Curious - How Many People Have Fibromyaglia Here?

[OUCHitis]

Doc told me IC is very common with Fibromyalgia which I was diagnosed with 6 yrs ago (and had it MUCH longer before I was properly diagnosed).
Just was wondering if anyone else had it here and if they were told the same thing? Thanks! HUGS

[ihurttoo]

I have Fibro too. Your Dr. was right...alot of ICers have Fibro. The percentage of IC patients with it is much higher than in the general population. In fact, in Dr. Robert Moldwin's book "The IC Survival Guide", he wrote a chapter about co-existing diseases and syndromes. In it, he mentioned Fibro, Endo, Depression, Anxiety, Auto-immune Diseases, Vulvadynia, Vulvar Vestibultis, and several others that occur much more frequently in ICers than in the general population. (Pretty much all the diseases in my signature. )

Sorry to hear you have it too. But, the good news is that lots of the meds that help IC help Fibro and vice-versa. The things that help me the most with my Fibro are: lots of sleep, rest when needed, excersize (but not too hard), muscle relaxors (Zanflex), Arthretec (Cytotec + and an NSIAD), and Lidocaine 5% patches that I cut in strips and place over the painful areas to numb them. I am also on pain meds now for my Bladder, and they certainly help with Fibro symptoms too. But, since it took me over 5 yrs to get them, I had to find other ways to manage until then, and though I had trouble managing my bladder, my Fibro was well controlled for the most part with the above.

For me, certain things send my Fibro into a tailspin. I have learned to watch these triggers and try to avoid them at all costs. They are different for everyone but, these are pretty common for all Fibro patients: any excertion beyond normal. By this I mean, that used to, when I had a good day, I would try to clean the house from top to bottom and do yardwork, etc. But, I have learned that when I do things like that, I will pay for it for days to come, and sometimes for a week, by aching all over and being in Fibro hell. So, now I dont do that. Instead, I try to do a little each day instead of doing big projects at one time. Like today, I might vaccum and dust. But, if I do that, I wont weed the flowerbed. I never do 2 physically taxing things in the same day. Also, if I miss sleep and have an appt. I used to try to suck it up and go. Now, I dont. Now, I cancel the appt and sleep, b/c if I dont, I will suffer all week.

I hope that you find what works for you too! Sorry to hear of your d/x.

Hope this helps!

Hugs,
Amy

[Sarojini]

I have it too

[mrsfudd]

Hi Ouchitis..yes,, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia years ago and now have been joined by IBSc and IC. What a dance to figure diet!!!! You are not alone.

[ngazerro]

I was dx with IC in Jan 07, after years of trying to find out what was wrong with me. Last month dx with PFD, and now they think I have Fibromyalgia. I ache all over ( my ankle, wrist, back, knees). Sometimes it feels like someone is poking me with a hot iron. I feel great when I go for a walk, but when I walk too much I really hurt the next day or that night. I also feel tired all the time. I was having trouble sleeping but the uro put me on Zanaflex for the PFD and they help me sleep at night. Who knows just something else to add to the list..

[radstudent]

I too have been told I have fibro although was never given anything for it. I did go to a massage therapist for a couple of years until I started working unbelievable hours in radiology. I no longer work, but haven't started going back to the massage therapist. I did go to physical therapy for a while which really helped. Unfortunately my pt moved and they are not going to replace her.

[Trishann]

I have never been diagnosed with fibro., but the way I feel sometimes as if a truck ran me over again and again and the aches and pain, I can almost bet you that this is my problem.

Sending hugs, Trishann

[JanL]

I too have IC, IBS, PFD, VV, and fibro. What a depressing list. I am coping, but there are definitely good days and bad days. I have found that getting up and doing some movement does help.
Janice

[PurpleKitty]

I too have IC, IBS, PFD and Fibro & Lupus.

[Berkshire Road]

I would venture a guess that this list will become very long, very quickly! It seems like practically everyone here has fibro (aren't we a lucky group?). Anyway, count me in!

[mary124]

I haven't offically been dx with it, but my sister, who has it, pressed on the trigger points on my body, and out of 18, I have 16 at last count. So she said I might as well have it. She told me next time I go to the doctor mentioned this to him, but I don't really want to add another illness to my list that is already long.

[GriffsMommy]

I know what you mean Mary. I have been getting really sore ALL the time lately. I mentioned it in a post and a couple of people brough up Fibro. Because it seems so common amoung us w/ IC I wouldn't be surprised but I'm kinda afraid to even ask a dr what they think. I don't want to have anything else wrong with me so I guess I'll just watch and see how it goes.

[Kara29]

You can add me to the list of Fibro patients here. I am seeing a physical therapist once a week and I also take Flexeril. I see a tiny bit of improvement. I also take small walks and warm showers. There are times when it's so bad I can't sleep. I have it mostly in my neck and shoulders and sometimes in my knees.

I have IC, Fibor, Endometriosis, PNE, Vulvovestibulitis, Celiac Disease........I think I have everything listed in my Signature. I don't have IBS (SOOO Thankful for that!)

Kara

[SandyRN]

I've got it too, along with myofascial pain syndrome and chronic fatigue.

[blondie45]

Fibro

Also on the list for fibro along with IC and IBS.