Meadowlark, I stretch every night before I go to bed and before I walk. I can't swim at least not much, we don't have anything here in this small town but a motel swimming pool. It's sad because swimming is one of me and my kid's favorite things to do. We go when we can. I will give the meditation at try. You make it sound so simple, Thank You. I love to listen to the birds, got to do that more often. I would love to keep in touch. Hopefully we can help each other out. It just helps to talk to others who know what you are going thru. I have often thought that my anxiety is the top factor in all my so called problems. If I can get it under control my pain should lessen, the depression would lessen the OCD would go away because it's caused by the anxiety and I'd be able to lose weight because I'd be up and out and about loving life the way I used too. Hopefully I'll talk to you again soon.

how does a doctor diagnose this? are there any specific blood tests? what are the most common syptoms?

Thanks for any info!

Carrie

I had fibro for years and was at the point where I had to decide if I was going on disability or try something that might help. I decided I would give the glyconutients six months then I would have to file for disability if it did not work. To my suprise it worked. But even after the pain and other symptems were gone I still needed to rebuild my strenth from my lifestyle over the years. I did join a gym but today I saw a bike I was wondering if anyone has one. I saw it on Theracyledotcom . they even have one you can use if you are in a wheel chair. They are expensive but if they are as usable as they say it is a good option for rebuiling strenth in the legs and getting your joints moving again it seems. Let me know if anyone has one and what you think of it. Thanks Kathy

carrie1224, There are no blood tests to detect Fibromyalgia. They go by the symptoms you have and mostly by doing a tender point check. There are so many tender points in the body ( I can't remember how many ) one on each corresponding side of the body and they gently but firmly press on each of these. If you have tenderness in so many of them and a certain set of symptoms for say 6 months or longer and they have ruled out any other conditions to cause the symptoms then the diagnosis is pretty sure. You need to go to a doctor that has had training and knows the tender points and correct symptoms like a rhematologist. In times past doctors have used this condition as a catchall if they couldn't figure out what you had or just got tired of you then you had fibromyalgia. Thats why I would go to a doctor that has the experience and training in this condition. I hope that helps. If you have any more questions let me know.

rubberbones, would you tell me a little more about the glyconutients and how they helped. Also is this the thing that you have to really change your diet and body lotions and all that stuff when you take it? Thanks!

rubberbones, sorry I forgot I wanted to mention the bike too. How is this different than a regular bicycle or exercise bike. I have never heard of it. I do some bicycle riding just outdoors along with walking and light jogging.
Thanks again!

What really helps is avoiding white flour, carbohydrates sugar and caffine. During stress, that is what is craved. I need to remind myself to take care of my body and the mind will follow!

Meadowlark, you are soooo right about the cravings during stress. I eat and eat until I'm just sick. I feel so much better when I'm eating right or at least trying to. I think I feel better mentally to when eating right because I know I'm doing the right thing even if my body still hurts.

Soblue, I had a very stressful day today at work. I drank two huge glasses of iced tea that I love and had white bread on a sandwich with a salad for lunch. To top it off, I stopped for an ice cream (chocolate) on the way home. The thing is, I know better. I am feeling more emotions now, particularly anger. Working on #6 for the details. I have got to go swimmong tomorrow. That really helps. It's a local school so it is not expensive.

...and another thing: I feel sad. I feel for myself. I feel for all of us who have suffered, so many in silence.

I also have been newly diagnosed with fibro. It is awful, and right now I am having a difficult time. I am a nurse who works in a hospital midnight shifts, and I have found that there are times I feel like I just can't move, and I could sleep for days. I was exercising, and that did help me out, but I broke my thumb, and well, I have gained wt, and not got back into the program. If anyone has any info to get me re- motivated so to speak, I would be very happy to get it. Thanks

HI my name is mark,need some suport with lyme disease.things I go threw 6/20/07---night sweats hot then noemal then hot again then when to bed.neck tight,brain fog,feet hurt,ear's ringing loud
6/21 07 ----neck tight ,ear's ringing loud,feet hurt
6/22/07---Had a good mornig and did some lawn work and over did it,In a lot of pain,chest hrts,feet hurts,kness,
6/23/07 neck is all tight ,ear's ringing load,hand hurt,elbows,brain fog, stress.
6/24/07---Back hurts,ear's ringing,brain fog,kness hurt,feet hurts
6/25/07---inbearable back Pain(because I shoveled dirt to long)have been in a lot of pain for three days now.
ear's ringing,brain fog,kness hurt,feet hurts,did rife machine for 2 mins on code 20

Thanks everyone for your posts. It is awful when you just cannot find some relief from these pains. This program is really helping me to cope with my stress levels, monitoring my thinking patterns and finding ways to make sure I take care of myself. I am so thankful I have been able to do well at my new job, which I started about the same time as this program. I have to tell you that negative thinking patterns will cripple us and we are responsible for doing our part to get better now.

Hi! This is my first time posting a message. I also have Fibromyalgia. I am in a flare-up triggered by some severe allergic reactions. I recently received a postcard from the "Fibromyalgia & Fatique Centers Incorporated". There web site is www.fibroandfatigue.com. I am considering checking this out if I cannot find a rheumatologist - in my area - who is knowledgeable about treating Fibromyalgia. You may want to check this out. Luigi

I have fibromyalgia and I hate as I'm sure you do, but it seems like there is nothing that I can do about it. I wish you could tell me what to do. Medications, like excedrine and Ibropro. doesn't help at all.
Good luck to you,.\Maxine