Hi, I was diagnosed early last year with fibro went to docs and pain clinic at hospital. Been told I have also anxiety disorder called GAD and I have recently been told i have depression. I am 32 [sad] I have worked since 16 in retail and i loved it but over the past 10 years i have been riddled with pain,low mood swings and upset and sleep dreadful. I was put on tramodol,amitriptyline and naproxen which i was on for over a year but tamodol was making me sick and dizzy so i changed to co codomal they dont seem to touch me some days with the pain. I have pain allover mainly my back,knees and hands. My hands swell up badly when i use them and now my knees have started doing the same.I cant even do simple things like wash my hair sometimes as pain really bad.My knees look like balloons at the minute. I find that somedays i dont know what to do. I find a hot bath eases it sometimes i have to have a hot water bottle everyday on my back and i use deep heat spray but now im desperate to help relieve this pain. I was told by hospital to exercise but sometimes i cant even walk properly.
Hi Melissa
I had to reply to this, as im sitting here with hands like boxers, so my husband keeps thinking its funny to tell me! I am 57 and have finally been diagnosed with Fibro after years and years of dreadful night pains that I couldn't explain. I started to get so many other symptoms about 8 years ago until I went to the doctor about it all, after lots of tests they diagnosed Fibromyalgia. I am glad I finally know what it is, but I can honestly say in the last 4 years it has got worse than ever. I get really bad swollen hands and feet (my shoe size has gone up one since last year) and my body swells no matter how much exercise and watching my weight. I dont think anti depressants are the answer. I think the side effects are just not worth it. I have started going to a gym, something I absolutely hated the thought of. But I do pilates, yoga, body balance etc and although it doesnt take the pain away, it really helps to relax your body. I know what you mean about hot baths, I practically live in the bath. My big problem is that its hard to get people to believe all this pain im in and everything as it doesnt show. Like today, Im totally exhausted, and feel just walking up the stairs is an effort, yet another day I could do anything. I cant explain the pain to my husband, one thing I say is that my body feels like that horrible sensation when youve laid on your hands all night and wake up to the numbness and pins and needles.. well im like that all over. Gentle stretching like pilates definitely helps.
I have experienced just what you are going through swollen hands also burning, numbness and only have mild carpal tunnel in one hand and I experience this in both. My knees are swollen and hurt really bad and use heat packs. It started with my feet swelling and the rheumatologist said that wasn't the Fibro but my regular doctor says it is. She immediately checked me for Hep a and b which I knew I didn't have. Totally flipping me out waiting a week for test results and had me worried. Why do these dr's do this crap! I feel your pain, I am the same. I do anything and I have pain. Started trying to exercise and of course pain. Some days I just want to give up. Besides the weight gain from all these mess. Very frustrating as you know. Can't even wear my wedding rings some days. All mine happened after 3 hernias being fixed which I thought I had one. One week later pain all over started. What about you? Do you remember anything in particular that happened? Have a good day!
Hi Melissa
My pains started in 1993 and was in my right hand. The pains came from nowhere. I thought I had knocked my hand on something and ignored it for a week but the pain was getting worse. I went to my GP and the first thing he said was that I had RSI and put me on anti-inflammatory meds as I had swelling in my hands too. Weeks went by and the pains were getting worse and GP put me on more meds. Months went by and still no relief and I started to feel low as the pains were getting worse. To cut the long story short, I have pains in boths hands and shoulders neck and back. I was only diagnosed with Fibro in Aug 2014 and still I'm suffering. Just holding a spoon is painful or even and umbrella when it's raining outside. Combing my hair and doing general day to day chores is a challenge. I have learnt to live with it. Also underwent some Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) which helped with the mindfulness in the thought process. Taking a day at a time is the best way forward.
I really do feel for you and hope you get some relief soon. 
x
I'm not sure swelling is supposed to be typical of fibro at all. I think nerves can imitate the feeling of swelling but if the swelling is noticeable to look at and in more than just 1 Area I would be asking for a rheumatologist appointment asap.
Good luck
Hi Melissa, my fingers have been swollen for 8 months and was convinced I had RA, all started last May with Gastritis and havent felt the same since. Rheumatologist did X-rays and scans but all ok. Crp levels slightly high but diagnosed Fibromyalgia , so swelling is part of Fibromyalgia . I was told by the Rheumatologist the only difference between RA and fibro is Ra destroys the bones but everything else is the same . I belong to the gym but feel worse for attending it and the classes, been on loads of diets but putting on weight. I haven't found any Relief from any medication yet and some days become desperate .
Yes I have badly swollen fingers, some days worse than others. I cannot wear rings at all. Shame I can't even wear my husband's wedding ring as that is too small now too. I use hot baths with epsom salts and biofreeze on my neck and shoulders and hypnotherapy. I have decided that drugs are not the way forward for me as it seems they all give me awful side effects so it is a case of diet, exercise hot baths etc. All the consultant told me was have a positive mental attitude otherwise you will not get up in the morning then she discharged me back to GP.
Hi Melissa, and others; having read all responses, am thinking that if many of you are using Naprosan/Ibobrufen/Naproxin (all the same medication) as an anti-inflammatory, these all cause swelling in the extremeities....I started out using this, and could Actually see my feet swelling while sitting....the only Long-term anti-inflammotory is Voltaren (with the use of Pariet), if you feel the need for Joint Pain relief....however; fibro is more related to our Nerves and Muscles, and that is why I take Amitriptritylline....it helps with my emotions and the Fibro pain...I have trialed Many drugs over my journey, and have only found pain-relief from this and Gabapentin, which also Blocks the Nerve Pathways....I am really feeling for you all, as I know it takes a long, and tiresome journey, to find what really works for each sufferer..but keep up your appts (and hopefully with a knowledgeable and sympathetic dr/Rhuematologist)......till I hear more from you, I will be waiting.....Bron
Mine also started as a bout of gastritis in Aug and i haven't been right since. CRP also slightly raised but the doc doesn't think it's anything to be concerned about. My fingers also swell but i have so many other symptoms, IBS, tinnitus, severe crepitius in the joints, flashing light syndrome,. I wasn't taking much notice of the swelling until i read this post. I was diagnosed privately as havingvFM as i was pushed from pillar to post with all my symptoms. Here's hoping a miracle cure isn't far away
Hi thank you for all your replies I thought I was the only 1 out there with swollen hands I forgot to mention how do you all think yours started? I can't pinpoint mine as I've had a free things happen.... When I was 14 I was hit by by a car when I was 15 a boy attacked me in the street then when I was in my twenties I was attacked in my local pub by a girl and a boy and I had a vicious beating to my head and back. I've also had swine flu and been held up at work by masked men(frightning)I've not worked properly since the last 1 I'm anxious and panicky all the time now.
Wow, you have been through alot in your life time. That is quite a lot to take on board. Taking one day at a time and putting yourself first is so important. Do try CBT as it will help you with your mind too. Take care and many gentle hugs to you. x
Hi melissa Im suffering with swollen hands and carpal tunnel, I am struggling to use a knife fork grip items. Its really annoying and frustrating. The only thing I can use for pain is Ibuprofen, my hot water bottle is a god send for my painful back. I also wear a hand and thumb surport. which I got from ableworld, it has helped me and helped relieved some pain. Try Ibuprofen see if that helps, Ive tried loads of different pain tablets theyve all made me sick. so all I use for pain relief is a hot water bottle Ibuprofen and gritted teeth. gentle hugs and take care.
HI KAZ 40 i am going to try a hand support like you was talking about and give that a go. I had a very hot bath last night and i massage my own back and legs and i felt a bit better going to bed last night. I have doctors again next week see if they can swap my tablets over as mine dont do anything for me.Ann46903 I literally can understand what you are saying i am usually slim but the past year i am piling it on it seems
I wish i could get up and exercise but when i walk 10 mins to the shop im in bad way when i get back bad pain in back today sat with hot water bottle as we speak
we are doing well between us today melissa, Ive been in agony with my legs, Im struggling to walk at the min hun. my husband has to dry my legs for me he puts body lotion on them as they are very dry. I use my hot water bottle the only tablet I can take for pain relief is Ibuprofen it takes the edge off a bit.The hand surport is great it helps me alot. I hope it helps you when you get 1. I wear it on my right hand at the min but my left hand is now getting as bad as the right. so I can see me wearing 1 on the left hand Im going to look right weird haha.take care hun gentle hugs x
Hello Melissa; (I was going to say "Hell Melissa).....no wonder you have Fibro....I am just catching up from the last few days, and when I read this, I thought "you are one brave lady, who has suffered much personal trauma".....I just can't imagine what your mental health must be like to even keep going? and would not blame you for not even going out your front door....I have seen many more crumble, with less stressors than you have experienced....thankyou for sharing, as it has been one hard life you have lead..............Bron
Hi melissa how are doing today and hows your back today. Im in alot of pain with my back. Im waiting to for an mri. as last year I had a problem with 1 of my discs my dr thinks it hasnt eased properly. so will see what the mri reveals when I have it done. I use a hot water bottle for my back the only pain relief I can take is ibuprofen. Ive had terrible side affects with all the pain medication the dr has tried me on. I do leg exercises what the physio gave me to do but thats the only exercise Im able to do. Ive got a dog called charlie I use to walk him for miles but I cant walk him any more it falls on my husband to walk him. I have to walk with a stick around the house and use a wheel chair when I go. the pain in my back and legs is horrendous trying to sleep is impossible oh the joy of having fibro take care gentle hugs
I hope that all goes well for you at the mri and that it could be just your fibro maybe fingers crossed!my dad had slipped discs years ago he had an op and hes been great since
so hopefully either way you will get sorted.I have ashma so ive got to stay away from ibuprofen yes tramadol i was on for over a year and it made me fall over,dizzy and sick in my mouth made me feel like the walking dead The pain clinic gave me a book with exercises to help but i find any movement repetative wise makes me worseon a bad day i cant cope but then when i have a ok day im fine. Today not too bad tbh.I will get a support for my hand and try that its mainly my hands,back and lately knees. Im at doctors tommorrow as i have just been signed off sickI have a dog too his name is buster hes 4 hes mad with energy i used to walk him but i struggle now but my boyfriend is really understanding and my life was total rubbish before him no one understood me. How are you feeling today?I find getting too the shop hard and its only 10 minute walk which is rubbish but i take each day as it comes i think that you have too. I use deep heat spray on my back try it if you can it does help a little bit all best
hi bron
you have too keep going ive always stayed strong for everyone around me even when i was crumbling inside and a few times i have felt like i was having a breakdown.I have tried cbt twice now but i was going through too much at the time and i couldnt concentrate so it wasnt the right time i might try it again now that my personal life is more settled
i have tried it twice but the timing was always bad i am thinking of trying again now im happy within my personal life. I have a boyfriend who is my complete and hes the best thing i have ever known he tries his hardest to understand me but of course on a really bad day you feel your on your ownyes its true you have to keep going. i am so amazed at the amount of people on here that have fibro my friend has m e as well.all best
i have never tried the salts in the bath i love bath soaks though and a boiling hot bath. i sometimes wish you could sleep in a bath and i might actually get some proper sleep. The medications they put you on are awful im at doctors again tommorrow see if i can change mine AGAIN yes it is state of mind is what they say its such a mad disorder im still not understanding all properly. all best