I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1988. Recently I went back to college to change careers. Imagine my surprise to hear my instructor tell our class of student nurses that fibromyalgia is not a real illness; it is a psychosomatic disorder. I tried to tell her differently, but she would not believe otherwise. So try telling that to my aches, pains, sleep disorders, and chronic fatigue...LOL! I'm now 55 years old. The best treatment I've found for myself is light exercise and a balanced diet. The exercise is the last thing a sufferer wants to do. But, I'm telling you it worked for me.

About 10 years ago, I was recovering from a virus (which may or may not be applicable) and just couldn't seem to start feeling better. I had started to feel achy *after* the virus and it culminated in a day of pain that I can only describe as having been in a car wreck - that's the type of muscle pain I was having. After that initial bout which lasted several weeks, the pain settled into my shoulders, neck, lower back and hips. I finally went to the doctor because the pain in my hips became so severe I was convinced I had bone cancer. During the exam, the doctor pressed on the areas I've later learned are the pressure points. There was only 1 pair of pressure points in which I didn't feel distress when he pressed on them. After ruling out RA, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

My very first symptoms were pain in my lower back hurt and then in my wrists, which made me think I had carpal tunnel. Then my shoulders and neck started to hurt. The pain got so bad I ended up in the ER pleading for the pain to stop. I was started on Lyrica, Cymbalta, muscle relaxers and Amitriptyline for my constant insommina. If I got 3-4 hours of on and off sleep a night, it was a good night. When I was in the hospital I was lucky to sleep 1-2 hours total the whole day. Now I am on Lexapro since the Cymbalta was dropping my b/p too far and I am on Savella since the Lyrica was not helping with the pain. The pain is a little better but not by much. Some days I just don't want this pain anymore and would do almost anything to get rid of it. I had 2 children by c-section, gallbladder and gastric bypass surgery - all were relatively pain free compared to this. I have never had so much pain in my life.

I have extreme pain in my upper arms and thighs as well as osteoarthritis. I went to the doctor as I had trouble lifting my arms. I was sent to see a consultant who diagnosed fibromyalgia.

I now have fibromyalgia I refused to take medication for the fibromyalgia. My doctor recommended daily exercise, and stressed the importance of getting enough sleep. He was right. When I don't sleep well, the pain is almost more than I can tolerate. I would rather suffer with some very painful days, than take medications that very well might damage my kidneys, liver or who knows what.

My pain started when I fell at work and hurt my neck. I had pain in my neck and shoulders. What has helped me is many things combined. First, I lowered my stress. Anything that I thought would stress me, I avoided. My wife helped me a lot. Second, I started taking Cymbalta for the pain. Third, I stretched every muscle, every which way I could five times a week for about an hour a day. I have been a very active person all my life and I really believe that fibromyalgia is a combination of stress and over exercising. I have not exercised besides the stretching for over three months and I look and feel a lot better. I believe a muscle imbalance leads to some of this as well as overly dense muscles.

I was in a car accident in 1999. Back surgery for ruptured discs failed. Pain in neck, back, chest, hands, hips, knees, and elbows. Headache, I take Prevacid every day for IBS. Pain meds and antidepressants help take away some of the pain. Acupuncture and aqua therapy helped, but had to stop when I went back to work. Always tired and achy. I am thankful my condition was eventually diagnosed and given a name. Quite a few "former" doctors indicated it was all in my head. My internal barometer can predict the weather better than most meteorologists.