Fibromyalgia

My DD has Fibro along with CFS/ME (apparently they can often come hand in hand)... She takes gabapentin for the fibro and anti-virals for the CFS/ME plus many pain killers when she is experiencing a flare-up. She is a single mum with a 7-year-old DD and works part time as a teacher! I simply don't know how she copes when she has a flare-up (as she is having now) the pain is unbearable and the effects of the CFS make the whole thing so much worse! She is not yet 40 and has suffered from these conditions following a hyperemesis pregnancy ...? Who knows whether there is any connection - I so wish it were different for her.

ruby - please visit your GP and follow the advice of others on this thread - clearly there are reasons for the way you feel.... sending ((( gentle hugs))) and xx

I was first diagnosed with fibro over 20 years ago. For myself the most helpful advice came via specialists in a pain clinic, their reason for existing is to be up to date with pain management techniques, advice has changed over time and I remain open to trying different things and modifying medication. In fact have just done so. As soop says the pain intensity varies, sometimes more than once throughout a day. So if anyone is newly diagnosed or thinks they may have fibro please do see your GP, consider with them both rheumatology assessment and referral to a pain clinic and perhaps a pain managemen course if one is available via the NHS in your area. Pacing is really tedious but can be so helpful I am no expert, but have had this debilitating condition for a long while and am happy to offer support via PM if it helps anyone. Good luck all, remember if you are having a bad day then tomorrow is likely to be much, much better.

I have gabapentin dont have the horrific side effects with it that some people do

Some gps seem to be prescribing gabapentin or pregabilin for it

rubylady I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about three years. I too thought that I was wasting the GP's time. A new GP joined the practice. I told him that I was hurting all over and had little or no energy. He came up behind me and pressed somewhere along my shoulder blades. I almost went into orbit with the pain. He then continued to test other pressure/trigger spots. It was unpleasant. He diagnosed fibromyalgia. I take two types of pain killers together with Vitamin D daily. Some days I'm able to walk pain-free. On others, I can barely manage get to the bottom of the garden.
Please visit your GP and explain your symptoms. You owe it to yourself to get to the bottom of your problem.

Ive just been diagnoised with this after years of pain and feeling like i was wasting the docs time. Then i changed docs and what a difference. Symptoms well mine anyway are widespread pain tiredness like you wouldnt believe fibo fog my ankles swell up i dont sleep well no matter how tired i am and ibs. Take three different painkillers four times a day just to function but im still working even tho some days i come home at lunchtime i only work pt and sleep all afternoon ??

I have myalgia with some of the same symptoms as you.Vitamin D has helped me.Ask for a test to see if you are deficient.

Ruby, fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose and usually difficult to treat. mcem is right, symptoms overlap with so many other conditions,which can also be present. Fibro is a syndrome, it can ebb and flow, sometimes one symptom is more noticeable than other symptoms. I think if I am remembering correctly you have been under huge pressure lately, enormous changes and loss. Enough to trigger all sorts of flare ups. Why not make a note of all your symptoms and show the list to your doctor, see what they think? Really worth getting a checkup. Hope you are more comfortable soon.

My daughter has fibro. One way your gp will reach a diagnosis is by investigating various trigger points. You can't self-diagnose as symptoms may overlap with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis and ms.
She hasn't found an effective drug but pins a lot of hope on a 3 week residential pain management course she's to take next month.
Hope your doc decides it's something else.