Fibromyalgia &/or chronic back pain?

Ditz482
Ditz482 Posts: 1
in Introduce Yourself
I am looking for friends who understand, yet smile through the challenge of working out with chronic pain issues. I've been using MFP religiously for almost a year now and am down 50 lbs (for a total of 100#) that I put on following health problems with Fibromyalgia,& back sugery and associated medications to treat. I work out at a gym with a trainer about 3 times a week but the gym personnel do not allow re-ups in the trainer program...so I'm going to be working out on my own and know I will need support and mfp friends who understand the good day-bad day issues of living with these health issues! I'd LOVE to have the support of others as well as be able to provide the same back to others!! Friend me if you understand! Look forward to hearing from someone!

Replies

  • yannuzzi
    yannuzzi Posts: 35
    I have fibro. I don't take any meds. Was diagnosed 2 or 3 years ago and when offered pain meds and sleeping pills I asked what I could do aside from those to get rid of pain and SLEEP!!! He said exercise which I already did so I upped my exercise. I run a ton now and I do bootcamp 4 days a week (Monday -Thursday). I'm training for first 1/2 marathon starting tomorrow too. I do not take anything for pain and it's rare that I have any pain aside from sore muscles from the exercise. I sleep wonderfully unless I'm not able to exercise then it's the same awake/asleep/awake issue as before. I do work fulltime sitting behind a desk which does hurt my back but being up and active and all makes it go away. Also, don't have any of the RLS when I'm exercising. When I can't, it's back in no time. I did take a course of the meds for the RLS and it helped for a long while but I've notice when I don't exercise that does come back pretty darn quik now. FYI, I just turned 50 and I've lost all but 9 pounds of my weight. Long journey and looking forward to maintaining, 9 lbs from now. Good luck!
  • GrannySparkle
    GrannySparkle Posts: 225 Member
    I have fibro and chronic back pain. I had surgery on my back in 1989 after herniating a disc at L4-L5. All this time I thought my back issues were from the disc itself. I started seeing a pain specialist and my back issues are from scar tissue and arthritis. I was diagnosed with fibro in 2002 after years and years of pain.

    In the past 12 years I have gained 108 pounds. In the past year I have now taken 101 off. I had gastric bypass in August and 53 of the pounds I have lost are since surgery. 20 pounds to the surgeon's goal...60 to my goal of 145.

    Exercise is hard. There are days when I can barely get out of bed. My exercise is walking and I try to walk to every day, but there are days it just doesn't happen. Some days the walk is shorten then others.

    My family doc has been writing Rxs for pain pills for years. I had only been taking them when I absoluting had to do something and was hurting. The pain doc has talked me out of that mind set. I take them so I can go for my walk. I have had some procedures done to my back that have helped with pain a great deal. I have more procedures to go but I am really happy with the results of what has been done so far.

    Weight loss is hard for people in chronic pain. It's hard to exercise when you hurt. But without exercise weight loss is slow. Getting the weight off helps with the pain.

    Feel free to add me as a friend. It helps to have someone who understands what you are going through.
  • pickledginger
    pickledginger Posts: 172
    I understand all too well ... until recently, I was working out regularly despite a variety of illnesses (cfids/me, fm, thyroid ...) and injuries (neck, back, low back, knees, foot/ankle, shoulder, hand).

    I now have orthostatic problems, too (dysautonomia: specifically, POTS), that make it difficult for me to do any work I can't manage when not lying down. :-/ But I still manage a little walking with my rolly walker and am hoping to get into an aquatics program, which is supposed to be less problematic.

    Add me if you like. I'll not take offense if you stick with people a little more functional.
  • drcollins80
    drcollins80 Posts: 4 Member
    Hi there. I'm a 32-year-old woman who's had three major spinal surgeries and lives with chronic pain. I'm also a wife, a mom, a paramedic, and a triathlete.

    Here's a blog post I wrote a couple of years ago about moving past chronic pain. I hope it helps.

    http://daniellesavak.blogspot.com/2011/07/yes-it-hurts-what-else.html
  • 6mimi
    6mimi Posts: 1,432 Member
    I have Fibromyalsia, restless leg syndome, migraines and hypermobility syndrome. I keep really busy and active but have also learned to listen to my body on some of those days when I just need my body to rest. I am working on losing weight and also on gaining muscle (it is supposed to help with the hypermobility). You are welcome to add me if you would like! :) Best of luck to you in your health! :flowerforyou:
  • tn_bigfoot
    tn_bigfoot Posts: 14
    I have Chronic back pain and arthritis, and have had 2 back surgeries. My back has keeps me from excising as regular as I would like. Though I don't have Fibro, I do understand how your pain changes your life, I have just started MFP and I am looking for friends that understand the challenges I face. I hope to add you all to my friends list and anyone else who reads this and feel that they can be supportive want support as well.
  • fmebear
    fmebear Posts: 172 Member
    I have had three back surgeries in the past three years. I am still working on getting off the medication and not sure I ever will be. I have minimized the use of the medication to days that are really bad/difficult. I have started working out and find that occasionally that I will over due the work out and pay in pain later for the next couple of days. I am to begin working out with a trainer (tomorrow actually). He also has had back surgery and understands the difficulty but he has made a 95% recovery. The only item I have working against me is that I have permanent nerve damage in my right leg/foot due to a failure in my first surgery. My trainer believes that I will be able to reduce the amount of pain once I have stabilized my core. I believe like my trainer that stabilizing the core is the main issue for those with chronic back pain. Once it is stabilized, it will be much easier to do the things you want as well as I believe reduce the chronic back issues.
    I believe in taking it one day at a time. I work towards a minimally painful life which I believe is achievable. I just have work at it to make it happen and along the way there may be some pain BUT I think we can do it. I am the only one in charge of my destiny - I have had the obstacles put there for a reason and I will overcome them. I have too much to lose if I do not.
  • socaljackie
    socaljackie Posts: 13 Member
    My names Jackie..I'm 28 years old with osteoporosis and grade 3/4 l5/s1 spondylolisthesis . I have bilateral nerve pain that run down both legs.Everyday Is painful due to nerve and back pain. I have done conservative treatments, with little relief. I was supposed to have a 2 level fusion October 1 2012... Due to my osteoporosis I was unable to have surgery. I can't exercise because it causes multiple days of pain.. Even hanging out at a friends house can equal a lot of pain. Weight loss is a struggle due to inactivity.
  • LoveMyLife_NYC
    LoveMyLife_NYC Posts: 230 Member
    I totally hear what you're going through! I have a back injury that has caused major muscle spasms and joint problems. Some days I can do a lot of things and only feel a little tired, other days I have to stop exercising because the slightest move makes me dizzy with pain. I work with a trainer once a week and have started physical therapy. As much as it hurts to move, I have found that resting makes the stiffness worse. I keep telling myself "Move it or lose it," but it's so hard sometimes!

    If you need an understanding ear, feel free to add me!
  • tidesong
    tidesong Posts: 451 Member
    I have fibro, degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine, and MS related pain issues. Pretty much in pain all the time. I'll send you a request. Anyone else can send me a request if they want.
  • olgamarie_t
    olgamarie_t Posts: 58 Member
    hey guys,nice to see some people we can relate to. I have fibromyalgia (12 yrs),rheumatoid arthritis (4 yrs), chronic fatigue (2 yrs) osteopenia(pre-osteoporosis just diagnosed and pre diabetic among some other muscular problems ive never heard people talk about but ill say it,chronic cervical myositis and moderate myositis in the lumbar area .so i guess we can all relate.and yes exercise is difficult and painful. I can tolerate walking on treadmill,yay! but not swimming or anything else.
    Walking in jeans is fatiguing ,does this happen to anyone and when i go do groceries even if i go with someone and they push the cart by the time i get home i need a bed,does this happen to anyone???
  • FairyMomma408
    FairyMomma408 Posts: 41
    I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was 16, almost 9 years ago, along with Chronic Fatigue. It sucks when you can exercise and feel good one day and not want to get out of bed the next. You don't want to exercise, and then you get depressed, you gain weight and then everything hurts more.

    Hope you are having a good no pain day, (Along with everyone else). Its nice to know so many people understand.

    And Olga, I totally understand the jeans thing and I can have 3 people go to the store with me and all I really do is walk and talk and I feel catatonic by the time I get home, your not alone :)
  • olgamarie_t
    olgamarie_t Posts: 58 Member
    I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was 16, almost 9 years ago, along with Chronic Fatigue. It sucks when you can exercise and feel good one day and not want to get out of bed the next. You don't want to exercise, and then you get depressed, you gain weight and then everything hurts more.

    Hope you are having a good no pain day, (Along with everyone else). Its nice to know so many people understand.

    And Olga, I totally understand the jeans thing and I can have 3 people go to the store with me and all I really do is walk and talk and I feel catatonic by the time I get home, your not alone :)

    hey fairymomma, thanks for sharing,im glad to know im not alone,the same happens when i cook,it takes me 2 hours cause it exhausts me to stand in the kitchen i need to take breaks,whats wrong with us ,is that normal for chronic fatigue syndrome??? im going to go to a support group for CFS and find out
  • pickledginger
    pickledginger Posts: 172
    I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was 16, almost 9 years ago, along with Chronic Fatigue. It sucks when you can exercise and feel good one day and not want to get out of bed the next. You don't want to exercise, and then you get depressed, you gain weight and then everything hurts more.

    Hope you are having a good no pain day, (Along with everyone else). Its nice to know so many people understand.

    And Olga, I totally understand the jeans thing and I can have 3 people go to the store with me and all I really do is walk and talk and I feel catatonic by the time I get home, your not alone :)

    hey fairymomma, thanks for sharing,im glad to know im not alone,the same happens when i cook,it takes me 2 hours cause it exhausts me to stand in the kitchen i need to take breaks,whats wrong with us ,is that normal for chronic fatigue syndrome??? im going to go to a support group for CFS and find out
    I get totally brain-fogged and dizzy and stupid and more when I spend too much time sitting or standing.

    I started getting serious about finding out what was going on a couple of years ago, when I started graying out if I sat up too quickly in the morning. Or sometimes, when I was just walking along.

    Turns out I have autonomic dysfunction -- dysautonomia. The part of the nervous system that's supposed to automatically handle things like adapting pulse and bp when we stand, or coping with changes in ambient temperature, or adjusting the pupils when the light level changes ... it's not working very well. So I might get breathless sometimes just standing still, yet be able to crank away on a recumbent bike with no problem. (A regular bike or exercise bike? not good.)

    People with CFIDS/ME or FM or Lyme have higher-than-average rates of dysautonomia. It's possible that's part of why you have problems at the store.
  • FairyMomma408
    FairyMomma408 Posts: 41

    I get totally brain-fogged and dizzy and stupid and more when I spend too much time sitting or standing.

    I started getting serious about finding out what was going on a couple of years ago, when I started graying out if I sat up too quickly in the morning. Or sometimes, when I was just walking along.

    Turns out I have autonomic dysfunction -- dysautonomia. The part of the nervous system that's supposed to automatically handle things like adapting pulse and bp when we stand, or coping with changes in ambient temperature, or adjusting the pupils when the light level changes ... it's not working very well. So I might get breathless sometimes just standing still, yet be able to crank away on a recumbent bike with no problem. (A regular bike or exercise bike? not good.)

    People with CFIDS/ME or FM or Lyme have higher-than-average rates of dysautonomia. It's possible that's part of why you have problems at the store.

    I get the brain fog and I get dizzy and stupid feeling all the time. Do you see stars if you stand up too soon? I've never heard of dysautonomia but all of that sounds very familiar!
  • GrannySparkle
    GrannySparkle Posts: 225 Member
    In the past 2 weeks I have found that when I get up and go into the kitchen I feel faint. This is something new an haven't had time to talk to my doc about it.
  • AsaraFuriosa
    AsaraFuriosa Posts: 293 Member
    Hey Fibro buddies! I was diagnosed at 14, I'm now 33 ... so yeah. I refuse to take any more medication. I will be my own medicine. The good days outweigh the bad now a days but winter is coming and so is the rainy season. Fibro support is a must! It's nice to have people in similar situations who can relate. 93lbs total lost was a gigantic help!! You cannot just be , you must get healthy and work those muscles!! Good days and bad are inevitable. Your dedication and motivation will get you through! :-) Friends welcome!
  • dn123
    dn123 Posts: 7 Member
    What types of foods are you eating? Have you been following an anti-inflammatory diet or perhaps been tested for candidaisis?
  • Iloveeyore78
    Iloveeyore78 Posts: 75 Member
    Bad car accident in 2003. Major back surgery in 2008 and 9+ months of intense physical therapy. 6+ pain management procedures. With losing weight I have had a significant reduction in pain management needs AND as I lose I notice my activity goes up. I still have daily pain, however, I am NOT daily pain. It does not define me (although I did let it for years).

    I am down 70 lbs total since having my son in April 2011. I have lost 34 lbs since starting MFP. This is the easiest tool ever!!!

    Please feel free to add me for support! Best of luck on your endeavors!!!
  • june21112
    june21112 Posts: 36
    I understand far too well where you are coming from. I have had 4 surgeries on my back and until this last one I was in serious daily pain. I can say now that I am almost pain free and not taking any medications at this time. I gained almost 100 pounds since 2004. I was in too much pain to exercise, I couldn't walk long distances and the depression from it all was overwhelming. I hope that with using MFP and support from people on here you can lose the weight that you want. I sincerely hope that someday you will be pain free and can enjoy your life. I sent you a friend request and I hope that I can help you in your journey.
  • pickledginger
    pickledginger Posts: 172

    I get totally brain-fogged and dizzy and stupid and more when I spend too much time sitting or standing.

    I started getting serious about finding out what was going on a couple of years ago, when I started graying out if I sat up too quickly in the morning. Or sometimes, when I was just walking along.

    Turns out I have autonomic dysfunction -- dysautonomia. The part of the nervous system that's supposed to automatically handle things like adapting pulse and bp when we stand, or coping with changes in ambient temperature, or adjusting the pupils when the light level changes ... it's not working very well. So I might get breathless sometimes just standing still, yet be able to crank away on a recumbent bike with no problem. (A regular bike or exercise bike? not good.)

    People with CFIDS/ME or FM or Lyme have higher-than-average rates of dysautonomia. It's possible that's part of why you have problems at the store.

    I get the brain fog and I get dizzy and stupid feeling all the time. Do you see stars if you stand up too soon? I've never heard of dysautonomia but all of that sounds very familiar!
    Sometimes I see stars. More often, I get fuzzy out-of-focus vision ... then, if it's bad, the edges start to fade to gray. Mostly, I avoid blacking out.
    Most doctors don't seem to have heard of dysautonomia, so you're in good company! Try asking about orthostatic intolerance, or google "poor man's tilt test".

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