Fibromyalgia -symptoms?

[kima]

I did a search and discovered that quite a few people here have fibromyalgia. :(


I am very sorry so many are suffering with this but also pleased to read that you all seem to lead happy, fulfilling lives despite the challenges you face.

Can you tell me a bit about the symptoms you had in the beginning that led you to seek medical help?

This is not for me but for someone I am close to.
TIA.

[LakeMartinGal]

I don't have it, but DD is pretty sure that she does. There are good websites to detail symptoms, but the ones she's mentioned are muscle sore-spots in defined places, feelings of malaise (which could be vitamin D deficiency), and depression. It's pretty mean syndrome, and not one to be taken lightly, though there are a lot of medical people out there who think that it's imaginary!:rolleyes::mad:

[kima]

Thanks Kay.

It is my daughter that I am very worried about.
I have read sites detailing the symptoms and my DD has almost all of them.

She is seeing a neurologist first but I suspect he/she will pass her on to someone else-perhaps a rheumatologist?

I hope your DD recovers. They may be grown up but they are still our babies. :(:(

[LakeMartinGal]

DD has been to several doctors in Ohio, but it wasn't until she came to Alabama that she's found actual relief!

She was found to have dysautonomia, which is similar in symptoms to mitral valve prolapse, so that's been part of it, as well as a little sleep apnea. She takes a low-dose anti-depressant, Provigil (this has been a godsend -- really boosts her energy level) and vitamin D. I should make it clear that the rheumatologist has not actually diagnosed the fibromyalgia yet, but we're sure he will soon. I just can't get over the difference all her meds have made, but by far the most dramatic was the vitamin D!

Hope your DD finds someone to really listen -- I don't know what it is with docs who think your ills are all in your head! Maybe they're not like that in Canada!;)

[kima]

I am glad your daughter has found some meds that help her.

Shocking for me to say ;) but Canadian doctors are probably no different- we shall see.

My DD has started taking Vit.D for a whole bunch of reasons-hope it helps.

I just want her to be her old self again.

I feel so helpless right now.

[LakeMartinGal]

I just want her to be her old self again.

I feel so helpless right now.This is exactly the way I felt! DD was jobless, living in our condo in Ohio, and trying to learn her new field without any instruction... Nothing seemed to be working for her! Finally, she decided to go back to school (online) and asked if she could move down here with us. She had graduated from college about 8 years before, and couldn't find/keep meaningful work -- she was just so exhausted all the time! So we found some great doctors -- a GP who was recommended to us because she's thorough, and the rheumatologist DH goes to. She was relieved just to be believed about her symptoms!

I forget how old your DD is, or whether she's in a similar place in life to mine, but I sure know what you mean about wanting her to be her old self! Hopefully, she will react to the D as well as mine has -- she took 50,000 units a week for 8 weeks, and now takes an over-the-counter amount of 1000 units a day to keep the level. It was a dramatic improvement, as was the Provigil! It's so hard when your babies are not doing well! I feel your pain -- really!:)

[kima]

50,000 units a week! My DD (under mum's orders) is talkng 1000. I gather a doctor told your DD to take that large amount?

My DD lives on her own, works full time and is a very independent person. She has been feeling rotten for about 6 weeks but didn't want to worry us so told us only a few days ago. She is 27.

We are hoping it is just a virus but my gut tells me it is something more than that.
My first reaction was of complete panic- I pictured her unable to work etc. I feel slightly more hopeful that she can get help and lead a normal life even if she is diagnosed with fibro.We will support her in every way possible.

My daughters have had perfect health all their lives so I have not deal with serious health issues before. I am a complete wimp when it comes to those two huge pieces of my heart walking on this earth.
It can take awhile to get into see specialists here so we may have a bit of a wait ahead of us. :(:(
Again I am so happy your daughter is doing better. I hope good things continue to happen for her- she is blessed with wonderful parents that's for sure.

[LakeMartinGal]

50,000 units a week! My DD (under mum's orders) is talkng 1000. I gather a doctor told your DD to take that large amount?

Again I am so happy your daughter is doing better. I hope good things continue to happen for her- she is blessed with wonderful parents that's for sure.
She had a prescription for the 50,000 units. Can your DD get a blood test to determine vitamin D level from her GP? Perhaps that would be a place to start. We have over-the-counter pills for 1000 units and 400 units, but anything more than that is by prescription only.

We are very relieved about DD's improvement. I hope your DD improves soon, too -- and that it's not fibromyalgia or anything more serious than a vitamin D deficiency!;)