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2nd Trimester
Fibromyalgia (I'm whining here, I won't lie)
I don't know if there are any other moms on here with Fibro- but I'm 20 years old and this is my first pregnancy. I've had fibromyalgia since early childhood, before getting pregnant I had it managed very well, between my medications, diet, and exercise. When I first got pregnant I was put on best rest for 6 weeks because they were afraid I'd miscarry, I was having uncontrollable spasms among other things.
I have read a few things on Fibro and pregnancy, they are all very contradictory, it's also something that's been difficult to study. (From my understanding). I have a 3 year old step son, who we see (not regularly enough, custody battles suck don't get me started I'm hormonal), and caring for him even for a weekend with major help from my husband wears me out. Due to the amount of pain I'm in it's very possible this will be my only pregnancy, taking care of one child full time doesn't lend very well to the frequent rest and sometimes even physical help I need, while being pregnant. I'm trying not to think dwell on that though and remain optimistic.
I get pretty depressed, I was a very active woman and I was at a point where I'd felt I'd conquered my fibro, now somedays I feel so useless. The pain gets so intense and that gets more depressing.
Is anyone else going through this? No one around me understands this and hurtful remarks have been made, (except my husband I'm lucky in that he's very gracious and attentive),
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Re: Fibromyalgia (I'm whining here, I won't lie)
I don't personally have it but my heart goes out to you. My mother has battled it in the past and it is no joke. She was in incredible pain most of the time if she was walking. Climbing up just one small step was really hard. It was hard to watch.
She was talking motrin everyday and that seemed to help. I hope you are able to manage well.
Thanks. I had managed fairly well not pregnant because of some of medications I could take. I wasn't even taking pain meds. However the medication can cause birth defects so I went off of it when we started trying. I try to stay positive but somedays I'm a whiner. Thank you for the encouraging words.
I'm not happy you are hurting, but I AM happy that I FINALLY see someone else has Fibro!! I was diagnosed 1 year ago. I'm 25 years old, but am convinced I've had it much longer. My MIL has it too. Honey, I understand your pain!! I feel the only one that understands is my DH and MIL. My Mom has an auto-immune disease, and I feel even she doesn't understand.
I just try to take it a day at a time. My doctor suggested something that actually has helped. I'm a night owl, but have to be at work at 9am each day. My doctor suggested my sleep schedule take a huge change. We removed the tv from our bedroom so my body understands that my bed=sleep. Secondly, I go to bed the same time every night. No playing games on my cell phone, etc. Lights out...sleep. Sounds kinda lame, but has helped me to get the rest I need (however, my hips have recently been killing me, so haven't gotten much sleep). The schedule helps to regulate things in my body and I do, somewhat, feel better.
Sorry, no other suggestions. Like I said, just taking it a day at a time. With Fibro, I feel like that's all I can do most of the time...
Good luck and prayers to you!!
My mom also has Fibro, and arthritis (both kinds) she's using an Antidepressant to help her so she isn't allowed to take any pain meds like Motrin. Currently her hip is hurting her so badly she can barely walk. She's only 53, she's had arthritis since her mid 20's. She goes for an MRI for her hip tomorrow.
OP I am so sorry you are going through this, I wish I had advice.
I do not have this, but by grandmother did. I wanted to write because I do have chronic pain that I have found OBs do not take seriously or know how to address. I don't mean that as an insult to the profession, but just as the actuality that most of them are rooted in using surgery or meds to address problems and beyond that they are not well-versed in natural methods or Eastern medicine ideas (which must of the world thrives by using outside of our culture). Have you looked into an accupuncturist or chiropractic care with someone who specializes in pregnancy and pain? I am using a midwife this pregnancy and her appraoach is so, so different in regards to how even nutrition can help manage things. My OB (and the others I consulted when PG with DS) would largely tell me that there was nothing they could do, wheras my midwife has all sorts of ideas for me. Perhaps a few consults with someone like that may benefit you?
Good luck! I am sorry you are going through this.
More Green For Less Green
I have Fibromyalgia too!
It's a royal pain. Literally and metaphorically. I'm 21 and have had it since I was about 13. I'm slightly different in that I wasn't taking pain meds pre-pregnancy. I have a very high tolerance to pain medication and the amount I need to take for pain relief gives me ulcers. So I just avoid it altogether.
You need to do what works for you. For me, being remotely cold is a nightmare. So I make sure I'm always warm. I take warm showers almost every day to help relax. You could try massages. As I'm sure you know, exercise is good for us especially when we don't want to do it. So try to go for a walk even when you don't want to. If its cold where you are and you don't want to go outside, go to the mall or Target or anything. I've walked around the Target by my house many times. You could pick up a pregnancy yoga video to do at home too(or use youtube). For me, even a little bit of stretching or exercise can help me feel at least a little better. Is there a heat pool near you? that could be nice too.
You can do this! You've conquered Fibromyalgia for most of your life. Pregnancy is only 40 weeks and you're already half way there.
A lot of women with FM opt for an early induction in the last few weeks of pregnancy. If you choose to do this, don't let anyone make you feel bad for it. Very few people know the kind of pain you're living with and only you know how much you can handle. If you think people are going to be rude, just don't tell them.
At this point in my pregnancy, I'm more excited to have LO because of the pain relief options I'll have once I'm not pregnant anymore. But I know I'll be more useful and happy when I'm not in so much pain anymore.
I will take your advice. I feel you on the hip pain too, this is my first pregnancy and so I think the widening of my hips (plus round ligament pain hurts like a ...) causes extra pain.
I'm trying a new pre-natal that is supposed to help, if it does I'll let you know. I'm supposed to get it next week.
I only know a little about lupus, however it's my understanding that it also involves a great deal of pain. I'm so sorry that you're going through that. Prayers to you.
Thanks. Yeah a positive attitude helps a lot, it's hard not to get really down, but looking at the brighter side can make a difference.
I can relate a little, on the outlook of some doctors. It can be incredibly frustrating. I am in the process of changing insurance but as soon my card comes I will at one of our local chiropractors. We have one that specailizes in prenatal chiropractic, my husband has wanted me to try acupuncture and I'm not opposed we simply have to find the funds for it. We're hoping our new insurance will cover it.
I was seeing a mid-wife for a while, but after accessing some of complications with my pregnancy I was advised to do hospital birth and see an OB. That said I do have a Dulah (I spelled that wrong), she's like family- though unfortunately doesn't have a ton of advice on dealing with fibro.
Thanks for the info though, hopefully I'll be able to try these things soon and perhaps get some relief. I don't know a whole lot about chronic pain have you tried a rheumatologist? Sometimes they can provide help.
Before pregnancy I was taking anti-depressants- low dosages of those plus the fact that I would walk a great deal had helped tremendously. That said, those very same anti-depressants cause birth defects, luckily I was able to wean down from them before getting pregnant.
When I get cramps or spasms I've found a warm/hot bath helps, I take them everyday. My DH also does massage on areas with pain. I've heard some say that massage doesn't help because the pain in nerve pain and therefore not a muscular issue- however I have found that since the massage relaxes me the relaxation probably boosts the happy chemicals in my brain- therefore helping to minimize the "nerve pain". However for some people that doesn't work. Granted nothing is 100% either.
I walk whenever possible, try to avoid caffeine, try to do light exercise. The days where I'm busy I feel great however the next day I pay for it in pain. I'm not totally sure why that is, but especially running after my step son who is a bouncing toddler- I feel like someone literally beat me all over.
I am incredibly appreciative of everyone's kind words, thoughts, and advice. It means a lot simply knowing I'm not by myself. Thank you!!
I have it too and just this morning was thinking about how bad my hips, knees and ankles are hurting. I am 28 and have had symptoms since I was 11. I have never taken medication for it because I'm stubborn and have found better ways to control the pain, etc.
Until recently, I ate very few carbs and worked out 4-5 times a week. Restricting my diet kept the gastric problems at bay and working out helped manage the pain. When I got pregnant, I couldn't stomach anything but carbs and meat is still basically off limits, so I've been eating whatever sounds appetizing. I haven't been sick, thankfully.
I haven't been able to work out like I normally do, especially during the 1st trimester. My worst pain has always been when it's cold or moist outside and since we're experiencing both a lot this winter, I likely be miserable anyway, but the weather and the stretching/RLP pain are almost unbearable some days.
I have found that walking around my office building a few times a day helps keep the pain at bay during the workday. Nightly warm baths are ALWAYS a necessity and have proven even more important during my pregnancy. If you're in pain, ask your husband/boyfriend for a massage. My husband has been awesome about rubbing whatever hurts.
I have recently started seeing a chiropractor too. He is able to eliminate some of the stress on my back. Prenatal massage is coming up next weekend!
Your post made me cry - as well as all the responses!
I am 26 and have had fibro. since I was pretty young too. You're right to feel all of the things you are feeling. Especially since you had been able to manage it and stay active before pregnancy. I felt a lot of things you are feeling when I was pregnant with my first. I also had a lot of guilt for needing to rest as much as I did because I was extra tired. Another fear I had when pregnant with my first was the weight gain. I was afraid I would be too tired to work it off after the baby was born, etc. Anyway, I say all that to say that after my LO was born a year ago, my body really bounced back (as it only can with fibro.), all the weight came right off and I was back to normal. It is a lot of work with a newborn/baby with fibro. but just like you managed it before by adjusting your schedule/medication/etc. you will be able to do the same thing again in just a few months!
I'm so glad you posted about this. I'll be sending good thoughts your way.
In regards to insurance coverage, mine doesn't cover chrio or accupuncture so we pay OOP. Some places offer a cash discount or a non-insurance discount. It isn't cheap, but if something helps with pain and improves my overall quality of life, we've slowly come to realize that is worth cutting down. For us, that means that last year we didn't remodel our basement as planned and our vacations were minimal cost. But this year is might mean we cut down on other areas like new clothes, eating out, etc. because feeling better has a much longer-term benefit for our family than those things.
More Green For Less Green
I had been on Zanaflex (muscle relaxer) for years. I took it before bed and it helped me relax enough to sleep. During pregnancy, i can't take it.
Flexeril is another muscle relaxer and it is considered safe. I take 20 mg at night and somenights also take a benadryl to help me sleep. I find that getting a good night sleep is the best way to keep my pain at an acceptable level to be able to function daily. I also use my heating pad a lot.
I stay away from NSAIDs (Ibuprofen) since they are not recommended. But, if the pain gets too bad, I will take 1 ibuprofen along with my Tylenol. I have done this twice this pregnancy and I think I did it 4 times with DS.
Good luck!