Fibromyalgia ... Yes it's real.

I know it's been a while since I've posted.  I've been on Cymbalta for a while now. It did a pretty good job until my body decided to have a major flare! My back, neck and hips hurt pretty bad. I've learned to deal with the pain the best I can. But about a month ago, my arms started hurting so bad.  I haven't been able to do much. I started crocheting about a year ago and it has helped me sit and relax. The past week I haven't even been able to do that.  As soon as I lay down at night, my arms go numb and hurt even worse.  I went back to the doctor. I am now on Lyrica AND Cymbalta.  I also take cholesterol meds and migraine meds.  I'm starting to feel like a junkie. Should that many drugs make you feel good?  I guess it is still less than the amount of Tylenol and Advil I used to take (it didn't work).  I am also taking a sleep aid. It's not working half the time. Here it is 5:22 in the morning and I have laid down twice to sleep.  I stayed t...

Well, I went back to the doc last week. Since I started taking the Lyrica, I've gained close to 20 lbs. I was still having the occasional pain that keeps me down. I've been trying to do things to drop the weight, but alas, the fibro takes over. Add in some shin splints and you get the picture. Doc decided to ween me off the Lyrica and try Cymbalta. I could tell a difference in only 2 days. I feel like my spirit is returning! It's been a long time since I felt up to par, so I am excited to see where this leads. The first 3 days I felt really tired, but the pain started to diminish. I napped and went to bed early on those days. I'm trying to keep a decent schedule (It's very hard right now, my beloved OKC Thunder is in the 2nd round of the playoffs.) I've been able to play with my puppy outside a few times and day and actually stand long enough to cook dinner twice this week. I have really high hopes. I have twinges in my shoulders and hip every once in a whil...

This blog is a personal journal on my journey with fibromyalgia . I am not a doctor or a specialist when it comes to this topic, just a person who suffers daily with the mystery of this disease.  I have read many doctors, professionals and just all around critics do not believe it is a real disease, but from my personal experience, it is real. There are many articles on fibromyalgia , but I haven't found a great support group that completely understands the pain associated with it. Here is a history of my pain and how I came about to me diagnosed with it: The day the tsunami hit Japan in early 2011, I was riding my stationary bike and pumping 3 lb weights as I watched the coverage. I felt the normal burn, as this was not the first time I had done this. I felt a little sore the rest of the day and didn't think much of it.  I went to bed that night and was awaken by a pop in my shoulder. The pain was extreme enough for me to yell out and wake my husband up. I laid in bed for...