Fibromyalgia and Me...Random = Chaos

By tque Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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I think maybe I do have fibromylagia- as well as probably having RA. My skin hurts, the only thing that feels good on it is my nice cool down comforter. Last night I stripped the top sheet off my bed, threw off all the blankets, and slept under the comforter. The coolness didn't irritate the strange pain of my leg.

Today I spent most of the day fighting nausea. I would rather have someone slug me in the face than throw up. So, cold wet cloths on my neck and forehead, deep breathing and I finally beat the nausea monster.

As I think about Fibro, I think that all of the stuff that is going on with me, fits. Fibro is random. That's not good for me, because I am organized, mostly practical, and I like to have control over what goes on within me, and around me. Random to me equals chaos.

Nerve endings firing for no reason, pain that hits where it shouldn't, muscle spasms in my eyelid, and my calf, there's no expectation of it, so you can't fight it.

How do you fight something that is random? How do I conquer this thing that has no rules? With RA you can see what you are fighting, you can make a plan and fight back.

How do I exercise when I can barely find the energy to get up and take shower? I do some simple exercises with my stability ball, but I don't have the juice to do a lot.

I am frustrated and I have a lot to learn.....I think I have some sort of RA along with this, otherwise my fingers wouldn't be trying to curve to the left....

Anyway, I hope tomorrow I feel better and I can see some brightness in the day. I will chalk today up to "Yeah, I've had a bad day".

Comments (8) | Add comment

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

3/30/11 7:36pm

when I first got fibro, I thought I was losing my mind. Every coping mechanism I used to deal with RA made the fibromyalgia worse. Eventually I started figuring out that there are some rules, although still a high level of unpredictability. For instance, don't stay in one position for longer than 20-30 min. - when you sit still, it makes the RA pain go down a little, but in terms of fibro, it makes everything seize up. It's like having tiny micro-specimens all the time and the trick is to cut that spasm. Flexeril or Lyrica overnight helps you start the day with your muscles more relaxed so you don't build spasms on top of spasms, a lot of twitching and getting up to make a cup of tea or just take a walk around the room, etc. (it's a nightmare to watch a movie with me, but whatever). Check out the fibromyalgia area on our Chronic Pain site for more information.

V, Health Guide

3/30/11 9:18pm

Hi, Lene,

I have a question for you. I have Fibro and get these random muscle twitiches from time to time. At the same time I get these "twitches", I am very sensitive to sound. I cannot stand the TV on or anyone banging around in the kitchen. Are these things caused by Fibro?

Thanks!

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

4/ 1/11 2:58pm

Could be an indication of a fibro flare, but I'm not a doctor, etc., etc. I know that when my fibro is flaring, I get super sensitive to sounds. As for the muscle twitches, that could be fibromyalgia, as well. Still, it's probably something you should run by your doctor the next time you see them.

AMHughes

3/31/11 1:39am

I do understand. One of the reasons I hate my job so much is that I sit all of my shift. I'd rather be on my feet, because although I hurt, I hurt worse when I sit still. Even if I'm watching tv, everytime a commercial break comes on I get up and move around. I have muscle spasms, mostly in my legs, feet, and diaphragm. You just have to learn how to make them stop. Legs, I massage, feet, I hold my toes together, diaphragm, I stretch as far back as I can until it releases. I get twitches in my eyelids, as well. I'm exhausted all the time and don't get enough sleep. But having had fibro for almost 15 years, I have learned how to manage these symptoms, and still function. It will get better, I promise, because you learn to cope with it as well as you would RA. Just do a little at a time, and rest when you need to. Don't expect more of yourself than you feel like, and don't get discouraged when at first you can't do something as well as you would like. And the periods of heightned sensitivity will come and go. Right now I can't stand for my feet to touch the sheets, either. Sometimes I can't stand cloth on my skin at all, but it will go away. I just refuse to give up, and I fight with all the strenght I have, but I know when it's time to take a nap, or just chill. Any help you need, just let me know. I'm here for you. Hugs

Flaregirl

3/31/11 7:39am

I hear ya on the not being able to do as much as you want to.. and then it doesn't get done... you feel guilty about it. Mainly, because everyone in the house is looking around at things and you know what they're thinking, or where is my underware!!! I can't get them to understand the fatigue I feel, along with the nausea! So frustrating!!! Sometimes I end up over doing, so then I get sick feeling for about a week or so. Then what are they going to do....? Termoil starts... I get cranky! You just can't win!! How to get calm? How do you get organized? This is just so hard on me... Unfortunately, this is my fault.. I am picky and just realized this when the kids started doing certain things. AAhhgg!! :(

AMHughes

3/31/11 9:37am

You just do a little at a time. Pace yourself, and it gets done, but maybe not as quickly as you hoped. I cleaned out my car yesterday after a family trip. It took me two hours, but it got done. I do one load of laundry everyday, it may not get put away that day, but it gets clean and dry. I just do what I have to do, but give myself breaks in between. I understand about the perfectionist part. Last time I went to the drs, I straigtned the degrees on the walls before he got into the room because they were crooked! With fibromyalgia, what you have to do is slow down, and learn to appreciate taking your time. With that comes less stress, a renewed sense of accomplishment, and more faith in yourself and happiness. It's just learning your limits, and how to move past them slowly without making yourself sick.

tque

3/31/11 12:41pm

I woke up this morning with a headache still. I have had this headache for three days now. I am stiff in my fingers, and my left calf still feels very sensitive.

I have been nauseous for two entire days. I am still exhausted. This thing hits me hard.

I can get up and do simple things, but then I have to lie down and rest. I hope that I can get through this...it really sucks, and I'm so freaking tired all the time.

Even now, with my fingers so stiff, I am typing, but as soon as I am done, I'm going to lay back down.

Thanks for your support and understanding...I appreciate so much.

Hugs, T.

suzzy

3/31/11 3:11pm

hi Tque sorry ur not feeling good one more thing added to your usual hurt and pain an you wonder if you can make it through the day i woke up this morning feeling like i was going to have a baby stomach pains an throwing up an going to the bathroom as soon as you leave the door all over again there is a stomach bug going around an i hope no one gets it i have an appointment to see your rheumy in mountain home april 14 it would have been july to see randy roberts you have a good nap an take care god bless you

Fibromyalgia and Me...Random = Chaos

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