I obviously knew that living with fibromyalgia included intense physical pain. But what I didn’t expect was that it would and could get worse!
Pain, pain, and more pain
I feel confident in saying that I don’t have to explain the pain that fibromyalgia inflicts upon the human body, because you wouldn’t have been diagnosed without it.
With that said, it is a pain that is difficult to explain to anyone who doesn’t have this wretched disease. At any moment, it can affect one or two areas or the entire body. The pain is felt deep inside and on our skin. It’s in our joints, muscles, bones, and nerves. No two days are ever alike.
Between 2003 and 2013, I had a few lower pain days, but never did I experience a no pain day. I tell you this not to discourage you, but to let you know that there is hope if you are willing to go outside the box.
You see, during that time period, I solely treated fibromyalgia with prescription medication. Why? Because that is all my insurance would cover. Yet, not one prescription, not even my pain medication helped to improve my life, instead, they led me on a path of destruction.
By 2012, I was unable to stand, walk, or sit for more than five minutes. When I attempted to do so, I would experience blinding migraines and/or my body would mimic stroke symptoms. I had had enough!
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That’s when I took control of my body and healthcare. Click here to read about five ways that I successfully combat pain from fibromyalgia and here for my full pain management plan. I have good and bad days, but none are as bad as they were when I treated pain with pharmaceutical medications.
*Disclosure: I am NOT a medical professional and am NOT issuing medical advice. Everything stated is my own experience and personal opinions. This post includes affiliate links. Meaning that at no additional cost to you, I receive a commission when you make a purchase through my links.
What to expect
- To be denied pain medication.
- For medications approved for fibromyalgia by the FDA to do little if anything. Based on the number of people I see posting about how horrible they feel, the amount of those who do experience relief from a prescription is few.
- You can expect to be told to exercise and get more sleep. Neither of which is possible until you are able to decrease your pain level.
- Loads of information and support from bloggers like myself and other fibromyalgia bloggers at Chronic Illness Bloggers.
The Rest of the Story
The cost of living with fibromyalgia goes beyond finances. Nothing I read at the time of my diagnosis could have prepared me for the high cost of living with fibromyalgia.
Click below to read the rest of the series
Hi! I am intrigued by your statement “mimic stroke symptoms”. I was recently diagnosed with fibro (finally…I swear this illness has been building for at least a decade now) and just prior to that, AS. I am seeing a neurologist next week for the 1st time. I’ve had the absolute worst brain fog possible. Its heavily impacted my life and nearly cost me my job. But recently I had an episode that, in the middle of, my husband asked if I was okay and he worried I was having a stroke. When I described it to my GP a few days later, she wanted me to see a neurologist asap bc she was worried about stroke and warly Ahlzheimers as it runs in my family and my memory has more holes than swiss cheese. That was over 2 weeks…insurance is a real jerk and it will be over 3 weeks since the episode when I see neuro next week. So, I guess what I am curious about is how these symptoms presented for you, how you learned they were NOT strokes, and any other general info on them you may be able to provide. I’m so happy to finally have a diagnosis I believe is correct. Now I know what to treat, I just don’t know what all will work for ME yet. I’m sorry so long. I’m a curious and attentive student! Thank you!
We were at church when someone noticed that I seemed “out of it”. I was slurring and was struggling to stand or sit upright. A former nurse told my husband that she was calling an ambulance. Being that we were just around the corner from a hospital he drove instead. Both triage and the ER felt that I was also presenting stroke symptoms. Four days in the hospital, numerous tests and specialists, and NO answers. The best they could come up with was that it was my chronic illnesses that were mimicking stroke symptoms. That is when I learned the importance of not pushing my body when it is experiencing high pain.
Thank you for your speedy reply! I got word today that someone at the facilty I was supposed to see neuro made a mistake when booking my appt. Now I won’t be seeing someone until January! If I have another episode like this, I think going to the ER to rule it out is probably the safest thing to do. Thank you, again!
Definitely go to the ER if it happens again. Better to be safe than sorry. Hugs.