Discovering Fibromyalgia

[Bumpity]

Having just read a post on the IBS forum I'm now wondering if all of the ailments I have suffered with and still do could be Fibromyalgia. So here goes my list:

I do have a lot of arthritis in my body which has been put down to childhood rheumatism.

Bone pain everywhere mild to severe depending on day and weather, damp weather is a killer. I have limited movement in my neck which is partly due to damaged cervical discs. My low back pain is the worse as it can affect how far I can walk, some days I can walk quite far with no problem, other days I can barely make it to the car and the pain is unbearable.

Brain fog, this scares me when I realise I haven't a clue what people are saying to me sometimes and I talk mumbo jumbo. I can completely forget routine tasks overnight and need a recap on how to do simple things like turn on my PC! I've had two TIA's and my GP said it was likely that I had an element of neurological damage. Tried CBT it was not for me.

I have a problem with flashing or bright lights which has been put down to the TIA's.

Am noise sensitive, can cope with loud noise if I have control but other loud noises music or people shouting puts me on edge. I cannot be shouted at as I turn into a melting wreck, really annoying as I have to walk away so no one sees me upset.

Butterfly brain, I can devote hours to a project or I flit from one thing to the next not actually doing anything. It's a little different to brain fog as I know what I am doing but cannot settle.

IBS developed when I was in my late 20's/early 30's and at the time was put down to food allergies, later stress and then IBS diagnosed when in my early 40's.

I have days where I can work non stop morning until late at night or keep going to job finished or I'm just worn out for no obvious reason. I can sleep all day and feel I need more sleep or I sleep 4 - 5 hours and wake up raring to go.

There's more but this is getting a bit long now haha. I shall raise this with my GP is I get to see him or the Nurse. But, any advice as to what I should be asking would be welcome . Thank you.

[Bacaloca]

Hi Bumpity,

nice to meet you.

sorry you are putting up with so much, it sounds quite uncomfortable and hard for daily living. I hope you get the answers you are looking for.

[Bumpity in reply to Bacaloca]

Thank you for your kind words Bacaloca. I tend to make jokes about most of my ailments, take care x

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Sorry to read you are struggling and yes Winter seems too be a lot harder on our bodies with conditions, arthritis etc, I would make some notes of symptoms , if they are continuous , how long they have been going on for so that will give your doctor an overall picture ,I’ve done this and many others as it’s easy too forget things when your actually with the doctor. Good luck getting some much needed answers and take care xx

[Bumpity in reply to Yassytina]

Thank you Yassytina. Yes, I too make notes as i tend to forget things, not quite as detailed as you suggest but that is a very good idea. I am waiting until my next appointment rather than make one specifically for this. Take care x

[TigraDustyBelaOreo]

I have both fibromyalgia and severe IBS and I started having fibro symptoms in 2004 diagnosed same year began having IBS issues in 2006 diagnosed in 2007 and doctor says the 2 often go hand in hand

[Bumpity]

Hi TigraDustyBelaOreo, it does seem that way, I was looking on the IBS forum and that's how I discovered Fibromyalgia. Last year for over 9 months I suffered with awful pains in my abdomen and severe yellow diarrhoea it was horrible. A scan showed NAFLD , no treatment just to lose 10% weight but the aches and pains have been there for most of my life gradually getting worse. We need a medical version of Elon Musk to find a cure haha. Take care x

[SlothMode]

Hiya Bumpity,

There were two red flags to me in your post hidden amongst your long list of medical health. The first is people with fibro never have the energy to be active non stop n we never wake up raring to go. There are so many conditions that share a few of the same symptoms as fibromyalgia n it is too easy to put them down to fibro. I suggest u write down all your symptoms n take this list with u when u see your Dr so they can consider all options. Gentle hugs 😊🤗

[Bumpity]

Thanks SlothMode, I have a list for the GP and agree there are so many possibles so will wait and see. Take care xx