serenitybygrace

You might want to subscribe to the CFIDS Journal (Chronic Fatigue, Immune Dysfunction Syndrome). The Journal really kept me up to date on the latest treatments and other people's experiences.
I was diagnosed with both CFIDS and Fibromyalgiaback when doctors didn't believe it existed. I finally went to alternative medicine after going through physical therapy several times. I went to an Osteopath (DO) who practiced like a Naturopath, a chiropractor who did allergy treatments (NEAT as well as NMT (The Feingold Method). I also took Cymbalta for a while and then changed to Pristiq. I went through the worst of the symptoms for about 10 years. It was certainly no fun.

Lneal

My daughter has had many test done to rule out the possibility of other diseases. She does have thyroid problems ( which she takes meds for ) and had physical therapy for 5 months without showing any improvement. Her dr didn't realize it was fibromyalgia at the time of therapy. He put her on Cymbalta and her headaches became more severe. The ER doctor recently took some tests to make sure there were no tumors and told her the pain was muscle related. She has some stress in her life right now and I wondered if this could affect the intensity of the headaches.

barbs5

I was diagnosed 22 years ago. I have tried so many meds, and stayed away from many. I refuse to try the new meds, just out of fear of severe side effects. I have learned to deal with the pain, with mind over matter. I keep busy because laying in bed makes the aching and the depression worse. I use an exercise ball for stetching and try to walk. I was diagnosed/undiagnosed with rheumatoid arthrits last Dec. So far the specialists re-diagnosed me with fibro. It is a constant battle, but I try to go to my kids school to volunteer twice a week. It takes alot out of me, but I have to keep moving. Headaches are dealt with a homemade neck warmer (stuffed with rice) then I rub vicks on my temples, take 800 mg ibuprofen, close the blinds and try to sleep it off. Due to back/hip problems I sleep kneeling on the floor with my upper body on my bed. Strange?? Yes. Do what works, try crazy things, there are no real answers. Most of all don't give up, stay positive and stay as active as possible!! Good luck and God Bless

MAK'58

Sorry guys and dolls, I sympathize and thank God for everyday of my good health. Will pray for all of you that your
burdens be lifted. Keep on keeping on.

BarbM32

I have Fibro for several years. Really do not know when it started because I thought it was arthritis. I have been going to a Rheumatoligist since 1998 and he suggests doing what you feel like. Between the Fibro and the extreme arthritis there are times there are times I lay in bed. For the past few days it has been very difficult to walk. Needless to say, falling down is one of my biggest fears. I do fall probably once a month, need a hoist to get up.

Sheila_H

I'm the same way, DH gets on my case sometimes because my good days, I vacuum and mop floors, do laundry, run errands, and then pay for it by being almost crippled the next two days. I loose my balance sometimes and fall, I've taken some big falls. I do find that Lyrica does help and I haven't notice any side effects to the med. I push myself through the pain a lot of times because just giving up to the illness isn't in me. There are days when my depression is bad but those are the days I come on here and read through a lot of posts and it makes me happy.

IdahoSandy

Number one, get a second opinion as Dr. can be wrong. I had terrible migraines, started in my teens, continued until one Dr told me they were caused by harmone in balance, especially estragen. Just a thought.

irishrose

I was diagnosed in 1983. Headaches have not been a symptom for me, thank goodness. Headaches are so much harder to work around than body pain. Has your daughter been treated separately for migraines? I am finding a little relief from Lyrica, but I can only take a half dose if I want to stay upright. No side effects from a reduced dose. What helps? Chiropractic, supplements, hot baths, walking. Magnesium Malate from the natural food store is a Godsend. 6 a day when under attack, one a day for maintenence. Just magnesium and malic acid from apples, but it works wonders for me. It will stop a muscle spasm in its tracks. Of course if you take magnesium, then you need to balance it with calcium but that's not hard to do. Give your daughter a gentle hug from all of us who share her pain.

Ditter43

I have suffered with fibro for years. Fortunately headaches like you describe have not been a problem for me. I agree with getting her tested for Lyme disease. As Nicole said, they have many symptoms in common. Many people who have Lyme have been misdiagnosed with fibro.

From what I know of the two, I think I would rather have the fibromyalgia, though it is a terrible condition to live with too. I have taken many medications and combinations of medicines to finally keep mine somewhat controlled. That can take years. A good rheumatologist can be a big help. We are all different in symptoms and meds, so what works for one of us, doesn't necessarily work for someone else.

I wish her luck and pain free days.

She Who Sews

I know nothing about fibromyalgia but a bit about headaches--the 3 day migraines, the kind that when your husband walks across the carpet, the noise & vibration are excruciating. Thank the good Lord, I outgrew them. I know now after reading the book titled something like "Your body's many cries for water", that I could have helped myself part of the time. I'd advise anyone with any illness to drink at least the recommended 8 glasses of water a day (Coffee etal doesn't count as it makes you lose more water than you took in).