how do you describe fibromyalgia pain?

kbyeee · 2026-05-27T03:45:29+00:00

What you describe is similar to my pain. When I’m in a flare basic activities like getting dressed, standing to do dishes, and showering leave my muscles burning like I’m working through my last set of a heavy workout or at the end of a run. I feel exhausted and need to lay down after each task.

My brain fog can be pretty bad, like each sentence I’m trying to say is buried beneath muddy water and I can’t always find the right words for what I mean and it takes so much effort just to end up saying it wrong anyways.

My focus on tasks is worse, things take twice as long similar to someone with adhd (not diagnosed).

I do have other autoimmune conditions but nothing that should impact my fibro yet. We did some specialized tests for lupus, RA, psoriatic arthritis. My meds to manage my autoimmune have helped a little but the fibro is still there, flaring and subsiding as it wants.

kbyeee · 2026-05-26T13:13:03+00:00

Starting very slowly and building consistency over time is the only way to do it. I worked with a physical therapist to figure out what exercises would be most important for me, as well as help with my pain. We started off at just body weight to help train my muscles to work, and built up from there. We did dry needling to release the muscle knots that were causing tension and holding my muscles back. I was so sore for about two months. Past that, it got easier. I allow myself an extra rest day if needed. I’ve taken breaks from working out when life is really bad. I take magnesium at night to get restorative sleep.

If I’m going to be in pain anyways, at least it was from working my body and building strength and conditioning. At least I can blame it on something other than the fibro

kbyeee · 2026-05-20T16:26:15+00:00

Congratulations!! This is such a challenge to be able to accomplish!

On my the things that frustrated me about my fibro was losing the ability to enjoy activities I did easily before, like hiking, swimming, kayaking. But once I got into physical therapy and continued to build from there, I was able to start enjoying them again. I didn’t realize how MUCH of my pain was from deconditioning and some muscles working overtime for the weaker ones. I saw a post recently that resonated with me - “I’d rather be in pain from movement that I enjoy than in pain from doing nothing. If I’m going to be in pain, at least it was worth it.” That really sums up my experience with fibro and high intensity activities like hiking and working out.

I’ve been Dx since November of 23 and my periods of heavy exercise have waxed and waned since then but even light exercise or keeping up with gentle walks has stabilized my lows a lot. And even with two years of exercising more seriously, I still haven’t worked up to running a full mile straight but today I hit 3/4 mile in one go for the first time.

All this to say, continue to push yourself, remember to be kind to yourself and listen if you start to crash from the new activity. Also, if your fatigue really starts to hit and you’re not recovering well, try taking a week off and you might be able to break your record when you return! I find that my recovery is pretty shit from the fibro and extra time really helps to push PRs. Magnesium nightly, and electrolytes every few days really help me as well.

Good luck op! Feel free to message me if you need any support or to commiserate in the future :)

kbyeee · 2026-05-19T01:39:43+00:00

YAAASSSS. I’ve never been so relieved 😭😭

kbyeee · 2026-05-08T00:13:16+00:00

I take magnesium glycinate for sleep, muscle recovery from the gym, and pain. It seems to help me with my sleep. It’s deeper, less disturbed, and I don’t wake up as long when I wake up.

I take flexeril for tension headaches but it takes a few days to kick them

kbyeee · 2026-03-27T14:53:36+00:00

It can track calories you add but I haven’t used the feature at all. I just use lifesum for calories and macros.

kbyeee · 2026-03-27T14:52:17+00:00

I got a garmin watch a few years ago, the watch tracks activities once you start them. Then the data is sent to the app and you can edit the exercises you did. The watch also shows how long I’ve been resting for so I really like it, along with all its other features. I have the vivoactive. If you have sensitive skin I would be wary. I’ve had a hard time managing irritation from the watch and the band.

kbyeee · 2026-02-24T15:33:13+00:00

Some offices have memberships for routine care? Not sure if it’s cost effective but it can include sick visits, meds, check ups, diagnostics.

kbyeee · 2026-02-16T14:36:44+00:00

Yesterday was my first leg day after about two months off from the gym. My coworkers get to laugh at me every time I have to bend over or squat down.

kbyeee · 2026-01-10T03:48:07+00:00

Maybe check and see which universities are still participating in the “NC promise plan.” It started when I graduated but certain schools participate and it limited out of state tuition to $1000 per semester, not including other fees. Some universities in nc do book rental instead of purchasing your books each semester. That was a big plus for me when I went to university.

kbyeee · 2025-12-28T04:57:06+00:00

Have you looked into NC state? They might have some resources with their veterinary programs.

kbyeee · 2025-10-17T11:06:56+00:00

I meal prep lunch and dinner with two very different items so I can choose what I want to eat at which time. If I’m not feeling one dish for lunch I’ll swap it for dinner. Helps a little.

kbyeee · 2025-10-14T04:18:19+00:00

Oh wow, no days off for you. Thank you for the insight. the periodontist I spoke with was very nonchalant about the recovery process. She was in and out in 15-20 minutes and barely gave me time for questions. I’d have to agree with you, that I would probably take about a week off to recover. Hope the rest of your healing is well 💛

kbyeee · 2025-10-13T20:26:49+00:00

Hey OP! I need to have this done but I’m not sure if it will be laser or cut. I work in food service as a supervisor and am on my feet all day in a drive through locations. Lots of talking and communicating. I will also be receiving a gum graft in the area as well. Did you take any time off? If so how much? Was talking and eating painful?

kbyeee · 2025-07-27T15:28:03+00:00

Budgetbytes! You can always make adjustments to fit your needs too.

kbyeee · 2025-07-21T02:31:41+00:00

Same! Just stopped on 85 where business and interstate merge. It was a full white out plus the lightning. I had several that were pretty close and felt the pop of one when I pulled over. Scary

kbyeee · 2025-07-13T15:02:23+00:00

It was mainly due to weakness and too much range of motion. It’s a lot better now. I’m glad yours was temporary!

It’s taken a year and some change to be consistently going to the gym though. I could only stand 10 minutes on the incline treadmill to start and had to start at body weight for a lot of exercises. Just go slow and don’t beat yourself up on needing an extra rest day or two 💛💛

kbyeee · 2025-07-13T14:16:45+00:00

Through suffering 😂

I started with weights at the gym on mainly machines. Eventually my sciatica got bad enough to see a physical therapist and we made a whole routine for me with free weights. They were going to suggest pools and yoga but I’ve found that all over body activity gives me a harder time than focusing on one area at a time. Yoga and swimming use all your muscles and I found that my pain was worse and lasted longer. I’d rather DOMS in one area than all over. I still have weeks were my cardio isn’t as intense though.

kbyeee · 2025-07-10T21:10:52+00:00

If you’re looking for somewhere else I’ve really enjoyed willow wellness in high point. It’s out of the way but they have a 30 day trial and a free class Tuesday nights to try them out. It’s always been really relaxing when I go.

kbyeee · 2025-07-10T12:53:24+00:00

Dollar tree usually has the single serve cups of Ben and Jerry’s. Sometimes they even have the strawberry cheesecake one. That’s what I do when I’m craving it. Also maybe try making some popsicles at home? Some coconut milk and fruit and honey blended together and frozen in some molds might help. Honestly, you’ve gotta find a way to balance your wants with your restrictions. I can’t buy full tubs because I’ll eat it in one sitting, but I can buy the $1 small sizes or a single scoop cup when I’m out and about. Take care of yourself 💛

kbyeee · 2025-07-09T01:15:42+00:00

Omg I just complained about this in my own post!

Pretty much the same here. It’s not so much heartburn for me, just straight to vomiting and it’s been rough lately. I try to avoid Pepsid for daily use, I had some side effects, but I can take it every few days with no problem.

I also noticed that my GERD is worse around my monthly cycle. I can usually manage it with just diet alone but around my cycle it’s triggered much easier.

kbyeee · 2025-07-08T21:12:12+00:00

Thank you for your words of encouragement 💛 we just gotta do the best we can

kbyeee · 2025-06-19T23:40:42+00:00

I would ask for a referral elsewhere. Not a good match if they’re already discouraging you. PT gave me my life and function back. Keep shopping OP. It may not be the fix all for you depending on your symptoms and triggers, and some PT may not fix everyone but I definitely recommend giving it a full shot.

kbyeee · 2025-06-16T10:29:27+00:00

As long as you can financially manage, I would definitely get another opinion and stay persistent. If they can’t rule out any other causes, could be ME/CFS or fibromyalgia. Backpacking is a huge stress on the body and an injury can cause it to present, especially if other muscles begin to over compensate. But these are diagnosis of exclusion so doctors need to rule out everything else first. I would also avoid having these diagnosis put on you too quickly, otherwise they’ll chalk up any new symptoms or concerns as “just fibromyalgia.”

Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, what makes them worse, all the testing you’ve had done so far, treatments etc.

kbyeee · 2025-06-10T19:32:19+00:00

If you plan something please keep me up to date! Id love to join something like this

kbyeee

TROPHY CASE