Physical trauma such as car accidents are often assumed to trigger FM but a recent study suggests that that’s not so at all. In fact, some researchers believe painful events play no role at all in triggering FM.
Is that possible, and if it is what the heck is going on? Find out more and tell us how your fibromyalgia started in
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Health Rising’s Quickie Summer Donation Drive is On!
Keeping up with the latest research in ME/CFS, long COVID, fibromyalgia, and allied diseases. Exploring new treatment possibilities. Learning how others have recovered. All in as thoroughly and comprehensively as we can.
Please support Health Rising during our quickie summer donation drive. Our goal is to raise $15,000.
What triggered my Fibromyalgia?
Hello my name is Dave Downer.I am now 55 years old.Was married for 20 years and raised two sons.My mom had fibromyalgia most of her life and it runs on my moms side of family and my cousin has been confined to her home for the past 28 years.I started getting joint and muscle pain along with fatigue,blurred vision and other symptoms just after going through a very bad divorce for which I had nervous breakdown.Over small amount of time the symptoms got worse but I was able to work.I was a type A personality with one hell of a drive and I only had one gear fast gear.For the past 35 years before I became disabled I worked 16 hours a day 7 days a week to not only be the bread winner in the family but to become self employed fir which I became CEO of my own company.Anyway,in 2008 I some how contracted the Epstein Barr Virus.On Oct 1 ,2008 I became bedridden for the next 4 years.Was diagnosed by a Reumatologist in 2009 for having CFS,Myalgic Encyphlomyolitisis with sever brain swelling and damn near pain in all my joints and muscles and pain in my head,I had fatigue that know one but us that live with this desease only understand.I did not want to live.Many times I asked god to let me die.Had a couple times close to suicide.I have never fully recovered .I am sure many of you can relate.I pray one day a cure will be found.
Hey Dave be sure and keep a look out a new program we have coming out called Lives Interrupted. I hope to get your story in there. Good luck with everything!
I was working in a very stressful environment for about five years and it was during this time I started having the symptoms of fibromyalgia. At the time I had no idea what was causing these symptoms and I thought maybe the menopause. When I finally was diagnosed the consultant asked me if I worked or lived in a stressful environment.
Starting to find out—what may have caused my issues
( combination of genes and environment/chemicals)
migraines
Shingles 15
acne medicine/stopped in Boot Camp I wasn’t suppose to stop
vaccinations in Boot Camp ( weakness in legs & arms /memory issues/focus)
Duty truck accident ( hit flag pole )
Ran a large Xerox photo copier
a lot of dental fillings /coating on molars
Herpes
migraines continued
went camping
more vaccinations
vitamins to help with fatigue
Harassed by 4-5 officers traumatic at the time
barely able to lift my arms from fatigue to do my job (right arm frozen unable to lift past a certain point)
physical/mental/painful breakdown trying to cross a foot bridge
Within weeks of boot camp I was so tired/sore. I assumed it was using muscles I hadn’t used before. My first job and constant coping/sorting.
Most of these events happened around the same time.
later was said to be anemic by blood mobile
Through 23andme DNA I discovered I am a non-secretor ( hold in toxins?). I should not have mercury dental fillings/vaccinations etc… I am chemical sensitive. Formaldehyde for sure/MSG causes migraines.
May have iron over load ( have one gene for sure and may have another). This may account for my being so tired/sore when taking vitamins before/during and after being pregnant trying to get better. I was told I might have thoracic syndrome by a physical therapist and I took that for action and after many years have been able to lift my right arm ( no longer frozen). I had a sore spot on my spine between my shoulder blades since 1979.
Also since 1979 I notice that after exercise/being massaged I would be sore for days later and the pain was worse than when it began (still happens). I would do housework and couldn’t do anything for days later as I was so pooped. Now I do very little so I can stay awake like a semi normal person. Sleep apnea seems to happen when I am around chemicals.
I have just realized I am higher risk for MS through my DNA and the symptoms seem to indicate a look that is how I ended up on this site. I had a 6 week blindness OCR??? in 2001 and along with other symptoms I am beginning to wonder if MS is possible.
Thanks!
Linda
Working with my Primary Doctor, my Accupuncturist, and through the years aaaaall the counselors, I’m 50 years old now, we’ve come to the conclusion that due to the amount and longevity of sexual physical mental and psychological abuse is what caused my fibromyalgia.
Mine started at age 4 and continued on until my late 30’s. I’ve had the symptoms my whole life but I’ve always been told they were something else…”they’re just growing pains” “oh stop it! Everybody gets headaches! It’s not that bad!” “You’re just overreacting again. Knock it off.”
Soooo, then I would start telling myself the same thing. Until 2004 (?)when my gallbladder quit working and I needed to have it removed. No big deal, minor surgery. A few weeks recovery, 4 small scars and back to work. But the pain NEVER NEVER NEVER STOPPED!!!
So 6 months of testing and specialists until they Finally sent me to a Rheumatologist who listened to me, touched me in a few different Painful places and said “you have fibromyalgia. Here’s a pamphlet. I’ll be back in a few minutes to answer your questions. .” Now remember this was 11 years ago. Back when most doctor’s still felt it was a junk diagnosis.
So, mine wasn’t brought on by an injury. However, my doctor’s and I do feel that it was TRIGGERED by a physical trauma.
I was 34 years old, going through a very emotional breakup. I was very healthy up to this point. I caught what I thought was your average cold, it didn’t go away and I have had cfs and fm 18 years now. All I can say is it takes your life from you like a thief.
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Physical trauma such as car accidents are often assumed to trigger FM but a recent study suggests that that’s not so at all. In fact, some researchers believe painful events play no role at all in triggering FM.
Health Rising’s Quickie Summer Donation Drive is On!
What triggered my Fibromyalgia?
Hello my name is Dave Downer.I am now 55 years old.Was married for 20 years and raised two sons.My mom had fibromyalgia most of her life and it runs on my moms side of family and my cousin has been confined to her home for the past 28 years.I started getting joint and muscle pain along with fatigue,blurred vision and other symptoms just after going through a very bad divorce for which I had nervous breakdown.Over small amount of time the symptoms got worse but I was able to work.I was a type A personality with one hell of a drive and I only had one gear fast gear.For the past 35 years before I became disabled I worked 16 hours a day 7 days a week to not only be the bread winner in the family but to become self employed fir which I became CEO of my own company.Anyway,in 2008 I some how contracted the Epstein Barr Virus.On Oct 1 ,2008 I became bedridden for the next 4 years.Was diagnosed by a Reumatologist in 2009 for having CFS,Myalgic Encyphlomyolitisis with sever brain swelling and damn near pain in all my joints and muscles and pain in my head,I had fatigue that know one but us that live with this desease only understand.I did not want to live.Many times I asked god to let me die.Had a couple times close to suicide.I have never fully recovered .I am sure many of you can relate.I pray one day a cure will be found.
Hey Dave be sure and keep a look out a new program we have coming out called Lives Interrupted. I hope to get your story in there. Good luck with everything!
I was working in a very stressful environment for about five years and it was during this time I started having the symptoms of fibromyalgia. At the time I had no idea what was causing these symptoms and I thought maybe the menopause. When I finally was diagnosed the consultant asked me if I worked or lived in a stressful environment.
I imagine that long duration stress is very similar to long duration pain.
Starting to find out—what may have caused my issues
( combination of genes and environment/chemicals)
migraines
Shingles 15
acne medicine/stopped in Boot Camp I wasn’t suppose to stop
vaccinations in Boot Camp ( weakness in legs & arms /memory issues/focus)
Duty truck accident ( hit flag pole )
Ran a large Xerox photo copier
a lot of dental fillings /coating on molars
Herpes
migraines continued
went camping
more vaccinations
vitamins to help with fatigue
Harassed by 4-5 officers traumatic at the time
barely able to lift my arms from fatigue to do my job (right arm frozen unable to lift past a certain point)
physical/mental/painful breakdown trying to cross a foot bridge
Within weeks of boot camp I was so tired/sore. I assumed it was using muscles I hadn’t used before. My first job and constant coping/sorting.
Most of these events happened around the same time.
later was said to be anemic by blood mobile
Through 23andme DNA I discovered I am a non-secretor ( hold in toxins?). I should not have mercury dental fillings/vaccinations etc… I am chemical sensitive. Formaldehyde for sure/MSG causes migraines.
May have iron over load ( have one gene for sure and may have another). This may account for my being so tired/sore when taking vitamins before/during and after being pregnant trying to get better. I was told I might have thoracic syndrome by a physical therapist and I took that for action and after many years have been able to lift my right arm ( no longer frozen). I had a sore spot on my spine between my shoulder blades since 1979.
Also since 1979 I notice that after exercise/being massaged I would be sore for days later and the pain was worse than when it began (still happens). I would do housework and couldn’t do anything for days later as I was so pooped. Now I do very little so I can stay awake like a semi normal person. Sleep apnea seems to happen when I am around chemicals.
I have just realized I am higher risk for MS through my DNA and the symptoms seem to indicate a look that is how I ended up on this site. I had a 6 week blindness OCR??? in 2001 and along with other symptoms I am beginning to wonder if MS is possible.
Thanks!
Linda
I’ll bet that migraines plus herpesvirus activation set the stage. Thanks for sharing..
Working with my Primary Doctor, my Accupuncturist, and through the years aaaaall the counselors, I’m 50 years old now, we’ve come to the conclusion that due to the amount and longevity of sexual physical mental and psychological abuse is what caused my fibromyalgia.
Mine started at age 4 and continued on until my late 30’s. I’ve had the symptoms my whole life but I’ve always been told they were something else…”they’re just growing pains” “oh stop it! Everybody gets headaches! It’s not that bad!” “You’re just overreacting again. Knock it off.”
Soooo, then I would start telling myself the same thing. Until 2004 (?)when my gallbladder quit working and I needed to have it removed. No big deal, minor surgery. A few weeks recovery, 4 small scars and back to work. But the pain NEVER NEVER NEVER STOPPED!!!
So 6 months of testing and specialists until they Finally sent me to a Rheumatologist who listened to me, touched me in a few different Painful places and said “you have fibromyalgia. Here’s a pamphlet. I’ll be back in a few minutes to answer your questions. .” Now remember this was 11 years ago. Back when most doctor’s still felt it was a junk diagnosis.
So, mine wasn’t brought on by an injury. However, my doctor’s and I do feel that it was TRIGGERED by a physical trauma.
I was 34 years old, going through a very emotional breakup. I was very healthy up to this point. I caught what I thought was your average cold, it didn’t go away and I have had cfs and fm 18 years now. All I can say is it takes your life from you like a thief.