Anyone else out there with FIBROMYALGIA (FMS)?

I have both FMS and CFS, and have had for many years. I cope by listening to my body, pacing, getting support and supporting others, and keeping busy. When I am in too much pain or too ill to do some activities, I try out new ones. Heat often helps relieve pain. Electric blankets, heating pads, hot tubs, warm baths or showers, rice packs, etc. Pets are of particular comfort, because they are always there.Keeping a positive attitude and a good sense of humour are incredibly helpful as well!An excellent source for information, support, and resources is www.fibrohugs.com. I have chronic fatigue syndrome which is often considered the same thing. Ive just started taking Olive Leaf Extract to see if that helps but its too early to tell.

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Fibromyalgia is a long-term problem that causes pain in the muscles and soft tissues of your bodyChronic fatigue syndrome causes such devastating tiredness or fatigue that you can’t perform all of the normal, daily activities you used to. There are other symptoms as well, but fatigue lasting 6 months or more is the main oneHow someone could mistake one for the other is beyond me. I have fibromyalgia and I would gladly give it up for CFS. Tired versus Pain.. oh yeah in a heart beat. There are on the web many places that can help you with either one. Yahoo! Groups I believe has one for fibro, but I don’t know about CFS. My best defense was getting a wonderful rhumatolagist, one that does not believe in giving narcotics at the drop of a hat. Sleep is really important, When I can fall asleep I sleep about 9 to 10 hours. I have only been taking otc pain killers for 3 yrs now. I walk 20 mins 4 times a week and I have less pain than I did before I started seeing him. I have fibromyalgia and sorry I don’t really have any tips for coping other than make sure you have enough support. It’s a very frustrating disorder that a lot of people do not understand. It helps if you can find someone who you can talk to and will listen. Read a book on pain management to help you deal with the pain.I also wanted to say in response to the other reply. I have fibromyalgia and actually chronic fatigue syndrome can overlap with fibro so people have both. I only have Fibro as far as I know but one of the major symptoms is fatigue. You’re extremely lucky if this isn’t a problem for you. On the other hand for me having always feeling weak and having all the energy drained from my body is very debilitating. It prevents you from doing a lot of things you could do before. I take offense to your ‘ “tired in a heart beat’ remark.That comment is not helpful to Fibromyalgia and Chronic fatigue syndrome suffers that already encounter enough ignorance as it is. Believe me if you actually understood what having fatigue meant, you wouldn’t be so flippant about it. Lack of sleep, the pain in the muscles and joints, the brain fog and fatigue. No matter which ones you suffer from the most, they all sux. :-(