Living with FibromyalgiaThis section is a place to share stories about Living with Fibromyalgia. Below are entries of those who have already shared their stories. We hope that you find their experiences helpful to your own situation.
You may also Help others by sharing your story. In honor of National Cancer Survivors Day on June 1, 2008, we asked you to share your stories about surviving cancer. Read the inspiring stories we received or share your survival story and help others in the fight against cancer. To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Finally someone believes me I was diagnosed yesterday with fibromyalgia. I am still uncomfortable typing that or saying it to anyone. I had a very uncommon presentation which made diagnosis difficult. I started about a year ago with excruciating pain in my left index finger. Pain, numbness, tingling and burning spread to my whole left side. Within a couple of months I was having bilateral problems in my arms and legs and sometimes my right SI joint. I was diagnosed with arthritis (possibly rheumatoid (RA)), carpal tunnel, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea. Somehow I knew I did not have RA It just didn’t add up. After time went on, the doctors stopped believing me. All the tests were normal. If I had RA I should have been exhibiting some kind of progression of the disease. I was embarrassed and hurt so I started seeing a new family doctor. He was perplexed by my issues but kind, compassionate and willing to deal with each joint problem as it surfaced. This last time when I went in, I was having incorrigible pain behind my left knee. No amount of arthritis meds and ibuprofen combined were touching the pain, as usual for my joint pain. He said he wanted to check something and started pressing on all these places all over my body. I had 16 of 18 tender points. He asked me some more questions (sleep problems, cognitive difficulties, bowel issues, fatigue, depression) and I said “it’s like you have been spying on me.” He is pretty sure I have Celiac Disease so I am on a restricted diet and started exercising today. I am also on Neurontin and Cymbalta. I don’t like the side effects but I am taking life one day at a time. The most important thing right now is that I know what I am fighting. Before, I just kept thinking, what if this is a psychiatric thing? How am I inventing all these symptoms? Now I know what the enemy is and I can stay informed and hopefully kick its butt. I am very stubborn. Any advice? Comments
September 2007
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