Fibromyalgia and Mental Health

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all,

I've just joined this site in a desperate attempt to find something that can help.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 6 months ago after a few years of unexplainable pain and the usual arguing with medical professionals. It's been a tough year as the pain and symptoms are increasing all the time. I keep thinking I may have reached the peak, only to be proved wrong and reach new levels of pain.

I'm used to coping with a lot. 4 years ago I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder after over a decade of being seriously ill. I'm a strong person and I've never let anything hold me back. I've been teaching now for 8 years and my career is going extremely well. 

I guess like everyone on here, I'm used to being strong. I'm used to smiling when I want to cry. I'm used to pretending that everything is fine.

But I worry that this time I've met my nemesis. The pain is now at the level that it's affecting my mental health. I have to work 12-15 hours a day. My work have been very understanding but in my job there are just no shortcuts. 

I know I can cope with mental pain and I think I could cope with physical pain. But the combination of both is...terrifying I guess.

If anyone has any advice or experience of Fibromyalgia and Mental Health conditions I would love to hear from you. 

Best wishes everyone x

2

So much of Fibro mimics Sluggish Hypo Thyroid.....here's what helps me since 1999 when I was hit with an emotional trauma at 61, I worked 4 more years until the U.S. Medicare kicked in for me. I'm now 76.

Getting thyroid treated after 10 yrs of struggling, got on Armour thyroid in 2002.

Then found how Vit D deficient I was in 2006 and got those levels going with larger doses of Vit D3 and now taking K2 as it's said to help with absorption.

2 Iburprofen two times per day, late morning and before bed.

Pain RX and 1/2 tylenol in between these ibuprofen..

DGL to protect stomach lining.

Vit B supplements, including 500mg Inositol a couple times per day or so, these calm the nerves...

Grape Seed Extract since 1995 for overall immune system. I don't get sick.

I worked long and hard on my sleep remedy and sleep 8-10 hrs per night....and no drugs for this combo...all supps.

I've never taken drugs for the FM except the ibuprofen and never gone specifically to an MD for the FM issues.

Now I also deal with Osteoarthritis and do a lot of supps to get me thru this mess...and now dealing with a messy hip replacement in 2010, which caused nerve damage and more OA.

Hope this helps, this is what helps me. Are you in US or UK?

3

Thanks Joy. I'm in the UK. I've had my Thyroid checked and it's fine and I had Vit D supplements for a while before they sent my Vit D levels too high. I take Gabapentin and Amitriptyline which seem to help a little but not much. Because of all the heavy duty meds I take for Bipolar, doctors seem reluctant to try anything else.

I try to exercise but it brings on massive flare ups. I know I need to find a way to manage this but I'm all out of answers at the moment! 

4

Sounds like the Bipolar and meds play a big part in your conditions. Sorry I can't help further.....

What I gave you worked for me.

5

Sounds like the Bipolar and meds play a big part in your conditions. Sorry I can't help further.....

What I gave you worked for me.

Have you ever considered going out of the conventional MD world to an alternative MD and maybe get off some of the heavy duty meds for bipolar....just thinking outside the box as I always do.

6

Hello,

You are dealing with a lot! I am also a teacher but only do supply now, could not work full-time as it would be too stressful. To be honest, even if you are in the best of health this job is extraordinarily difficult! I admire you for keeping going. As for what might help, Amitriptylene 50g for pain and sleep. My doctor doesn't believe just giving me more painkillers will help. He thinks the way forward is CBT, cognitive behaviour therapy, which I am going to try. He is a doctor who is interested in this condition, so I think that is a good thing. Praps you could try the CBT and check your Doctor has an interest in this condition. Otherwise I think they only throw painkillers at you, which can have awful side effects. Goodness this is long-winded sorry! What part of the uk are you in? Take care, Anne, Portchester, Hants

7

Thanks Anne. I'm in Suffolk. I hadn't thought about CBT for Fibromyalgia. I had some CBT a few years back for mental health reasons, but as my two conditions seem so intertwined lately it may be a good idea. I desperately don't want to have to reduce my hours. So much of dealing with my Bipolar is staying in a strict routine so I think cutting back at work would be a bad thing for me. Thanks so much for replying. Wishing you good health! :-) 

8

Honey failure is not an option...... Is that how u see this ? If so I'm afraid ur in for a big bump there will come a time my friend where ur mental health is more important than becoming crazy and that is it I'm afraid... Your energy will only go on for so long I wish u well in teaching for as long as you can but plzzzzz at some point this FYBROMYAGIA does existed u I'm sooooooo sorry to be so blunt but I was the girl with a husband two stunning girls a full time job then the gym after work with hobbies with my girls two to three times a week to losing the lot I don't want anyone to be under any alution about this illness and how bad it gets expect the worst then anything u one is a bonus I can barely go out twice a week now with help stay focused but not fooled by yourself xxxxxxx

9

I'm not under any illusions and I am well aware of the reality of this condition. But having already lived most of my life with a chronic condition I think I've learnt a few things about positive mental attitude. Are you suggesting I should give up? Over half the battle is attitude I think...

10

Hurray; someone willing to stay positive smile and not give in to the condition. The meds are a matter of trial and error, what suits one will not suit another, its a case of going back to your doctor over and over and saying, no, this doesnt quite work. Personally for me amitriptyline worked but knocked me for six and I would rather be compus mentis than painfree so I stopped with that. Citalopram works better for me as I find stress exaggerates the pain and Citalopram reduces the stress, as a guide 20-30mg. Stuff you would think might work may not necessarily, I started swimming, loved it, found I could swim for miles, great exercise, but wipes me out every time for at least 2 days, so either keep going but just do a couple of lengths or rule it out, im still working on that one. As to your job, if you love it, dont even dream of giving it up, you just need to factor fibro into the mix and realise that there may be times when its going to be harder, perhaps impossible, make your colleagues aware of this maybe? Also be aware of it yourself, I have your type of "put on a brave face" personality and sometimes it slips, its more likely to slip if you are facing both mental and physical problems simultaneously, (you may be strong but everyone has limits) so at least if you have a hiccup your colleagues will not be shocked into thinking you have "lost it" and to be honest, from experience, I was hit very suddenly with the "anxiety" side of fibro and I thought myself that I had "lost it" so preparation is the key. When i start to get the same symptoms Im fully prepared now and just think "bring it on." However, you do sound like you are in a v stressful job, as I was, the difference being that I hated my job so giving it up (with a little forward planning) was an easy decision for me and I fully believe that my job caused the onset of fibro, so even tho you are enjoying your job look into other possibilities for the future, if nothing more it will give you some control. Re coping with mental and physical pain together, im not sure if its the same for everyone, but for me they are totally linked together, if im stressed at all, im in pain, I take a combo of paracetamol & ibuprofen plus a pain relief muscle gel (over the counter) and nothing stronger, the key for me is dealing with the stress, citalopram is working ok for that at the moment, but following the sudden onset of anxiety I experienced I had to think hard about what would leave me in a happy relatively stress free place, what was important to me, what i needed to keep and let go in order to find that place, so I pared my life right back, I downsized my house and moved areas, I left my job and used my savings to pay off my house and car etc. It was a very tough year but it was worth it. From what you are saying I would think the key to your health would not be so much taking loads of different drugs, but maintaining your already positive mental attitude, CBT and also psychiatric sessions may be useful, theres an NHS group called "impact pain" as well that you could be referred to ( these were marginally helpful with me tbh but i suppose it depends on your area and who you see). The main thing I changed was to be more selfish in a way, to arrange things that helped me rather than my colleagues, friends or family. Now im in a better place though they have all benefitted from it. Good luck with getting where you need to be xx

11

Thank you so much Carinaeta- it has really given me a boost to read your words. 

My work and colleagues are extremely supportive- I really am blessed in that respect. I get the odd negative comment, but people that have that attitude don't matter to me anyway. 

I think you're completely right about self awareness. Getting through my mental health issues has been a long journey of learning about myself and learning how to cope when things go wrong, and how to plan for those times. I guess I'm starting to realise this is no different. 

I completely accept that Finromyalgia is a part of my life and I want to learn to live with it, not to let it dictate my life. 

Thank you so much, and best wishes to you :-) 

12

Thanks Joy. I agree, if I could come off some of my bipolar meds it would give me more options. I definitely want to try some alternative medicine in the future though. Is there anything in particular you would recommend? :-) 

13

Hello,

Thanks for your reply, glad I may be of some help! I think absolutety youould not cut down your hours. I love the time I spend teaching, and also looking after my grandchildren - that's what keeps me going. But I do know I have to pace myself, if I do too much one day I will suffer for it. You take care, Anne

 

14

Thanks Anne. You too :-)

15

Hi I am new on the forum and trying to figure out how to chat with others. Can u or anyone who reads this tell me if they have ever heard of fibro being related to deep organ pain. I was diagnosed with fibro 8 yrs ago and it hasn't been really bad other than the sleep issues and the fog. I have been on prescription pain meds for 2 months now die to a pain near my pancreas. I have had every test run and everything is normal. My dr today said he feels it may be nerve related. Could this be fibro pain or am I going crazy? Thanks for listening.

16

Hi I just joined the group today & your message is the first I've read I have RA , Fibromyalgia & PTSD both are all over I'm 39 still rearing kids ( 3 girls ) been dealing with this well over 10 years I was  misdiagnosed for a lot of years well how I truly deal is I know I can't do it on my own Jehovah God & Jesus are truly my refuge a strong tower I've found that taking naps helps to cope better these disorders are very vicious & yes affects my mentality also I'm use to being strong yet it has truly taught me to trust depend on God also stress is not our friend even more so I read articles on best & worst jobs for people who suffer with  chronic illness & teacher was on the worst list I'm thankful to God I get my disability because controlling your environment is a must in order to even funtion on a day to day basis I pray you find comfort also my words help you ..

17

Hi Smiler these are just my thoughts after 9 doctors and 4 stays in hospital every tablet under the sun and also just turning 50 I found that lack of sleep over a long period is the trigger the body simply doesnt repair itself and this accumulates and then fibro effects your mental health ask your Dr about citalopram sandoz start on 10mg then go up to 20mg great for mental health dont watch to much TV you must bring your stress levels down and most of all sleep and if you can keep afternoon meals small this way the body will repair cells instead of replacing them...PS trust what your body is telling you the doctors told me that I needed heart surgery after 3 nights in hospital and having the surgery it turned out to be fybro anyway all the best take care Tony from OZ.

18

Thank you for the words of encouragement. Yes I am a strong women of Faith and am putting my trust in our Lord. Just not sure if anyone has suffered with bile duct pain as a result of fibro. The more research I looked up led me to believe this is not a fibro issue even though I do have fibro. This is a deep organ pain accompanied with nausea at times. Thank you again and God Bless you.

19

Thanks Tony, mine is a pain in my common bile duct area. I had a procedure done 2 weeks ago where the pulled a balloon through the bile duct a few times and after the pain was in the same area just much worse since the messed with it. Even though I have fibro after researching it I don't believe what I have going on inside is fibro related. Just praying God will reveal the source so we can deal with it. Thanks again and God bless.

20

I was first diagnosed with FB in my late 20"s after that everything continued to go down hill now I am in my mid 40's and I am now on disability. Don't let people give you false hopes with FB because that happened to me as well. I have gotten into the 6th stage of the disorder and nothing helps. no medication cures FB. the last stages are teriable they effect your memory your days run into each other. and when I push myself to do things I know I will suffer with the next day or for the next week or even a month. I get upset with myself for going too far. I am not going to blow sunshine up your you know what on this because there IS NO cure for this condition. when you get to the stage I am in then you will understand no physical thearpy will work it only agravates the condition even worse. Been there done that... I have had the shots and they only last two myabe three days if I am lucky. My mental state is now to the point that I forget what I did or even said the day before. My mind wanders off while in a conversation with others. I can be in the mid stage of a sentance and then forget what I was about to say. this happens now everyday. It is very fustrating when I find out that my mind has gone on vacation for days or even weeks.  And have no recolection of what I have even done or said to the people around me. A couple of days from now I wont even remember writing this post to you, or even remember the website. I hate my hair and I hate my clothing. Do not be fooled by other people telling you it can get better. I was told that too. I never got better and then I found out the stages and how many there are. I can't even go to a store and walk around it for even 15 mins before I have to sit down. I am exhausted from store runs and lifting things is a quick NO DON'T DO. I know how this condition effects my friends and my family. even walking to the bathroom and taking a shower hurts now. There is no pain pill out there that can help me at this stage. I have tried. Lyrica helped for the first 3 years but even it stopped helping. I live in wide spread pain all over my body now and not just in certian areas anymore. That is the bare bones of FB. I will be 46 next month and I feel like I am over 100 years old. Don't let doctors give you the feeling of false hope. It never goes away. there is NO CURE for the pain no matter what the Pain med is. I know I have been there. I have taken them all. vitamins don't help also. I have tried herbs over the years too. that was also an epic fail. Your food change well yes I have to laugh at that too. Over the years of dealing with this condition you will be alianated by your friends, your family and your own children. except the ones that see what you go through. I am lucky to have the husband I have because he has watched my suffering. He has also watched it get worse over the corse of 13 years. He has watched me loose my mind and I have had to go to mental hospitals as well. This condition as the years roll by get worse and worse. your too tired all the time.  and not just some of the time. when you do have a good day you throw yourself into as mush work as you can then your down for weeks or months. untill you have another good day . then the process continues. your body becomes imune to medications and they have to keep changing what they give you over the years that roll by. I wish you luck with your problem and hope you have more years to be active than what I have had. 

My Blessing goes out to you.