Fibromyalgia

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2007

And speaking of God "blessing me"..... as I said.... he has. I work 16 hour shifts in the ER and for more than 8 of those hours, it feels like a knife going through my right heel. I take NSAIDS, do heel stretches, use ice, and I hobble a lot.

I know pain.

Of course, it's not all over my body but I'm not going to get into a pi$$ing contest over who is in more pain.

I am just disclosing this info because I am not somejudgemental PollyAnna that has never experienced chronic pain.

Everyone that walks this Earth experiences some type of chronic pain at some time in their life.

I don't consider myself special. Just human.

JaxiaKiley · Mar 22, 2007

I love someone with FM -- it is real. I hope I never have to go through that kind of pain. Maybe there is something to the autoimmune part, because she does have leukemia. The other person I know with FM has epilepsy. However, I think that because it is vague and hard to diagnose, some drs use it to have something to tell their FFs.

As for MVP, I was recently diagnosed with it. While having chest x-rays for bronchitis, the pcp saw something odd with my heart. I was sent to a cardio, and had an echo done. He actually showed me the regurgitation. When he was teaching me about MVP, he explained that this used to be a condition "used to placate fragile housewives who kept coming to the dr." Before echos, it was hard to *accurately* diagnose. The only change in my life is that I have to take antibiotics before I go to the dentist.

Hopefully, there will come a day when there are better tests for FM.

I would have a really hard time working in the ER, because the FFs would really bother me.

PNS · Mar 22, 2007

Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose as there really isn't any test out there to confirm it. I think its a catch all diagnosis that may sometimes be used if everything else is ruled out.

I work in a pain clinic. We never prescribe narcotics for this condition. We treat the symptoms: sleep medication, anti depressants, exercise programs, lifestyle changes.

bill4745, RN · Mar 23, 2007

I went to my doctor complaining of several days per month of severe fatigue, generalized aches and pains, for several years. A thorough exam and blood work showed nothing. When he sid the 'f' word, I told him that, 5 years ago, he told me he didn't believe in it, but he said he had changed his mind. He encouraged me to take flexeril 10mg each night at bedtime.

Within 5-6 days, I felt like a new person. Is this all caused by depression and stress? Probably. Is it a real condition with real discomfort? Probably. No matter what, is it any big deal to feel so much better with a fairly benign drug?

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose as there really isn't any test out there to confirm it. I think its a catch all diagnosis that may sometimes be used if everything else is ruled out.
I work in a pain clinic. We never prescribe narcotics for this condition. We treat the symptoms: sleep medication, anti depressants, exercise programs, lifestyle changes.

my oh my

fusster · Mar 27, 2007

I'd be careful about disregarding it as a diagnosis. My mom was labeled with this for a while. She has an HMO and her primary care doc wouldn't refer her to any specialists. After c/o severe muscle pain for 1 1/2 years, she was in so much pain that she couldn't take it anymore (and it was really painful for me just watching her), went to a rheumatologist, paid for the appointment and all the tests out of pocket, and finally found out she has an autoimmune disorder. Now she's on prednisone and doing way way better as far as muscle pain goes, but she still has severe insomnia (never more than 4 hours a night, and that's with sleeping pills). So don't just assume that if someone is labeled with this diagnosis that it's "all in their head".

By the way, she refused all pain meds except a motrin every couple of days when she really needed it, so no she was not a drug seeker.

NoMoreStudying · Mar 27, 2007

I always think of that commercial "Depression hurts." I know when I feel depressed, I'm very achy, don't sleep well, all over pains. And then it clears with the depression. I always see fibromyalgia as being similar but more chronic or poorly managed. Twice I had hugely swollen joints with it and all of the autoimmune studies were negative.

A male friend of mine was severely depressed, no mental health history and not ackowledging it. He was in chronic pain, too, which he did acknowledge. No relief from pain meds. Finally he saw his doc and antidepressants resolved everything. If he were a woman, though, he would have been a perfect candidate for the dx.

After, he kept saying "I can't believe depression can cause so much pain!" Of course, he still chooses to focus on the pains as the problem more than the depression, probably b/c of the stigma.

etceducator · May 27, 2007

Let me start by saying I am an ER nurse and I have been for 10 years. I have fibromyalgia. I am not depressed nor do I pop oxycontin all day. I hurt every day, but I get up and go to work and eat right and exercise to make it bearable. Who are we as ER nurses to judge anyone's pain? Take the worst muscle aches you have had after a 12 hour slammed shift with no break and multiply it times 10. I have done a lot of research and I do think some people are blanket labeled with this condition. Believe me, it is not a diagnosis that you would want. I would just ask that you not group everyone that says they have fibromyalgoa into the "crazy drug popper" group. Thanks.

CHATSDALE · May 27, 2007

those nurses who compare fatigue after a hard days work have no idea what they are talking about

i have had fm for many years, walking daily helps but is not always possible, i also take B12 and otc [motrin, aleve,asap] evry day

i ihave never taken a narcotic for this sx, i am not depressed, i have never been to an er for fm

i think that the er nurses who roll their eyes and take it on to themselves to dx or disregard a dx are just patting themselves on the back about how much smarter they are then anyone elsse..i have worked with people who didn't believe in fm/cfs but let them get pms or a migraine h/a and the world had to come to a stop for them

i have worked all my life with this disorder, sometimes you have to put one foot in front of the other thank God my children are not afflicted

for those of you who are also suffering from this do not let anyone put you

down..this is done from ignorance, research will help

RNtigerEMT · May 27, 2007

WOW!!!!!!

I just read this thread from beginning to end. Started reading it because I am curious about fibromyalgia, as its not something we learned about in school, and I have seen a lot of dx recently(last couple yrs).

Do have to say I have learned alot form this thread, and will definately be doing some more research. (what can I say, I love learning new things)

I have noticed quite a bit of flaming, name calling, etc, which is sort of discouraging, but there are a lot of different opinions about this syndrome. This is a forum, where we are supposed to be able to discuss different opinions and viewpoints. (unless I totally misunderstand the concept of a forum). I personally believe that there are people who are legit with the dx, and there are also people who have been misdx. I don't have it, but sympathize with those who do, and those with any other chronic condition. As a nurse, ED or anywhere else, we have to treat the pt's complaint, not our perception of it. I have seen my share of FF, but have also seen some of those FF present with a deadly problem. If we cannot treat each and every visit as a new case, things will be missed, sometimes with horrible consequences(sp?).

Case in point, had a FF on a floor unit where I previously worked. He was very proud of the FACT,(and I checked) that he had spent between 250-300 days in the hospital the previous yr, and was planning on going for the whole year. (this was early 2006). Well, before I was laid off in November from this faciltiy, the FF presented with severe CP, a common cc of his, blown off by admitting Dr, but admit anyway. The FF died from a massive MI 2hrs after being admitted to floor. This mand had been admitted for everything under the sun, on every single floor in the hospital, but this time he was a legit admit for CP. Due to his FF stauts, his workup was delayed until he got to the floor. 2 days prior had been in ED for co CP, overnight admit, serial cardiac enzymes negative, discharged, back to ED, admit, died.

back to the subject, who are we to really say if FMS is real until there are more tests, cases dx, etc. Medicine is an everchanging world, with ever changing needs. That is whay as medical profesionals, we need to stay current and on our toes, so we don't miss anything pertinant.

End of rant/soapbox speech

teeituptom, BSN, RN · May 29, 2007

No matter what is said or done

you come to me in triage and tell me about Fibromyalgia, I will roll my eyes. Ive listened to this in ER for so long now and seen all its abuses.

mammaoftwo · May 30, 2007

No matter what is said or done
you come to me in triage and tell me about Fibromyalgia, I will roll my eyes. Ive listened to this in ER for so long now and seen all its abuses.

You can roll your eyes all you want to, unless you have suffered and yes I say suffered from the pain of fibromyalgia then you do not know what it is like. I quit taking all the pain meds about six years ago because I refuse to live like a zombie. I have learn to cope with the pain and "medical professionals" like yourself can think it's all a joke or whatever. Not everyone with fibromyalgia is an abuser and it's absurd for people to think so.