Re: New Member-

[Guest guest]

,

Hi and welcome! I'm sorry that you have to join us here, but we're

glad to have you none the less! My name is Jen, and I was diagnosed

with Fibro last April. I also have chronic full body tendonitis, SI

joint dysfunction, a slightly bulging disc in my lumbar area, a bum

shoulder from an injury that I had surgery on last January, and I

have bipolar II disorder. Unfortunately, a lot of us here have

several more ailments to add to our " laundry list " .

Like you, I work full time too, and it gets pretty hard at times. I

work in a factory, a bearing manufacturer to be specific, so there

is a lot of physical labor. People ask me how I do it, and

sometimes even *I* wonder the same thing! I doubt I would be able

to do it if I didn't have FMLA privileges! It's been a lifesaver on

more than one occasion! You mention that you are considering

working less hours. If you work for a company that employs more

than 50 people, you should check into FMLA. It's federally

protected time off, and that's really important. You could work out

a less than full-time schedule, or take time off intermittently as

you need it, leave for doctor appts., without repercussions. Also,

under the Americans with Disabilities Act, your employer has the

responsibility of making reasonable accomodations to your work area

to make it easier for you to work. An ergonomic chair, a

workstation that is at a comfortable or adjustable height, etc.

They also have to work with you on taking frequent breaks to move

around, which you really need to do! Sitting too long can make you

stiffen up like nothing else.

How do we deal with the pain and headaches? A good treatment

regimen, stretching, and keep moving! You don't mention what your

treatment regimen is, or if you have one, but it's very important.

My regimen consists of Celexa (anti-depressant), Topamax (mood

stabilizer and chronic pain control), Bextra (anti-inflammatory),

and Ambien (for sleep). I also have relief meds, Oxycontin for

pain, and Soma for muscle spasms. On top of that, I've added some

supplements of my own. I do a lot of research, and have read a LOT

that magnesium and malic acid are really beneficial for Fibro

sufferers, so I added that to my regimen, and it's helped me out.

Along with that, I take essential fatty acids, vitamin c, olive leaf

extract (keeps candida away), and a good, high energy multi. I just

added Boswellia not too long ago, which is an Ayurvedic herb for

inflammation and joint pain. If you use supplements, always talk to

your doctor first!

Stretching is also very good for you. It keeps your muscles from

getting so tight, and it helps to loosen them up when they're all

knotted. If you do it right before you get out of bed, it eases

morning stiffness. By keeping moving, I mean exercise. This one is

the toughest of all! Walking is good, and I've heard that Curves

for Women is really excellent at working with Fibromites. I choose

to walk though, because I love the peacefulness of it. Here lately,

it's been really tough for me to get out and do it, because of an

increase in pain and fatigue, so I think I'm going to have to

literally force myself to get back out and do it, because I know I

will be better off in the long run. Believe me, I know how hard it

is, but getting some form of exercise is the best thing you can do

for yourself, even if the only thing you can do starting out is walk

down the street and back! It won't make your Fibro go away, but it

helps lower pain levels.

Headaches are a tougher one. The only things I've found to help

ease my headaches are chiropractics and massage therapy. Because of

my SI joint problem, my hips get out of whack easily, and that

throws everything else right out of alignment. I also tend to hold

my head at unnatural angles at work, which doesn't help. If you can

work it so that you get a massage right before or right after an

adjustment, even better. The two work hand in hand with

eachother.

Okay, I could go on and on forever, but I'll stop now. If you can't

tell, I do a lot of reading and research! While my doctors have

been great about treating my symptoms, most doctors aren't so great

on the details. The things I could do to help myself weren't even

mentioned. There are a lot of great books out there, and personal

knowledge is very powerful. So welcome to the group, and I hope we

can all make you feel at home, and be of help to you whenever you

need it!

Jen

[Guest guest]

Thank you to everyone that has welcomed me especially Jen. I didn't

mention it before but I live in Las Vegas.

I also see a chiropractor. I was seeing one that ended up causing

me more pain. But now I am seeing one that has been really great.

I have bad hips that get out of whack as well and at least with the

adjustments I don't have that added pain.

I take flexeril and that has helped a little bit with the sleep, but

I still only get about 4 or 5 hours of good sleep and then I am

waking up tossing and turning from the pain.

My boss at work is wonderful. She is fine with anytime that I need

off because of the fibro. One of the biggest problems is that no

one else does my job nor do they want to learn how to do my job. It

seems everytime we hire someone to help me out that get put in a

different position and then get fired. I type 2nd mortgage home

equities for a credit union and really enjoy my job. Unfortunately,

over the last year my work load has almost tripled. I keep up fine

but at times it gets very hard.

Well, thanks for listening to me vent. Talk again soon.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group . This is a great group and is very

supportive, informative and we even have some fun together. I think you

will really enjoy it here.

hugs,

Sundra

[Guest guest]

Jen,

Thank you so much for responding and all the information you gave

me. It's neat that you know someone in corrections around my age. I

work 40-70 hours a week and I'm also in college part time...finally a

senior thank goodness!! I guess the hardest part of fibromyalgia for

me right now is not knowing what to expect. I feel lost. Do I

pursue my dream job? Do I pursue relationships? How much worse does

it get? I'm sure these questions are asked by everyone with

fibro...it's just really difficult for me knowing that I'm relatively

young and the things that people my age and older than me may

experience may have to be cut down a little because of this disease.

I guess I'm having a bad day today.

I am working with a doctor. She put me on Effexor. It seemed to

help for a while, but during Hurricane Ivan and ever since the pain

has come back and gotten worse. I guess it's probably my stress

level, but I don't see that unwinding anytime soon. My mother also

has a tinge (sp?) unit that I used once and it helped...but she lives

in another state. It's hard for me to coax myself out of bed to

exercise. It seems like I'm so tired all the time...and I use every

ounce of energy I have trying to keep up with work and school...and

now I'm buying a house. Plus I have so many responsibilities outside

of these things...it's crazy sometimes.

Thanks for listening. I'll try to respond more often. I have yahoo

instant messenger (screename is grlbrandy)if you'd like to chat

sometime. I also have a website:

http://www.geocities.com/branflakes17/index.html that you may like.

> ,

>

> Hi, and welcome to the group. I'm sorry that you had to join us

> here...being diagnosed with Fibro is never easy.

>

> You know, it's a really weird coincidence, but my husband has a

> cousin named who works in corrections, and she's about your

> age too. Wanting to be a federal agent is an impressive

> ambition...I'm sorry that you feel like you have to give that up.

> But believe it or not, I know a young guy who has had Fibro for

most

> of his life (he's 18 right now), and is in college taking courses

> towards the goal of joining the FBI. There are new treatments on

> the horizon, and if they work, we might be able to pursue our goals

> and dreams.

>

> Are you working with a doctor now to develop a treatment regimen

for

> you? Getting your symptoms under control should be your immediate

> goal. Most doctors will prescribe an anti-depressant first. This

> isn't because we're depressed, although Fibro CAN be depressing, or

> that it's " all in our heads " , but because a/d's have been shown to

> help with pain and sleep issues. Elavil is usually the first one

> tried, but it can take several attempts to find the right med for

> your body. Other meds, such as a muscle relaxer, a sleep med, an

> anti-inflammatory, and/or a pain med, and/or a pain med may also be

> prescribed, depending on your doctor and your situation.

>

> Getting a proper amount of sleep, and the right kind, is crucial.

> Studies have shown that people with Fibro have trouble getting to

> the Stage 4 level of sleep, which is the stage where the body

> repairs an restores itself. Not getting to this stage increases

> pain levels, and leaves you feeling like you've not slept at all.

> Diet and exercise also play a key role in treatment. Eating a

> healthy diet that is proportionally higher in protein, and lower in

> carbs, especially simple carbs (sugars), can help, as does avoiding

> caffeine, preservatives, processed foods, and things like MSG.

> Exercise is hard when you are in pain and fatigued, but it's a

> necessary evil. Inactivity leads to more pain, because the muscles

> and joints get more stiff and sore....it's a vicious cycle. Even

> just stretching is better than nothing! It's also important to

take

> a good multi-vitamin, to make sure your body is getting the proper

> amount of nutrients. Studies have also shown that a lot of people

> with Fibro are deficient in magnesium, and supplementing with

> magnesium and malic acid can help a lot. A deficiency of magnesium

> can cause muscle pain and spasms, as well as fatigue. However,

> please don't do it without the full knowledge and consent of your

> doctor!

>

> I hope some of this info helps you . I know how hard it is

> when you are first diagnosed. It's overwhelming, and you don't

know

> where to turn for good advice. Doctors don't seem to be of much

> help, beyond giving out meds and telling you to get exercise.

We're

> all here for you, so let us know if you need anything!

>

> Take care,

> Jen

[Guest guest]

,

You are so welcome. I know it has to be hard on you, especially at

your young age, to be handed this diagnosis. It's not easy by far

on any of us, but the younger group seems to take it the hardest.

Wow, you really have a full plate with everything you do! Deciding

on what to pursue depends on how well you get your Fibromyalgia

under control, and a lot of that depends on how aggressively you

treat it. But unfortunately, even aggressive treatment isn't a

guarantee that you will get it controlled, or that it will stay that

way. Fibro is an insidious disease that has a mind of it's own.

I wish I could tell you exactly what to expect, but all of us have

such different symptoms, triggers, ect., that it would be impossible

for me to tell you what " your " Fibro is going to do. I will tell

you, though, that high stress levels play a big role in pain and

flares. It's a good idea to review your current lifestyle and try

to eliminate any unneccesary things that add stress to your life.

And if you aren't already doing it, you should consider seeking out

a therapist who specializes in chronic pain, who can teach you

stress management and good coping skills. You can probably talk to

your doctor about this.

I'm glad to hear that you are on an a/d. That's a first and

foremost line of treatment for Fibromyalgia. It helps with pain and

sleep issues, as well as any depression that might sneak up on you.

I can imagine that the hurricane did a real number on you, with both

the damp and humid weather, as well as increasing your stress

levels. I'm assuming you live in either Florida, Georgia, Alabama,

Louisiana, or Texas? My brother lives in Houston, and they got some

nasty rain when Ivan doubled back around and dumped more rain on the

area. The hurricane season has just been terrible this year, so I

can just imagine everyone down there's stress level is pretty high.

And all of that damp weather can't be good on your pain levels.

Have you considered trying the malic acid and magnesium

supplements? They can really help with muscle pain/spasms, as well

as fatigue. I've noticed a HUGE difference since I started taking

them. My need for naps has decreased dramatically, and I don't have

near as many muscle spasms or knots as I used to, which is saying a

lot. I used to have both almost constantly. I take 500mg of

magnesium every day, and 1500mg of malic acid. If you do decide to

give it a shot, make sure you talk it over with your doctor first,

so she can monitor you. You want to stay close to the RDA of

magnesium, because too much can cause a deficiency of

potassium.

I know what you mean about it being hard to get out of bed in the

morning. In fact, just this morning, I slept through my alarm clock

until 6, when I usually get up between 5:15 and 5:30. That only

gave me a half hour to get showered, dressed, and ready for work. I

was racing around in a tizzy, and I really hate to start my morning

off like that! Even though it's hard to exercise, in the long run,

it will give you less pain, and more energy. Even if all you can do

is stretching exercises, it will help loosen up your muscles.

If you ever need to, or just want to, talk, my yahoo messenger

screen name is nettazig. Please feel free to contact me any time

there, or write me off forum. My e-mail is nettazig@.... I

know all too well what it's like to feel lost and confused, and too

tired to participate in life. I'll try to help you in any way I

can. Take care of yourself!

All my best,

Jen