Posted 1/10/2020 1:10 PM (GMT -5)
Hi, 5thGen, and welcome! Oh, I’ve heard this story before and it makes me furious! We have even had members sent to psychiatrists! Grrrrrr. 😡. PLEASE find a good board certified internist as your primary care doctor. If they also are Diplomates, that’s even better. Do your homework when choosing a doctor. It’s one of the best things you can do for yourself. Remember...50% of doctors graduated in the lower half of their class and yours could be one of them.
Fibromyalgia is a recognized illness by the American Medical Association, the American College of Rheumatology, the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization...just to name a few. Fibro is also recognized by such hospitals like the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins. It looks like your doctor is still back in the Dark Ages.
I’ve had fibro for 32 years. I’ve gone through many stages and discoveries and I now feel better than I have in many years. I’m now 72 years old. It is important that you get other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibro ruled out...things like Lyme disease, lupus and MS. You probably did go through the testing but if not it is well worth it. You need to know what you are dealing with so you can face it head on.
I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, vitamin D3, magnesium malate, and a prescription medication called Robaxin (methocarbamol). It’s a muscle relaxer and it has made a significant difference in my pain. Having low D3 can cause muscle pain so that’s an easy place to start and it’s something that can help you all over. Unfortunately what works for one with fibro doesn’t necessarily work for another but at least you will get plenty of ideas on this forum.
Also, it’s important to keep moving. If you sit or lay too much, you will be stiff as a board and have more pain. Walking, swimming, tai chi, and yoga are good forms of exercise for fibro.
Yes, it seems that women are hit with fibro more than men but men generally don’t admit pain and just suck it up. 😂. I bet there are many more men with fibro that don’t realize they have it. When we get blood work, we look like the picture of health. You can’t see pain. But you are being very smart and will get help and have a much better quality of life too! You deserve that...we all do!
Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There is a ton of info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.
Again, I am 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