My name is Jeanne and I started with degenerative c-spine problems after a car accident. I was about 36 at the time and some time later, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. 

As a child, I had several knee operations in Boston, and of course I developed arthritis.  I am now 67 and the osteoarthritis goes from my c-spine, shoulders, wrists, hands ( which are so deformed, I'd like hide them).  Recently, my hips have been causing problems and walking is becoming such an effort becausethe pain is unbearable, going down to my knees and feet.  Last month orthopedic doctor said I had a arthritic back and with the FM, there was not much they could do.  I also found out I had osteoporosis, which I guess is natural for my age.  Five yrs ago, we moved from MA to FL because I couldn't stand the cold.  And now in FL, we keep our AC at 79 because most times I still get cold.  I've been to many doctors, and have tried just about every drug imaginable.  Finally, just gave up,  and all I take cymbalta for depression and supposedly, it's also helps with the pain.  Although, I can't imagine it getting any worst.   It just seems, that whithin the last year everything has gotten so much more painful and the arthritis has progressed so much faster.  I just have no idea why.  If anyone knows, I love to hear from you also.

Before going on disability at 55 I  did typing and walked a lot because my job was working at a hospital.  That was when I finally got diagnosed. 

6 yrs ago, I developed a sleep and dream disorder.  Seems I start dreaming and can not get out of the dream.  Something in my brain, apparently is not doing it's job.  The first time it happened, I woke up but couldn't open my eyes or move.  I was just paralized.  I could hear what was going on around me but I just could not tell my husband that I was awake.  That was one of the scarious things.  Twice I was admitted into the hospital only to be told that I was paralized and they wanted me to go to a sleep clinic.    After the second time in the hospital, I would just stay home and wait it out.  Sometimes I would be able to get up by noon or a little later.  Sometimes it would just be a few hours.  My psychiatrist even could not tell me what the cause was except that the brain was just not getting me out of that sleep period.  Besides, that I was not getting any of the body healing sleep.  At the sleep clinic, I found out I had a moderate sleep apnea. but since I didn't get paralized at that time, they had no idea what caused me to be paralized.   This varries sometimes sometimes happening once every two month, or it can happen 4 times a week.  So talk about being strange. 

Sometimes I would wake up with my body being in a catatonic state being so rigid, that no one could move me.  There are many scenerios to this.  Now lately, I wake up in a dream and I can hear if my husband comes in to talk to me, but I just can't get out of the dream, and my body just goes back to sleep.  NOW IF ANYONE HAS EVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.   Even my doctor would like to find someone like this.  Needless to say, now with the low back pain, once in bed, I have a very hard time turning over, and in the morning it's very difficult getting out of my bed.