I'm new to my diagnosis - but not the condition

[JamesPDeans]

I have been in increasing amounts of pain since about 1990, but after being fobbed off for years by various GPs, I now have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Now all of my symptoms are starting to make sense, but I'm finding that I could do with some advice from fellow sufferers.

For example -

Drinking fruit juice gives me a sore stomach. Does anyone else find this? I don't want to drink alcohol and gassy drinks, but when I'm out I tend to be limited to them. What do others drink?

I get quite dizzy at times and my balance (never great) gets worse. Is this typical?

My knees and ankles get stiff and sore, but I want to walk as much as possible - any advice?

Thanks

James

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello and a warm welcome, sometimes I try fruit teas, make a milkshake , not a tea drinker so I make a nice hot chocolate with alittle.milk added. Hard when your out too find something suitable . I try keep walking in moderation as too much can reflect the next day, the most comfortable pumps I can find , if you can rest your ankles after activities and pace as much as you can during your day(not always possible if you work I know) have you had a word with your doc about the dizziness/balance ?

[DoubleMalibu]

Good Morning JamesIt’s good you have a diagnosis, but you been waiting & suffering since 1990!

Wow that’s such a long time not to have a reason for your pain.

I was diagnosed with M.E in the 90’s by a specialist, & had to give up work in the travel industry for a while because of it.

I’ve recently, like you, been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia now as well.

I too can’t stomach much fruit juice, although I’m limited as I’ve not drank fizzy drinks since the 90’s, because of my IBS.

I find the fruit juice really hurts my abdomen. I think it’s the natural sugars in them that cause the problem.

I can only really drink still things like milk, still flavoured water or tap water. Which if out in the day it’s fine, but not things you can ask for on a night out! Cranberry juice is a better option. Have you been checked for IBS?

Hope you have some comfort from your recent diagnosis.

[JamesPDeans in reply to DoubleMalibu]

I have IBS, I've had it ever since I had an endoscopy. Getting inflated by gas does not do your bowel much good! My diagnosis has helped me make sense of what's happening. I've suffered from depression, dry eyes, pain, IBS, etc, and had no idea that they were all linked. It's good to know that I've only got one thing wrong with me and not loads of different things. Would have been amazing to diagnosed a long time ago, but the doctors always just gave me painkillers and anti inflammatories thinking I had arthritis, without testing. Wear and tear was another thing they always spoke about. The fact I had a major fall in 1998 didn't help. A lot of stuff was just blamed on that.

[Hidden in reply to JamesPDeans]

Get your b12 levels tested ... relation had same symptoms !

[JayCeon]

Hi James, my hyperacidic stomach doesn't tolerate fruit or multivitamin juices at all, worst if they have something like orange juice in them, some sort work a bit better, but best only a sip or not at all.

I can only drink almond or soy milk/drink - even oat & rice drink give me heartburn / GERD / reflux / stomach burn too.

As you say IBS: I distinguish stomach (hyperacidity) and gut (IBS) problems, and usually have IBS-D, rather than -C or -A. As you say dry eyes I also see maybe a connection between dry eyes, mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach, making it praps sicca syndrome. Thing is tho neither that nor the possible connections of everything to fibro has never helped me, since I have much more success treating each symptom individually, e.g. stomach & gut almost totally under control with a strict elimination diet and I now quickly get my local pains down to 5-10% with stretches, exercises, acupressure etc. if they come up again or some new ones.... No meds at all for me, but tons of supps, btw.

Hope your new path is more successful than your old one.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Thanks to Jayceon for noticing I replied to this on another thread... So copying here.....

Hi and a warm welcome to the forums. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our website fmauk.org and our patient information booklets at fmauk.org/publications

Ibs /stomach issues are common in people with fibro, so this could be contributing to the pain you get with fruit juices. Water with fruit slices can be nice and refreshing to drink - and most places will have some lemon slices the very least