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Fibromyalgia and working

Posted: Apr 20, 2013

Do any of you MTs or QAs have fibromyalgia or a form of arthritis which causes you to hurt almost daily and be depressed? How do you cope and work? I am so afraid I have developed fibromyalgia (which is something that tends to run in my family), and I am finding it very hard to sit and work 40 hours a week at a computer. I have neck, shoulder, back, arm, and hip pain and find it difficult to concentrate. What do you do you help you be able to work (I must work) and maintain a fairly active lifestyle? Any and all suggestions appreciated. Thank you in advance!;

I wish I could help and give some positive - old and worn out MT

[ In Reply To ..]
advice, but I have some of the same problems. I have lupus and sjogren's and have had pain for the last 31 years. It has only gotten worse in the last few years since I turned 50. I am in constant pain now from my neck (bulging discs) to my feet (constant pain). I have only lately let it bother me (depressed) I guess since I started going through menopause (hot flashes). Getting old really sux. I have knee problems also so exercise is almost impossible if I have to use my knees. Hope you find the answer.

Fibromyalgia and working - beb

[ In Reply To ..]
It is really bad to get old. I definitely agree to that. I have Crohn's, fibromyalgia, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, migraines, anxiety and panic attacks and my husband is in a nursing home. I just lost my transcription job and have no idea what I am going to do. I also have no health insurance. The pain is so bad, I have not been able to sleep in my bed for over a year now. I would love to be free of pain and be able to have a job. Any suggestions, let me know.

Do not mind getting older and there myself - Mae

[ In Reply To ..]
and suffer immensely from pain all over, in fact have an appointment in the morning to talk with my doctor about it. I have tried a lot of different medicines, treatments, just about everything. I am not depressed, just suffer so much pain. I upped my vitamin D3 that I was already on, started taking because of so much pain a year or so ago, had a very low vitamin D and that seemed to help for a little while but now its back. I ache all over, just a real touch me not. I do not think most doctors are tuned in for people who have pain so don’t know how this will go tomorrow. Husband said I should increase B vitamin. I take fish oil, D3 and B now but still suffering. I have not found much that seems to work over the past probably 6 years.

I am praying - just me

[ In Reply To ..]
I am so sorry to hear that you all are going through so much pain and difficulty also. I am praying for each of you. I feel I am probably just in the early stages but it is a chronic problem. I suffer mainly with neck, shoulder, arm, and back pain. I am 48 years old with hypertension, diabetes, and anxiety so with all of this...yes, I even get a little depressed. It just makes working very difficult at times and VERY hard to focus. Thank you all for your reponses.

I have FM - see message

[ In Reply To ..]
I posted a note. Below is the link. You can read the whole thread by just scrolling down a bit, someone had asked about FM and some people responded.

http://general.mtstars.com/342214.html

fibromyalgia and transcription - kcmt

[ In Reply To ..]
I too have fibromyalgia, depression/anxiety, hypothyroidism, the beginnings of arthritis and am a melanoma survivor. I also recently found out I have a positive ANA. I have had a bad winter and spring so far. I just turned 45, and my body feels like I'm 95. My doctor put me on gabapentin. She wanted me to take 300 mg 3 times a day, but it knocks me loopy so I cannot take it during the day. I have 100 mg capsules for when it is intolerable. I do worry then because I'm afraid I will type something silly because of the medication. I have found that if the pain gets exceedingly bad, I take 600 mg ibuprofen and 300 mg gabapentin. This will knock most of the pain away and allow me to sleep.

I recently also saw an orthopedic doctor for the arthritis in my hands. He prescribed some Voltaren gel and recommended I use it in the morning to prepare for the day and then again in the evening to "pay" for the day. I haven't gotten myself into using that regularly yet.

I also purchased a handheld massaging wand. I purchased it at Rite-Aid for less than $20. It has heat and different tips for different muscle groups. This has helped a bit too.

Sorry to be so lengthy. I hope you find some relief.

Just a suggestion - Worked for me

[ In Reply To ..]
You might consider a gluten-free and possibly dairy-free diet. Many, many folks are finding that their problems with that and a bunch of other things go away.

Before you say you can't afford special, expensive foods . . . there aren't any. This does not involve buying special foods, but in just eating foods that naturally do not contain gluten (wheat and wheat byproducts). It can save money. Vegetables, fruit, rice, quinoa, buckwheat, and unprocessed meat are fine. It is what you get from the produce and meat sections.

You want to read labels carefully, as most processed foods contain gluten, indicated by the wording gluten, texturized vegetable protein, modified food starch, and soy sauce.

I also avoid grain-fed beef and dairy products (milk, not eggs) because they cause immediate joint swelling and pain. Milk products and cheese give me a runny nose, too.

Just a suggestion.

I have been pain, swelling, migraine, and itch-free for 3 years. My diet is much better than it ever was before.

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