Fibromyalgia Support Group

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers..I go back to work fulltime tomorrow (I am a teaching assistant and only worked part-time this summer) and I am really scared. I am dealing with numbing fatigue that has caused me to lay low alot this summer...this afternoon I started falling asleep driving home once again-thankfully got home safe. And my pain is still all over, and levels are high. Still waiting to see Rhuematologist...can't get in until December. I tried to talk to my husband about my fears about work but he just doesn't understand. He thinks I am making up excuses. He just doesn't understand that this fatigue and pain are not normal, not like if he was tired or sore.

Thanks everyone!

-Rachel

I am sending you lots of love, warm gentle hugs and lots of prayers. Keep us posted on how you do. HUGS River

Rachel when you get to see a rheumy, ask him about provigil (I think that's the name) for exhaustion or daytime sleepiness. I've never taken it myself but I think other members have tried it. My doc suggested it but I then I got laid off from my job.

Also, you might ask about Tina and Lori's miracle drug...Suboxone. It's done wonders for their pain.

You know most men (not all) think they've never met a pain they couldn't wrestle away. Unless they have faced a really serious illness or injury they seem to have the opinion that dealing with pain and fatigue has something to do with physical strength or bravery. From the time we are teenagers we know different.

I used to work till after 8PM and had to make a 45 minute drive home on dark country roads. Have you tried having a coke or some tea or coffee before the drive home. Also having the temperature set where it is a little too cool for comfort may help. Or if it isn't too hot open the window so you have air blowing on your face and listen to some upbeat music or even something you don't like or talk radio. Sit your seat as straight up as you can stand and don't slouch in your seat. If it gets too bad stop and get out and walk around to get the blood flowing again. Better yet call him and make him come and follow you home or drive you.

I'll be praying for you. Hopefully being busy working October will be here before you know it.

Ty River!

Rayn, thanks for the names of the meds. I hadn't heard of either. I have a decent NP who has an autoimmunce disease herself, it is possible if I bring in info on the meds she may perscribe them for me before my appt.

You will be in my thoughts as you start working again. I work full time as well, though some days are far, far worse than others. If you ever need to feel free to PM me. I may not have many ideas or suggestions, but maybe it will help just to talk.

Nitalynn,

You are too right! Men for the most part view pain differently. I am not mad at him, I know he just doesn't get it. But he is my best friend and I can talk to him about anything else under the sun, so this gets frustrating. I am so thankful for this site b/c people here DO understand!

I try to crank the tunes, get the car COLD and sit up straight when I get tired while driving, so it sounds like I am on the right track. I will try stopping and walking around if it happens again.

And the calling him idea might just get it through his head that this is REAL! LOL! I have to avoid anything with caffien b/c I also have Interstitial Cystitis (a chronic bladder disease which can include inflammation called Hunner's Ulcer's which is my case )and caffien makes my bladder pain, incontinence, and frequency go through the roof that night or the next day. I missed alot of work last year b/c of fatigue and/or my IC symptoms.

Hoping that won't be the case this year Gotta keep my chin up.....

Sorry about the bladder problem. You might try having a large cold decaffeinated drink anyway. If it doesn't help wake you up by itself the sensation of needing to go potty might! HaHa

I to have taken Provigil and recommend you try it. The reason I stopped was my insurance company, in their great wisdom, decided since it not specifically for fibromyalgia that I didn't need it. They did say that they had no problem with me buying it for myself but at $250 a month (or was that a week, I can't remember) it was a little out of my budget. As well as it worked I do have to admit that given the choice between that and eating I would rather eat. Sorry for the sarcasm but it still rankles. The point is your insurance company might not allow it and it is very expensive. Good luck.

Have you tried Melatonin supplements to help you sleep? I swear it's made a big difference for me, and since it's a natural hormone produced by the brain anyway, it's not really addicting. WebMD says you can supplement from 0.5mg to 20mg for sleep. I bought 3mg tablets so I can take one or two.