fibro

5 Comments Posted on Fibromyalgia, Pain Management

What is your worst symptom of Fibromyalgia? Please take our poll!

While pain seems to be the most common symptom of fibromyalgia is is certainly not the only one.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

You may find a previous blog which explores some of these issues with fibromyalgia of interest https://patienttalk.org/?p=451

So we thought it would be useful to run a poll among our readers to find out which aspect of fibro is the most debilitating.

It would be great if you could take part in the poll and use the comments box below to share your views and experiences.

Thanks very much in advance

 

Leave a comment Posted on Fibromyalgia, Patient Talk

Fibromyalgia and Genetics! Do other members of your family also have Fibro? Take our poll and share your experiences?

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

As I’m sure you are aware that many medical conditions, such as cancer or sickle cell anemia, have a genetic component.

On the other hand there are other conditions which may only be genetic in some cases.

What about fibromyalgia?  We thought it would be interesting to find out from our readers if any of their family members have fibro or exhibit symptoms of fibromyalgia without a diagnosis.

Feel free to use the comments box below to add any thoughts you may have on the subject of fibromyalgia and genetics

Many thanks in advance


Leave a comment Posted on Fibromyalgia, Patient Talk

Getting diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. What tests were used to find out if that you have Fibro?

Fibromyalgia and household gadgets

Fibromyalgia and household gadgets

Welcome to our latest fibromyalgia blog on the subject of your FMS and the tests used for  its diagnosis.

The aim of this blog is to find out more about the experiences (and stories) of people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and their friends and families.

One of the reasons for this is the attitude to Fibro of physicians.   Many people with Fibro will be familiar with the saying “it’s all in the mind” being directed at them by healthcare professionals and friends alike.  Indeed there are still some doctors who say the condition does not actually exist.

We should like to focus therefore on the story of the tests used for diagnosis of fibromyalgia. In particular we are interested in the following questions:-

Firstly, have you actually been diagnosed with fibromyalgia yet?

  • Were you diagnosed by a specialist or primary care physician?  Did you find them sympathetic to the condition?
  • What symptoms did you exhibit before and after diagnosis?
    What was your physicians’ attitude to your symptoms?
  • Were you given a “table tilt test”? What other tests were used?
    How would you like to see the diagnostic process improved?

Finally, if you have any advice for other patients or suggestions as to other resources please do not hesitate to add them to your blog comments.

Thanks very much in advance for your help.

4 Comments Posted on Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia – How long did it take you to get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia?

One of the first things I noticed about fibromyalgia was the time it seemed to take for a person to

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

get diagnosed.

We are there for running a poll to try and find out what was the general experience of our readers. The poll is below and it would be great if you could take part.

Please feel free to use the comments box below to share more about your fibromyalgia diagnosis story.  Hopefully other readers will be able to benefit from the knowledge you have picked up during your journey!

 


 

SandyJean Actually it took almost two years.  I kept going back to the doctor for sever pain that did not seem to be in the same place all the time.  It moved around my body.  Finally my family physician suggested I see a Rehumetologist.  After a few visits and trying several medications that only upset my stomach he sent me to see a neurologist.  He tried to do a nerve conduction test and could not get the needles in my back because the muscles were so (threaded) as he called it.  They were extremely tight.  So he started finding my pressure points and found i had pain in 13 points.  That was over 20 years ago.  9 years ago i had to apply for dissability because the pain has become more intense and lasts longer the older I get.  If only a medication could be found with NO SIDE EFFECTS.  I am tired of the weight gain and the stomach upset and the sleepless nights do to medications.  So I deal with it and use only over the counter meds.
MichelleBennett In reply to BobbielynHarrsch.BobbielynHarrsch thats what they probably did to me also
authorKJRoberts I said 6-12 months in the survey because it was 7 months after I had a bad flare that I was diagnosed. I believe it was my first real bad flare. But I really believe I’ve had fibro my whole life. I wasn’t going to the doctor for a lot of other things. I just wasn’t going to the doctor, but looking back, I think I was born with it. So, if that is the case then it was 27 years before I was diagnosed.
BobbielynHarrsch I was going to a clinic for many years, for several health issues, lower back, knees, migraines, neck,  elbows, depression, arthritis, asthma. I finally got a private Dr I could afford, the second year I was with him I asked him to fill out a form for my boss, and he listed Fibromyalgia  as one of my diagnoses! I did not notice it, when I brought the form into my boss, his wife was the one who spotted it and said “You never told me you had this too, what do you take for it, I’m on Cymbalta” When I went for my next Dr’s appointment he said “I thought you knew, it is in your clinic records 9 years back!”
Leave a comment Posted on Fibromyalgia

Managing Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Workshops! A guest post from Melody


Fibromyalgia workshops

Fibromyalgia workshops

This is a guest post from Melody of Only to Be.  Here she tells us about some Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain workshops she is running

She writes

“Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain can affect every part of your life; mind, body, and spirit. The treatments and approaches offered by the Medical Community, in most cases, are community based instead of individualized. Lacking and offering little hope of living a full and active life. The life you want.

 

These workshops were designed for you and what you face daily, by a woman, Melody who has personally experienced what Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain can throw at you.

 

These workshops will explore obstacles, practical solutions, provide education and techniques that can reduce the symptoms you experience with Fibromyalgia/Chronic Pain.

 

WORKSHOP 1 – COMPARISONS AND DECISIONS

Holding on to who you were, should be or want to be can be stopping you. While looking at comparisons, we will also be looking at what your motivation is for the decisions you make.  You will walk out with new ways at looking at yourself and your relationship with your condition and how to make decisions that you are comfortable with and beneficial for YOU.

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

WORKSHOP 2 – ENERGY PART 1

Defining energy for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain, while exploring useable/good and bad energy.  You will learn how to identify your energy level and choose activities that will help instead of hinder you.

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

WORKSHOP 3 – ENERGY PART 2

Stabilize your energy level, preventing highs, lows, and flare ups. Increase your energy level and the different methods to do this and supporting tools.

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

WORKSHOP 4 – DIET VS. LIFESTYLE

Review the different diets targeting Fibromyalgia /Chronic pain, and foods that feed into Chronic Pain. Healthy choices over deprivation, while providing easy substitutions and realistic options.

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

WORKSHOP 5 – SUPPORT & PERCEPTIONS

Addressing and releasing expectations and perceptions, yours/family and friends/societies. Putting in place a support system and plan that opens communication and adds to the foundation of your healing.

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

 

 

WORKSHOP 6 – EXERCISE

Dispelling the myths and focusing on the importance of exercise. Customizing exercise for where you are and choosing the right form for you (will review the different types that are beneficial for Chronic Pain).

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 4, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

WORKSHOP 7 – THE UNDIAGNOSED

Addressing the misconceptions from those unfamiliar with Fibromyalgia/Chronic Pain. Learn how to educate, receive unwanted advice, and let go of frustrations. Will also review how to attend social events, and interact without your condition being a hindrance.

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

WORKSHOP 8 – MEDICAL VS. ALTERNATIVE MODALITIES

Learn about what is currently being offered by both sides, and the benefits and downfalls of each. We will review how to approach the medical and alternative communities, and what red flags to watch for, with an understanding that the decision is a personal choice.

 

DATE: TUESDAY DECEMBER 17, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

WORKSHOP 9 – EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL

Addressing the emotional and spiritual toll that Fibromyalgia/Chronic Pain can take. Providing tools, methods that focus on reducing depression, anxiety, and other negativity you are experiencing.

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18, 2013

TIME: 1:00PM TO 2:30PM (EST)

 

IF UNABLE TO ATTEND THE EVENT AT THE “LIVE” TIME YOU WILL BE EMAILED A LINK TO LISTEN TO THE WORKSHOP AT YOUR CONVENIENCE. AFTER EACH WORKSHOP YOU WILL BE EMAILED WORKSHEETS, AND INFORMATION OF WHAT WILL BE COVERED IN THE WORKSHOP.

 

COST: $15/SESSION

$90 FOR ALL 9 WORKSHOP IF PAID IN FULL BEFORE THE START OF THE FIRST WORKSHOP.

IF FINANCES ARE A CONCERN PLEASE CONTACT ME.

(IF YOU PURCHASE ALL 9 WORKSHOPS YOU WILL RECEIVE 1 30MINUTE SESSION WITH MELODY AND EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE WORKSHOPS)

 

TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT PLEASE VISIT HTTP://ONLYTOBE.WORDPRESS.COM/UPCOMING-EVENTS/”