Hi-

I am new here - looking for a place where others have experience and understand FM. I don't want to hurl my problems/questions at family and friends - this is an obviously misunderstood and virtually unheard of disorder in many circles.

Probably, like most of you, I have been in pain for as long as I can remember. I sought medical help after I left my abusive husband in 2000. Been to Chiropractors, Orthopediacs, Internists, Neurologists, and finally two months ago a well respected Rheumatologist. He finally diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. I also have IBS, TMJ, had 1/2 my thyroid out last year (underactive/hashimoto's disease), massive migraines, bad sleeping problems, tired all the time, etc. Been tested for everything known to mankind. Basically, I'm a mess.

I am also an over achiever, 45 year old BA student at night (last two classes - algebra - yuck!), full time worker, mom, and remarried. I am in and out of court with my ex-abusive husband because he is not happy unless he is making my life a misery.

Right now the Rheumatologist has me on cyclobenzaprine (not sure of the spelling but take it at night and is helping with the sleep a bit) and ultracet (pretty worthless on pain). I take firocet for the migraines - been on a million other things - it is the only thing that takes any of the pain away. My pain throughout the body has gotten worse over the past 5 years. I was once athletic, able to go on two hours sleep and juggle school/work/kids/dating/pushing legislation through for victims of DV/dealing with the ex/driving back and forth to my real house 4 hours away every other weekend in NYS/Working in NJ (yuck)/and writing in my spare time - now I still try to do it all (except dating - I re-married a great guy!), but it is killing me. I can't STAND the idea that anything slowing me down - but FM is like kryptonite to me.

Any suggestions? How do you deal with life as an FM-er? What meds work for you? ARGHHHH - Feel like crap today.

WW1963

;)

Hi-

Yes, I have decided to join these forums because there is really no one else that understands. And the people I care about - I hate to burden with any of this. I've been in real pain for the past 5 years, and have been sent to this doctor and that - went to a chiropractor for 5 years three times a week just for that 15 minutes of release from pain that I would have after a session. The pain was so bad about a year ago I started the "medical merry-go-round" as I put it. Finally two months ago, this Dr (a rhumey) told me I have FM in addition to IBS, TMJ, Skin issues, Migraines, Hashimoto's Disease - autoimmune, Thyroid issues, some herniated disks, etc, etc - and I'm only 45!

I hope this DR works for me - I have had to ditch so many of the others. I have a medical file two inches thick that I photocopy for each new Doc., and I am sick of retelling my story over and over.

The pain I am in has not stopped. I have tried antidepressants, every migraine med known to mankind, and now ultracet which does nothing. The cyclobenzaprine at night at least takes the edge off. What do you use for the pain? What works best? The area in question is my thorasic back region, shoulders, hands, neck, and headaches. The rest of me hurts too - but I can live with that part of the pain.

Anyway - write back when you can.

Wordwarrior