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[Jimmyspadge]

Hello all, I don’t know if I have fibromyalgia or it’s basically bad anxiety and depression. I often get what is like unable to think or feel anything. When I get this way I find it almost impossible to carry out a simple task and if I force myself to do a task I feel terrible like my brain is saying no. I have been shopping when I have got this blank / empty feeling and I just have to stop and I carry on but I have to do it very slowly. I started getting elbow pain last September which hurts sometimes. What I do get a lot of is really bad pain in the sides and back of both heels especially when I get out of bed and I can barely walk. I don’t know much about fibromyalgia and if it has an affect on mental well-being. I am sure that a lot of people have mental health problems due to the pain. Apologies for the lengthy post.

[Nanie75]

Hi Jimmy I’m new to this too. I can only tell you what I’ve experienced: but not every one is the same.

You just mention the mental states

Do you have shooting pains in any limbs?

Or bad headaches? Food allergies or intolerances ? IBS? Huge sensitivity to cold and heat. Itchy skin? Points in the body which are very painful to the touch?

Fatigue certainly plays a very big part.

Have you been able to get to your GP?

Although be warned a lot of them treat Fibromyalgia as if it were not real.

are you on any depressive medication? If you are you may need to have it double checked as it might not be the right one for you - or it’s reacting badly with other meds?

I know about those moments of blankness, so I think it might be wise to get to your GP when you can and explain that incapable feeling.Brain stuff needs looking into.

You don’t mention your age or if you are on meds of some sort. Not that I’d be able to give you any expertise- know that many of us understand your worry and fear. Fibromyalgia is a tricky beast that goes on showing new teeth every now and again.

Wishing you courage and strength jimmyspadge

Can you

[Nanie75 in reply to Nanie75]

Meant to say anti - depressive!

[Jimmyspadge in reply to Nanie75]

Thanks for replying. I do get headaches which last a long time. When I worked in even mild weather my finger tips were always cold. In winter I have to run my right fingers under warm water as the pain was awful like red hot pins in the finger tips . I am on 15mg of mirtazapine each night. I just want to get to the bottom of it. When out walking I sometimes get very sharp pin pain in my hands, back of neck and back of my head. Grasping at straws as to what is going on really

[Hidden]

That blank feeling is one of the worst things about this condition I think, and so very hard to explain, it's like you know that you have stuff to do but a kind of invisible force tells you "what's the point?" Even though you want to get things done fatigue comes over you before you even start on a task and things that you used to be able to do with your eyes closed, get done so clumsily that by the time you've finished you're a total nervous wreck! Take care xx

[Jimmyspadge in reply to Hidden]

It’s like a small part of the brain is only working isn’t it?

I am getting it right now and if the house was on fire I could not really have the mental energy to act on it in any way

[Catsnoop]

The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is pain, in both upper and lower parts of your body for at least three months. Although there are a lot of secondary symptoms it’s the pain that is the root of the problem. Your doctor can test for the trigger points to see if they are active and let you know, but apart from that getting a diagnosis of fibro happens only when they have tested and ruled everything else out. I also get the blank brain and it’s frustrating, yes but that isn’t the defining symptom of fibro. It is a symptom of anxiety or a secondary symptom that can go along with fibro (but I’m not a doctor it’s just what my doc told me). I’m hoping desperately that you don’t have it, but it’s worth getting checked out. Also the best way of figuring it out is research, and you are doing that because you are here :). Good luck!

[Jimmyspadge in reply to Catsnoop]

I don’t even know if I replied to you then sorry

[Jimmyspadge]

Thanks. I know it may not be fibromyalgia but I am desperate

[Catsnoop in reply to Jimmyspadge]

Your best best is to go to your GP, even just to log your symptoms which may help with a diagnosis down the track.

[Jimmyspadge in reply to Catsnoop]

Getting this fog now with pain on the right side of my head and it’s terrifying me. Can barely write sorry

[Catsnoop in reply to Jimmyspadge]

My fog gets worse with fibro flares or if I’m really tired. It’s a cycle - anxiety increases stress and makes it harder to sleep, but sleep is what we need. Try using a meditation app and listen to that, it gives your brain something simple to focus on and can help that anxiety.

[Hidden in reply to Catsnoop]

It is so hard when you're awake all night while everyone is else is asleep isn't it? xx

[Catsnoop in reply to Hidden]

Yep, and when your tired during the day and everyone’s busy and awake!

[Hidden in reply to Catsnoop]

Horrible condition! People say they understand but you just know they can't possibly put themselves in your place and imagine how you feel! Have as good and pain-free weekend as you can xx