WeAreFibro.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Fibromyalgia

suzanne

good question I usually presume it's fibro or something else I have.I figure if it's not it will let me know.

37 months ago

Jennifer

I know, I just started experiencing 2 new symptoms in the past 3 months.

My stomach hurts almost all the time unless it's empty.  It feels like someone punched me in the stomach, not gas or cramps or anything I've experienced before.  I have had IBS for 16 years, so I don't think it's just that.  Could my stomach MUSCLES actually hurt from fibro????

Second, I wake up several times every night or during my nap because my elbows and wrists hurt.  Is that fibro or carpal tunnel syndrome?

37 months ago

Lynn

good question.  I dont know.  I suppose I would have to feel something really different than the normal pain I experience every day.  Well, I have had things checked.  Like I was having chest pains and was afraid it was the heart.  So I had to go to a heart dr.  Turns out my heart is fine.  What it was however was Asthma.  So, now I know what that feels like kind of.  I have had MRI's to show what the heck is going on with my back because the pain is just so bad.  So, I guess if you complain enough they will do a new test on that area to rule out something else. 

37 months ago

Willice

I really don't know any sure-fire way to tell the difference, maybe length of time a symptom lasts?  About 8 years ago, I walked around with a fractured ankle bone for 2 months because I assumed it was fibro.  Dumb, dumb! 

When my wrists hurt, I use braces like for carpal tunnel. Also, I try to keep them warm, no air blowing on my wrists or elbows. Have learned to sleep on my back with arms stretched straight down.  My b/f says I look as though I'm laid out in a coffin. Hey, whatever works, right?

Also, I've discovered it's a good thing to place a rolled towel between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, keeping the weight of the covers off my toes. I wake up with my feel less cramped.

37 months ago

Lisa Mae

My boyfriend and I have an on going joke. If I have any new, unusal pain....we blame it on fibro. He says it's my fibro reminding me that it's there just to be ass. He puts a funny voice to it and plays it up just to make me laugh about the pain I'm feeling at that moment. He'll do anything to make me smile even though he knows I'm going through hell. I don't know what I'd do without him.

37 months ago

sunnyd

For me I guess I chock it up to FM unless it keeps up or keeps getting stronger. I guess if the pain is in the guts I blame crohns. Plus there is also that fact that I am getting alittle older and with that comes aches too. I think if it was something else it will let you definately know.

37 months ago

kathy

it's difficult for me because I know or think I know that I have some arthritis involved now....I have many other health issues....and no health insurance so I wing it...My father is a physician in another state so he keeps sending me meds for arythmia, diabetes, hypertension etc that I have been diagnosed with in the past...I lived in Virginia before I lived in the Carolina's and had medicaid there but I am too rich now to qualify here...but that's a whole 'nuther blog...I just know I am so tired of hurting....

37 months ago

Aliza

that's a good question.  it's usually pretty impossible for me to be able to tell the difference between the two.  sometimes though, i can just tell, that the pain feels different.  i can't really explain to doctors how it feels different, and they always just say that it's the fibro, but sometimes it feels different.  Also, if it's not from the fibro, then usually, advil or something will lessen the pain, if it's the fibro, no OTC meds work at all.

37 months ago

claire

ah thats a good point, never thought of meds working or not working with things other than fibro

cheers hun

x

37 months ago

Dawn

I just read somewhere that the problem differentiating between fibro and other illnesses is what causes problems for fibro patients. We tend to start to think everything is the fibro. I know I have have chest pains. I have had extensive conversations with my doctors on when to call an ambulance and when to chalk it up to fibro. His attitude, better safe then sorry. I have had some horrible symptoms that have led to tons of tests and possible diagnoses and in the end it was fibro but i'm glad that it was checked out. I keep a journal and if a symptom is reaccuring and/or has a definate pattern it can help to determine if it is related to a flair or could be an individual diagnosis.  Hope this helps.

36 months ago