[Rainbowlight2007]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum (not Brantialk, just reregistered - lost my password). I have had "paiin" for 8 years, was initially diagnosed with arthritis and was only properly (I hope!) diagnosed with Fibro about a year ago. I am also Bipolar and take Lamictal, Zoloft and Restoril. My first med trials were Prednisone (agitating), Plaquinil (zombie!), Lyrica (sped up the nervous system too much and HORRIBLE to come off of). So now I am on a trial of Neurontin. Have heard it cause bad weight gain and hair loss (I asked about this in my other thread). Are these standard meds the docs start with? He suggested Methotrexate but I refused after I saw the side effects! I experience almost constant pain in my back and neck, sometimes it gives me headaches. It is worse in the cold/rain. I would say on a scale of 10 I live at a constant 6 at least. I do get fatigued alot and can't do the normal long day of most people. Are these the classic symptoms? I don't know what other symptoms I might have that are fibro related, because the fibro diagnosis is fairly new to me. Is there anything else I can be doing to feel better besides medication? Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks!

[Jomar]

I posted some Neurontin info on your other thread -, I also wanted to mention our useful stickys has many good links about fybro.

[Idealist]

Welcome back! Fibro is such a complicated illness that the possible symptom lists can be a whole page long. I've studied it extensively, and I'm still not sure I understand it well.

My fibro is secondary to another condition, so that muddies the waters, too. I can never be sure which symptoms come from what. But the most common symptoms of fibro are sore, achy muscles and joints. They can also include chemical sensitivities, jaw pain, sensitivity to temp changes, and dozens of other things. It is usually aggravated greatly by lack of sleep. If you want to understand this illness you are going to have to put some time into studying it. There's a wealth of info all over the web, and several good books on the market. In the meantime, I and everyone else would be happy to answer any specific questions you might have regarding the condition.

Good luck and best wishes...
Idealist

[Rainbowlight2007]

Thank you!

[Doody]

Oh, darn it. I posted a bunch earlier and then forgot and shut down the computer.

Hi Rainbowlight, it's nice to meet you, though I wish it were under different circumstances!

Idealist is so right. When I was first diagnosed, oh, about 4 years ago, I immediately came to the forums to check it out. I was in SO much pain everywhere. For several months, my doc and a specialist told me I just had some strange virus running through me.

Well, after those several months, they finally diagnosed me with the fibro and it all made sense. The only thing that killed the pain that first time was Percodan. I'd go home after work, throw blankets in the dryer to get them really hot, then lay down and wrap up in them!

When I came to the forums and started reading, I remember a sense of, well, anger and loss. A new 'disease' I didn't need. Well, actually I think they refer to it as a syndrome.

I read everyone's advice and looked all over the internet for information. There is tons of it out there. It would be great for you to look at the links posted at the top of this forum and read all that you can. Then you'll have a better understanding.

Besides this forum (although it is pretty new) I found a few other informational sites very helpful. They may be in those links at the top of the forum, I don't know.

Gentle hugs and hang in there!

FibroHugs

Mayo Clinic info

National Fibromyalgia Association