FIBROMYLAGIA SUPPORT GROUP

FIBROMYLAGIA, FIBRO, FMS SUPPORT GROUP

I have had Fibro for 24 years. They didn't know it 24 years ago. I was
originally diagnosed with a form of arthritis known as Ankylosing Spondylitis
and give NSAIDS. Curiously the pain and stiffness symptoms were managed fairly
well for many years. Over time my NSAID was changed to Vioxx. When the big Vioxx
scare came around I figured I should go see a Rheumatologist and start looking
for a way to manage the pain I would be in when Vioxx was taken of the market.
Also for about a year or so before that my arthritis (so called) was flaring up
more often and I was getting more limited to what I could do.

I found a arthritis doctor and he X rayed the spine and found no evidence at
all of a bamboo spine which I should have had if I really had AS. When he said I
didn't have AS I was shocked. He then started poking me and everywhere he poked
me it hurt. He said he was testing trigger points. He was amazed that every
trigger point hurt. We're talking about pain that was so bad it force body
movement as well as an involuntary ouch from my mouth.

He said start swimming to help manage the pain. He said there are no known
medicines to treat FMS and he wished me good luck. That was over three years
ago.

My wife and I started on a quest to find some doctor who could help. We were
naive enough to think it would be easy. We spent close to a year before we had
assembled a team of doctors who altogether had me fairly well treated.

To make a long story shorter I have a Neurologist, and Pain Specialist MD, a
ND and a newly educated general practice doctor. After MRI's, X rays, blood
tests, neurological tests, more poking and prodding I was further diagnosed with
EBV, CMV, five white matter lesions on the brain, CFS, degenerative disk disease
and diskoramic pain.

Now more than three years later I take Sambucol (Black Elderberry extract)
for the EBV and CMV. I take high potency acidophilus to help build up my
autoimmune system to fight back the EBV and CMV. I tried Lyrica for several
months but it made my mind fogger than I wanted to handle. I take Cymbalta for
the neuropathy in my feet. I take Lortab for the pain. I take Zanaflex at night
for a muscle relaxer and Flxiril 5mg day time for muscle relaxing. I take 10mg
melatonin for insomnia. I think that is just about all. I just tokk a nap and
now I am finishing this post up and I've got a little fibro fog. I'll check my
meds latter.

That's part of my medical history. there are the coping issues, mental health
issues and so many more things about fibromylagia as you readers are aware. I am
starting this blog on fibromyalgia because I haven't found a very good online
support group and I think we could all use one. I want to blog about how you
cope, you're own personal history of FMS. What you're life is like and how it
affects you, your spouse and family. What tips and trick you have found in
coping with this illness.

I don't want to bash doctors, you can leave your email and take that offline
if you like but If you know of good doctors they could probably use a plug.

I've got more to share about chronic fibromyalgia but it will be another
time. Let's get the word out about this blog and build it from the ground up.
Thanks and good luck in your daily lcoping.