I too have been diagnosed with this life altering disease. The sad part is, it causes so much pain and disability but my doctor says it is not grounds to place me on disability. I am in trouble at work now and I have been sick with no pay. I don't know how long I have had this but a recent operation made the symptoms that much worse, after having a hysterectomy the nurse attempted to make me walk and after standing up my whole body began to shake. I fell back onto the bed and burst into tears, it was as if my body went into shock. I understand the person who commented about the dr suggesting exercise but the pain keeps you from doing anything I have just started walking on my treadmill 2 months ago before I could not bear it. I wish that the health industry would recognize this as a real life altering disease.

I have just recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have from moderate to severe pain in most parts of my body, been tested for a lot of things and all came back ok. I have had a lot of stomach pain, the doctors have told me that this could have been brought on from my car wreck two and half years ago, that had crushed my leg. I am now taking cymbalta for depression and fibromyalgia. They tell me exercise but I hurt so bad I don't want to do anything. I have to make myself get out of bed.

Hello, I have just been diagnosed with FMS. I have had all over body pain for years. I have recently gone through chemotherapy for breast cancer since then it has got more painful. My inner elbows are very tender. I have very bad pins and needles in my feet and hands. I even had an operation for carpal tunnel on one hand with no improvement. I have a degenerative disc in my spine and neck, which adds to the pain. My legs feel like jelly most of the time and I find it hard to walk without a stick especially outdoors. My medication is amitriptyline, and painkillers. It is such a debilitating illness, some days are worse than others. Sometimes I cannot get myself out of bed I'm in such pain, so I sleep until I improve. This week the pain is worse in my feet so I'm shuffling along. I'm now looking to find a group to go, to share thoughts on this illness. PS I did heavy lifting when young, and I had 3 children and a very stressful marriage perhaps it has something to do why I have FMS.

After several years of fighting with the pain I was finally diagnosed seven weeks ago with fibromyalgia. I am currently taking Cymbalta daily and Flexeril and melatonin at night. It is a daily struggle at times but I am trying to remain positive and push onward even when I don't feel like I have it in me. Learning to relax has been hard for me since I have always been on the move and am only 44. I try to surround myself with positive and happy people and talk when I feel like I am losing my mind. If you think you have FMS please seek out a good rheumatologist. The orthopedic surgeons I was seeing made me feel as if I was crazy. Be persistent and be patient. Don't let them stress you out because it could possibly aggravate your symptoms. And remember, YOU are NOT alone and YOU ARE NOT CRAZY.

Trazadone has helped with sleep. Good sleep has amazing beneficial results. Also exercise. The more my body moves the better it feels.

I am much like the rest of you. I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist in June. My younger sister was diagnosed in the early 90's. It is very hard to understand the pain and mental fog that fibro patients go thru until you experience it yourself. I have been blessed with a doctor that has empathy and cares and understands. My symptoms began in later teens and did not have major pain until two years ago. Fibro is a cyclical disease with symptoms that run in cycles. Than you reach a point where it turns to an active disease and your life is forever changed.

I was diagnosed in 1989. This is what I've observed helps for me with this illness: Antidepressants helped in the beginning. Acupressure definitely helped as well as massage and perhaps acupuncture. Walking and especially swimming help a lot. As does yoga and Tai Chi.