Hello,
I have been around Fibromyalgia since 1999, that is when my mom was diagnosed with it. I have lived around it and seen its effects first hand in my mom.
I was in a car accident about 4 years ago and have had back pain ever since, in the mid and upper back areas (around the shoulder blade, the rounded tip of the shoulder blade) It had been annoying but it was tolerable for the most part, most of the time. That was until December (2005), in the middle of the month I experienced a very bad flare up and decided to finally get it all checked out by my doctor. I have had 2 MRI's done now and 3 Back Specialists/Orthopedic Surgons have seen these and tell me that they don't know what to tell me. My primary care doctor then told me today that she thinks that it is fibromyalgia and got me an appointment with a neurologist tomorrow morning (well I guess this morning now). I know this is kind of a strange thread but I am looking for some support and info about what age everyone was when they were first showing signs/diagnosed. Please write anything that you think could be helpful advice or informaton for me, I really need it right now, I don't want to lose my memories and my thought processes or the use of my hands and feet. Thank you all so much for reading and please write me back!
Madison

Do you have scar tissue? Have you been to an RMT? (reg'd massage therapist)

I bet you have myofascial stuff going on.

#1. Try looking at the book "Trigger Point Workbook" by Claire Davies (He went became a Massage Therapist/RMT, due to his own un-solved pain.)

#2. Also, the "Fibromyalgia" and Myofascial Pain Syndrome book by Dr. Devan Starlanyl. (She has FMS and MPS.)

The neurologist and pain clinics and scans will not understand your injuries, likely.

The authors of those books do... and provide solutions.

I was in my mid 20's when I was dx'd with FMS/CFS. I had struggled since late teens with unexplained pain and fatigue but doctors didn't know what to tell me. It wasn't until I experienced the pressure point test that the answer became clear. Most of my flare ups are caused by stress and season changes.

I highly recommend that you stretch and exercise. It has been documented that one of the primary culprits for FMS sufferers is the build up of lactic acid on the muscle tissue. Through exercise you can reduce the build up and promote a better nights sleep, something that is difficult and another issue for FMS patients. Exercise has many other natural benfits of course that help promote a healiter more productive lifestyle. It sounds ridiculous I know, but I have been in the ball of wax where my pain has been so incredible that I couldn't move and my muscles became ridgid. Physical therapy launced me into a mindset that has made my FMS/CFS manageable.

There are also some herbal supplements that are beneficial but unless you are familar with their usage and understand your body's tolerance, I would suggest that you discuss them with your doctor.

Much luck to you and your mother :)

I was dignosed with Fibromyalgia today. I am 46.

I was 31. I had it for many, many, many years before diagnosis, though. I was dealing with endometriosis for 20 years so the fibro got overlooked. Had total hysterectomy at age 31 and fibro 100% took over my body during recovery when I was not allowed to exercise. I was not allowed to exercise for 2 months after that surgery and I have to do light exercise every other day to move, so you can imagine! Found a new young family doc who immediately realized fibro and then ran all the testing after calling it fibro. Tests showed up nothing, of course. My biggest tip for you at the moment is to do your best to find a compassionate doc who will listen to you and kind of let you lead the way with treatment. One of my tests for a good doc is one who will read research that I bring in with me. If a doc just blows off an idea I have or refuses to read research I find on my own, that's a really bad sign. Every body is different. Until they truly figure it out, we just have to try a million different things and meds and figure out what works best for us (that we can afford!). Be cautious of anything that says it works for everyone with fibro, whether it's an otc supplement or a prescription med or a diet or whatever. Good luck!