Having a child with fibro

[Ksxo]

I've had a baby I'm on a journey of finding myself whilst being a mum and living with fibromyalgia. I now have started physiotherapy which took me years to be taken down this path it was after the baby I was listened to most of my body swells up on a day to day basis. I struggle really bad with the pain of fibromyalgia and I'm starting my journey back to work whilst fighting bad mental health.

I have been put back on duloxetine to give them a try again, I have previously taken these and had side effects but the body changes all the time has anyone had medication once and had side effects then tried them again years later and they've worked. Apparently these are the best tablets to help pain and depression and anxiety. I have not been right since 2020 and I'm still fighting to get adequate help I have even tried counselling which I am on a waiting list for. I've tried meditation, baths before bed for sleep hygiene practice listening to relaxing music to help sleep. Setting up routines of early to bed amd early wake up but nothing helps. Does anyone have any advice??? I am desperate.

[Debsdelight72]

Hey Ksxo,

Can I just say WOW!!🤯

I couldn't even begin to think of having any of my four children whilst coping with Fibro,

I hope you have friends and family around you to help out or when you need a rest,

I'm glad you are practising good sleep hygiene, I find fresh sheets washed in a lavender scented washing powder and a weighted blanket is a great start to getting off to sleep,

Not great with the heat at the moment and they can be a little pricey, If it works it's worth every penny💰💰 I started on duloxetine and didn't have any relief with them, I take 60mg of fluoxetine which helps a bit with the depression and anxiety,

You are already doing the right things, As you must know patience is the key to finding which meds help and one's that don't, I'm sure you will receive plenty of advice on here from others, You are a Fibro warrior and you belong to a Fibro Family, Don't think of your being desperate as a bad thing it's your body shouting at you to build your strength to being the warrior,

I hope you get the advice you can relate to,

Take care Debsx

[Ksxo in reply to Debsdelight72]

Thanks for that advice the weighted blanket does that help you sleep and help the pain? It doesn't help my bed is uncomfortable but everything is expensive and it's effecting my work life and all my money goes on the baby it is a struggle but absolutely worth having her! I never wanted a child because of having fibro but I shouldn't be limited and miss out on all of the blessings in life just because I'm struggle. I try with the GP but it's a constant fight and I feel like I get no where. Have you ever trued counselling I'm going down that path now as well literally trying everything possible.

I dont really get a lot of support but they try where they can everyone lives are busy and I can't rely on people.

I'll try the washing powder trick though I've not tried that before thankyou x

[Twin4Life in reply to Ksxo]

Hi,

Just a word of advice about the weighted blanket. If you do try using one, be careful. Don't get a very heavy one to start with, and also be aware that for some people weighted blankets actually cause more pain as they place weight on your joints and etc. I am not saying you shouldn't try using a weighted blanket because some people find them very helpful. Just be careful if you do try one. Oh, and if you have any spinal issues like scoliosis, lordosis, or kyphosis then you shouldn't use a weighted blanket because it can make those issues worse.

[Ksxo in reply to Twin4Life]

See I didn't know that, I have bad hips pelvis and back and different points of them swell so maybe I'll give it a try but I don't want to make it worse!! It's horrible been suffering for years and only getting worse the older I get and can't find anything that helps. Thanks for the advice x

[Debsdelight72 in reply to Ksxo]

If your in a uncomfortable bed and you do decide to get a weighted blanket, Sleep on the weighted blanket, I found it was like a real hug 🤗🤗🤗🤗 different people have different results, Make sure any young one's get hold of it, It's called a weighted blanket because that's what it is,👍👍 I have a sheet on first then the blanket, Always look on instructions for cleaning instructions It's not the norm,

I still hunt for the magic of sleep, when Fibro was new to me and I was younger I would try anything and everything Calamine tea if you can sip and get used to the taste it can help aswell

Scented lavender candle in your room (before anyone jumps in with health and safety )

Do not leave the candle unattended and make sure the flame is not anywhere near anything 😅

Good luck in your adventure

[Ksxo in reply to Debsdelight72]

Thanks I might try it underneath me instead, I've tried so much for sleep herbal teas lavender scents on pillow the stones none of that helps me hoping this duloxetine might start helping for the pain then I might sleep better.

Thankyou for the tips, same to you x

[BirdGal]

Hi lovely, Bless you, it's so tough isn't it trying to navigate the pain problems. I'm pregnant at the moment (was not planned) and I've been even more poorly for weeks now. Can I ask did your symptoms get worse after baby was born?

As for medication. I know that struggle all too well. And I despise when the Dr says 'antidepressants are the best meds for pain' 🤦‍♀️ because common sense would tell anyone that an antidepressant isn't a painkiller. The best pain killer is pain relief! They did the same thing with me though, went through all the different meds and none of them worked so I just kept going back. Again and again and again (this went on for nearly 18 months) until I outright asked them WHY they wouldn't give me pain relief & at that point they didn't have a decent answer for me so I was finally given tramadol & oramorph. Of course it's not ideal at all but it certainly helped me cope with the pain so I could continue with a small amount of quality of life at least.

Saying that, whilst I'm pregnant nothing makes me feel better 😌 this is absolutely awful!

My point is, that keep going back to the GPs, if the med don't work try something different, get a second opinion, ask to be referred to the pain clinic. Just keep advocating for yourself.

Hope you get some relief soon. Maybe CBD is worth a try if you haven't already?

Donna xx

[Ksxo in reply to BirdGal]

Hi So I struggled in pregnancy especially with pain but I suffered bad morning sickness I found the pain was ofter worse whilst pregnant. When I had her it was very hard but you fight through it and slowly get a routine. It is very painful and you have very hard days I won't paint a picture of sunshine. But I can say babies bring so much joy to life which in a weird way helps you stop thinking about the pain but I still suffer a lot.

I've trued so much with the gp I got diagnosed about 5 or 6 years ago now, still not found the right medication it's so annoying bur I'm going to keep fighting because I have my baby yo think of too.

If you need any advice when baby comes just ask and good luck on your journey 😊 zx

[Hoofprints]

Bit concerned to hear that your body is swelling up daily. Why? Has this been investigated medically? Have you been thoroughly tested for autoimmune disease?

I wonder if you have something else going on other than fibromyalgia. May be worth going back to Dr and getting a rheumatology referral? Also might be worth asking GP to run a full blood panel, including thyroid and kidney function test.

It's very easy once you have a label of fibromyalgia for drs to blame every symptom on that presumed condition.

Good luck and I hope you feel better going forwards.