I have a solution for your PMDD - get an IUD.  I had the same problem for years.  I was ready to have a full hysterectomy.  My doctor suggested the IUD.  It lasts for 5 years.  I'm 43 and I'm on my 2nd one.  I don't have periods.  You do at first for about 3 months, then 4 years of no periods, no PMS.  Get the one that has the hormones in it that slowly release.  Keeps your own hormones in check.

I feel for you.  I know what you're going through.  I promise, this is a solution.

I was reading The Fibromyalgia Advocate and it definitely said you can suffer from mild symptoms for years (like me) and that a really stressful event physically or emotionally can cause it to become fully onset (like me).  I had it under control for years until within 6 months I had MRSA, sinus surgery, emergency surgery for ruptured ulcer, sepsis in the liver and spleen after that, causing me to be in the hospital 11 days on mega-antibiotics.  I have never been the same since.  It's fully onset for sure.  My pharmacist recently gave me info that you MUST be on these meds to control it:

The goal of using medication is to improve sleep and pain tolerance. Patients should receive drug treatments along with exercise, patient education, and behavioral therapies.

Duloxetine (Cymbalta), pregabalin (Lyrica), and milnacipran (Savella) are medications that are approved specifically for treating fibromyalgia.

However, many other drugs are also used to treat the condition, including:

• Anti-seizure drugs (I take Neurontin-miracle drug)
• Other antidepressants (Cymbalta)
• Muscle relaxants (Flexeril - only if needed)
• Pain relievers (Advil, which also helps the absorption of Neurontin)
• Sleeping aids (Klonipin)

Hope this helps.

Sue welcome!!
When i used a heated blanket it did feel good. I am not using one now.Infact since my shoulder surgeryt in April 10 I am sleeping in the recliner. I hope to get back to the bed. But when I lay down and it all hurts and the fibro hurt who could sleep????
I think I had fibro as a teen .I always remember feeling more tired and my mom said I always needed more sleep.
Post often  fibro sister.
Pam

Hi,

My name is Lisa and I am new to this web site.  I have Fibromyalgia and I have just gone through gastric bypass.  I am having a difficult time trying to figure out how to use this web site.  Can you nice ladies help me out?

Thanks so much,

Lisa ( fellow sufferer)

Hi I am one of the lurking Fibro ladies.  I read your post about a week ago & have been thinking I should introduce myself.  But, where do I begin?  First my profile & all my pics on it seem to be a different person than how I have been feeling lately.  I still look the same but right now I am not feeling like the happy outgoing woman I see in those pics.

I will be honest the reason I have not posted is because complaining about how I feel seems worthless & not helpful to anyone.  I look on here to see if anyone has tried a medication or anything that might help me too.  I just tried Neurontin, I only got up to about 500mg & was hungry all the time.  I gained 5 pounds while on it, so I decided it was not worth it since I felt no change in my pain.  I did not want 5 pounds to turn into 10lbs etc...  I had WLS 2.5 years ago & have stayed the same weight consistently despite being unable to exercise.

I was just officially diagnosed after finally being referred to the pain clinic.  I have been pretty sure I had fibro over the past 10 yrs off & on.  But, it was in 2009 that I had my confirmation by having a flare that was systemic & lasted months.  It was terrible it was brought on by both emotional & physical stress.  Since then I have had flares but have been managing.  I had my plastic surgery Sept. 27th 2010 & since then I have been in a heck of a flare.  Combined with it being wintertime & being in pain every single day I am becoming depressed.  I always have a rough time in the winter due to the lack of sunshine & the cold.  So I know this to will pass...but some days I have a hard time seeing that far out.

So meds wise I just take 1/2 percocet every 4 hours PRN to take the edge off.  I take antidepressants that normally work well (just having a rough couple weeks), & I take Klonopin before bedtime to sleep.  I have the best bed in the world but still wake up in pain every morning.  Yet, a trip to the store sends me back to bed because my body hurts so much.

I just bought a 1mm wetsuit to wear to gentle water aerobics.  I went yesterday on my own to try it out in the heated outdoor pool.  It helped but the cold is still rough especially when getting in & out because it is not an indoor pool.  I felt like I had worked out like crazy & was so sore.  But, I have to force myself to do it otherwise I am going to turn into a bowl of Jello! ;-)  As you all know it is a fine balancing act.

The pain clinic Dr. recommended acupuncture, gentle water aerobics, & Bowen therapy.  She also gave me some pod casts to listen to that are like meditation relaxation sessions.  I have not started anything but the meditation & water aerobics so far.  ANY MIRACLE CURES YOU KNOW OF PLEASE SHARE! ;-) J/K  I know there are none, but I would love to hear what helps others most so maybe I can try it.

Okay this was VERY LONG!  It is not really "who I am" but right now I feel like it defines a large portion of my life.  I am also a mother of 4 girls, a wife to a wonderful man, & I just want to be able to spend more time with them & enjoy them.  My 5 yr old was talking about wanting to go to Disneyland the other day.  I said sure we can go there someday soon...  She said "no you can't Mom because you'll be too sick".  That is how my 5 yr old sees her Mommy... as sick or hurting all the time.  I want to take her to Disneyland someday, even if I have to rent a scooter I told her I will take her!

Okay, I introduced myself.  I don't think it will be very helpful to anyone.  But, I did it & that is a good start.