I went back to my GP but was told I don't have FM because I don't have the tender points. I was told possibly Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but was also told that it doesn't run together with Peripheal Neuropathy. She basically told me that they don't know what's wrong with me, go to a specialist (neuroologist) and don't come back. I think I need to find a new GP.

On a side note, I didn't have fatigue and this run down feeling until about 8 months ago. I had surgery and haven't been the same since. Since my last dr. visit, I've since been notified that I could have been exposed to hepatitis c during my surgery. I don't think I have Hep C, but something happened to my body during surgery that I haven't recovered from yet. I read that sometimes surgery can trigger FM, but I haven't read that about CFS. Anyway, I anxiously await the results...

Sorry I haven't responded to your question Sunnydee. I was away last week and this week have been soooo fatigued!

Regarding the Lyrica I know it has done two things for me!

1). I sleep a minimum of six hours nearly every night before having to make my usual foray into the bathroom. On the quiet though....I have 'wet the bed' three times since starting Lyrica, which I think shows how deeply I am sleeping now. I am not now aware of pain in those first six hours at all although I do take also two paracetamol (analgesics) just prior to sleeping.

2). The Lyrica had helped some of the Neuropathic pain to quieten but not go. In this regard the most relief I have had from the Lyrica has been the strangling tight band feelings around my ankles. This has subsided significantly which is a great relief as it was not pleasant.

MERE! The chest pain you describe sounds a bit like Costochondritis which is a very common occurrence with Fibromyalgia. I have had it and it is definitely quite awful!

Regarding employment - I have been unable to work mostly for health reasons for the past 4 + years. I struggle with this everyday and wish I could do at least one day per week. My biggest dilemma facing me at the moment, (which makes me panic quite frankly) is that my nursing registration will expire at the end of this year if I don't go back and do some practice nursing before December 31st. I have to prove my competency! All those years of studying and experience will be gone and I feel very sad about that. I keep hoping that I'll feel well enough to join an agency and do some shifts which will suffice.....but it's August already and if I let myself, I feel very panicky about it!

Hi Megan:

I'm sorry to hear you haven't been doing well. I hope that you can at least do some agency nursing so you don't lose all of the work and studying you have put into it.

I looked up costochondritis, and it seems that is what I could have. It is quite painful.