A bleak outlook

[BreezyGeezer]

I have read that Fybromyalgea is supposed to ease with age. For me at least, this is not the case. I have found that the opposite is the case. My pain level and frequency has risen dramatically. In the beginning I had some good days. Now in the last 3 years I have had 2 of what I call good days. They would not be good days to a non Fybro sufferer but we set our levels of the term good days lower as the condition progressess. I am a 63 yr old male who has gone from an active lifestyle and a heavy manual Job to near constant pain and full time fatigue. Prospects of a quality of life improvement for my golden years are slim to non existent. Fybromyalgea is an all consuming entity that never lets go once it has you. Sorry for the doom and gloom I just felt a need to off load. Thank you for reading my post if you made it to the end. On a positive note the sun is shining through my window. Thats a reason to smile. Take care and be kind to yourself and others

Regards

Rob

[rosewine]

I can totally understand. I had so many plans for my retirement qnd like you has always been active. Suddenly fibro took hold a couple of years before retirement and for me the world seemed to tip on its axis. The first two years were hell and then I seemed to reach some kind of plateau where as long as I was careful and paced myself and cut out certain activities life was manageable. The last year seems to be a downward spiral. I am not sure whether it is age other illnesses such as osteoarthritis getting worse as well but the fibro symptoms seem to be much more pronounced and lately I am struggling with everything.I am trying to remain positive and yes the sun is shining and I can see that spring is here.x

[crochetjoy]

Hi there BreezyGeezer Sorry to hear you are so affected by fibro into what should be happy retirement years

I did make it to the end of your post no problem

We all need to offload our worries sometimes and that's fine and if you can't do it on here, well, where can you?

Forgive me if you have tried but can't you get some help from somewhere .... there has to be something out there for you to be able to have some relief ....

Have you exhausted all possibilities, I hate to think of anyone suffering in this way

GP has a duty of care to all their patients, can you ask for a new review? Kind of like a clean slate?

Please post how you are doing 🙏

[Jasharper]

Hi I have had fibromyalgia for many years but officially diagnosed only 5 years ago. I’m 61 and no signs of any let up of the symptoms. Hearing more and more people that are older than me still having no letup

Is quite depressing. For me I must say being positive has been the key for me,

With hypnoses. But even this gives highs and lows and this just seems constant in most people. I wish everyone well.

One other thing I have made my fibro my friend and when I’m on a low I talk to my fibro believe it or not it does help, I did the same when I had cancer

And now cancer free. Good luck on your journey all.

[KimiJay in reply to Jasharper]

I had not thought of talking to the Fibro. I talk to everything else but that. Wonderful suggestion! Thanks.

[Vonnie1948]

Sorry to say this but it never gets easier pain wise.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

"I have read that Fybromyalgea is supposed to ease with age. " Fibromyalgia unfortunately does not have any predictable pattern related to age. It is more likely that even with fibro remaining constant that as we age we accumulate more items on the ill health bingo card due to age, luck and environment.

Fibro will amplify pain from these and therefore our quality of life may degrade. But it is not all a downward spiral or even a predictable path. Being more active and more healthy generally in lifestyle will benefit our fibro and general health.

Some people experience theraputic benefits that allow them to continue or get back to work for example. Others experience patches of remission whether it is due pregnancy or for other reasons. So as I said it is not a predicable path.

[KimiJay]

Thanks for your post. It has prompted me to start looking at Ayurveda more closely, so that has been a help to me. - I am fairly new to this site but am finding it helpful and supportive. Also, get fed up with the 'change of plans' for old age as well as what seemed to me failures of the past due to an illness I didn't know I had. I'm lucky that I've always had strong inner experiences that make up a different type of world where I can go to and offload. Can still get to feel alienated from that sometimes too, especially with depression or when I've done something demented to increase pain like eat stuff with sugar or do a miniscule bit of gardening! - Claire Rayner used to quote or say 'This too will pass'. Often it does, (though most on this site will agree, some other mean spirited and creative little pain comes in its place.) - I have a refuge of sorts though - a corner cabin in the back yard just for me. Do you have a place where you could make your own den (with heat source) and maybe have things in it that remind you of all you have seen and done and achieved? Self appraisal is a very worthy and hopefully, pain absorbing pastime. Talking to the Fibro as suggested by JasHarper back there I think would begin to work for you even if you don't believe there is anything listening. I talk to another me sometimes.- She's always listening! - I also use EFT occasionally. - Emotional Freedom Technique - It's very easy and quick to learn. Developed by a guy who was in the RAF I think. Lots on Google about it with demos. Sometimes helps release enough misery to take the next step forwards. Best of luck with that.

[Bikergal900]

Hi breezygeezer, it's important to off load and not keep these thoughts and feelings inside. We all I think feel the exact same way at times. I'm 34 and looking forward in time I worry how this condition is going to effect me in 10, 20 even 30 years time. I have been receiving some amazing mental health coaching from the pain management team, which has really helped me to come to terms with the new me, new ways in which to cope with my feelings and have a more positive relationship with pain and fibro. I'm now not looking too far to the future but looking more at the here and now. Looking at what I can do to take some control back and find ways to enjoy things I used to or find new manageable hobbies. It's just as important to look after your mental health and know that is there is support out there.

Wishing all the best x

[Rockstagr]

I find it the same, it gets worse However I found a little light in the horizon.

I have been using turmeric and black pepper capsules.

Turmeric is a natural anti inflammatory and the black pepper contains pipperine, which makes the body absorb the turmeric better

I was even able to stop taking my 800 mg ibuprofen a day

[Blackwitch]

I’m afraid I really shouldn’t reply but are you sure it’s just fibro? A couple of year’s ago my back suddenly collapsed (I have severe degenerative disc disease, now with scoliosis) and ever since have had really debilitating fatigue. Last year I eventually got a diagnosis of ME/CFS which on top of fibro has knocked me for six. I’ve had an ongoing fight with my GP and Pain Clinic (I have attended 4 of them over the years - all at different hospitals) to do with graded exercise therapy (GET) and CBT with the change in the NICE Guidelines so have now been left in the care of the rheumatologist. I decided, two weeks ago to try (for my own curiosity) a few gentle arm exercises and since then I’ve been in agony. I can hardly touch the skin on my forearms. I have to wear short sleeves because long sleeves touch my arms and I can’t stand it. Even showering is painful. I just wish I hadn’t bothered trying. Nic xx

[Midori]

Hi Rob, and welcome,

I'm not sure it does ease with age, I think it's just that we learn to cope with it and make accommodations for the limitations it imposes on us.

The disabling effects don't ease, but the pains can, as we learn to sort out the significant ones from the minor and annoying ones.

Medication helps; once you have found the right one. Perhaps a trip back to your GP would be beneficial, and don't forget Covid has made us all more miserable, and more aware of our bodies once again.

I've got to the stage of Trying to avoid the wheelchair lurking with intent in the garage. It will get me sooner or later, but right now I manage around the house on either one or two sticks, depending on how the knee is doing! Outdoors, and if I'm going to the local shop, I use a rollator, (which is dying. Need a new one before the wheel falls off!)

I'm wondering if you have read the Spoon Theory? It's worth looking up online. It can show you why your energy depletes so quickly and why you often don't have the strength to socialise. It can also be used to explain to others who may think you are not ill at all.

I've had it (diagnosed) for about 15 years now, although it took the doctors 20 years before I got the diagnosis.

Now, at 74, I take no prisoners!

Cheers, Midori

[Ladame]

So sorry to hear this, you have my sympathy. I feel the same way as you- I said to my husband last night “I have a lot of life left to live but I feel as though I’m already dying!” I have got much worse over the past few months, I don’t work, couldn’t and struggle to do basic housework. It is so frustrating isn’t it? I try to eat healthily and wonder about trying to eliminate certain things to see if this helps but when you’re feeling cr.. a decent coffee or a glass of wine bring some pleasure! Sending best wishes for some better days- keep plodding on! 🤪

[selltile]

I really understand--particularly when you say 2 good days. I can so emphasise with this. It is hard on the body and I think equally as hard on the spirit.