I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain THEN I had a little accident at work.?
I went sliding through some cleaning fluid that got spilled on the floor. I tensed up all my muscles and am still stiff a week later.
I mentioned to the boss that I was still hurting. She smarted back---I hurt too!
Somehow I don't think it's the same thing.
Am I right to say it's not the same to pull ever muscle in your body as it is to "hurt too!" ?
What do you think of her minimizing my problem and accident results?
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There is simply no way for anyone to understand what is going on internally with the Fibromyalgic body. Because you look absolutely normal, yet you feel like you will never perform normally again. No one can see what the problem is. And since it is not such a known illness such as cancer it does not get the respect that people with cancer would get. No one would question a cancer patient about his or her illness because everyone has heard of it. If you have bad days because of your illness with cancer no one would question it. But because Fibromyalgia has not been classified as a disease or given notoriety (such as a famous person getting FMS) it is relatively unknown.
Several years ago Fibromyalgia was a disability categorized as "psychological". It's hard to understand how it feels to be told you are mentally having a problem when your body will not perform what you are asking it to do. How can that possibly be mental? Patients were, in effect, being told it was "all in your head". Fortunately, the medical field has produced enough research to re-classify it as a true physical disability that is often paired with studies and treatments for arthritis and rheumatism.
People with FMS have the additional stress and frustration in their lives of trying to explain (all the time) why today they can do almost anything and the next day they can barely get out of bed. Depression is a frequent side-effect of FMS and who can question it? Living with a body-wide toothache-like pain constantly is something only fellow sufferers can truly understand. When we have "bad days" the pain can feel like there are hot curling irons jammed into our muscles. Can you even imagine that? Also imagine the fatigue of your muscles being so bad that it feels like they have turned to Jell-O. And no matter how much you try to exercise your muscles never feel normal again. It's always like battling Jell-O to make your body perform.
Here's a letter I like to use to inform people about my condition. I have Fibromyalgia and completely understand what you are going through. Copy the letter below and give it to your boss. This might make her wake up and realize that your situation is different.
Letter to people that don't have Fibromyalgia (FMS) and/or MPS:
In the spirit of informing those who wish to understand ...
... These are the things that I would like you to understand about me before you judge me...
Please understand that being sick doesn't mean I'm not still a human being. I have to spend most of my day in considerable pain and exhaustion, and if you visit I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me stuck inside this body. I still worry about work and my family and friends, and most of the time I'd still like to hear you talk about yours too.
Please understand the difference between "happy" and "healthy". When you've got the flu you probably feel miserable with it, but I've been sick for years. I can't be miserable all the time; in fact I work hard at not being miserable. So if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in a lot of pain, or extremely tired, or that I'm getting better, or any of those things. Please, don't say, "Oh, you're sounding better!” I am not sounding better, I am sounding happy. If you want to comment on that, you're welcome.
- Please understand that being able to stand up for ten minutes, doesn't necessarily mean that I can stand up for twenty minutes, or an hour. And, just because I managed to stand up for thirty minutes yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. With a lot of diseases you're either paralyzed, or you can move. With this one it gets more confusing.
- Please repeat the above paragraph substituting, "sitting", "walking",
"thinking", "being sociable" and so on ... it applies to everything. That's what FMS/MPS does to you.
- Please understand that FMS/MPS is variable. It's quite possible (for me, it's common) that one day I am able to walk to the park and back,
while the next day I'll have trouble getting to the kitchen. Please don't attack me when I'm ill by saying, "But you did it before!” if you want me to do something then ask if I can. In a similar vein, I may need to cancel an invitation at the last minute, if this happens please do not take it personally.
- Please understand that "getting out and doing things" does not make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. Telling me that I need a treadmill, or that I just need to loose (or gain) weight, get this exercise machine, join this gym, try these classes... may frustrate me to tears, and is not correct... if I was capable of doing these things, don't you know that I would? I am working with my doctor and physical therapist and am already doing the exercise and diet that I am suppose to do. Another statement that hurts is, "You just need to push yourself more, exercise harder..." Obviously FMS/MPS deals directly with muscles, and because our muscles don't repair themselves the way your muscles do, this does far more damage than good and could result in recovery time in days or weeks or months from a single activity. Also, FMS/MPS may cause secondary depression (wouldn't you get depressed if you were hurting and exhausted for years on end!) but it is not created by depression.
Please understand that if I say I have to sit down/lie down/take these pills now, that I do have to do it right now - it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm out for the day (or whatever). FMS/MPS does not forgive.
If you want to suggest a cure to me, don't. It's not because I don't appreciate the thought, and it's not because I don't want to get well. It's because I have had almost every single one of my friends suggest one at one point or another. At first I tried them all, but then I realized that I was using up so much energy trying things that I was making myself sicker, not better. If there were something that cured, or even helped, all people with FMS/MPS then we'd know about it. This is not a drug-company conspiracy, there is worldwide networking (both on and off the Internet) between people with FMS/MPS, and if something worked we would KNOW.
- If after reading that, you still want to suggest a cure, then do it, but don't expect me to rush out and try it. I'll take what you said and discuss it with my doctor.
In many ways I depend on you - people who are not sick - I need you to visit me when I am too sick to go out... Sometimes I need you help me with the shopping, cooking or cleaning. I may need you to take me to the doctor, or to the physical therapist. I need you on a different level too ... you're my link to the outside world... if you don't come to visit me then I might not get to see you.
... And, as much as it's possible, I need you to understand me. (
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myofascial pain..please answer?
i seem to have seizure like activity..uh muscle twitches..i was diagnosed with myofascial pain, do the twitches come from that? and what pain meds can i take? because i cant stand the pain!i cant even last a full day of school usually, im currently on ultram but its not working and i have anxiety to, so combine the two and a 16 yr olds life is crazy(cant play sports randomly pass out and twitch..) i dont wana deal with this pain anymore..help
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You should be discussing this with your dr. They want to know what works and what isn't working so call their office and let them know it isn't working for you. They might even just send our another prescription for you without having to see them again.
No one should have to live with constant pain with all the meds available.
I wish you well. (
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Does anyone know if there is an area close to Enterprise, AL that prescribes pain killers?
I am disabled. I have several medical conditions example: Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, L-5 Degenerative disc, Lower Lumbar disc disease, and more.
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There is a pain clinic in Dothan, I don't remember exactly where. My doctor referred me there a few years ago after a bad car accident that I didn't quite heal from (I'm in Opp, AL)...
My primary doc in Andalusia is pretty good about making sure I'm covered, as long as I'm conservative with my meds... and he's always willing to refer a patient where they need to go...
Who is your primary care doc? I've been to a couple of docs in Enterprise, some are better at understanding than others... I didn't realize you were so close when I answered your previous question... (
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Are Psychologically Induced Pain Syndromes real? (i.e. stress related back pain) ?
I was reading about PIPS and something called "Knowledge Therapy". Is this stuff for real?
http://www.cure-back-pain.org/psychologically-induced-pain-syndromes.html
http://www.cure-back-pain.org/knowledge-therapy.html
wow... that really is crazy!
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Yup! Ever heard of a Hypochondriac? Oh the power of the mind! (
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Is myofascial pain quickly curable?
Caused by sitting at computer too long
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I have Chronic Myofascial Pain...I need some advice...?
I have trouble raising my arms and extending them too. Is CMP why I have such problems or is it my Fibromyalgia? I thought it was moving my muscles was causing the pain. So it would be the CMP, right? My boss told me to get the windex out and clean the glass cabinets. I went into full torso muscle constriction. I told my boss I couldn't do that ever again. She said yes you will or you will be going back to the doctor for a new note!
So --- do you think it's the CMP or the FM?
Anyone else have such problems...?
full torso muscle constriction...
I have this a lot!!!
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It may be a combination of the two. Are you on medication for muscle spasms? If it isn't working well you may want to talk to your doctor about a new prescription.
As for your boss, she needs to lighten up. Is cleaning the glass part of your job description? Sounds like Janitor work to me. If your doctor says you can't do this then make sure he puts it in writing and you keep a copy of it in case your boss wants to make an issue out of it.
Hope you feel better. Take care. (
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Treatment for myofascial pain?
Physical has so not helped.
Bianca.
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Chiropractors work on this type problem. Hqve you tried that? (
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im 29, i have myofascial & throaic pain, however doctors can't diagnose my pain, any help?
i visited a chiropractor to help treat my severe migraines. i didnt have back or neck pain or injury, but chiro told me i needed frequent adjustments, because my spine was out of line, thus why i had migraines. in 2months i had 18 adjustments. after the first few weeks,my neck stiffened & I had extreme pain: muscle spasms, upper back and neck pain, numbness & tingling, more headaches & migraines, all of which i experience for the last 5 months. xray of my neck & blood work came back normal. dr. suggested PT, it isnt helping. I had 2 steroid injections, which didnt help. drs tell me my pain should go away with PT, but it hasnt. no one has suggested additional tests. after much complaint, i finally had the dr. order an mri for me, which i take in 2 days. i still have the same symptoms as before, however muscle spasms in my face, neck and chest now. my neck is a little swollen, and it’s a little hard to breathe layin down.
i stopped seeing the chiro after 8weeks or the 18th ajustment. i thought he may be causing my pain,so i stopped going. shortly after, i started seeing the orthopedic and internist. i havent seen the chiro in 3months, and i will never go back. i know he caused my pain. thanks for your help. btw i have 20/20 and no terminal illness. actually quite healthy, besides this chronic pain. doctors havent taken me seriously. next doc is neurologist.
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These will help. And stay away from the chiropractor unless a MD sends you. I was treated by one for a cervical spine injury for 6 months and many many adjustments. I ended up having to have 2 spine operations partly due to the treatments by the chiropractor.
I'm disabled for life because of it.
http://symptoms.webmd.com/default.htm
http://health.discovery.com/encyclopedias/encyclopedias.html (
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What is the syndrome called when you cannot feel physical pain?
I remember watching a show a long time ago, and this one little girl was born with a syndrome where she could never feel pain. If she fell on the floor and cut her knee, she wouldn't cry, whereas most children would.
What is this called? Is it a syndrome? Is it a medical condition? I just want to know what it's called, and I can do the research on it.
It is for a story I am writing but I don't entirely know what it is.
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It's called "congenital insensitivity to pain" (
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Trying to find out whats causing chest pain?
Ive been having this unknown chest pain for years and no one has been able to tell me whats wrong. I have heard of very rare syndromes but not sure exactly what it is. This is been going on for about twenty years. It comes totally randomly and stays only for a few min. Sometime frequently and then it will not happen for months. Its in the area of my heart but I have been tested for all kinds of heart problems. I am 100% healthy and dont smoke. any suggestions for research I should look into.
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No, do nothing more. 20 years with no progression and no apparently injurious symptoms and after having had negative results with the initial cardiac screening tests?
You need a hobby. Seriously. Why does this have to be anything other than anxiety?
I am not catering to your need to discover the rare disease, that if you had smarter, more dilligent medical people, they would have been able to find it. It is very, very, very unlikely it exists. And if it does be happy that it does not impact your life any more than it has. If it ever progresses, then you go back and ask for further evaluation.
Other than than, live well and consider talking with a behavior therapist about relaxation techniques you can employ to help relieve your symptom of chest pain.
Good luck. (
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