Mild Fibroymyalgia: Is there such a... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Mild Fibroymyalgia

Manaus profile image
19 Replies

Is there such a thing as mild fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed 18 months ago but have some doubts. My pain is in both upper legs and knees, burning and aching, and tender knees. I do get a little tired but not debilitatingly so. Have had a barrage of blood tests lower back MRI ( have 3 herniated discs) but no impact on my nerves. Knee xrays show nothin.

I do get tenderness in elbows and shoulders but nothing else. I should go back to Dr but fed up with having to explain everything again.

Painkillers dont do anything and the pain goes from mild to very painful. I am doing exercises that helps. I have good muscle strength.

Fed up with thinking about it.

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Manaus profile image
Manaus
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19 Replies
desquinn profile image
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee

Fibro is chronic widespread pain in 4 out of 5 areas of the body. Chronic is often read as severity but it actually means length of time.

So on a pain scale of 1 - 10 you will have fibro even if your pain level is at a 2 constantly.

desquinn profile image
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee

yes

I also doubted my diagnosis of fibro as I didn’t seem to have to terrible debilitating pain many here have. I did have some bad fatigue. Then it all hit big time and while I also think there’s something wrong with my thyroid ( I have a goitre but because blood tests are normal can’t get any help) I think fibro is the main cause of my pain and fatigue.

Only things you can do is find what works for you—- heat, tens machine, patches, supplements, exercise, pacing, cutting out gluten, sugar, carbs and so on. Some help, some don’t.

Koi48 profile image
Koi48 in reply to

Hi, just jumping in here to say I too have a multi-nodule thyroid. I'm subclinical Hyperthyroid - so no meds. Since Sept (and as my thyroid has got bigger) i have been diagnosed with Fibro, deficiencies in B12, folate, vit D. My Hemiplegic migraines plus asthma has become worse. I can't help but think the thyroid is to blame - no evidence just coincidental. Having a partial in Oct, so I guess I'll know then.

Manaus - For my own sanity I had to step back from the Drs and researching/questioning if it really was fibro. Since then I just focus on getting through the day- distraction techniques work to an extent.

I think we will all be relieved when they implement a difinitive test to show if you have Fibro or not. Perhaps that would also give us validation...

desquinn profile image
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee

Fibro is never about pain severity. Imagine telling a cancer patient their diagnosis is not real due to pain level is not that high.

Nothing in the criteria of fibro is about severity of pain. Then factor in pain after medication. Constant pain is the metric that is judged.

Manaus profile image
Manaus

Thanks for your comment, I dont seem to have any other issues. It is a very confusing and complex condition. I do have very tender illiotibial band on both sides, so am trying to stretch them as it feels as though they are rubbing on the top of my knees with sandpaper. If I have it so be it, will just have to find things that help me manage it.

Bakgri profile image
Bakgri in reply toManaus

Mine in comparison to others on here also seems milder, but the fibro symtoms are all there: memory loss/mind fog, waking up with unexplained pain and tenderness in 4 or 5 different places (but not extreme pain), fatigue and ibs. I can immediately tell I have overdone things because fatigue and mind fog hits. I think a lot of people on here also have other health conditions which must make things even harder.

Judithdalston profile image
Judithdalston in reply toManaus

Interesting... it was my IT bands that caused particular problems that nhs physio and acupuncture failed to help that preceded my fibromyalgia diagnosis. I am not a long distance runner! Only intervention that may have helped with that was podiatrist giving me orthotics, difficult to tel as years and fibro everywhere else may ‘mask’ some of issues, as still get some stabbing in knee.

Patches12 profile image
Patches12

I got told by my old gp everyone suffers differently I never have a let up and couldn't understand how some ppl can get on with things so maybe you may find it different I hope you keep on the good side of it x

KateMaguire profile image
KateMaguire

I would just count yourself as one of the lucky ones who are not feeling too bad from fibro and not overthink things too much- I find that some days I don’t feel too bad, then I try to do something and all of a sudden it’s like the fibromyalgia has a little chuckle and says- only kidding,here’s the pain and let’s throw in the fatigue just to top it off! Everyone feels things differently, you might be ok now but have a flare up and be pretty much incapacitated for a few weeks or months. Also depends on what other problems you have along with the fibro. As I said, make the most of it while it is not affecting you too much.

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas

Hi. Good Morning Manaus, i can't imagine Fibromyalgia as ever being mild .Once the pain has you in its grip, there doesn't seem to be any let up.I call it THE DEVILS DISEASE, because it's a bitch of a pain you can't always explain. If you do have Fibromyalgia i hope you can keep on top of it because it can take your life away. Some days it can be a little easier to bear, but there's never one single day that you don't have any kind of pain.I hope your G.P.can find some kind of medication that can help you while you are in the early stages. Because I honestly don't think there's any such thing as MILD FIBROMYALGIA. You either have it or you haven't. DOCTORS seem to blame everything on Fibromyalgia, because they don't really know what else to blame your pains on. But Fibromyalgia pain is like nothing else on EARTH. IT'S HELL.I hope you feel better soon and can get your old life back, one without pain. Take care and look after yourself. From Gjkas.

Tedy profile image
Tedy in reply toGjkas

Can anyone tell me the difference between the pain of fibro and arthritis? I have both. Thank you

No1wthayla profile image
No1wthayla

I would think the herniated discs are the cause of your pain. The nerves that run from head to toe ALL go through the spinal column. Herniated discs can cause pressure on the nerves making you feel pain. I don't know your specifics but if there are normal discs below the herniated ones, the pain might never go to your feet. An MRI can't show nerve damage, at least I've never heard of it. A neurosurgeon or neurologist can do nerve tests to see if there really is damage.

Acupuncture and chiropractic care are my go to for back pain. But with the herniated discs they might not be able to treat. The neurosurgeon might suggest fusing the spine to help keep the back stable and let the nerves receive less pressure.

As for "mild fibromyalgia," I think it would be possible if someone like you has been recently diagnosed. I think it progresses in all of us over time and we start having more symptoms. But I agree with desquinn that it isn't often found in just one area of the body.

Prayers and hugs. Keep telling your story. It's the only way you will be able to get help for the pain whether it is Fibro or nerve issues.

No1wthayla profile image
No1wthayla in reply toNo1wthayla

I meant to add that my chiropractor also helps with other issues like migraines, shoulder pain, dislocated shoulder (my doctor said it was just a tendon problem and x-rays didn't show a dislocation), hips, legs, hands, even sinus pressure and other things. He's amazing. And look up "nervous system" online. There are some really detailed images available.

fibo profile image
fibo

That probably is fairly mild unfortunately seems as years go by and it gradually gets worse I've not found the pain isnt any worse but it just the whole thing just takes over your body I've always had pain around the pelvis really bad after 10 years it started to spread my legs to my feet & 20yrs on I'm in a wheelchair I'm so fatigued I can't work & don't leave the house very often so sorry take care

Scoo1961 profile image
Scoo1961

Hi

Sorry to hear about your pain :(

Fibromyalgia plays up all the joints in your body giving nerves and pain :(

I found antripline help me sleep but give a dry mouth as one of it side affects .

I hope the doctor gives you help for the pain ?

Also sleep is needed to help you rest

Accpunture is very good I found

I payed private for that

I hope you find some help with your pain 😃

Manaus profile image
Manaus in reply toScoo1961

Thank you. I am using wheat bagsonmy legs which helps the pain. I do find walking eases the pain. I hope I get some answers too.take care

Midori profile image
Midori

I don't consider Fibro to be mild at all, although I'm lucky enough not to have too much pain, more the exhaustion; yet when I get a flare, It is agonising. Most of the time I can get away with just using Ibuprofen, although I do still have some CoDydramol from a 2 year old prescription, which I take during a flare, (as seldom as possible as I don't want to get addicted.)

Mostly I work on channeling my aggression at the Fibro, rather than lamenting what I have lost in abilities , etc. I look forward to things I can still do, rather than back at the 'Old' me.

I have the usual accompaniments of IBS, Reflux, arthritic changes, partial loss of sight which has stopped me driving, which is a big nuisance, but I don't have time to get depressed. My doctor automatically reaches for the prescription pad and I give him 'The Look' and he subsides!

Sense of humour is essential with Fibro, I find.

Cheers, Midori

Manaus profile image
Manaus in reply toMidori

Oh dear, it is learning to l'live' with it. I do not have the fatigue, rang the Drs today they are going to test me again for polymyalgia. It just gets tiring trying to make sense of it all and getting an appointment. Take Care of yourself.

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