fibromyalgia, chronic migraine, interstatial cystitis and irritable bowel syndrome

[headingforretirement]

I would be interested to know how many other people suffer from these four conditions and what you take to alleviate symptoms. I have suffered from chronic migraine and IBS for years, was diagnosed with fibro a couple of years ago and have now got IC. How does anyone cope??

[Didoliz]

Hello to you. I have 3out of 4 of your symptoms,plus quite a few others. I don't have the cystitis. I've now given up work after struggling on and am mostly financially reliant on my husband. I'm 60 so don't get a state pension. It makes me fume that I don't. Haven't applied for any benefits. I'm laid up today as the energy has gone and ibs horrendous. Am seeing the gastro consultant in a couple of weeks. Maybe it's the wrong time to reply as I'm feeling sorry for mysel today but who know? I'll probably be a bit better tomorrow x

[headingforretirement in reply to Didoliz]

Thanks for your reply. If you don't mind me asking, what other symptoms do you have? I was hoping that I couldn't get any iller!!

[Didoliz in reply to headingforretirement]

If you look at my post' So many symptoms ' which I posted a couple of days ago and then follow the threads,there is a list of my symptoms. I started with migraines with auras when I was 39. Crohns was diagnosed at 43 and the other symptoms have been coming on slowly but surely since then. It wasn't until I joined this forum that I realised all could be connected with fm. Hope this answers your questions. How about your symptoms? and how are you feeling at the moment? X

[headingforretirement in reply to Didoliz]

I've had migraines since my 20s as well as IBS but was diagnosed with fm a couple of years ago (I'm 57). I thought things couldn't get any worse until this year when I got cystitis which I couldn't get rid of.

[Shazzzy]

Hi there, I have fibro, chronic migraines, ibs and coccydenia. So close to your own symptoms. I take tramadol, neurofen, fluoxetine, omeprazole and subutamol spray for migraines. I use Epsom salts a lot in the bath to help with the painful muscles and joints. I use arnica cooling cream for pain too. I have a tens machine and practice slow deep breathing into the pain to help. I have a great medical cushion that I bought online so I can sit, it has a cutout section for cocycx. I try to swim occasionally and I listen to relaxation tapes. I try to knit or sew to keep occupied but this depends on wether I can think straight and if my wrists/hands are working. I recently stopped the gabapentin due to persistent confusion and have started to try crossword puzzles which I used to love doing many years ago. I hope this has been of some help to you, what do you do to keep sane ?

[headingforretirement in reply to Shazzzy]

Do you mind me asking, which came first, the fibro, the ibs or the migraines and how long have you had each?

[Shazzzy in reply to headingforretirement]

The fibro and migraines both started after 2 car crashes about 18 years ago, the IBS came years later and the cocydenia.

[headingforretirement in reply to Shazzzy]

Thanks. There are so many of us suffering from these things that there must be some link. I had no idea until I joined this forum!

[Maya23]

I have had IBS and IC for some years now - before I got the diagnosis of Fibro. I am also seeing a neurologist at the moment because I might also be getting chronic migraine.

I find the IBS is much better if I avoid the foods which set it off (for that is gluten, sugar, maize and Soya) but it sometimes flares up with the Fibro, and then I take buscopan, which really stops it in its tracks.

The IC tends to flare up occasionally with the Fibro and for some reason was made worse with Naproxen tablets. So avoid them now. And I'm taking Nortriptyline every night which helps with all the burning pains (IC and Fibro).

I find the migraines are triggered by dairy and chocolate, and sometimes alcohol. So avoid them most of the time. But can be triggered by stress too - like Fibro. The migraines changed over the course of the past year to be less intense, but far more frequent, and I get spots in my eyes that come and go multiple times a day. So waiting to see consultant again to get diagnosis for that.

I also take Citalopram, and antidepressant which frankly I don't know how I survived without it. It makes life that much more bearable. and I feel more happy and like i have more resources to deal with pain and stress. So that's been a big win for me this year.

Hope that helps. Take care x

[headingforretirement in reply to Maya23]

Thanks. I thought things couldn't get any worse when I just(!) had migraines, IBS and FM. But the IC is the icing on the cake. I was sort of coping before it but now I feel I am teetering on the edge. I've read all I can about it and am doing everything they advise (no alcohol, fizzy drinks, citrus etc) but sometimes it drives me crazy. Is your IC worse at nights?

[Hidden]

I've had migraines all my adult life but can see the fibro headaches are different to the pre menstrual migraines I used to get and the ones caused by food triggers. Just as painful, just as debilitating , but slightly different.

Also have IBS , take Buscopan as necessary and oil of peppermint tablets. Fibro diagnosed in May and I'd say I have an irritable bladder that often feels as if its verging on cystitis.

[headingforretirement in reply to Hidden]

How do you deal with the irritable bladder side of things?

[Hidden in reply to headingforretirement]

Constantly peeing. Feel sometimes as if I've nearly got cystitis but there's no pain, just very conscious of my bladder when it's something I never thought about !

Today my stomach's been painful and bloated because I ate frozen yoghourt last night --- another thing yo add to the list of " don't eat these".