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a bummer, indeed. that's exactly what it is!
actually, IBS is a symptom of fibro. i guess it's funny that i got that diagnosed first, tho, huh!? well, i'll be glad about the IBS part of my fibro, 'cause without it i wouldn't have "met" all of you guys! 
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fibromylagia is a lot of things. in addition to being a real pain in the butt, it's also just a real pain. the key symptoms are pain and fatigue. not the "i'm sleepy so i'm going to catch a catnap" kind of fatigue- it's like the worst flu you ever had kind of fatigue.
the pain is probably different for everyone, but it's major stuff. i never think much about it, 'cause i've been in pain for years. the doctors always said "it's nothing." 'cause here's the trick about fibro: people with this syndrome feel pain more strongly than other people. it's not in their heads, 'cause it actually shows up on brain scans! if you and i experience the same stimuli, your brain may show mild responses in the brain, but mine will go nutso! hey--- actually it IS in our heads! the other kicker is that people with fibro experience certain stimuli as painful but other people don't. so i may hurt from something that doesn't bother you, and that pain i'm experiencing is also amplified from normal! Fun, huh? much of the time, the pain a fibro person is in can't be palpated or seen, meaning i have a bum knee and it's really bad sometimes. if i go to the doctor, though, they can't find a single thing wrong with it. i know i messed it up in collge but that was [CENSORED] years ago and it certainly shouldn't still hurt! doctors say nothing is wrong, but sometimes it keeps me up at night. what a riot that is! 
there's other stuff, too. plenty of it! IBS is a symptom for some. so are migraines. some people are sensitive to chemicals, some to medications. ah, and then there's the fibro fog. a biggie is the cognitive (thinking) symptoms... forgetfulness, confusion, trouble thinking of words. lots of stuff that make some people think they're getting early onset Alzheimers or simply going crazy. some people have a little of that at all times, others get it in "waves."
it's believed by some that this is all a result of a sleep problem (not getting deep enough sleep).
there. more than you wanted to know about fibromyalgia, yet only the tip of the iceburg! 
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i knit and often it's in a rocker.
whatcha got to say about it!?
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Jen, that is such an excellent summary of the main points about fibro! You've been doin' some readin' haventcha?! I couldn't have said it better myself. Actually, I suspect you of plagarizing one of my earlier posts (kidding)!
BTW, I was also diagnosed with IBS before fibro! By my same sweetheart of a PCP. And I'm not being sarcastic. He really is a sweetie -- really gets it and really cares and has a sense of humor to boot, and hates insurance company insanity as much as we do.
Hope you're having an okay day.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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THIS!
#66768 - 05/02/04 11:02 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Whadda I gotta say 'bout it? Just this: you're young and gorgeous. You can pull it off -- like Mags and her bun.
Jen, tell me something. Why hasn't some handsome dude swept you off your feet yet? What's up with that?!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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i'm waiting!
#66807 - 05/02/04 12:52 PM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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i wish some dude would come and sweep me off my feet, Bev! i don't even require "handsome!" i think funny and smart will cut it.
i don't know why that hasn't happened, Bev. i've been told by my best friend that i look "unapproachable." she says i look confident and that men think that means i don't need them or that i already have a man. who knows!? i figure i'll meet the right guy at some point, right? 
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because, since the onset of IBS I've had unexplainable hypersensitivity to all pain stimuli. Before I had a HIGH pain tolerance. Not now. I could not figure it out..........now I'm beginning to wonder about some fibro being a problem for me as well.
Is it always migraines or can it be tension headaches as well? I've had weeks now of them (continuously) and they drive me nuts. Nothing helps.........
BTW, what type of specialist positively diagnosed your fibro?
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Jen, I don't have time to read this whole thread, but I just wanted to let you know you'll be in my thoughts and prayers! At least you know exactly what's going on with you now... even if it sucks. Hang in there hun! 
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Kandee...
#67209 - 05/04/04 05:19 AM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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yeah, it can be any kind of headaches that are a different pattern from the usual. here are some of the other symptoms (and it's only some, as each person presents a little differently. anyway, here goes:
- dragging fatigue that gets worse as the day goes on
- exhaustion at the end of the day
- impaired memoty and concentration
- apathy (like... "i have to turn off the light, but i can't be bothered, i just sit there unable to move to do it."
- dizziness
- headaches (including migraines)
- insomnia (can't fall asleep/stay asleep/fall back to sleep)
- nonrestorative sleep (sometimes called "the truck sign" as in "when i wake up i feel like i was hit by a truck.")
- sensitivity to lights/smell/sounds (can even cause headaches, nausea)
- chemical sensitivities
- pain with intensity that varies from hour to hour and can increase with cold or damp weather, anxiety, stress, activity
- widespread stiffness
- restless legs
- general feeling of weakness ("poor stamina")
- IBS
- increased mentrual cramps
- frequent urination and/or bladder infections
- nasal congestion
- brittle nails, inferior hair quality
- vertigo
actually, my new primary care doc said it was fibro on my very first visit with her, but referred me to a rhumatologist for "diagnosis." that's in quotes, 'cause similarly to IBS, there's no definitive test that says "Yes, you have fibromyalgia." there are "tender points" located all over the body, and they press on them to see if they're painful. (let me tell ya, it didn't hurt as bad as i was afraid it would, but it sure didn't tickle! and when she pressed on an area near my elbows - which have never hurt me before - i was really ouchy! in fact, they were still hurting 2 days later.  ) anyway, they test to see if you have ouchiness at the tender points and they take a REALLY thorough history. they run all kinds of bloodwork to rule out things with symptoms that may mimic Fibro, like: rhumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid troubles, Lyme disease, Parkinsons's, MS, gout, and others, but my primary care doc knew that those needed to be done so she ordered the tests so i had the results before i even saw the rhumatologist. anyway, that's "all" there is to it!
that's the scoop on the fibro. i hope none of it sounds familiar to you!
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