Coping with Fibromyalgia

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in February 2000, after suffering for years. It was a long hard road to even get a diagnosis; I was tested for just about every disease you can imagine, including Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Unlike a lot of people with whom I've discussed Fibromyalgia, I was never told, "It's all in your head." My primary care doctor took my complaints seriously and, when he couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, he referred me to a neurologist who made the diagnosis, based on the following symptoms:

Depression

Sleeplessness

Unceasing Fatigue

Muscle pain on the left and right sides of the body, above and below the waist

Tender spots in specific parts of the body that hurt when pressed

Confusion or inability to concentrate

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Muscle Spasms

I am currently seeing a pain specialist and a pain psychologist to help me cope with my symptoms. I have tried a variety of medications over the past 2� years and I haven't really found any combination yet that will allow me to return to work and school, which is my fondest wish. Currently, I'm taking the following prescribed medication:

20 mg. of Kadian (a slow-relase form of morphine) once a day for pain

5 mg. of Oxycodone twice a day for pain

2 mg. of Zanaflex at bedtime for muscle spasms

Lo/Ovral 28 for birth control

20 mg. of Celexa at bedtime for depression

I am also taking several supplements on a daily basis:

17.2 mg. of Sennosides

500 mg. of Vitamin C

400 mcg. of Folic Acid

1000 mg. of Calcium

500 mg. of Magnesium

15 mg. of Zinc