[lisacruz4]

I have had MG for 37 years, since I was 10 years old. Last week I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Just seems crazy. But at least now I know what the pain is. I have felt like I was a hypochondriac, saying I was in pain all the time but the X-rays & MRI's just showed normal arthritis. I never even looked at the symptoms of FM, when I did I thought finally. I am currently doing PT but there is a fine line between doing exercise with MG & FM. I would like to talk to anybody else that has both diseases.

[Shari_W]

Hi lisacruz4,
I am sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I have both MG and Fibromyalgia also. I was diagnosed with Fibro almost 2 years ago. Several things worked for me and really helped alleviate my fibro pain:

First I found out that my Vitamin D was extremely low and began taking Vitamin D supplements (have your doctor test for your vitamin D levels before you begin taking the supplements).

Second, I also began taking vitamin B12 supplements.

Thirdly and what I believe helped me the most was that I found out my food and chemical sensitivities through testing from a Nutritionist that I found locally in my city. She was truly a godsend because once I was able to elliminate the food that my body was sensitive to, my fibro pain decreased tremendously. It takes time and dedication but I just had to try it because the Fibro pain was becoming unbearable. Some people find it hard to believe that changing your diet can produce long lasting results but I can only say that it worked for me. It wasn't the only thing that helped ease my Fibro pain but it did play a part. We are all individuals and so I never claim that what I did will absolutely work for someone else. I can only try to help others as I was helped.

I can send you her information by private message if you want. She also has a website that you can look at and I can give that to you as well.

Gentle Hugs,
Shari

[Annie59]

Vitamin D was a huge factor in reducing my pain. There is an expert on this subjuect of vit D. He wrote UV Advantage and in that he states that a high percentage of Fibromyalgia diagnosis is not that but vitamin D deficiency alone as the symptoms are much the same. http://www.uvadvantage.org/

It was that way for me. Once the vit D was up in the 50's and 60's all of the symptoms were gone inclduing the diffuse pain, sleeping problems and about half of my muslce weakness. Also mood problems that were like Seasonal Affective disorder. I actually started to use a light box as some folks do for SAD and for one Thanksgivining it had my pain so much better. Then tho they diagnosed the vit D deficiency and that began to be treated. Me not knowing that the vit D def had also caused the SAD symptoms I got to a point where I was so so frustrated that the light box wasnt working anymore. What had happened tho was my vit D was then high enough there was no SAD left to treat.

Back then I found that sweet potatoes helped my pain. I am tho deeply grateful that I havea family doc that has no problem using Lortab as reasonable pain management. Chronic pain is no joke. I like this pain support organization:
http://action.painfoundation.org/sit...ter_friendly=1

They will send you newletters that I find quite good or they will email them.

Vitamin D is still not well supported so you need to advocate for youself. Some people probably do fine and their body works well with D but mine doesnt. It took tanning 3 times a week at at least 10mn pieces to get up and keep up my vit D into a level that keep me in a healthy place. Prior to that I was haivng repeated respiratory infections not generally healing well. There is a genetics element. My oldest daughter has to take 3000iu per day to keep away chronic infection., People just dont get sun like they used to for many reasons and in foods that are processed. A person gets very little from milk. Once deficient your body would have to get over 50 levels to even begin to start storing vit D again said one study. If you are chronicallys sick you I feel would use it faster.

Annie59

[AnnieB3]

Hi, Lisa. Is that what you'd like to be called?

Well, I often am skeptical of the fibro diagnosis. Not because it isn't "real" but because there are no definitive tests for it and it can look and act like other things. Like Annie59 said, a Vitamin D deficiency is very common and can cause similar symptoms.

Also, many women who go through perimenopause or menopause can have symptoms that seem like fibro. Do you have a good gynecologist who can run some basic testing to see how your hormones are?

So, if I'm doing math right, you are 47? What is "normal" arthritis for that age, hmmmm? If I were you, I would ask your primary doctor to run a Rheumatoid Factor test to make sure you don't have something else going on. I have two autoimmune diseases, MG and celiac disease. I've had MG since birth (52 years). The chance of MGers having another autoimmune disease is fairly high. Like celiac disease or lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Or clotting disorders like antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

What drugs are you on? Some drugs can deplete you of nutrients and cause all kinds of symptoms.

Do you notice any other symptoms besides the pain? Have you kept a journal of when the pain happens or if anything triggers it? Is it generalized or in some areas of the body more than others? Seriously, thinking about this stuff really helps define a problem.

I'm not saying you don't have fibro but don't blindly accept any diagnosis that does not come with "concrete" proof!

Annie