It all started when I was seeing the physical therapist after I had surgery on my arm. I was tired all the time, had trouble sleeping and my entire body felt like it had been hit by a Mack truck. This wasn't new because I always feel that way. I can't remember the last time I had a decent night's sleep and everyone told me I had Crohn's arthritis which accounted for the pain.
I told my therapist I was feeling tired, overwhelmed and generally miserable. I figured that since my Crohn's was in remission shouldn't the arthritis be in remission, too? So I asked her. She had me sit on the table with my legs dangling down while she went around to my backside and started poking me in the shoulder, the arm, the neck and various other places. She poked me hard and it was NOT comfortable. In fact, it was extremely painful and she's lucky I didn't smack her.
"Fibromyalgia," she said.
"Is it real?" I asked. I had heard about it, but hadn't done any in-depth research on it. Besides, wasn't Fibromyalgia one of those dumping diagnosis where they put hypochondriacs? Like Irritable Bowel?
"Well, it isn't very scientific the way we diagnose it. There are several trigger points on the body that when 4 pounds of pressure is applied cause pain. Obviously, you have pain. " She hemmed and hawed. "How do you sleep?"
"Not well."
"You have to sleep. That's when you body repairs itself. You need to contact your doctor so you can get started on a sleep regimen. You have no idea how important this is."
That was three weeks ago and I still haven't contacted my doctor. Having Crohn's means I'm on a ton of medication anyway so I doubt I will ever add more. Especially pain medication. I can't take any of the anti-inflammatories due to Crohn's and won't take any opiates so that leaves me to struggle on my own.
Still, I did go searching. I found FMAware and then I read the symptoms.
FINALLY! I let out a scream.SOMEBODY got what I was going through. The deep stabbing pain in my bones that hurt so bad was described by someone other than me! I thought it was just me, just Crohn's, just arthritis. My God, that pain is unthinkable and I have lived with it for years.
I read on...
The sensitivity to light, to sound and to the fog in my brain. The overwhelming fatigue that sometimes has me falling asleep over my computer was not just me, but something else. Fibromyalgia--it has a name. But is it real?
It took me years to come to grips with Crohn's, so I expect it will take me some time to come to grips with something as surreal as Fibromyalgia. I mean, come on, there isn't even a blood test. Yet. The symptoms describe me and Fibro is often associated with Crohn's disease.
And so, that leads me right back to where I started. I know I need to call my doc, but really, what can she do for me? I think I will sit on it for awhile and continue to work on my next novel, Innocent Blood. One thing I have to say is there is great relief in having someone else describe what you are feeling. No one I know has ever had that deep stabbing bone pain that walks in my shadow. Until now.
Thanks for dropping by.
Symptoms
Chronic widespread body pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. Most people with fibromyalgia also experience moderate to extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, sensitivity to touch, light, and sound, and cognitive difficulties. Many individuals also experience a number of other symptoms and overlapping conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, lupus and arthritis.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.
I told my therapist I was feeling tired, overwhelmed and generally miserable. I figured that since my Crohn's was in remission shouldn't the arthritis be in remission, too? So I asked her. She had me sit on the table with my legs dangling down while she went around to my backside and started poking me in the shoulder, the arm, the neck and various other places. She poked me hard and it was NOT comfortable. In fact, it was extremely painful and she's lucky I didn't smack her.
"Fibromyalgia," she said.
"Is it real?" I asked. I had heard about it, but hadn't done any in-depth research on it. Besides, wasn't Fibromyalgia one of those dumping diagnosis where they put hypochondriacs? Like Irritable Bowel?
"Well, it isn't very scientific the way we diagnose it. There are several trigger points on the body that when 4 pounds of pressure is applied cause pain. Obviously, you have pain. " She hemmed and hawed. "How do you sleep?"
"Not well."
"You have to sleep. That's when you body repairs itself. You need to contact your doctor so you can get started on a sleep regimen. You have no idea how important this is."
That was three weeks ago and I still haven't contacted my doctor. Having Crohn's means I'm on a ton of medication anyway so I doubt I will ever add more. Especially pain medication. I can't take any of the anti-inflammatories due to Crohn's and won't take any opiates so that leaves me to struggle on my own.
Still, I did go searching. I found FMAware and then I read the symptoms.
FINALLY! I let out a scream.SOMEBODY got what I was going through. The deep stabbing pain in my bones that hurt so bad was described by someone other than me! I thought it was just me, just Crohn's, just arthritis. My God, that pain is unthinkable and I have lived with it for years.
I read on...
The sensitivity to light, to sound and to the fog in my brain. The overwhelming fatigue that sometimes has me falling asleep over my computer was not just me, but something else. Fibromyalgia--it has a name. But is it real?
It took me years to come to grips with Crohn's, so I expect it will take me some time to come to grips with something as surreal as Fibromyalgia. I mean, come on, there isn't even a blood test. Yet. The symptoms describe me and Fibro is often associated with Crohn's disease.
And so, that leads me right back to where I started. I know I need to call my doc, but really, what can she do for me? I think I will sit on it for awhile and continue to work on my next novel, Innocent Blood. One thing I have to say is there is great relief in having someone else describe what you are feeling. No one I know has ever had that deep stabbing bone pain that walks in my shadow. Until now.
Thanks for dropping by.
Symptoms
Chronic widespread body pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. Most people with fibromyalgia also experience moderate to extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, sensitivity to touch, light, and sound, and cognitive difficulties. Many individuals also experience a number of other symptoms and overlapping conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, lupus and arthritis.
- Pain
The pain of fibromyalgia is profound, chronic and widespread. It can migrate to all parts of the body and vary in intensity. FM pain has been described as stabbing and shooting pain and deep muscular aching, throbbing, and twitching. Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling, and burning are often present and add to the discomfort of the patient. The severity of the pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning. Aggravating factors that affect pain include cold/humid weather, non-restorative sleep, physical and mental fatigue, excessive physical activity, physical inactivity, anxiety and stress. - Fatigue
In today's world many people complain of fatigue; however, the fatigue of FM is much more than being tired after a particularly busy day or after a sleepless night. The fatigue of FM is an all-encompassing exhaustion that can interfere with occupational, personal, social or educational activities. Symptoms include profound exhaustion and poor stamina - Sleep problems
- Many fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder that prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep. Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities in the Stage 4 deep sleep of FM patients. During sleep, individuals with FM are constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity, limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.
- Other symptoms/overlapping conditions
Additional symptoms may include: irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, Raynaud's Syndrome, neurological symptoms, and impaired coordination.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.
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