Could fibromyalgia be caused by the flu of the 1957 then called Asian flu?

[Demeb4dat]

I am new here but not to fibro.

I had put this in my profile, but maybe someone will see it having it here and tell me if one has the same.

I believe it started after the Asian flu in 1957, I was very sick, and I remember missing school for a long time.

My mother was sick at the same time and we both had leg pains for a very long after. I got back pain too following up to now.

Both my mother and hers had what seemed to be arthritis but I was only 13- 14 yo at the time. The doctor blamed my back and leg pain on me because I was fat........ family and school were telling me that I was lazy and hypochondriac. I had to keep my pains for me inside for so long.....

I had fibro dx in 2004 after years of searching and going through savage treatments, I never heard of fibromyalgia then, I thought that I had arthritis which is why I saw a rheumatologist he told me and my husband that I was not crazy it was a real invisible disease, hubby was sitting at the back of the examining table I was sitting on and the dr. lightly scratch along my spine it hurt a bit but to hubby's surprise he saw a large red bar on my back, the doc. said that for him this was a sign of fibromyalgia, not all patients react that way but for him, it's a sign, it is called dermographia.

I am lucky, my husband is my best ally he is the one to tell my family and friends if I am not feeling well and takes care of me, he is a wonderful companion. I keep away from friends and family except my own because I am tired to cancel activities and explaining why.

Tinnitus started in 2004 it came suddenly after a severe migraine attack, I used to have it with migraine but now it is constant and pulses with my heartbeat. The noise sounds like thousands of crickets in summer at the pond, the level differe but always there I joke saying the day they keep silent I will know that I am dead.

When I was younger, I dreamed of seeing hubby and I aging well but that was not counting on our health playing dirty tricks on us, he has a serious heart condition but now doing fine after having his ICD removed, we went through hell with that.

We are both in our 80's and doing better than many. But not as much as I want. We still have our home, we pay people for work we can not do anymore, this help.

Sorry for that long message

Themeb4.( me before that)

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

fmauk.org/history may help you but short answer is no. It may have caused some people diagnosis's

[Wobblygirl]

Good to read how you're coping...Your husband sounds such a wonderful companion. You're an example to follow...

Continue 2do what you're doing with treats of course...

Waving from Wx

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

You sound like a wonderful couple and I am glad he is such a lovely man and Looks out for you, I hope you find the forum helpful , reading posts, information and having a chat, yes years back Fibro I am guessing was not even heard of , medical knowledge has come a long way since then , you must have seen a lot of changes over the years. Some for the better and other things not, I have an older Sister{17yrs older)and I remember her leaving some single records behind of the Beatles ,I am she did , not my era of music but loved their iconic songs and generations still do. I am glad you are at home still and get help . Lovely too see a new member joining us xx

[Srasunmoon]

This is amazing. I was born in 1950 and hospitalized in '58 for three weeks for what we now know is fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue. I'm getting shivers just talking to you, someone who went through the same strange, lifelong ordeal. I remember the leg pains (growing pains was what I was told they were, kinder that the "too fat" explanation, but just as wrong!

I don't know if I had the flu prior to getting so sick back then. I too missed a lot of school. I know that this at least added to my introverted personality. I completely relate to the lack of sociability. How can I make plans when half the time (more really), I have to cancel because I'm too tired, too sick. I managed to have a professional life, but it was a slow motion juggling act just to get the naps in.

I too thought that I would have time to play more after retirement, but without energy my playing is mostly confined to my mind. I am certainly grateful for that. I am indeed grateful for books (audio when I'm too tired to keep my eyes open), streaming stations, social media (up to a point) and Google search.

We made it! We did have a life after all within the constraints of our uncooperative bodies. I also have a wonderful and supportive husband. We are lucky in that!

[fibo]

Nice to hear your story, I understand what you mean. I myself had Glandular fever 🤒 at 13 to 14yrs and have never had any energy since but only in the last 10yrs have I found out that I have chronic fatigue Syndrome as well as Fibromyalgia my husband looks after me take care 🙂

[Aka-Ice]

I was extremely fit healthy and active. In 2020 I got covid and I believe it was that that triggered my fibro so I can imagine that your flu will have triggered your fibro.