How many of you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or have the symptoms?

I am curious because my Rheumy diagnosed me with Fibro a couple of days ago.  He said that doesn't  mean it's all I've got,  but that was what he was able to determine with that particular visit.  I've got all the tender spots.

He said illnesses like Lyme can cause it.  So I was wondering how many of you have been diagnosed with it or have the primary symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

And I'm sorry if you do have it.  Thank you for responding.

The first year of my infection, I FELT like I had fibro. I did not go to a Dr for it and kind of tried testing the tender points myself, but the kind of pain I had felt like what was described as fibro.

All I can tell you that I know, is that many people w/ Lyme also have fibro. Also, many people claim to have been misdiagnosed w/ fibro, when they really had lyme.

There are folks on this forum who believe that everyone w/ fibro, chronic fatigue, and MS ALL really have Lyme, and I would not agree w/ that.

It seems to me, that since they don't know the cause of fibro, and since it seems that it is so closely related to chronic fatigue syndrome (don't many people have both?), and they all seem to be so closely intertwined, along w/ immune suppression and viruses, that some of these may be root causes of the other.

Sorry, but I have definite lyme brain today, so I don't know how to say all this. But I believe it is entirely possible (not necessarily probable) that lyme can cause the others, OR the others may cause people to be more suceptible to lyme.

I think that I have questioned this before. But sometimes I wonder if it is possible that MORE people than we know get infected w/ Lyme, and their bodies/immune systems fight it.  And that could be the reason why so many do not believe in chronic lyme.  Maybe we are the minority, and not the majority?

WE dont' believe that is possible, but WE and others like us may be the only ones we know of to be infected w/ Lyme. Is it possible that WE cannot fight it off and require the abx to fight it because our immune system has been compromised by something else? For example heavy metal toxicity?

Whatever, I know what I'm thinking about, but can't say it right.  Who knows, anyway?

StrongMom, it sure sounds like you've got a great Dr, in that his mind sounds open to all possibilities. If we had more Drs like this, maybe we would find the answers for these currently 'mysterious' diseases. There does seem to be definitely relationships between all of them.

Hi strongmom!

Welcome to the forum! I'm sorry you have lyme and fibro. but I'm glad you found this forum. It's a great place to come and share thoughts and to learn.

As I understand it, the bullseye rash is confirmation enough for lyme. Plus, you have other symptoms such as the fibro pain. I'm not sure more expensive tests are actually necessary but if they help you get treatment for lyme, then it's worth it. I hope you start treatment right away. The longer you wait, the harder it is to become completely well.

I agree with what +Lyme said, above.

My daughter and I have some of the fibro symptoms but I'm not sure we would actually qualify with all of the tender spots. It was suspected that we had it until we found out we had lyme. Also, we're sure we have chronic fatigue, but we know it is due to viruses as well as lyme etc. I imagine that fibro symptoms can be due to more than one cause also, since different treatments, like nutritional supplements, can help symptoms.

I hope your recovery comes swiftly and completely. Best wishes, bablymers mom

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Reynauds, Ehlers Danlos, chronic depression, anxiety disorder AND Lyme disease. All of these extra diagnosis may have helped get my disability approved. I'm pretty sure once I get the Lyme disease cured (if ever, if even possible) that the fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Reynauds, Ehlers Danlos, chronic depression and anxiety disorder will be cured too.

Oh, and the carpal tunnel... and I am currently losing the use of my left thumb and will be in a new brace.

There's a lot of overlap in symptoms, so it wouldn't be unusual at all.

The real question is why does Lyme trigger fibro?

Hi Traveler,

Just a quick note-----I hope you were able to buy "NO VOC's" insulation= no off-gassing. One of my dear friends has not been able to live in her home for 10 months, while they tried to figure out what the problem was. Initially it was a mold problem, and lack of ventilation, but the house still made her sick even after repairs were made. All carpet had to come out---hard flooring put in. Still trouble, so now they found out it is the off-gassing of the insulation that is still making her sick!! I hope you were able to buy the no-off-gassing insulation and that you use the proper wall board and no-voc paint too.
(make sure there is NO wall board from China!--it's toxic).

Best wishes to you, bablymers mom

Traveler, how did you know you had mold in your house? could you see it? and what type was it? Thanks,