PTSD and Fibromyalgia

[Moonshadow]

I've read many studies that suggest a correlation between PTSD and Fibromyalgia.

She Cat mentioned that they may be one in the same, and maybe they are. In a way, it feels like Fibromyalgia is a physical manifestation of PTSD. Like, now your body hurts, physically, as much as it hurts mentally/emotionally.

I am still learning about Fibromyalgia, and would like to read suggestions on what others do to manage this problem.

I know proper sleep is important, and I try to sleep on a normal schedule. Most nights, I just find myself lying awake, in the dark, with thoughts that will not stop, wondering how I'm going to cope with everything I have to do the next day, with little to no sleep. Or, I will stay up late, until I'm so tired I can't keep my eyes open anymore. Either way, when I get up in the morning, I feel exhausted, stiff and foggy.

[dshanks]

Hi. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and have been living with it for almost 10 yrs. The PTSD I have had for a lot longer. I finally found a way to deal with it and it has improved a great deal. The Fibro is almost gone. I found an amazing Osteopath who has really made the pain manageable, a great Homeopath who is helping with finding the remedy to heal the psychological trauma( I have a physically demanding job and I can actually do it!!!!)I also see a psychiatrist once a week and have been for a long time. I seem to be able to tolerate the physical problem better than the psychological, and now I am experimenting with biofeedback. Almost all of this stuff is covered by my husband's insurance. What matters is you need to find what works for you, but what also helps is a good pain med to help with the pain when it gets really bad. It took me a lot of searching to find these people and the only way I could is by talking about the problems with a friend who stumbled upon great professionals. I think that Fibromyalgia is linked to PTSD. Anyways for me a little of the natural as well as the conventional really helped. I hope this helps you.

[She Cat]

Hi Moonshadow,

I'm not sure if Fibro is linked to PTSD or not. I really don't know. I was Dx'ed with PTSD about 14 yrs ago,(although I think I have had it most of my life) and 10 yrs ago Dx'ed with Fibro. I was going through a really stressful time when I was Dx'ed with the fibro. My entire body was in so much pain that even applying slight pressure to any part of my body would have me in almost tears.

I guess I have learned to just live with the pain. I have pain in one-two quadrants of my body everyday. I exercise everyday, and on very rare occasions I will take something for the pain. I will take either Soma, Vicodin, or Darvocet.

The sleep issue was huge for me. I was an insomniac for years, and finally put on Trazadone. I took that for 11 yrs, and finally came off of that about 4 yrs ago. Then went through Menopause......Ok so I didn't sleep for about a year... LOL!!!!! Still don't sleep a sound sleep, I still wake up a dozen or so times a night, but it's better.

I really recommend exercise for the Fibro... It really has helped me. I just do the treadmill 30 minutes a day. Some times I will do exercise tapes, or use a core ball, but mostly it's the treadmill. I even have an Elliptical Machine that sits here collecting dust. I just like my treadmill.

I guess the old saying, "Move it, or lose it." is true...

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I believe I have fibro too. My doctor gave my Lyrica to try but I'm scared to take it. My stomach is torn up from taking so much Advil and now I have Acid Reflux.

One morning when I woke up it seemed my skin, bones, blood and even my hair hurt LOL. It was weird that everything hurt so bad. I ended up taking Vicodin that day, but I can't take narcotics very often because I was addicted to them at one point.

This whole thing with physical and mental pain sucks. It does seem that a lot of people with PTSD have a lot of physical pain. The stress wears down the immune system and damages the nerves.

Tammy

[moonmaiden]

I'm suffering with similar problems. Mine are (so-called) autoimmune diseases of the endocrine system - Thyroid and Adrenals. I've also developed digestive problems and food intolerances. I've made a lot of headway with my diet (though it's not always easy to stick to!) and right now I'm trying the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It's a diet that eliminates all sugars/carbs except those that the body can really digest - monosaccharides which are honey and fruits for the mostpart. Of course, protein and veggies are okay. It's really the sugars found in carbohydrates and dairy (lactose). They say they've had success with Autism and lots of other disorders.

I'm starting to read a little bit about damage that can be done by (and to) the HPA Axis which is the Hypothalmus/Pituitary/Adrenal connection via the effects of (years of?) Adrenaline from anxiety states.

That's what it feels like to me - as though - all the years of anxiety have finally "burnt" something out - shorted out the system.

Because part of my problem is a fear of medical doctors I really only do alternative stuff and I realize that it puts me at a disadvantage but it is what it is LOL!

I'm always looking for self-help stuff. I've had a lot of success of with EFT for fears of the dentist. For some reason, though, I find these things and then I have trouble bringing myself to use them! I am my biggest obstacle to wellness!

Moonmaiden

[Moonshadow]

I barely slept at all, last night. I just couldn't shut my thoughts off.

My osteopath says that I need to get up at the same time every day, even if I didn't get enough sleep. When I got up this morning, my whole body was stiff and sore.

I made myself do yoga and eat breakfast (when I'm really tired, food is the last thing I want). Neither helped the pain. I'm trying to "grin and bear it", because if I take a Vicodin, nothing will get done. They take the edge off the pain, but turn me into a zombie. On top of that, I'm getting a headache that feels like it could go migraine on me.

I've got a full list of stuff I'm supposed to get done today, and I have no energy or mental capacity to do any of it.

If this sort of thing happened only occasionally, it would be one thing, but it happens several times a week. The workload piles up more and more, until I get completely overwhelmed, and I cannot do any of it. You can imagine what that does to my stress level and self-esteem.

Even now, Mt. Washmore beckons, and I'm hiding from it.

[2quilt]

I have every symptom of fibro, and tomorrow I am having an upper GI test because my stomach hurts so bad I can't sleep. Is the pain from fibromyalgia or h. pylori infection or PTSD or what, I dunno yet. But I know too many people who have both for me to think that they can't be connected at all.

[Awakening]

I've had so many physical complaints and tests. I never use to take a panadol now I'm take codeine, ibuprofen, naproxen, anti-inflammatories.

I've had ultrasounds of my neck, stomach, kidneys, uterus. I do have some uterine problems but the rest is deemed 'psychosomatic'. I also have chest pain & palpations.

Tammy you are so right. The physical pain with the mental pain is so not fair. I often say that very thing.

Sometimes I get bad sinus pain too. However I've started to figure out that if I can cry I can release some of this pain. I've been conditioned not to cry, so I have to remind myself to do it.

I've tried many massages, physio, alexander technique etc.

I wonder about fibro because I get pain for example on my entire right hand side, from my face, to my neck, in the elbow, wrist, fingers, down to back, hip joints, knee joint, right down to the ankle and foot.

Currently I'm doing biodynamic massage which falls under somatic psychotherapy. So far it has not got rid of the pain but I think it's helping. At the least it's incredibly soothing & comforting, and my massage therapist has experience with somatic complaints & trauma survivors.

if you google biodynamic massage or somatic therapy there's alot of info out there.

[Moonshadow]

I've learned that Magnesium and B vitamins are crucial. As are gentle to moderate exercise and a sleep routine.

I know what I should be doing, it's just not always easy to stay motivated, especially when I'm busy feeling sorry for myself.