It has come out of nowhere - costochondritis on right side of my upper back that's never been this bad, joint pains, fatigue, foggy, so tired. All I did was sit in the bath!

I was just chilling in the bath this morning and halfway through - Bam, total pain. No new bath products, no reason for it whatsover. Now I am stuck on a chair with a heat pad though I am trying to keep mobile (it helps).

Not a discussion as such. There is no reason for it at all, just inflammatory markers kicking off again.

So, as I said, turns out the pain I've been having for 17 years now which I thought was from getting messed up in the army was almost certainly fibro. Recently been seeing more doctors, got a new PCP as my old one retired,and been seeing a spine specialist as I have damaged c5-7 discs in my neck causing additional issues. So they've been actually talking and collaborating, in addition they've been talking to colleagues who specialize in things like fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases and they've come to the conclusion that the back pain, which turned into hip pain, leg pain, knee pain, foot pain, and basically constant everywhere pain is that back in from when I was in the army and fell 30 feet causing hip issues and a year of physical therapy and meds upon meds upon meds was fibromyalgia. That initial severe physical trauma despite healing itself caused my nervous system to essentially freak the f*** out and thinking back that makes sense. For years I would go to doctors and tell them about my pain but because it was so generalized and everywhere they would offer me opiates or narcotics and when I said no they just assumed that there was nothing they could do. So they would just tell me to continue with Tylenol and ibuprofen and be on my Merry way. Which I did. Then in 2020 I was going on a deployment and had to get physically okayed to go. Thus began my journey of actually trying to figure out what was causing my lifelong pain. I don't know what any of this means or where we are going to go from here but it's nice to know. It's nice to suddenly have those dots connected for me when I've spent literally half my life in pain, from the age of 17 to 34 I have struggled day by day and no matter the amount of Tylenol, ibuprofen, steroids etc, nothing touched it until I found a doctor who suggested gabapentin, mixed with a billion other meds that we have changed, adjusted and increased.

Not really funny because holy crap it sucks but it's a step to getting my VA disability increased and hopefully it getting high enough to the point that when I have those really bad days (which of course j have a lot of) I can take a break and not worry about not being able to pay my bills.

I hope all of you have no flair ups today, and there is no rain to flair, that your ached are a little less today and your scalp doesn't hurt from having. Hair, that you can finally get to your itch today and all the other fibro symptoms that suck are just a little bit better today!

Not to be dramatic but omg the itchiness is driving me freaking crazy the past few days. EVERYWHERE ITCHES. Lotion helps for a few minutes but then it comes right back. I can't just slather myself in hydrocortisone cream. I can't take much benadryl (I get extremely irritable on it.) Hydroxizine doesn't help much either. I have no idea how to relieve it. I'm contemplating an oatmeal bath at this point.

in absolute agony this morning and can't even pick up my water bottle and all she's doing is getting stressed at me and saying I need to fight more as if its as easy as fighting. she says shit like "take painkillers" okay but they don't do anything. can she just stop with this shit, I'm already on antibiotics that are making me feel like shit. I don't know how hard it is to ask for some fucking sympathy and understanding. my mams so fake. she's also being like "well you have been up during the night all week" almost as if its because I've in pain and constantly nauseated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m having a hard time accepting the diagnosis. It’s been almost a year and I still believe there is something ”more serious” wrong with me, and the doctors have just given up.

Because I can’t accept the diagnosis (or maybe even being ill) I keep over-exerting myself and I don’t listen to my body, and then I can’t accept that that is the reason for my constant pain and fatique.

Does anyone else struggle with this? I know it’s a stupid problem, I am just really, really tired and feel like my body AND my mind are my enemies.

It’s like a full body sunburn with light bruising underneath, as if I was pushed down a hill in an operating tanning bed.

Sometimes, when I talk about my condition, I’m met with doubtful looks or comments like: “It’s all in your head” or “You just need to try harder.” While I understand not everyone knows about this illness, those comments can be very hurtful. I’m not “crazy,” nor am I exaggerating. I’m fighting a daily battle against something I can’t control.

I don’t need to be “fixed” or told what to do. What I truly need is understanding, patience, and support. Sometimes just listening without judgment can make a huge difference in my day.

How do you handle criticism or skepticism from people who don’t understand fibromyalgia?

Hey Everyone

I have a question about exercising for the people who workout consistently or have tried.

I am borderline 300lbs and 6ft 4inches. This body is a lot to carry around and I want to give exercise and eating right another go because I know me being lighter would mean less back, hip, ankle pain in the very least. The issue is that in the past when I've tried to do any sort of useful exercise, my body just feels weird halfway through.

Exertion(jogging/skipping) eventually makes me feel light-headed and I get a strange weak feeling in my limbs when I lift weights beyond a couple light/medium sets. I used to really enjoy being active but since Fibro it's been a struggle. I wanna get back there.

Is this a normal thing? Is it just that I'm really big now and because my body is working harder to exist, I'm a mess when I try? Would I be screwing up if I push myself and ignore the odd feelings(outside of the risk of a flare)?

Also, how do you realistically battle hydration? Those IV packs are pretty unsustainable for me to buy and use every day. I've been trying fresh coconut water but that gets expensive too. I try drinking an absurd amount of water, but then I just end up peeing so much it becomes annoying, especially in the night.

I WISH glp1s were available in my country because in addition to weight-loss, I've seen fibro people say that it helps with everything.

Please give me your tips, tricks etc for how you manage your wellness.

My rheumatologist and I discussed rx such as cymbalta and I declined for now because of the potential side effects and working on other med adjustments, but I am wondering if a muscle relaxant would be beneficial to have on hand to be used prn. I am thinking of the occasional knots that I get in my neck and back and foot and leg cramps that don’t seem to respond to magnesium. I am 57F diagnosed in October 2024 with a long standing Hashimoto’s comorbidity that has flared this winter. Would anyone care to share their experiences, positive and negative?

My stiffness is soooo bad in the morning I can hardly bend over or twist to reach things!

I'm trying to think of ways to prevent morning stiffness besides heat, massage, etc.

Does anyone notice diet changes or adding supplements relieving stiffness?

lately my nerve pain has been feeling sharp rather than its usual dull pain. what’s going on? has anyone else experienced this?

my dull pain just grows and grows and grows until im immobilized, but as of late, ill move wrong and SHARP venomous pain will shoot up my nerves around jointed areas. lately its been my knee if i turn too weird. this morning i woke up with sharp pain in my elbow, i must’ve slept on it funny.

im not arthritic. they tested me for rheumatoid arthritis already. and it came back negative

what do i do? i have a knee brace which helps it from twisting in ways that trigger the pain. but aside from that i feel so frustrated with these new symptoms

I have a 5k that I want to do this year, I already registered, paid, and I did it a few years ago so my time data will be tracked and compared.

I'm a sucker for solid comparison data like this, especially when they do the side by side and breakdowns for me. They even timestamp a video of when I cross the finish line to I can visually compare to last time.

The main problem is evident. I have Fibro, and cold is my major trigger so I haven't done any prep over the winter, my steps averaged about 3k a day.

So it's on May 3rd, today is April 6th. How can I try to prepare for this without doing more harm than good? I know I'll probably be down for a couple days after, and I should take it easy for a few days before hand.

But it seems like the research for "simple" bodies is to do one day on, and one day off. Progress slightly one week over another, with a measured weekly up, down, stable pattern.

Does anyone else have an exercise system that works for them? That patterns feels intense to me, but maybe that's to avoid atrophy? I'm hopeful my diagnosis will help me actually piece together a plan somehow

Edit to add: while I am also looking to lose weight, I'm mainly talking about activity levels here

I need recommendations as far as the most comfortable options for a camping mattress or sleeping pad. I find the blow up air mattresses really awkward and they often deflate.

I’ve been diagnosed a few weeks ago with Fibro after 9 months of fatigue and pain. After eliminating everything with other specialists I saw the rheumatologist, and was shocked to have it swiftly diagnosed. (I had read sometimes it was a battle to be heard/taken seriously by some medics and felt sure I would be brushed off with “it’s a post viral fatigue” line. So I’d arrived with my genuine & long list of symptoms.) When I look at it now of course I have Fibro ( but hey i don’t have a medical degree so how was I to know.)

I’m now sort of figuring things out, mostly using Reddit 🤷‍♀️ because as much as I love the NHS - I haven’t been given another appointment with rheumatology. So I wonder can I ask if people could share with me their experiences? I’m wanting accounts of once you have a diagnosis, rather than your path to a Fibro diagnosis. I’m interested in knowing what you’ve done to get into a better place with your Fibro symptoms- is it exercise, physio, CBT? Having been unable to work for 9months now I’d love to know how to get back to work, honest accounts welcomed as I work in retail. I know every journey is so different and individual, but I’m hoping to understand some things I might encounter. I feel confused with what to expect atm. I’d especially love to hear from UK based people as I think there are some niche things with NHS and government help. I’m just trying to get a perspective that isn’t simply “Lynn’s story” fed to me by the NHS leaflet - since I can’t afford acupuncture, a personal instructor or a “treat myself”massage 🤣 thanks in advance for any info

Hi all.

Haven't posted in a while but I've managed to get a referral to a private rheumatologist (UK) and my appointment is tomorrow evening.

This all stemmed from being given Baclofen by a private GP only to have it refused by the NHS as a repeat. The meds gave me near enough 100% relief with no other pain management intervention. I came off amitryptaline due to it interacting with baclofen and making my super drowsy. I've also noticed/learned that I don't need to take Baclofen all day everyday and can keep it for evenings/weekends, when not working to be more alert.

Anyway, the private GP referred me and my app is tomorrow. I'm not sure what to expect as I've had Fibromyalgia for my whole life (38 now) and never had any proper medical support. I've just dealt with it but I've had enough of coping and want to try things to help my situation.

What should I ask? I get that they'll want an overview of my case which is could reel off easily but is there any key info I should hone in on? I have other health complaints so appreciate I might need to be specific to Fibro related issues.

Every part of my body hurts. My fingertips, my nail beds, my forearms, back, low back, knees, calves, ankles, toes, even my teeth. I’ve had a screaming headache all day. OTCs aren’t doing anything, I’ve taken a hot shower and an epsom salt bath. I’ve been lying in the dark most of the day. Couldn’t sleep last night.

I’m in between rheumatologists right now, I won’t see my new one until May. If anyone has pain management suggestions please let me know.

I am just wondering if anyone else here has scoliosis and hypermobility issues? My back is so fucked up, I have a 30 degree lumbar curve that goes into my right hip, and also a slipped vertebrae (??) that I am going to a specialist to get checked out next week. I am hypothesising that this slipped part in the middle of my back is the cause of a lot of my right hip pain. Its hard because my muscles can be so tight, but my joints can be so loose at the same time? What are your experiences with this?

So, it's another night of constant waking and moving around because of the pain, until 6am where I have just decided to get up, give in and take pain killers because I'm exhausted and in agony.

My hips hurt, my knees and ankles, my shoulders, my arms, elbows, fingers and knuckles all hurt. My back top to bottom, my neck, my ribs, even my God damn butt cheek hurts. Why??? I have no idea!!! But it feels like I've been hit by a car, but all I did was try to go to sleep.

I don't like having to take pain killers at night, or anytime of the day, but I'm having to a lot more now at night just to be able to sleep.

I don't know what to do, my GP won't prescribe medication, and I've been on a waiting list for a specialist pain clinic for over a year now.

Is there anything anyone can recommend to help me sleep? I have to be careful with heated things as I also have no body temperature regulation and the slightest bit of warmth sometimes and I'm sweating profusely lol.

So, over the last few years (10+ yrs) I've been passed around from Dr to physio to specialist because I've been in all over body pain, fatigued, foggy and various other symptoms, and finally people started listening to me and I started to get somewhere. But I've recently been told that it's Dr's who now diagnose and they gave me a Fibro diagnostic Worksheet. My mum has Fibro and I've been to quite a few appointments with her and spoken to a few other people with Fibro, and I've never heard of this, is this a new thing please?

Finally back to my baseline of pain 🥲

I’ve been in a flare for the last 9 days. Crying everyday, can’t do anything besides lay down in pain BUT got a massage yesterday and it was the closest to pain free I’ve been in those 9 days and I’m still feeling like myself with my baseline level of pain of a 2-3 instead of being at a 8-9

So grateful I get to clean my house today and cook myself a nutritious meal today 😊 celebrating my wins today

I was prescribed Sertraline for PND back in January. My pain was pretty horrific but I sort of just accepted it. Once the Sertraline had kicked in and I was mentally a lot better, I saw my GP for the pain who switched me to Duloxetine/Cymbalta. I've been on it for around 2 weeks. I was told after 2 week to up the amount from 1 tablet a day to 2. However, I've noticed that my mouth and throat are killing me. My mouth is all wrinkly inside. I have mouth ulcers forming. My tongue feels sore and swollen and I now have one swollen gland. Swallowing even water os very uncomfortable. Should I switch back to Sertraline? I'm not sure if the mouth stuff is the meds or because I'm very very run down. I'm working full time. Have an infant and a toddler. My job is very stressful at the moment. I do the majority of the cleaning and cooking. Weaning to solids is all on me (please don't hate on my hubby. He DOES do loads it's just that I like things done YESTERDAY and CORRECTLY). I'm seeing my GP next week for my latest blood test results and plan to raise it then. I'm just not sure i can do this for another week. If I go back to Sertraline, will the effects be really bad? Should I go to Put of Hours? (I'm in UK). I cant seem to think straight or make any real decisions. I've spent most of my life in pain so it sort of screws with your perspective of what's serious and what isn't. Sorry for rambling. If anyone can make sense of what this post is... cheers!

I have a very interesting observation that my mom brought up earlier today. She (50- diagnosed Lupus) and I (29- diagnosed fibro) have noticed that when we leave town/travel to other states or even other cities that our pain overall improves.

Now. Our town is ~3300-3500ft above sea level, but when we visited places with altitude closer to sea level we improve. When I visited Japan that sits ~300-350ft above sea level I felt FANTASTIC. My usual 6 was a 3 or 4 even AFTER running around a large city for hours.

Has anyone else experienced this? Or is it a coincidence because we're too distracted having fun?

I'm not sure what to do.. I have been gaining weight ever since I was put on Pregabalin but can't come off of it as it's one of the only things offering pain relief for the additional nerve pain I experience following a surgery I had in 2023. My diet hasn't changed, I don't even eat a lot because I don't get very hungry and I'm still gaining weight, which is also causing horrid stretch marks on my abdominal region. I do struggle to do consistent exercise but I'm trying and I'm also trying to improve my sleep with the assistant of my pain specialist. Does anyone have any suggestions that they have found worked for them when you need to be on a certain medication but also need to try and shift some weight? I'm worried I'm not going to fit into my clothes anymore shortly and I can't afford to just buy clothes all the time will all of my current medical expenses.

I'm sitting in bed, getting super frustrated at how beautiful it is outside today. How do y'all balance getting outside with pain management?

I'm tempted to pop approximately a zillion mg of acetaminophen and go for a walk to the park down the street anyway but I know I'll regret the walk back up the ridiculous Seattle hill lol. I have a small patio but it gets full sun, I'll probably go sit out there once the sun falls a little bit.