r/Fibromyalgia • • 4h ago

Frustrated I fell, again

20 Upvotes

Today, apparently, will be a bed day. I tried to get dressed, fell backwards trying to get my pants on and then couldn't get up because my legs just wouldn't cooperate. I fell into my side table and stepping stool as well as a pile of boxes. Tomorrow I can probably play connect the dots with all the bruises. Work tomorrow is going to royally suck. My skin is burning in several places so I'm guessing I have some scrapes here and there. Headache, chest hurting, back, arm, and leg hurting. It's so hard to know what is actually injured vs just mad. Ugh.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 4h ago

Question Steroid shot question

1 Upvotes

I waited forever to get a steroid shot in my back.

Then the pain clinic told me they only do steroid shots for patients who have pain shooting down both legs. (Sciatica, I'm guessing.)

I have never heard that before and don't know if that's the policy at most doctors' offices.

I can't take oral steroids and was really hoping this would work.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 5h ago

Rant Feeling like I can never win

14 Upvotes

Just a rant, and no advice needed. I’m in the middle of what feels like an endless flare up. I’ve long abandoned the idea of getting anything like a caring attitude from my SO, it’s not been that sort of relationship since I was diagnosed 2 years ago. However, today, near the end of a long day my 5 year old daughter thanked my SO for being “such a great dad and big friend” which was incredibly sweet, I was genuinely touched that she thought to thank him like that. Then he replied to her saying “I’m not just your dad and your friend I’m also your driver, the one who gets your food, the one who runs around the park with you…” etc. he went on and on listing all the things I physically can’t do at the moment. Then, he started listing most of the stuff that I still do even though it’s painful and wears me out to the point of tears.

I’m so bored of feeling useless and sick of having it underlined to me. I had just had a pretty productive day by my standards, lots of playing with my daughter, some very basic chores and I even baked for the first time in ages. I spend a lot of time in bed with fatigue, so I privately was feeling proud and even a bit normal.

I feel childish even complaining about this, but it sometimes feels like this is the only place where I can say it and people will understand


r/Fibromyalgia • • 8h ago

Question vertigo

3 Upvotes

I've been experiencing episodes of vertigo(i think?) and dizziness sometimes lately, when waking up either from a full sleep or even a little nap. its a new thing and its pretty disruptive, it feels like im falling & it lasts for hours, gradually improving, but for a while i really cant get out of bed. is this something that could be a fibro thing? does anyone else experience this or have advice?


r/Fibromyalgia • • 11h ago

Question Asking for advice

3 Upvotes

Hello, I'm looking for advice for my GF who has fibro, I hope I make sense as english isn't my first language.

Lately she has been suffering from some severe bouts of cystitis and since all tests have come back negative (urine tests, Antibiogram, ultrasound, manual exam) she has concluded (she's a biotechnologist so ít wasn't an uneducated guess) that it must be interstitial cystitis triggered by fibro. My question is, for those of you that have experienced the same condition, is there something that helps you relieve the pain? Antibiotics are of course a no go since it's not infective.

Thanks in advance!


r/Fibromyalgia • • 11h ago

Question Pregablin withdrawal

0 Upvotes

So i used to take 1200/2100mg everyday gained a ton of weight in the last 5 months so i decided to quit it’s been 7 days and ive decided to have alchol but it doesnt feel the same feels different i dont get the usual nice relaxing buzz why’s that is it cause im withdrawing im so confused it doesnt give me that nice relaxing buzz when i drink??

Even smoking weed during withdrawals doesnt give me the munchies or put me too sleep when it did before whats happening to me can anyone explain?


r/Fibromyalgia • • 12h ago

Discussion After over a decade of pain, here I am.

12 Upvotes

​

Hello. I am kind of new to this community, and I am curious to hear your stories of diagnosis, how long it took to get that diagnosis, your struggles, etc. I find other people's stories to be fascinating and insightful and I think it will help me better process my own recent diagnosis.

I have had a history of issues starting from when I was a teen. I'm 31 now. Back in the 2010s I was put through the rigamarole of tests after it turned out that I wasn't "overreacting" about my pain and symptoms, of which I had many, including really really horrible TMJD. After I fought for a referral to a head and neck surgeon and then asked for an MRI, we found I had severely damaged jaw joints and would likely need joint replacement surgery. I was then tested for every autoimmune issue under the sun because I was so young and the level of joint degeneration I had was insane. Then, I was tested for Fibromyalgia using the pain point diagnostic. Based on that, I apparently did not have fibromyalgia, because none of the pain points hurt, just "felt uncomfortable".

The final results: we don't know why you have all these symptoms and we don't know why your jaw is so damaged. There was no real followup. I got the surgery, things got better, but I still had a lot of unaddressed issues. But my quality of life was finally at a place where I could function enough to have a job, even if doing said jobs was definitely a constant internal battle.

Despite all of that, I did pretty well for myself. Graduated University, got into my career of choice, moved states, moved up the ladder. It all got worse again when I turned 30. All of the symptoms and flare-ups had begun escalating again. My new doctor didn't mess around and immediately ordered every test she could think of. She found I had a positive ANA result, but my tests did not pan out in not much else. But based on that, and my history, she immediately diagnosed me with Fibro just this last week. And unfortunately, due to how the Rheumatologists out here work, my referral for further testing was rejected.

Is Fibro the whole story? I kinda doubt it. But does it explain a lot? Yes. And I am finally getting put on some treatments that might actually help with my quality of life. I just hope it helps.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 12h ago

Discussion This took me outhttps://i.imgur.com/ljKiy1L.jpeg

1 Upvotes

r/Fibromyalgia • • 14h ago

Question Alternatives to Bengay?

8 Upvotes

It has served me faithfully for 15 years, but now I have to apply it three or four times just to go to sleep. Driving me crazy. Suggestions?


r/Fibromyalgia • • 15h ago

Question Need a new heating pad for my shoulders

3 Upvotes

I usually use Ruqui extra large. Open to suggestions:


r/Fibromyalgia • • 15h ago

Question Vocational Rehabilitation

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1 Upvotes

r/Fibromyalgia • • 15h ago

Discussion Isn't it crazy that lots of the time it even hurts just to SPEAK?

15 Upvotes

Or simply BREATHE. 😭 And both heavily.

But attempting for someone that does not suffer from this understand that it is CHALLENGING to EVEN breathe should be a craaazy thing to explain to people when u look healthy in the outside :/

Most of the times when I'm hurtin like that really bad and I'm in a conversation with sbdy I can only get monosylabic or just do small talk cuz i'ts getting soo hard inside myself to even let a word out.

Only with simply breathing I just feel the tension in my diafragma and tummy that won't let me exhale, and the neck pain and headaches it generates (that also exist in fibro on its own) it's just... I understand it is because oxygen won't get in your brain so easy cuz of tension, therefore, if its hard to breathe it will be even harder to TALK and think through it all lolol

I've been diagnosed 2 years ago but lived with this thing for 15 years -started when I was a kid- . In the last months or maybe years been having more anxiety due to flares and living with family again and they dont rlly understand fibro so a lot of the time they just think I barely speak or I'm in a terrible mood when I'm only just ✨hurting around😭✨.

Well, just little more detailed fibro things I feel lol.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 16h ago

Question Friends who understand

22 Upvotes

Hi guys! I have fibromyalgia and chronic migraine... I'm tired of explaining for my friends and family how I feel. I'm looking for friends that understand my reality... If u are at the same place and want to talk dm mee ❤️

Some things about me:

• Brazilian

•24 years old

• graduate as geography teacher on May 2026

•have a dog: Apolo

•having chronic pain since 8 years old

•love TV shows, puzzles, music, reading etc

What a about u?


r/Fibromyalgia • • 17h ago

Question Anyone with a pain like mine?

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2 Upvotes

r/Fibromyalgia • • 18h ago

Question Anyone else experience hives?

12 Upvotes

I’ve been getting hives for no good reason, most of the time being around when I get a flare. It’s always on my arms. Ives watched everything, what I eat, my laundry detergent, literally anything I could think of. I can’t pinpoint anything. Anyone else with fibromyalgia experience rashes like hives? If it’s not linked to your fibromyalgia, what other condition is causing this symptom? I have a list of illnesses, fibro just seems to be the one that affects literally every bit of my body.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 21h ago

Question Jobs

9 Upvotes

I work in assisted living and I love my job. I have been so torn but my pain has been so bad, I just started taking meds (pregabalin) and my doc wants me to take Cymbalta but we a waiting for my psychologist to approve that because I am taking Lexapro.. anyway I have been considering getting a different job because of my pain, I love my job so much, it makes so so sad it’s making my job so hard to do. But what are jobs to work that I could make enough money to live?


r/Fibromyalgia • • 21h ago

Question Partner to Fibro/EDS woman here! Alternatives to “calorie deficit” weight loss?

63 Upvotes

Heya! My girlfriend has both fibro and EDS. She’s been talking to me a lot recently about being really concerned about her health and weight. I want to emphasize that her weight isn’t and never will be a factor in how much I love her, I really do just want to see her happy again.

Here’s where I need some extra help - she has battled an eating disorder before. She started feeling a lot better after she got help and helped herself out of that.

But she talks to me like she’s on the other side of some peak in her life. We’re both 20, and she feels like her life is being stripped away from her. Reading through this subreddit I’ve seen so many people share that sentiment, but I’ve also seen so many people find hope and purpose.

I really want to support her in every way. She is my everything. But I’m scared, the only advice I’ve found for those with mobility challenges is to “count calories, count calories, count calories”
That is NOT an option. It’s such a slippery slope, and as someone who has body image and has experienced problems with food, it is absolutely the last thing I would wish upon her.

I don’t know if I’m phrasing any of this right. And there are probably a million things that she’s feeling and experiencing that I’ll never fully grasp, which is why I want to confide in this community. Literally anything would be a nice starting point.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 1d ago

Rx/Meds Does anybody actually find their meds useful?

22 Upvotes

I'm on...

Amotryptoline

Clonazepam

Citalopram

Lanzoprasol

Carbamazepine

Fenofybrate

Something else for my cholesterol

Manjaro

Metformin

Insulin pens

And a new addition, ketamine.

I've had enough man. I lie here daily on so much medication to be in so much pain, so little desire to carry on. I can barely move, my mind is constantly confused, silence is so loud. I'm a 38 yead old male with a wife and 3 children, have been ill for 6 years now since my body welcomed a disease called sarcoidosis and since then my life has been on a debbie downer.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 1d ago

Rant i feel so alone

33 Upvotes

I can’t do anything, I sit at home all day while my boyfriend works, and then we hangout for maybe an hour before I have to go lay down again or sometimes (like today) he just got home from work and then left right away. Which is fine, I want him to have his own life obviously, he needs to be with people other than me. But it feels like im always alone. My only companion is my pain. I had a massive breakdown because I just feel so alone and im so sick and tired of being in pain. I just want it to end.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 1d ago

Question Moving Advice & Tips

3 Upvotes

Hello! I will be moving in 3 weeks, and I have started packing today. I have moved countless times, but the last move was the 1st with my fibromyalgia and chronic illness flare ups.

The last move was so bad I ended up splitting and was soon diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. The pain, exhaustion, and stress on my body was too much. I have no memory of packing my last apartment so I don’t know what I did wrong. That’s why I wanted to get some advice from y’all!

I live in a 1 bedroom fully furnished apartment, with my emotional support dog, and will be hiring movers to move everything. I am moving down the street so it won’t be as long of a day.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 1d ago

Discussion Trying low dose naltrexone

11 Upvotes

I have fibro, me/CFS, hypermobility (not eds), Audhd. The rare moments I'm not in pain, I fall asleep fast like I've been drugged.

Cue in trying low dose naltrexone, 2mg. I see hope. It's my first day. It's helping a bit, like maybe half way. I. Finding myself feeling snuggly, and like I just want to sleep a lot. I don't feel sedated like other meds have done (gabapentin, ugh).

Have others experienced this? I know only time will tell. Curious if the med is making me tired, or I'm just feeling relief and exhausted.

Update: I read about the LDN and see now it takes a while to get going. So I'm likely feeling subtle changes, as I'm incredibly sensitive. This is why I mentioned the Audhd. The tiredness is probably more side effect than result. However, the cold is less prickly.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 1d ago

Discussion Random pains and weight loss when stressed

4 Upvotes

Does anyone else experience random pains when you're stressed? for the last couple weeks I've had a bunch of random pains. multiple places in my face, also pain in my neck, and in my back too. I have no idea why. I've also had a bit of virus thing in my throat but not enough to get sick. I've been dealing with a lot of stress lately and idk if that maybe triggered my fibro? also I've lost like 3 kg in the last month for no reason. idk if that's related


r/Fibromyalgia • • 1d ago

Discussion Looking for some friends

7 Upvotes

I've been going through hell lately and tbh have very little in the way of friends. i do some amount of YouTube sometimes. Play some games. Generally exist sometimes live in new Zealand. Sadly my city has no really fibromyalgia community.


r/Fibromyalgia • • 1d ago

Question Anyone else struggle with multiple pressure-sensitive areas? What helps you?

2 Upvotes

As the title says, this is a struggle for me, which I think is pretty common for a lot of fibro folks? (eg tender point diagnostic criteria).

For me, unfortunately, my most affected tender areas are those which need to be weight-bearing to function in daily life. The balls of my feet are very sensitive to pressure, which means that walking even 1/2 mile or standing more than 15 mins aggravates them (though to be fair, I also have bunions and arthritis in my big toes). My sitting bones are very sensitive to pressure, which means that sitting for extended periods aggravates (I have a cushion that helps moderately and sometimes I ice). The outside of my hips (trochanter area?) are very sensitive to pressure, which means that side sleeping aggravates them (but side is the only way I can sleep so I have to use lidocaine nightly). My SI joints are also sensitive to pressure sometimes, so lying on my back while resting can be aggravating. Basically, there is no position that’s comfortable for me to rest, and weight-bearing movement is also increasingly painful the longer I am up. I’ve even had MRIs done but have been told there isn’t physical evidence of bursitis. /sigh

Anyway, I am sorry for the rant. I just needed to vent a bit and wanted to ask if anyone else struggles with this too and/or has any advice.

Thank you!


r/Fibromyalgia • • 1d ago

Discussion Fibro Diagnosis vs Gender

0 Upvotes

Hello my fellow fibro-buds.

I wanted to get a check on what people think about this medical "myth" that Fibromyalgia doesn't affect men as much as women.

From what I have noticed in different support groups, including this one, is that there appears to be a somewhat equal distribution between men and women. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I just wonder if maybe men are often not diagnosed because they tend to grin and bare the pain etc and are often too afraid to reach out for help? Could it be that women are more prone to traumatic events which triggers fibro?

I wonder if there are sociatal aspects at play here or if there is actually any evidence to support this theory that women are more prone to fibro.

What do you guys think?