Wellness

[cddh]

Anyone suffer fromt his annoying, sometimes debilitating ailment?  I've had it for about 6 months now still on a regimen of steroids.  I have always been active so this is mind boggling to me.  I am tapering down from steroids but have to go back to larger doses at times.  I wonder if I will ever be off prednisone andI am unsure as to what my fiuture will be re medications.  Just wondering what others are doing and coping with the joint aches.

[I am still oxox]

Fibromyalgia not Fibromyalgia Rheumatica, steroids help but they are horrible for your body. There are mnay other newer treatments out there like Lyrica and gabapentian

[violann]

I was blessed for years after my retirement in which I felt as though I was in almost perfect remission, but some recent major life changes have thrown me back into a mess.

You have my total sympathy. 

[cddh]

Actually, fibromyalgia rheumatica is what the doctor diagnosed me.  It is not something that I made up.  Yes, he mentioned gabapentian and I also know about steroids wrecking havoc on the body.  That's why I am weaning now.

[cddh]

I was curious as to those who were in some state of remission.  Discouraging to think that this is my life now!

[hayseed00]

Hi, I can feel for you, I also have fibro and rhumatoid arthritis for the last 8 yrs or so.  I try to remember when everything hurts that famous line "A body in motion stays in motion" and that isn't very easy  somedays.  I'm 63 and still going strong.  Keep the faith girlie!!!!!

[KathyM23]

@cddhI have suffered with fibro for years even back when there was controversary about whether the syndrome actually existed. There was a physician at that time who had this condition and wrote articles with the little information that was available at that time.  He actually had Fibro and would say he could attest to the fact that it did exist.   Can't believe how hard it was to get a diagnosis back then.  The symptoms wax and wane, at times much less and other times very miserable. It is not just joint aches, but also muscle aches and spasms.   Like you, I was very active before and couldn't believe how this affected my ability to do the everyday activities - pushing vacuum sweeper - absolutely not, simple things like that.  Today at least there is information and some help by medications available.  However, I am more afraid of the medications than I am of the discomfort I have been used to.

Stress does exerbate the symptoms, moderate exercise does help.  I find the most help for me is my weekly chiropractic visit - keeps me going.  This year has been particularly bad for me symptom wise - 4 major surgeries between me and my family.  One for me, one for DH and two for animal (who is really family)  The stress and worry of these and other issues have made this a painful year for me.  I guess aging hasn't helped either.  Getting arthritis on top of everythig else. Speak to  your doctor about another medication rather than steroids.  Since this is new to you, I am sure there are websites with a lot of helpful information you can search.  It is still a mysterious condition, no actual known cause.  

[cddh]

That's why I'm so confused as to why I was hit with these aches. I always exercised, was active, am active to this day. I am in my early 70's have total responsibility for maintaining a home, kid sit my two youngest grand children often, almost daily when no school. It is a curse. I don't want to be on steroids but that is the only relief I get so far. My doctor wanted to put me on gabapentin but never needing any medication and sensitive to some, I was leary. I think I will revisit that medication.

[Yardlie]

Hi Fibro Friends ... I was living a very active life in the mid-80's when I suddenly came down with fibro. It was so unheard of at the time that I had to see numerous specialists over a couple years before I received an actual diagnosis. Finally, a physical med and rehab doc moved into our city, and he diagnosed me. I struggled with it for 30 years...different medications, different doctors, different treatments. Nothing really helped that much. I even received Social Security Disability because of it.

Then about a year ago, I noticed that it just didn't seem like it was there anymore. Of course, by then I was having the normal occasional age-related aches and pains in my knees and lower back. I had been on Cymbalta for several years. I went to see a rheumatologist, and he said that I did not have fibromyalgia. A few months later, I had to see a physical med and rehab doc for something else, and he confirmed that I no longer had fibromyalgia. Neither knew if I was in remission or if it was just plain gone. I don't care, I feel great now!

I never heard of fibromyalgia rheumatica either. There is something called polymyalgia rheumatica that is often treated with steroids. Whatever...good luck to you in your hunt for satisfactory treatment and answers.

[cddh]

KathyM23 - Lightbulb moment!  The only link I can think of between me and this affliction is stress!  I'm not going into detail but started young being left to take care of and support 3 children, marrying for the second time to a person who would put me into a life of stress and hell fpr 28 yrs up to now!  Not looking for advice re that.  I cannot leave or couldn't leave because of finances but I believe my health suffered.  That must be the reason for fibro to attach itself to me!  I thought about a chiropractor and may look further into that if others find they get relief.  I desperately want to get off steroids!