I am in a monority. Most cases of Fibromyalgia occur in women, not men. On Septmeber 20, 2000 I got hurt at work. I was a welder, had 2 small children and worked 80 hours a week, 7 days a week. I had a shooting pain in my elbow and my forearm went numb. Next day i went to the Dr. to see what was going on because it felt like someone was trying to pull mu pinky off my hand, while my forearm tinlgled from elbow to hand. He had me stay out of work, and see a specialist. After numerous tests and electic shocks in my hands, I had 3 problems. Ulner nerve, and bi lateral carpeltunnel syndromes. I had surgery to fix the one arm with the nerve problem and carpeltunnel. I should have stopped there because my hand wouldn't open and the Dr. said it was a bad sign. But I couldn;t take the pain in the other hand so they operated on that one too. Needless to say, BAD IDEA! I lost motion in my thumb, and my hands were never the same. Then i started experiencing random pains in other spots of my body.
So on came the numerous doctors. Orthopedic, neurologic, and pain management doctors. All ran tests, tried different medicines (some of which now have been pulled for causing heart attacks and other life threatening issues) only to end up with the same conclusion and look on every doctors face.....It was always the same look too. The one that says " I feel really bad for you, you have a serious problem, but I can't help you." I even had my company try to send me back to work. I met with a doctor and he said there is no way I can go back. however the main plant doctor called me back for another checkup and without even looking at me, said I could return to work. There was a big fight, and i had to be rescheduled again. So I went back in to fight with him and all the sudden he states "you can't fake atrophy like this and you are a mess. I have to recommend you return to work in the transition area, but you don't have to and I wouldn't because they will put you back to work in 30 days." Ridiculous. Did I mention i was only 24? Who knew surgery on your arms can cause your ribs to feel broken, knives stabbing you in the back, swollen hands that drop things, leg, ankle and every other joint pain possible.
I hope my writings and insight can heklp others dealing with this issue. IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY AND NO DRUGS WORK TO REALLY FIX ANYTHING!!!! You can take stuff to mask some of the pain, but if your stabbed with steak knives and then drug yourself to make it butter knives...you are still being stabbed, so why pollute yourself with more toxins. I had one specialist that wanted to put me on Methotrxate (it supresses your immune system) and I had two kids in preschool. After reseacrhing it, and discussing with my primary i said No way....
So ten years later..i can at least walk upright, I had a long time that I couldn;t..But I also apparently have nerve damage too. Honestly i am glad i do, because i am not so sensitive in certain spots anymore and would rather be numb than feel that horrible pain that makes you unable to stand up or function..
Oh, did i mention the depression, anger and stress that comes with this whole problem. Between the pain, monetary issues that arise from losing money going on disability (had to file a bankruptcy) and the fights, and doctors visits associated with workers comp and social security. I can't believe I never gave up.
My kids are now 11 and 12, and I also have a 6 month old with my new wife. the old one was selfish and resented having to pick up the slack to help out (but thats a whole other story and why i have residential custody).
there are silver linings...I got to spend time with my kids and do things for them and with them i wouldn't have been able to do if I didn;t have this illness. But sometimes the pain and everyday struggles make life very hard....
So I hope I can help some of you get better understanding, offer advice and make you feel somewhat better on some level with my situation...
