Nursing and Fibromyalgia

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I have recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome. I know a lot of you are very judgemental about FMS, but hear me out. I have suffered for at least the last 7 years from chronic pain and exhaustion (and worked more than full time as a CNA). I have been to countless doctors, none of whom (until now) could find anything wrong with me (according to labs/x-ray's etc...).

For the past several years I have been treated by nurses and doctors as a drug seeker, and an attention whore. I know the pain of being ignored by you (you know who you are), because you don't think I look like anything is wrong with me...

See, I am only 25 years old. Do you know how hard it is to get someone to believe that you are in pain when you are 17 to 25 years old?

I just want the judgemental nurses out there to know that this pain is VERY real. This job is not easy on our bodies, and someone with FMS takes a double hit...

So please think twice before you judge another persons pain. :)

Specializes in ICU,IV Team, Endoscopy, CM, LTC, Homecar.

I tried Lyrica, a couple of yrs ago, I took 1 pill, of 25mg, 24hrs later, I had to drive to work. I felt so foggy, I ran into a cement thing in parking lot, it was painted bright yellow, and huge, wrecked the front of my Jeep Commander (very sturdy vehicle). So My understanding is that it gets better, but we decided I had an adverse reaction to it. So I don't know, maybe someone has had better luck with it than I did. alien.png

i have fibro and have had it for years, i haven't had to much trouble with it until the last few weeks . last night i had a horrible flare up and was in alot of pain. i didn't sleep a wink... i took motrin and a muscle relaxer and amytripline ( excuse my spelling ) and i had some lortab from an old foot injury and took one and nothing helped. i need to go to the doctor..

i am a RN and work those long 12 hour shifts on my feet and it kills me.

last night my knees . hips. elbows wrists everything hurt , i was so stiff and sore... and i am exhausted today luckily i didn't have to work today,

has anyone tried lyrica ? i wondered how it worked i am thinking of asking for a script for it...

i had lyme diease as a child and i think it brought the fibro on , although i just didn't link them together until recently.

thank you all for your posts. i love reading them

Please dont take lyrica that stuff sucks get real help by a pain management doc. lyrica will have you forgetting things dizzy wigging totally even after you are on it awhile you seriously won't know what your doing.:no:

I haven't heard horror stories about Lyrica that even compare to Cymbalta!

How Cymbalta ever got on the market defies explanation.

This is just so sad to read!

It makes me feel so ashamed of the Medical and Nursing Profession to know that these attitudes are still alive and well. Since, we don't know enough about something and seeing this chronic pain affects women, for the most part, it must be made up. Okay. Whatever.

Remember when ulcers were only caused because of stress? Calm down, relax, take something for anxiety....this ulcer is only caused because of your anxiety and stress. It's all because of what you are thinking.

Funny how things change.

I recently tried to read a book about the history of Lyme Disease, and gave up in frustration and took it back to the library because it made me so angry.

It was story after story of people who had all kinds of medical evidence that they were sick, and their doctors were falsifying records because they didn't want it known that they were diagnosing Lyme Disease. Even reporting them to the state board did no good. I almost wondered if the stories were made up!

I cannot for the life of me remember the book's title or author.

One other thing. Nerdse, if you see this, please write your posts in English. They will be much easier to read, and you will be easier to take seriously, if you do.

Does anyone else have "fibro fog?" I keep losing my train of thought. ( may also be from Lupus) I also have difficulty concentrating/focusing for more than a few minutes of time. How do you deal with it ? Do you ever feel that it compromises your patient's care ?

LstCats,

Have you tried going to different rheumatologists ? How was your FM diagnosed, by the rheumatologist you were seeing or by another physician ? I switched physician's within the same office. I like her more. But, it just seems like un less the physician has FM, they cannot understand how you feel and imagine how bad your symptoms are at times, if when you have you appointment you look physically fine.

I've tried Lyrica and had no success. I took it awhile ago and had some minor side effects.( My Grandmother had a bad reaction to it, which caused skin problems and hair loss. Now, I am on Cymbalta. At first I was nauseous and overly hyper on 30mg. Now, I am on 20mg and it helps some with my back pain and I am able to get more done during the day than I used to. I think different medications work for different symptoms and severities. People also have different reactions, so it is best to try what you think is best for you.

i would suggest brain.hastypastry.net/forums/ then gluten sensitivity forum and read the sticky at the top "the gluten file"....celiac/gluten sens. seems to be common with other autoimmune diseases....good luck

Specializes in Nursing instructor, Geriatrics.
does anyone else have "fibro fog?" i keep losing my train of thought. ( may also be from lupus) i also have difficulty concentrating/focusing for more than a few minutes of time. how do you deal with it ? do you ever feel that it compromises your patient's care ?

i think i have this fibro fog because when i have a flare up and feel crappy i can't concentrate. i just want to watch tv or sleep. i can't read anything or do anything that i have to think about. i had never heard of fibro fog until i read this. how i deal with it is do nothing. i don't really work much and am unemployed right now so it doesn't matter much.

lstcats,

have you tried going to different rheumatologists ? how was your fm diagnosed, by the rheumatologist you were seeing or by another physician ? i switched physician's within the same office. i like her more. but, it just seems like un less the physician has fm, they cannot understand how you feel and imagine how bad your symptoms are at times, if when you have you appointment you look physically fine.

my fm was dx by a rheum in boston. actually, i went to another specialist for a 2nd opinion (he is the guru of fm in the country) and he didn't do much. it was a waste of time and money as my insurance didn't cover him. i waited 8 mos. to get in to see him and i wish i hadn't. so what that he has written tons of articles on fm. he didn't tell me anything i didn't already know and spent about 30 min. w/ me and was going to charge me $400 until i made a big stink at the desk (was told it would be a 4 hour visit w/ a lecture and it was 30 min.). i ended up paying $150 as he came out and spoke to me. i went to a rheum 4 times. the 3rd and 4th visit were horrible. i think she doesn't believe in fm but has to dx becasuse she is rheum. and it is her job. i only went a 4th visit because my pcp encourged me too. it was a waste of my time. she is very incompetent telling me i had all this pain when my main problem was fatigue and exhaustion. she never listened to me and after reviewing her medical notes on me she wrote some things which were untrue. she blamed everything on bipolar and said i was so depressed. guess what, my sleep apnea was cured (long story) and then my depressed mood stopped. go figure...i will not ever go back to that rheum. or any rheum or other doctors. i have had it with the medical profession. the latest endeavor was seeing a new physiatrist who was going to help me with paresthesia and pain i have in my l arm and neck pain and he was useless. i waited for two hours to see him against my better judgement and he did nothing after the 30 min. so, i may need to file for disability. right now things are horrible because i am unemployed.

i've tried lyrica and had no success. i took it awhile ago and had some minor side effects.( my grandmother had a bad reaction to it, which caused skin problems and hair loss. now, i am on cymbalta. at first i was nauseous and overly hyper on 30mg. now, i am on 20mg and it helps some with my back pain and i am able to get more done during the day than i used to. i think different medications work for different symptoms and severities. people also have different reactions, so it is best to try what you think is best for you.

she wanted me to try lyrica but i can't because of an adverse rx to gabapentin which is a close family of lyrica. she kept saying exercise and couldn't understand why i couldn't even take out my garbage to the dumpster because of the weakness. well, now that i am feeling better expect for the l arm (was in pt for 4 mos and did nothing...reason why i went to the physiatrist), i can do more like take out the garbage and do housework. no one would listen to me that the osa was the root of my problems. how would they like to stop breathing for as much as 40 secs. and have o2 sats of 78-83% while sleeping and wake up all the time? since my dentist and hygienst told me to sleep on my side with pillows at my back i am cured. i get up refreshed every morning. i wouldn't be able to take cymbalta because of my bipolar dz. i was on abilfy only 5mg. and i had severe ha and my bp was high. as you said, everyone has different reactions and they have different body chemistries. if the md's would just value us as unique individuals then we would be taken care of. so, i am off doctors for awhile. trying to look at my diet as i notice a difference when i eat a lot of sugar. :nono:

I do not have a job, but I am hoping to start school soon. I am afraid that if I have a flare up it may slow me down. I had one a little over a week ago and I accomplished nothing during that time. ( And I was supposed to be studying for the TEAS, but I missed a whole week). How often do you get flare ups ? I get them about every month with my period. Can cause unberable pain, headaches, joint pain and fibro fog anywhere from 1 day to one week.

I am sorry to hear about your doctor experience. Hopefully you will be able to manage your own symptoms better than the doctors. Is there such thing as a rheumatology NP ? If so they should be good at treating FM ( or at least better than most doctors).

How is your unemployment process going ? I feel so bad for you and hope that you are able to get enough to take care of yourself. Since stress only makes FM worse, lack of $$ only makes things worse. I wish that you lived closer to me. I would see if you wanted to tutor me in my nursing classes ( if I get accpepted) for a little extra $$. I seem to do better with tutoring because I have trouble concentrating and staying awake in class and don't absorb all of the information that I should.

I am glad to hear that you are at least able to get a good night's rest. Seems as though your dentist helps more than doctors. I am trying harder to excersise and eat right and I hope that will help a little with my sleeping. Sugar is bad for me too. it causes me to itch and get joint pain.

Well, good to hear from you. I hope you have a good New Year.

Specializes in Med-Surg., Agency Nursing, LTC., MDS..

I used to be judgemental about people with FM.,until it happened to me, last July ! It's not all in your head....And I have developed a new found compassion for those with it as well as those with RA., which I've had for 3 years.

Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.
I used to be judgemental about people with FM.,until it happened to me, last July ! It's not all in your head....And I have developed a new found compassion for those with it as well as those with RA., which I've had for 3 years.

Thanks for your honesty. :redbeathe

I can say that I hear this more and more often. People are very judgmental regarding another's pain/dx...until they become sick and disabled with pain themselves! Then they really realize what it is all about.

Specializes in Med-Surg., Agency Nursing, LTC., MDS..

It's really helping me be a better nurse. My compassion has grown tenfold plus !!

Specializes in Nursing instructor, Geriatrics.
i do not have a job, but i am hoping to start school soon. i am afraid that if i have a flare up it may slow me down. i had one a little over a week ago and i accomplished nothing during that time. ( and i was supposed to be studying for the teas, but i missed a whole week). how often do you get flare ups ? i get them about every month with my period. can cause unberable pain, headaches, joint pain and fibro fog anywhere from 1 day to one week.

sorry it has been so long since i communicated with you and these posts. i have had 5 episodes last week alone. i had been with only 2-4 per month in nov. and dec. i went through premature menopause (pof) when i was 24 so, that is not a problem for me.

i am sorry to hear about your doctor experience. hopefully you will be able to manage your own symptoms better than the doctors. is there such thing as a rheumatology np ? if so they should be good at treating fm ( or at least better than most doctors).

how is your unemployment process going ? i feel so bad for you and hope that you are able to get enough to take care of yourself. since stress only makes fm worse, lack of $$ only makes things worse. i wish that you lived closer to me. i would see if you wanted to tutor me in my nursing classes ( if i get accpepted) for a little extra $$. i seem to do better with tutoring because i have trouble concentrating and staying awake in class and don't absorb all of the information that i should.

i am at poverty level and really have to stop leaving in a fantasy world that i will have a miracle. it could happen because god could cure me but, he may also not give me a cure. so, at the advice of unemployment case manager and my mother (mother's always know best), i am applying for ssdi this week. i have a consult with my atty. tomorrow who is the same atty. for the mva i was in last year. i have some ideas for you such as getting a book that i have found helpful called "leave no nurse behind: nurses working with disabilities" by donna carol maheady. chapter 1 legal protection is good. however, there is no chapter for fm. the book is good but primarily focuses on psych disorders and severe disorders like ms, spinal injuries, etc. i couldn't find anything about student nurses.

i am glad to hear that you are at least able to get a good night's rest. seems as though your dentist helps more than doctors. i am trying harder to excersise and eat right and i hope that will help a little with my sleeping. sugar is bad for me too. it causes me to itch and get joint pain.

well, good to hear from you. i hope you have a good new year.

:wink2:take care of yourself and please be in touch. :typing

Specializes in Med-Surg., Agency Nursing, LTC., MDS..

I'm wondering if anyone is familiar w/ the Fibromyalgia treatment centers of America,which boast several centers around the country ? From what I have read it sounds like a wonderful resource. But,I'm wondering how the average middle to low income population can afford the expensive appmnts.,testing and treatments? As they do not deal w/insurance companies. They let the patient worry about that.?

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