I would try and see a different doctor if I were you and pursue a diagnosis. Maybe ask your GP or a new GP abotu Fibromyalgia and push for a referral to a specialist that knows about it.

Hi, I was really pleased to see fibromyalgia being recognised on THIS MORNING as the more publicity this condition gets can only help. I have had fibromyalgia for nearly 5 years I am 38yrs old and at first I thought I was going mad as I also feel I have been let down by the medical profession. I was diagnosed by my doctor  about 2 years ago. I take a low dose of amitriptyline for the pain ( I was told in low dose it is a nerve block) and find that pilates and yoga help with the stiffness and the fatigue.  But I need to double the dose of the amitriptyline at the time of my period as my symptons get worse (pain, brain vibration/dizziness ,stiff neck and electric shock sensation coming  from my neck down my spine) the neck stiffness and brain vibration/dizziness is what I have had to life with daily and have to try and control every day.You have to try to control it or it will control you. I was interested to here that you use magnet therapy and it has worked, as my friend was suggesting it the other day as it helped her sons back, so I am going to give it a go as I do not what to live on medication for the rest of my life but you will take anything to get rid of the pain and some days I`m too tired too fight. More research has to be done to find out what alternative therapies can help . I would not wish this condition on anyone, lets hope doctors get the information to help us and not make us feel mad . Thank you  Linda x

Hi I suffered for years before I found out a name of all the pain. I took an article from a newspaper to my Doc and she read it and said she thought I was right it was fms. Print some of the stuff from the this morning website or from this and make an appointment my doc was brill and researched it and started treatment very soon. Hope this helps

Hi Mikey

do not dispair mate, you sound like a classic fibromyalgic my friend. You need to access some proper support your doctor/health service and maybe a rheumatologist who would do a tenderpoint test on you to determine your level of FMS.

I have been fibromyalgic for well over 20 years and beleive me each persons treatment of this awful conditon is very personal to them and is a case of trial and error in reaching your own level of pain management, sleep and excercise as a combination to help you. its hard and often a long road but you need to get there for your sanity and peace of mind.

Try to take each day at a time and concentrate on what you can do rather than dwell on the things that you cant do, the hardest part is staying positive but this is a must or else the whole condition will drag you down to a place where it is so difficult to claw your way out of.

if you need someone to chat to, moan at or scream at via an e mail or 10 just say the word and il be there for you, i am part of a growing online community of fibromyalgics who support each other, listen to each others troubles, share coping mechanisms and try our best to raise awareness as much as possible not just on a national scale but on a global one. We are doing ok too, and i have made many good friends along the way, theres a difference being able to chat to likeminded folks and these same folks know exactly where you are coming from and understand how you feel without the need to explain or apologise, i know you understand where im coming from on this, hope you feel a little easier soon and if not then you are able to come to terms with your condition in your own way and find your own combination of treatments and support to make things a little easier in general.

( ( ( ( gentle fibro hugs to you from me ) ) ) )

kind regards

Linda

Hi, just read your problem with swallowing, I had what felt like a golfball in my throat when I swallowed and was referred to the ear, nose and throat department, nothing there!  I was advised it is caused by anxiety, the more anxious and stressed i become with the fibro pain the bigger the lump, if i am having a good few days it feels a lot smaller.  I am now taking an anti-depressant through the day as well as amtripyline to help me sleep and seems to be doing the trick and keeping me alot calmer.  The feeling in my throat is still there, but at least I don't feel like I'm choking anymore. 

Hi,

  I don't really know what to say because I've never done this before, so I think I'll just start at the beginning. I'm a 24 year old mother with a 4 year old child, I've had fibromyalgia for most of my life. For many years I felt I was going insaine, being mis-diagnosed, accused of lying about the amount of pain I was in, being called a hypercondriac (even by family members). When I was diagnosed I felt good because it confirmed that I wasnt crazy or making it up, at the same time I felt anger because of being told there was no cure for it. For a long time I had told myself that once they found out what was wrong with me, they could treat it and the pain would be gone. I was devastated when I found out that wasnt the case. I'm on the highest prescribable dose of co-codamol and ibuprofen, I also use a tens machine and I too am constantly climbing the walls with pain. I'm tired all of the time, physically drained and feel as though my child is missing out on alot. If anyone has any suggestions whatsoever, I would be very greatful.

Hi Cornovii

I also use a tens machine and have accupuncture.  My GP does the accupuncture as it got to expensive to keep going private.  I found that my body got used to the tens and I had to stop using it for a few weeks every now and again to then get the good of it when I started using it again.  I also bought a second tens machine when they were on offer at Lloyds chemist.  I find it better to chop and change them as they have different programms and I get the most out of them.  I first noticed my symptoms  when my second son was a baby and I had pain shooting from my fingers when I was pulling the nappy tapes.  My children are 16 and 13 now.  They are football mad and both play for school teams and sunday teams.  I bought a folding chair and keep it in the car at all times and when they play I sit in my chair.  some of the other parents have joined me with my chair and there is nothing wrong with them.  We now call it the directers box.  i no this seems silly but it helps me not feel so isolated.  Your child will not grow up thinking they have missed out on things as  long as you pace yourself and hang it if the tv needs dusting spend your time with them doing what you can.  I use a wheelchair when we holiday my sons love to push it and I also get out and walk for spells and feel more stable as I have the chair to hold on to.  Now they are teenagers I try everything to get me to go on the big rides at the lokes of alton towers and blackpool pleasure beach as if I go on the ride they can jump the queue.  It is not easy but you always find a way and your child will grow up more considerate to others as he watches you and how you are. 

Hi I had a call from a friend to watch tv and my husban d and I just sat and watch it i recorded it but not sure I saw it all I had a Car Accident in June  1999 and never recovered I had constant pain saw various Specialist   who did say I have Fibromalgia but didnt really know wyhat that meant i was a very lout going person  who loved to be out and about  and here I was unable to go shopping drive too far and we moved to be near our Daughter becasue our  home we had become  too big big us and I couldnt managed three flights of stairs We now it has been 9 years and some days I just want to cry i never know how ill or well I will be 

I now see a very good Rhumatologist  who gives me injections  medication doesnt seem to work for me   i dont like to be spaced out on Diazepam or steriods so I smile and  hope one day I will feel better at least I know this illness wont kill me and try to enjoy every day  what ever it brings

I have  Wonderful understanding Husband and it would be nice for him too to speak with other husbands  I found an article once online explaining to family members how we feel but cant find it again

Hope to hear from you soon

Linda

hi I have had this now for 9 years and would be lovely to be in contact with other sufferers

Linda

Hi Linda

It feels better being in contact with people who know what it is like.  Have you thought of finding out about a support group in your area.  It is not for everyone but some enjoy it.  I didnt find the one in my area much help most of the members were a lot older and had grown children and grandchildren.  Some men have this condition also i met a man in his early 20's who had to give up his own house and move back in with his parents and lost his girlfriend.  It made me realise at least I have a husband and 2 kids I dont know how it would be trying to meet someone and start a relationship. 

Goood evening Allison

I have had Fibro problems and alsohave trouble swallowing and sometime eat something and within minutes of earting it am sick  but didnt think it was related  I cant find any meds that work for me so have been having  injections in my arms back neck etc 

I am slight build and all the med i get perscibe4d space me out and i hate that feeling was on Diazepam 40 mg per day and couldnt stand up 

I dont sleep too well  either  would love to keep in touch regards Linda

 There are about 100 fibromyalgia support groups in the UK. If you can't find one near you email the regional coordinator for your area and ask if there is the likelihood of a support group starting up near you soon. Good Luck!

I had a  call from my sister following the screening of "This Morning" for me it was like a cloud being lifted- people are really starting to take the condition seriously, more importantly though- that there may be a treatment finally for this misunderstood and demoralising condition. I am lucky with my GP but even last month experienced the derisive attitude of a health professional at a private health screening. I was asked if I had any pre existing conditions, I told her Fibromyalgia and she said "Oh yes, minor muscle pain".

I can only describe the condition as mobile agony, where you have no visible signs that you are suffering, no crutch, bandages or spots. For that reason  sufferers are often considered to be malingerers,  which is often so far from the truth, from personal experience it seems to target the ones who try to "push through the pain" , the ones who do not want their lives to be dictated by their health, do not want to "give in" to sickness.

Ellie if you must have it to describe it so well, good luck and thank you for do what you have to bring this to the forefront, I hope you are managing it well at the moment, not always something you can control or predict is it?!! warmest wishes, Debbie. 

 

HI-I AM NEW TO THE FORUM WORLD SO BE KIND.....

yesterday my mother rang me re  dr chris's article and said "it is you", having seen the article and researched it prev i agreed.    however can some one tell me- can your hearing  be affected or can you get ear pain when you are suffering with fms?   having been referred to many people i now feel i can return to my g.p and put the suggestion to him-its only taken 4 yrs to feel i can start taking control!!!!!

hello everyone, tnx for all yr reponses and attetntions to this section, shame it's taken the program this long to take this illness on hand, but end of the day for those of us who have had it for so many years and gone unnotices, like mine, may be going on for over 30 years, and each time ws just pushed  aside, so after working all my working years and making life for me and my daughter, i now can only get through days and nights of PAIN, and as i get older it gets harder, just nothing to look forward to, no med seems to work and each time    they say, no cure, it just feels another slap on the face, anyway lets hope for all you young ones there will be something they can do, one day, who knows, but for me, no damn hope, just dark and useless life. take care all.

 

Ellie