New member

[anniepoohpisey]

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few months ago. Prior to that time, I had been diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy following an injury I had to my leg. My family and I went through a few years of trying to deal with the RSD, and we were frustrated when it seemed as though the RSD was spreading throughout my entire body. After having been to 2 different Neurologists that tried to treat the RSD, a doctor that specializes in Pain Management correctly diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia, as I said that was just a couple of months ago.

I have not had much time to get information on this condition due to the fact that my husband just retired from the Army and we have been in transit. I have tried to manage the pain and various symptoms while traveling with no success. It was not until just this morning that I have been able to sit down and go online to get some information. I do not have a doctor as of yet because as I mentioned, we have been in transit and have not acquired a permanent doctor yet.

Reading what I have found about Fibromyalgia makes so many things that I have experienced over the past couple of years FINALLY make some sense, but now I am overwhelmed on where to start first in trying to get this condition under control so I can start to live some sort of a normal life again. I really want to go back to work sometime, however, until I can get these symptoms under control it is unrealistic for me to try to work at this time.

Does anyone who has already fought this battle have any suggestions for me on where to start? As I said, I am so overwhelmed with the pain, depression, and other symptoms (IBS, Restless Leg Syndrome etc...) and now all of this new information, that I do not know where to start first. I have gotten information on diet and exercise (just got the information this morning online) and am in the process of trying to find a doctor, but any tips that anyone could give would be greatly appreciated.

[LMbaseballmom]

I was diagnosed two weeks ago and like you, I did not know where to start. I went to my local Borders book store and picked up a book called " a Patient-Expert walks you through everything you need to learn & do THE FIRST YEAR Fibromyalgia an essential Guide for the newly Diagnosed. written by Claudia Craig Marek. So far this book has been very helpful, in giving me different meds to try and different diets to eat and different types of excerises. The Author actually has Fibro herself so she talks about what has and has not helped her and others. I have found that other symptoms I am having may actually be part of the fibro and need to talk to the doctor. I hope this will help you as much as it did for me. Although I am still looking for any suggestions that someelse has to offer as well because I have to have just been diagnosed I am trying to get all info, and talk to others like me always in PAIN and have put my life in a dramatic change.

[anniepoohpisey]

LMbaseballmom,

Thank-you for the information about the book, I will look to see if I can find it locally. Although I just recently got diagnosed, I have had the symptoms and effects of Fibro for a few years now, and I understand what you are saying, it sure does make a person make changes in their life. Having had a real bad experience while being treated for RSD (which I did not have) I want to do everything I can to get the proper care that works for me with this condition. Again, thank-you.

PS

I hope I am responding to your post in the right area, this is the first response I have posted so if it ends up someplace it shouldn't, sorry.

[LMbaseballmom]

This is all new to me too. This is the first time I have been in a chat forum

. I needed to talk to someone who can relate to what I am feeling. I started getting headaches about five years ago which no doctor could tell me why I had them, in and out of the hospital, then in the last year i slowly started getting new symptoms until I could no longer work.

So now I am trying to find ways that others like me have found to ease some of the pain and help you sleep and others. The best thing I have found that eases the pain a little is a hot corn bag.

[the-cats-whiskers]

it took years for me to be correctly diagnosed i was a nurse for the mentally handicapped and was attacked at work this resulted in the illness i have now fibromyalgia but it took years for me to be diagnosed properly but there is hope as i was in a wheelchair for quite a few years and now ive fought back and can walk through determination but it doesnt stop the pain x