Constant vs intermittent symptoms? - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Constant vs intermittent symptoms?

Jessicat82 profile image
9 Replies

New here. I've had active fibromyalgia for 15 years now. I only recently learned that some people do not have symptoms active 24/7/365. I haven't had a pain free moment since 2006, in my mid-20s. What are your experiences? Does your pain come intermittently, or is it constant? Have you noticed anything that makes a difference?

I have long resisted medications. My doctor prescribed me a muscle relaxer, and I felt horrible. I think my muscles are too tight to use it, and I've been scared to try again. It was like it helped parts of some muscles while others went into overdrive to compensate.

I watched a few videos recently, and I saw that one doctor found that intramuscular pressure is three times higher in people with fibromyalgia. We are soon to have an objectively measurable way to identify those of us suffering this without having to feel second-guessed by everyone around us.

So, I want to ask again in my rambling post here: how often are you symptomatic? What makes the difference, if any, for you?

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Jessicat82 profile image
Jessicat82
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9 Replies
Cat00 profile image
Cat00

Is that the trapezius muscle study? Because I don't think that study has garnered much support as yet so would be unlikely to yield a test as such. Although I'm sure our moderator will know more about that than I.

I don't have flares and I do have moments when my muscles don't hurt, although not for a few months now bc I've hurt my back. But bc of all the accompanying conditions I have like IBS, bladder pain syndrome, chronic migraines etc I'm never without some kind of pain and that has been since I was a young child.

If I don't exercise my legs get so tight I can't straighten them, I'm generally like this every morning but the exercise fixes that for the rest of the day. Unfortunately I can't exercise atm bc of my back so everything is worse. Swimming is all I can do atm, which is good, but doesn't help my legs.

Like you I wouldn't take a muscle relaxant, they are ineffective long term anyway and I'd worry about injuries.

Al10 profile image
Al10

Try locking your post Jessicat82. See if more folks want to hop on and share?

Dizzytwo profile image
Dizzytwo

Hi Jessica, you may not be aware you can lock your post. It is not a rule but for privacy reasons I personally always advise it. Like Al10 said you may get more replies. Locked posts tend to get more replies for obvious reasons.

If you would like to lock your post this link will show you how 😊

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

I hope you have a good day xx

Momo

Midori profile image
Midori

I'm mildly symptomatic most of the time, which I can handle with Ibuprofen, but I do have a standby of a few CoDydramol for when I am in extreme pain, which tends to happens roughly every week to ten days, often if I have become overconfident of my abilities and pushed myself past my Spoon limit. It happens.

Cheers, Midori

desquinn profile image
desquinnPartnerVolunteerFMAUK Trustee

Some people have remission whether during pregnancy, chemo or some other reason but vast majority it is constant symptoms. They may vary in intensity and location but constant.

FM/a and other tests have not been validated and are not perhaps of any really benefit right now even if people to value them. The intramuscular pressure study is interesting but needs more work.

rosewine profile image
rosewine

I always have underlying pain and tenderness but the severity of my symptoms can vary daily and sometimes even from hour to hour. If I get overtired or have an infection the pain levels rocket up. I also have IBs and osteoarthritis so it can be difficult to differentiate what is causing the pain.

Some people do seem to have periods of remission where they have little or no pain sometimes for months at a time and will then have a flare up and then ask to few symptoms. Since joining this site I have realised that we are all very individual I the way fibro effects us. Some only have one or two of the symptoms and other poor individuals have the whole gamut.x

Hiya jessica82I too have constant pain, I don’t get these flare ups to be honest I would rather get a flare up than the constant pain and tiredness and bursting into tears for nothing all of the time! I notice you’re from USA I know that drs in your country have done a lot more research into fibromyalgia so do your drs take you seriously with all the different symptoms?

Chrisbel profile image
Chrisbel

since I changed my lifestyle, diet, exercise etc only occasionally am I badly painful, most of the time, the pain is low level, and the brain fog and fatigue has gone.

Christine_new profile image
Christine_new

I'm in pain every day..it builds up to the point I'm exhausted and literally can't move ..I then sleep exhausted right though the day and night almost..lately I'm experiencing dizziness..this is happening when I try to go for a walk outside..I was diagnosed spring time this year..I'm much worse now than when I first went to the doctors with a pain in my shoulder ..I can no longer work..or plan anything

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