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Psycho24

Updated 1y ago

Dealing with Fibromyalgia Pain: My Experience

Holy crap this can be painful! I have been struggling with figuring out what is wrong with me since Feb 2022 and many of my primary symptoms were not overly pain related (symptoms are mostly dizzy, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and tigh neck/shoulder muscles) so the Fibromyalgia dx is still tentative. I used to have episodes with fluctuating variations of those symptoms as well as overall sore muscles. In general the last few weeks have been worse, but yesterday....oh my gosh. Yesterday, I played basketball and then volleyball afterwards and the pain was unlike anything I've ever felt! I couldn't even think clearly and everything hurt. Today, I'm sore from working out (as I would normally be), but I'm also still in pain, but not as bad as yesterday. I've been in pain but not like that and even before all this I knew this is a pain related disease, but wow it's a lot to experience that. So I'm guessing this is a flare-up? Any insight, tips, or advice would be appreciated. Also, y'all are amazing for dealing with this for much longer than me and still moving forward everyday in one way or another! πŸ™Œ

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Elladolores

2y

Have you been to your doctor and make sure is fibromyalgia. It sound some symptoms but others not so much. Good luck πŸ€
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Psycho24

2y

yeah I have been to several different doctors and have had a lot of bloodwork done, x rays, heart monitors, ultrasounds, and all that fun stuff. None of my tests results have indicated there are any problems. The last major test is an MRI to see if it's MS or a Brain tumor but my doctor said it is very unlikely it is either of those.
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ac3rSaXon

2y

Do you have any issues with vision or migraines?
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Psycho24

2y

I'm not sure exactly how to differentiate a severe headache vs migraine, but I do have one/both of those. It depends on the day, but most days I have some kind of headache for at least part of the day. I sometimes have vision problems, but they aren't severe nor often.
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Gracie1217

2y

Hi there! Definitely sounds like a flare-up to me, whether it's officially fibromyalgia or not. Fibro likes to play well with other diagnoses and conditions, so there are a number of symptoms that could still be fibro or something related. Flares are not a fun time, and it really sucks that you're there! For me, best practice during a flare is a few things: 1. I minimize sensory input. Everything in my body is shrieking with inflammation or pain or fatigue. I need a dark room, white noise, to be alone, to be in bed with a weighted blanket. 2. I hydrate like crazy. Water is never a bad idea, and during a flare, it becomes crucial because it's a really easy thing to overlook when everything hurts. 3. I eat protein every couple of hours. Doesn't need to be fancy. Trail mix, almond or peanut butter, grilled cheese, scrambled egg, protein bar, mixed nuts, yogurt. If the rest of my system is out of whack, a simple way for me to support my system is to maintain my blood sugar levels. 4. I do what sounds/feels good. Feel like crying? Do it. Feel like napping? Do it. Feel like sitting outside in the sunshine? Do it. Read, scroll, watch comedy on YouTube. Take a bath or a shower. Break out the self-care stuff. Now is the time to give yourself the support you need. 5. I reach out and let people know and ask for help if need be. I message my therapist. I start clearing things off my schedule that aren't completely necessary (and it's necessary if it's a doctor's appointment or picking up a prescription, for me) for the next week or so. I let a couple of trusted friends know and ask them to drop off chicken soup or groceries if I need it. I leave my doctor a message if I need to discuss symptoms or meds. 6. I really, really watch my mental health. Being in pain is exhausting. Being exhausted is exhausting. Stomach issues are exhausting. It's easy to get drained and depleted and then to slide (for me) into depression or anxiety or negative self-talk or judging myself. None of that helps. Try a self-compassion practice or some meditation or journaling. Hope that helps! πŸ’•
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Psycho24

2y

thank you so much that is extremely helpful! I hadn't thought of the protein but that seems like it would be really great to increase as well as my water intake! I had noticed the light can be a bit much, so I think limiting sensory input would help. I also easily slide into self-depricating thoughts (my friend literally called me out for that the other day haha), so that's also a great tip. Thank you so much!!
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Gracie1217

2y

You're so very welcome! I'm so glad you reached out to the community for support! πŸ’•

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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