Chronic pain is the word

[Jbb64]

Hi I'm new to your site I've been suffering for years with OA also suffer from disc degenerative disease in my neck and lower spine got sent for CT scan and also MRI scan for my head and neck I checked up all the symptoms as we do I mentioned to my go last week if I gave fibromyalgia she said well you could be right as I gave more pain and tender points I also had to ask for a medical report as I have a dwp medical to go for on Tuesday and I seen on my report I had been diagnosed with fm since 2006 and I've always thought it was the athritis pain I've been in this chronic pain for 11yrs depressed got ibs and had my gallbladder removed in November last yr I have no power over my bowels and I'm worried sick that they will take me off my benefits as I'm not sure if fm is a disability some say it is some say it's an imaginary illness the pain isn't imaginary as we all know and the headaches and foggy dizzy feeling aren't either 😢😢

[Dinkie]

Hi and welcome to our generally happy little band of fibro folk. I have osteoarthritis too. Fibro believe me It's not imaginary it's genuine and for those who think we fake it - would we really fake something that others think is a questionable imaginary illness - it would be pretty stupid wouldn't it when one could fake any number of other so called "proven" illnesses. Please try and relax a little about the DWP medical, stress is not helpful. OA pain is slightly different from fibro pain. Fibro pain seems, for me at least, to be more in the muscles and a sharp stabbing pain or a dull ache. OA pains in joints and generally will respond to general pain killers whereas fibro pain requires medication usually anti epileptic drugs or tramadol etc. Tell the DWP person exactly what happens on your worst days. Take someone with you. I have never been to such an appointment but no doubt one of the other fibro folk will be along in a minute to talk you through it all.

Good luck let us know how it goes.

[Jbb64 in reply to Dinkie]

Thank you so much for your reply I can tell the difference from the pains fibro is like burning muscles and is at the pressure points my elbows knees ankles neck just up at the skull and fatigue is terrible I'm exhausted all the time I've had tramadol to take 3 x daily now I've been put on amatryptilin. But hey ho nothing works but a good old chat to someone who's in the same way as myself thank you 😘

[Creativeness1]

Hello and welcome

Welcome to our forum you will find lots of useful information on the home page and in the pinned post so please do take a look you will find a lot of friendly helpful people in similar situations. So please do feel free to share your experiences and thoughts will others. We are here to support as best we can. The following website also has a lot of useful information and research.

fmauk.org

We hope you will found this useful

FMAUK Volunteer

[arpinsandie]

I really hope you get someone who knows about,FM at your appointment Its a minefield but know that your pain is very real and they should know by GP's and consultants correspondence that you are genuinely ill. Good luck things will change for the better one day when we are understood and not made to feel we are liars Who the hell would want to feel this way not for every last penny in the world would compensate for all the physical and mental pain we suffer All the very best to you

[TheAuthor]

Hi Jbb64

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have pasted for you below a link to our mother site, FMA UK which hosts loads of useful Fibro information:

fmauk.org/

The assessments that are carried out on behalf of the DWP are not assessed on any particular illness or disability but on how they affect your day-to-day life. Hopefully this will be taken into account when you have yours, if not you can appeal their decision.

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Vibrantlinda1964]

Well the people who deal with benefits ask what illnesses you're diagnosed with and how they affect you, some people may have similar illnesses but not be affected as badly,so those are what the benefits people need to hear. It's obvious that you have issues along with your illnesses so each time you have pain hun if it helps, write down how it affects your life, how you feel physically and mentally and what youre not able to do, how long you can sleep for and the quality of your sleep. Everyone knows sleep deprivation is dangerous and also fatigue, when you can fall asleep doing things that are dangerous, cooking, walking, riding a disability scooter or wheelchair. They'll understand more, than saying you have so n so.hugs xx

[Jbb64]

Thank you so much for your reply vibrantlinda1964 I must start the list today before I get more stressed and forget major things I've been advised to go in my wheel chair as I'm taking a lot of dizzy spells and my legs are given way also have bad mobility I have had really bad falls and balance is all away I'm under trauma team due to my last few bangs to my head I'm starting to feel like I've done something really bad and going to be sentenced like a criminal when all I'm doing is being totally honest to be Honust I'm like a prisoner in my own house i.e. In bed most of the time in pain and need to be helped out of bed and to be washed dressed extra I can't cook or make a cuppa any more as I don't have the strength in my hands even to hold a cup to my mouth at times I'm only 52 yrs old and get so angry with myself and cry with the pain at times I really think what's the point of me being here in all this pain I normally don't talk to anyone as to how I feel I put on a brave face but really i want to just sit and scream I think that people think I'm a hypercondriact always got something wrong with me if people can't see your illness they think there's nothing wrong just give me a few days of feeling normal without any pain is my wish and so glade I found this site to talk about it with people who understand me I really appreciate all help and advice given hope you have a great day thank you again 🙂

[arpinsandie in reply to Jbb64]

hi hope you are not stressing too much The person you see will ask if you can do various movements like raising your hands above your head but you will be told that if they are impossible or will cause you pain then you can refuse them Idescribed every day as being as difficult as the next and didnt go over any good day as these are rare for me Be yourself be honest and you will be fine Best wishes and kind regards to you

[Jbb64 in reply to arpinsandie]

Thank you for your reply and advice I'm going to try to get it out my mind for a while I will have enough time in the sleepless night ahead to think of it many thanks x

[Natura]

Hi jbb....sounds like me...terrible joint pain, back, shoulders, neck.I have a herniated disc lower back for about 15 yrs. Dizzy at work the other day, and everyone dismisses me. My husband expects me to work full time because the health ins is very good. Dont know if I can do work full time. Even all my sisters, my cousin all say I will be fine. You can do it.

I have severe depression too lately. Had depression/anxiety my entire life. But, the depression is getting a tight hold on me as of late.

I have IBS and on a very restrictive diet. I take vitamins and supplements out the wazzoo.....

I understand your pain, and hope that others someday will too.

I have been drinking a tea for joint pain. Not sure its working.

Take care....hope you can get some help.

[Jbb64 in reply to Natura]

Thank you I haven't been able to work for a few years now but would do anything to get back out and be what I was good at. I am well was a palative care nurse and also a carer worker but unfortunately had do give it up due to medical reasons and having to much strain on my spine lifting patents When I have good days and have a bit of energy I'm like a woman possesed housework is my main tast then I over do it then land back in bed for days it's a no win situation as I was told listen to your body if it's tired let it rest my little bit of support back to you ask your family to carry 10kg bags on both hand and tied around there legs for a day their arms and legs will ache for a little while but we suffer that pain for days we don't have an option hope this helps xx