Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Ruchie, How are you doing?

yeah, fibro is a blast. *rolls eyes* the nose thing is freaky, huh? i can't even wear my prescription glasses, 'cause they pinch the bridge of my nose too much. well, that's all ok, 'cause fibro can also cause your prescription to change, which mine did. for a long time my glasses were great (when i could bear them on my nose!), but then i started getting migraines every day at work. took me a while, but i finally realized that i didn't get a headache if i didn't put my glasses on. HOW ANNOYING!

so... welcome to the land of fibro. at least your hubby sounds supportive! you may have to remind him you're not crazy from time to time, but i think all women have to remind their hubbies that!

i don't believe morning stiffness is a requirement for fibro. what they really check out is trigger points and how long you've had pain and exhaustion. other than that, the symptoms are so different from person to person, there's no way we can pin down the symptoms! for example, i think LS has allodynia, which is pain on the skin from even the lightest touches (clothing, for example). i don't have that at all. in fact, when i get a massage, i prefer a stronger touch, even though it usually triggers more pain for a day or two afterwards. i get a lot of deeper muscle pain and joint-type pain, though i have had some skin layer stuff before (like the creepy crawlies i had this Spring). i also get a lot of hot flashes and cold flashes. anything a nerve can do, fibro can recreate at will and randomly! ridiculous.

Ruchie, i don't know how you feel about medication, but you've GOT TO beg your doctor for Ambien. it's amazing. lots of the sleep medications leave you groggy in the morning, but it doesn't at all. and a lot of sleep meds (especially the over the counter stuff and Benadryl) prevent you from getting Stage 4 sleep, which is the sleep we fibomyalgics need and aren't getting. Ambien puts you right into Stage 4. Some tips, though: you need to take it right before you fall asleep. do not try to do anything on the Ambien, no matter how controlled you feel! i took it one night and didn't feel sleepy or drugged at all, so i sat in bed and "trimmed my cuticles." well, let me tell ya, Ruchie, i woke up with every single finger bloody. i had no idea i had made such a botch-job of it. i had bandaids on my fingers for a week. it was awful. also, you'll sleep really soundly on the Ambien, so be careful. i would sleep through a fire alarm, i know it, so i won't take the Ambien if i'm the only one in the house. it wears off after 4 hours, for me, so i have to take another one in the middle of the night. i don't know if that happens to everyone or not. but Ruchie, Ambien is my savior! it has really made such a difference. i am DRAMATICALLY less worn out and painful when i'm taking it. it's amazing what sleep can do for you! it took me about a week originally to get up-to-speed, but really that's quite amazing, considering i, like you, hadn't slept in about 2 years!

anyway, that's how i get up and accomplish things, Ruchie: getting Stage 4 sleep. I can't get my Ambien refilled right now because of a problem with my insurance and i haven't slept in 2 weeks. now i'm so achy and painful it's pathetic. i went to the Giant to buy groceries and was worn out after. i've had to cancel all my plans this weekend 'cause i'm just not up to anything. can't wait to get that Ambien! You weren't on the boards this Spring when I was so sick, but Ruchie, you're not alone in not wanting to get in the car. i spent weeks on the couch.... it was terrible. i beat myself up about it for a while, 'til i got a strong lecture from Linzy, Bevrs and LS. they told me what i'm going to tell you: make sure you take the time your body needs. if you need to rest, then do it. you can get past a lot of it, but not if you push yourself too much. know your limits! do a little, then rest. that's the way to survive fibro. that and Stage 4 sleep! but i will say this, too: try your best to get a little stretching time every day, and try to take a tiny little walk in the fresh air, even if it's only for 3 minutes. sitting on the couch or lying in the bed actually made me feel a lot more painful 'cause of the inactivity. trust me!

SMOOCHES, Ruchie. Luv ya right back!

*j

(Ruch, you and i are really similar, sweets. it's kinda eeire all the things we have in common!)

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