Does this sound like fibromyalgia?

[England24]

Hi, I’ve been feeling unwell for just over 3 months now, after blood tests doctors can’t find anything wrong and are putting it down to fibromyalgia. After a recent eye test and field of vision test opticians have found out I’m missing a quarter of my field of vision in the right top corner of both eyes and am awaiting a private MRI scan in next 2 weeks. I had a bleed on my brain when I was a baby (left side cerebral bleed and fitting so doctors presume field of vision has always been missing and that’s the cause. I’m terrified I have a brain tumour though.

It all started not long after after I had my second baby in September, after going through labour and recovering with a newborn, my mum was re diagnosed with cancer 4 days after I gave birth and 14 years after the all clear from breast cancer, it’s secondary, spread to a lot of places including her spine so therefore terminal. My health seemed to go down hill from there and doctors are saying stress and upset can take a massive toll on your body.

My symptoms for suspected fibromyalgia are;

Headaches

Ringing in ears

Body feels like it’s buzzing

Widespread Twitching

Back pain

Raynauds syndrome

Skin sometimes feels sore to touch/ like it’s sunburnt burnt

Sore inside of knees

Fatigue

Tummy upset

Does this sound like fibromyalgia symptoms?

Thanks

[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

While your symptoms *could* be fibromyalgia, all other potential causes need to be eliminated by your doctor before a diagnosis can be made. x

[JayCeon]

Yup, sorry, like Hazel says: "it ain't easy"... And IMHO it's also just as much what treatments might help as what the cause might be why everything should be double checked by docs and physical therapists. A lot sounds neurological, tummy sounds like IBS plus too much or too little acid, i.e. elimination diet, back sounds like PT, osteopathy....

[penny]

For once I agree with a doctor - stress can take a massage toll on the body. All this has happened very recently and you need time to recover you r equilibrium. I have fibromyalgia but am ‘lucky’ in that the constant pain is bearable and does not render me immobile nor need painkillers. My muscles are very stiff and I have pressure sensitivity on all areas of my body, some more than others. Fibromyalgia seems to affect people differently but pain seems to be a constant. I send good wishes.

[Iceberg5241]

It does sound like Fibromyalgia and as has been established, it is different for everyone. The fact that it includes so many different symptoms means there is no one thing that will help. A good nutritional diet, cutting out where possible preservatives, flavourants, cutting down on sugar and carbs etc and ensuring you have sufficient of the necessary vitamins by yearly blood tests plus pacing and small amounts of exercise.

I am totally convinced that mine was from a car accident in my mid 20s where I took no notice until 20 years' later a chiropractor told me I had double whiplash and over the years, being a very sporty person, I played my sport with varying degrees of pain (back and neck) and gradually gave them all up, had both hips replaced and five ops on my hands. At age 70 it took over with total fatigue and feeling so ill I couldn't think straight.

So the one theory I believe is often the cause is physical or mental trauma which does something to the brain and spinal cord.

Not sure if any of this has helped but I have most of your symptoms and now at 80 live in soft, easy to wear clothes (no bra unless I have to) as tight clothing is a no no, as are things like labels and harsh wool or material.

Look after yourself and make sure your nearest and dearest learn about this debilitating condition with you so they can, if possible, try and understand the limitations you will have due to the fatigue and inability to function as you used to. Bye for now and thinking of you. Stay with this friendly, helpful group 💕🖐💐

[England24]

Thank you all so much for your messages, I’m not sure if this is replying to you all I don’t really know what I’m doing I’ve never used a forum before 🤔.

I’ve got an MRI next Saturday on my brain and spine to rule anything out.

This week I’ve been really suffering with headaches around my left eye that make my cheekbone/ teeth hurt, (I was at the dentist last Thursday and they couldn’t spot anything to cause pain), neck pain, shoulder tip pain and a really painful right knee and burning feet. My thighs and ribs have been really sore to touch, does anyone experience these strange symptoms? Also what medications are you all on? I’m on Pregabalin but only 25mg, I don’t think it’s enough? Does nothing!

I’m trying to go to sleep at the same time and wake up at the same time but it’s so hard with a 3 year old and a 19 week old! X