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Posted 10/18/2013 1:37 PM (GMT -5)
Hello,

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia this summer, after a year of pain, fatigue and many false diagnosis. Being away from home and working a lot I feel more exhausted than ever. My next break from work is Christmas holidays but I cannot see how I am going to manage keep being productive and working till then. I am 25 years old.
Any advice would be more than welcome.

Thank you

[many apologies for my english-i am not a native speaker]
Posted 10/18/2013 4:08 PM (GMT -5)
Hi, Amelie, and welcome!  Pain and fatigue...we all know that well.  But there are things you can do for yourself that just might help you.  I do want to ask if you were given a lot of tests to rule out other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibro?  This is very important.  Some doctors don't do this and just give the diagnosis when you really could have something else going on.  We have had a few members that that has happened to.  But, if your doctor took a lot of blood work and everything came back normal before he/she gave the diagnosis, then you most likely have fibro.

 

I've had fibro for decades and have had a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness.  Many doctors offer drugs such as Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Savella, but I tried to go a more natural route and it has worked for me.  I'm not pain-free but I can live a pretty normal life.  I do want to say that what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another with fibro.  You have to try things to see if they work for you.

 

I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and a prescription muscle relaxer called Robaxin to help with my pain and fatigue.  I also walk daily as a form of gentle exercise and I pace myself when doing things.  This basically is what has helped me.

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on this forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links would be Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You just might see yourself there.  There are links about the vitamin and nutrient I mentioned above and how it works in your body, too.  All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.  Knowledge is power.

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 10/18/2013 4:16 PM (GMT -5)
Hi amelie, Welcome to the forum!

I don't know if you are on any medication or not, but besides meds there are a few things that could help.

Even though you are busy working, getting a short walk in and do some gentle stretching will help boost your energy and keep you from getting stiff. Getting enough sleep can also ease the fatigue and pain. Are there any changes at work that could be made? Eating well will help with your energy levels. Fibromites benefit from soaking in the tub or taking long warm showers. Using microwavable moist heat pads help too. I do deep breathing exercise along with meditation and that helps with stress.

If you haven't already, check out fibro 101 on the top of the page. You will find lots of great info there.
I'm glad you have joined us...keep posting...we understand and care!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 10/18/2013 4:37 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Amelie,

Welcome to the forum from me too. As you can see, this is a pretty cool place to come and learn and share about fibromyalgia. I am glad you have joined us, but truly sorry for the reason why.

Truly sorry also for you having to get it being so young. But make the most out of everything. Keep a good attitude. These things really help you get through. Nip the pain in the bud... Whichever route you choose to take. But most of all, keep moving. It is so important to move, no matter how hard or how little, every bit counts.

Hang in there...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 10/19/2013 6:03 AM (GMT -5)
Many thanks to all of you for your replies,

My doctor suggested Cumbalta -but said it is up to me to decide to take it or try with some mild exercise and painkillers first and see if it goes anywhere. I feel like I would like to try and see if I can manage without cymbalta. I wouldnt like to get into that sort of medication.
My main problem is that I have chosen a careerpath in a rather demanding field- i.e. it is stressful and requires dedication and many hours of work. That choice was obviously done before my diagnosis. I do not know what to do now.
Another quite stressful factor is that my family and my companion live back home and I am working in another country and going back every few months -i.e. if I am to give up my work that means going back and starting a completely different life.
A problem with this is I do not think I can support it financially. But at the same time -I am not that positive that I can keep up the standards of the work- I think I cant handle that and that I need something less demanding and to not be alone -I am not sur I can handle the exhaustion and take good care of myself like that alone -at least not yet.


thank you so much for the replies and the Fibro 101 and all the links
Posted 10/20/2013 2:40 AM (GMT -5)
There is alternatives to medication, and it may or may not work, even the medication may or may not work. If you are really resistant to wanting to take heavy duty meds you could try walking, stretching, yoga, and even diet and see if it helps. I got sick off all the meds I got and never recieved any pain relief except from narcotics, which my body gets used to fairly quickly so its not a good cycle. Controlling my diet has helped tremendously.

I do not work, I have other previous conditions that has allowed me to stay home with my kids while my wife works as a nurse. Its not easy trying to decide to give up on a career, but in the end you have to do what is best for you and those you are close to. My decision to stay home took a lot of thought and prayer, in the end it was more realistic and better for my family for my kids to have a parent home, and my wife's ability and career path was looking far more promising than mine.

So my advice, if you really want to keep working, then try anything you can to keep it up. Whether that be meds, diet, exercise, acupuncture, etc. Hopefully you will find what works for you.
Posted 10/20/2013 4:15 PM (GMT -5)
Stinky, I see that you are taking Omeprazole.  If you take this drug long term, it can cause osteoporosis.  This has happened to me.  I took it for 7 years and ended up with a moderate case of osteoporosis.  I now use Pepcid AC.  Just wanted to give you a heads up.

 

Sherrine

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