromyalgia. I have both osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia and have seen several different doctors over the years and all have confirmed it. I am looking into going to an indoor pool through our parks & rec program. There is one in our city ... but only one and it's about a 20-25 minute drive. My youngest son has recently been diagnosed with arthritis in his lower back and borderline fibromyalgia. He has done some aqua therapy and it has helped... but the co-pays are piling up... so I think we're better off if I take him with me to the pool I just mentioned and that way it would be cheaper and we'd both get some relief. In the meantime we're walking every day and tracking our food here.

You are right about a little exercise is better than no exercise at all. I recently saw a poster-type thing making the rounds on facebook and I've decided that it's my mantra. It goes: "NO MATTER HOW SLOW YOU GO - YOU'RE STILL LAPPING THE ONES ON THE COUCH." hehehe! For some reason that made me laugh AND GOT ME OFF THE COUCH! LOL Ok, I was sitting at my desk but it helped me to commit to walking every day unless I'm in extreme pain. Even if I just walk out to the mailbox and just a little further, I'm still lapping those who are sitting on the couch.

Hope you feel better soon. Feel free to add me as a friend.
((hugs))

fancydancyme

Hi everyone, I too suffer fro FM and the fatigue is my worst nightmare. The pain is constant and so comes the depression and motivation well that just becomes a word. I was doing pretty well with my weight but broke my heel in January which left me unable to walk for months so the weight gain began. I'm back on my feet now (walking like a duck according to my son ) and I am going to try really hard and this site does help because the encouragement is always there for you. So let's all do our best to support each other and remember, only do what you can ,as a little is a lot more than none . I also have heart disease and need to watch my exercise and diet because of this. Oh the joys . A little life is better than none lol
LET'S GET FIT! (slowly )

Welcome to mfp. I also really suffer from pain, fatigue and depression. I changed doctors this past week and we are going to try a few different things with meds, only changing one thing at a time so we know if I have an adverse reaction we'll know which medication caused it. It's too bad that you broke your heel OWIE!!! I'm sure it was hard to be unable to exercise for that long.

I'm curious about your heart disease. My daughter had complex CHD (congenital heart defects) and I learned a lot about many different CHDs over the years. I'm used to the life of practically constant doctor's visits, hospitalizations, heart surgeries, having to watch for symptoms of arrhythmia and CHF (congestive heart failure) which my daughter fought her whole life. I'd like to hear your story about that. My daughter had a hard time gaining weight until she hit puberty. She started putting on weight which was awesome... until she started gaining too much. She definitely didn't need to carry extra weight so we had to really watch that.

Hang in there! Together we can do it! ((hugs))

LabRat529

What do you do on those bad days to get you going? I have work to do but all I wanna do is stay in bed.

cschmidt42

What do you do on those bad days to get you going? I have work to do but all I wanna do is stay in bed.

Most of the time I listen to my body and stay in bed.:ohwell: Then on my good days I get what I need to get done!

Crystal

Jeannelin

At any rate... it's good to know we're not alone, isn't it? Not that I wish anyone misery... just saying.... um... I like the company?

I like to company too

ales1979

Hi folks!!

Any of you still about??

I have (self- diagnosed) Fibromyalgia, I was given a diagnosis of CFS by my family doctor about 4 years ago, but the pain and other symptoms have gotten so much worse since then (especially over the last 6 months, or so)

Would be great to have other friends on here with Fibro!! I'm a member of a FMA support group here in the real world, but not quite the same as having people on here who are also trying to lose weight! Plus we only meet once a month and I would like more regular contact than that!

So, feel free to add me as a friend, though please give a message when making your friend invitation, to say why you're contacting me? thanks!

lots of gentle hugs
Ales x