Newly diagnosed

[Alicejayne96]

Hi there! I’ve had M.E (chronic fatigue syndrome) for a few years - I’m 24. For the past few months, I’ve been experiencing pain in my legs and most recently in my right arm from painting the fence yesterday! It isn’t a sharp stabbing pain, it’s more of an ache through my whole leg or whole arm, sometimes it lessens if I massage my leg, sometimes not even paracetamol takes it off! Has anyone else with fibromyalgia experienced this as I’m wondering if my M.E has turned into fibro. This happens in my legs most days - I am on my feet a lot for work. Thanks in advance!

[Agora1]

Hi Alicejayne96, it sounds like it could be Fibro although I believe that

CFS can also cause chronic pain. I have Fibro and there is no way I could

paint a fence w/o suffering from leg and arm pain. Any repetitive movement

causes triggers to develop which in turn can cause referred pain down your

arm or legs. Pain medication doesn't really help as much as (for me) heat.

I nice relaxing bath, heat across your shoulders while you relax may help

release the spasm from painting and allow the pain level to go down.

Sending gentle hugs. xx

[ALKT]

that is the typical response to effort from m e . if no one has told you about this and pacing also post exertional malaise . I would strongly suggest you join the science for m e web site . there are a great many like myself who have had this disease for thirty years and more .please try it out not every page/thread is devoted to scientific research or the horrendous politics that have tried to diminish the suffering caused by this disease. new members are always welcome .

[Midori]

Both conditions can occur in the same patient, as there is a great deal of crossover in the symptoms. Very confusing and difficult to diagnose accurately. The ongoing stiffness is a Fibro feature. I have Fibro; but I also have ongoing fatigue.

Cheers, Midori

[VintageDollyBird83]

Hi there. Yes my lovely. I’m sorry you’re facing this too. ME and Fibro, whilst separate conditions, often run side by side. It’s possibly worth contacting your gp to see if they can start the process off for investigating. Try to pace your activity, even at work, so that you have rest periods if possible. Big hugs xx

[klr31]

😤

[Gooddaysagain]

Hi there,

I'm really sorry to hear you're in so much pain.

I've been diagnosed with, and suffering from, both Chronic Pain with Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME since 2010. The conditions are closely linked, and a flare of one will sometimes set off a worsening of the other. Muscular, rather than nerve/skeletal, pain tends to be a result of over-doing things and a worsening of CFS symptoms, which include these deep aches.

Ready for this, I mix my own Magnesium 'oil', using Magnesium Citrate flakes, but replacing the 1/3 water, recommended in the recipe, with SBC's water-based Arnica Gel (not sure if there are other water-based Arnicas around, but.... )

I use this as a base for massaging where it hurts. The combination of Magnesium, Arnica, massage and rest works for me, followed - once the pain eases - with gentle stretches to warm up my tired muscles.

A couple of warnings:

1. If your skin and/ or you are dehydrated, this mixture will sting or tingle as you use it, at least at the start.

2. The flakes and gel turn quite runny. To stop the operation getting too messy, I re-use an old pump-action plastic bottle for mine (I make about 1/4 ltr at a time).

Meanwhile, I was once advised by a very wise physiotherapist to 'leave some in the bucket'.... i.e. not to use up all the energy I thought I had. I know how difficult it is to pace yourself on 'good' days, when you feel you can do what 'normal' people do - or what you used to be able to do - and it's SO rewarding to finish things, but the pain is your body reminding you that you need to take greater care of yourself right now.

I hope this is the last time you feel this bad.

If you want to find out more about the similarities and differences of CFS and FM, there are some good scientific research papers you can access - either directly or through websites such as 'Healthline'.

I wish you pain-eased, sunny days ahead....

dee x