21st March 2004
I have fibromyalgia. The first symptoms appeared at age 30. I went on medication to help with the sleep disorder associated with fibro and it was a tremendous help. The severe pain lasted about 2 years; then I had moderate to mild pain until I was about 38. Now, I am pain free but if I miss my medication even one night I wake up in the morning barely able to move my neck and terrible muscle knots in my back. I was divorced at 30, undergoing a lot of stress, but it didn't necessarily affect my sex drive. It more affected my social drive . . . I hated going out because I was in constant pain. Have you been to a sleep disorder clinic to see if yours is related to the central nervous system being affected by a sleep disorder? I was very fortunate. I'm 51 and fibro was almost unheard of when I was first diagnosed. They figured it was a physological disorder and the pain was all in my head. In fact, it was called fibrosytis when I was first diagnosed. An early diagnosis, my age (30 at the time of diagnosis), and being in very good physical condition all made me one of the lucky ones who was able to beat it. My doctor did a ton of research on it after sending me to a specialist. I remember it took me six months to get an appointment with the specialist and it was what kept me going. I thought I would walk into his office and he would have a magic pill which would instantly cure me. After an excrutiating examination he said "Well, you have fibro and you'll have to learn to live with it." I left his office, called my family doctor, was sobbing hysterical telling him I can't live like this and he told me to give him some time to research it and he will do whatever he can to come up with an answer. After several weeks he put me an Elavil which is an anti depressant. I said "Hey, I'm not depressed, I'm just in pain!!!" He explained that it was caused by a sleep disorder which was caused by the central nervous system and that Elavil is the pill I need. He also sent me to the sleep clinic to confirm the pill was working. Within three weeks the pain had gone from severe to moderate/mild. I still take an anti depressant (wellbutrin SR) and have been pain free for many, many years except if I forget to take a pill. And further to your original question . . . at 51 my sex drive is higher than ever and if I had a willing DH, I would love to have sex every single day.
Quote from waiting4acure:Does any other woman have a problem with no :nono: sex drive because of pain from fibromyalgia? I am only in my 40's and have pretty much given up the idea of getting close to a man again. I just feel like I am a nusiance with being in pain most of the time and couldn'd get close and start any type of relationship because of the feeling bad issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've had fibro for a year and divorced for several... :confused: