Do have fibromyalgia

[Lovecoffee]

I’m in pain all the time fingers points around my body not had done yet with lockdown but could be Fibromyalgia

[Dinkie]

Hi and welcome to our happy little band.

Sorry to hear you are in constant pain. Trouble is with fibro it is only diagnosed once everything else has been ruled out so it can be a very long road. It took decades for myself to be diagnosed. I had never heard of fibro and to have it written on a piece of paper by the rheumatologist and handed to me and then shown the door was a bit of a shock. However I decided I was still the same person going into the consult as I was coming out so the label didn't really mean anything except I was discharged back to the GP.

Most rheumatologists do not use the pressure point test anymore, or at least that is what I have been told so it may not be a test you will experience once you get to your consultation.

Fibro is different for all of us and your symptoms may change and not be the same as others experience. It's very much a trial and error thing to try and work out what triggers the pain and what helps. Personally I can't take prescription drugs so I rely on epsom salt baths (helps with muscle pain), tens machine, hot water bottles, biofreeze gel, chiropractor and hypnotherapist. Diet has played a big part for me. No processed foods, no refined sugars and cutting down on the caffeine all have helped and if I stray, which of course is human nature, then I have to be prepared for the payback!

Gentle exercise helps, even just a stroll down the garden. Pacing is another thing, I have yet to master this one! Just because you are having a better day doesn't mean go all out and do all those things you haven't been able to do on worse days. If you fall into this trap you will find yourself, more than likely, in a flare and unable to do anything for days.

Do hope you get your appointment soon.

[Lovecoffee in reply to Dinkie]

Been doctor loads, I take hot water bottle to bed, also had heated blanket but don’t seem work at moment, does get down when In pain a lot I do ride me bike don’t feel it I walk go gym, in hot weather it’s ok winter seem worse heat help thanks for replay

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome to our community. Here you will find information support friendship and laughter too. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our main website fmauk.org

You do not mention if you have had any tests yet to rule out other conditions - this needs to be done prior to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia being considered

[moo196]

The very best thing I have ever done wrt pain in the hands is to give up diet coke and anything else with artificial sweeteners in. They were pain free within a week or so. Have you tried this? (need to be checking everything like drinks, puddings, yoghurts and squash... Even ketchup these days) for aspartame, stevia, sucralose, saccharine. Worth a try if you haven't already.

[Meechan45]

If it's on equal places both sides of body it is most probably fibromyalgia 99% sure

[trevdee]

hi all , do hot sweats have anything to do with Fibro as my better half suffers them daily if so is there any meds she can get to help ,

thanks ,