Anyone wiht fybromyalgia?

I don't have fm but I was diagnosed w a nondescripitive connective tissue disorder. I have days where I can't walk because everything on my right side hurts. My dr really couldn't help me so I have done my own research. I started juicing to help w fatigue. Made a huge difference and gave up animal products. I read a lot of articles saying it can increase pain. It's amazing how much my pain has decreased. I was diagnosed in dec and started talking to people and doing my own research in feb. Im hoping to ease my way back into walking. I use to do 2 races a yr. I've been able to walk a mile twice in the last two weeks. I have some pain but not as bad. If you want you can add me as a friend. Hopefully this will help you some. Unfortunately I've learned you have to take all the info people give then decide what will work best for you. Good luck!!!

Hi, I have FM and have had it for at least 36 yrs.. It's just within the last 13 yrs that it's been getting worse.. In February, my dr said I really should lose some weight. That was the last thing I wanted to hear. But starting in mid-April I started walking.. Slowly at first but now I am trying to walk at least 2 miles 5 times a week. I have even thought about jogging.. I still hurt when I exercise, but really it's not as bad as when I don't. I really do think walking has helped improve my overall being.. Today I am sitting here trying to decide if I want to walk or not, and I am hoping I will.. I have lost about 13 lbs so far and I don't want to give up now.. If you want to be friends I will do my best to be supportive..

Hi, I have had fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis for almost 14 years. Been through most all of the meds but either not helpful or severe side-effects; a few made me gain a huge amount of weight. Many days I still feel like I've been hit by a bus when I wake up. It takes me at least 2 hours to be able to get up out of bed and I have nearly given up cooking.

That said, I HAVE found a combo of different meds that make the pain tolerable most days. You will have to experiment with the guidance of your doctor to find what works for you. Maybe you will be lucky and be able to take the new FDA approved meds Savella or Lyrica without problems. I AM finding that the endorphins from the right kind and amount of exercise are helping decrease my pain levels; the problem is getting to the gym/pool at first! Try swimming, low-impact exercise, weights no more than twice per week. Avoid HIIT or any high-intensity workouts, avoid using bands (the eccentric muscle contractions make fibro worse) or extremely heavy weights.

I have found that the main thing is you MUST reduce your stress levels. Pace out your activities, do away with what you can, make things easy on yourself. Also, work on whatever you need to do to get enough quality sleep.

OP, I saw your post from 7/4 and have you considered that you probably have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? It goes along with fibro and mine flares up with stress, I then become very lactose intolerant and have the exact symptoms you were describing! I take an antispasmodic rx along with Imodium and a heating pad to tummy. Also I take the OTC lactase supplement if I am eating anything dairy during a flare of the IBS.

I would see your doctor regularly, a rheumatologist is great if you can or a primary who will work with you to find the best medication combo. Ask for a referral to physical therapy; some of them even know how to do myofascial release (though not mine, unfortunately). Get deep tissue massages when you can; use a jacuzzi or hot bath when possible. Check and see if there is a Fibromyalgia or Chronic Pain support group in your area.

I find that weather has a very strong effect on my fibro/OA pain level. If it is going to rain, the humidity goes up or it is cold, I will hurt much more. It helps me to know that it is the weather and nothing that I did. OH, get a heated mattress pad (better than a heated blanket) and some really good heating pads, they help a lot!