My Fibromyalgia Story- How it all started?

I haven't posted lately as I was so busy at work. I was transferred to Dubai for 2 months due to the business requirements of my work and right after two months, I went back again to Abu Dhabi.

As you can read from the title above, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Later, I will discuss but let me share a glimpse of what just happened to me for the past 7 months. 

Here we go...

Depression, Anxiety, and Panic Attack!

For the past 7 months, This all started in August of 2021. I've been to depression, anxiety, panic attack 

and stress. I am having some financial issues and worried about my job. Apart from financial difficulties, the one thing that worries me a lot was when the brand where I'm working with, wanted me to shift to Dubai, and I am so worried since I don't have any family or friends there to stay with. To the point that I kept thinking about it. Day and Night. And it came to the point that I wanted to resign and go back to the Philippines.  I never shared this with anybody about my struggles even with my Auntie way back in the Philippines, because I don't want her to worry about me, except for Aileen and Peter (Aileen is my niece while Peter is Aileen's husband). They gave some opinions and advice but of course, this is what I've signed up with my company, it is based on the contract otherwise I'll be in trouble if I breached it. 

There are some other factors apart from financial issues, I am also stressed as well at work since I have to comply with the metrics (metrics are where they are checked and analyze our performance at work). Unfortunately, I was below the metrics, and this added pressure to myself that I have to think about it day and night.

And there are other factors as well, I will not discuss them here. I'll just leave it for now.

Time to move out!

November of 2020, the brand that I am working with, decided to shift me to Dubai. I was able to find a nice Only Filipino accommodation and a nice partition with a door. You can rarely find this type of partition at an affordable price of 700 dirhams.  I was happy and I took the partition. The location of my accommodation is very near to my workplace, just a walking distance and approximately 5 mins to my workplace.  Here's my partition below:

I have terrible experienced working with a manager at the branch where I was currently assigned. The pressure of work was unpredictable. I don't want to give everything in detail. All I can say is it's a really terrible workplace, unlike my workplace back in Abu Dhabi. 

What is Fibromyalgia?

Photo credits to google

Let me copy and paste this information that I have taken from NHS. So that you will understand.

Fibromyalgia also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia

As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have:

• increased sensitivity to pain
• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• muscle stiffness
• difficulty sleeping
• problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog"), such as problems with memory and concentration
• headaches
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating

My Symptoms and When It All Started

Well, My symptoms all started 3rd week of August 2021. First I am getting lethargic (fatigue), the sense of not being well all the time. And I am getting some painful targeted joints throughout my body. First, I am getting a needle stabbing sensation on my upper right shoulder. It would stay for around 30 minutes and it will irradiate from my left upper shoulder (same joint point) As well as my knee joints and my lower back. 

I was wondering, why this joint pain has a specific point only that I am getting the pain. 

Muscle weakness is really awful as well. I cannot stand raising my arms for 1 minute and I have to lower them cause I feel weak. 

Vitamin D Deficiency

I know, It's bad to google about my symptoms rather than visiting the GP Doctor. But somehow, Google helps to distinguish it. I thought I am only deficient in Vitamin D. Since the symptoms were similar as well. I thought it was Vitamin D since I rarely get enough sunlight since I work 8 to 14 hours a day, indoors.  My Filipino GP doctor prescribed me 10,000 IU of Vitamin D and Magnesium for 2 months. But I didn't see any improvement at all.

Just imagine, how many times I went back to my GP Doctor in Abu Dhabi. There was one time when I have to excuse myself at work since I can no longer manage the pain throughout my body. A mix of burning sensation radiating to my entire body, needle stabbing sensation on my right upper shoulder, muscle weakness, and overwhelming fatigue. Take note: It's not even half of my shift. It's a good thing my colleague (John) was very understanding and he covered me up for that shift. 

Hustle!

I went to the emergency room and after a series of questions, they injected me a Voltaren (to ease the pain temporarily). 

I was coming back to the hospital how many times in a month yet the doctors cannot distinguish it. I was referred to an orthopedic, asks some questions, and was prescribed only some pain reliever for a week, But the pain was still there.

Overthinking while still having the Pain

Throughout the course of working, I am getting all the full-blown fibromyalgia pain. I was weak, but I don't lose weight at all. 

Then here's the part: I will be moving to Dubai. They gave me some days so that I can find accommodation and so that I can shift my stuff to Dubai. 

Hello Dubai!

During my weekly off at Burj Khalifa in Dubai

Now, Back to work, doing the same thing every day as usual. November 5, 2021, I decided to go check a doctor. I went to the same hospital but they have a branch in Dubai, a good thing, it was only a walking distance from my accommodation so it was hassle-free at all. After a series of questions and blood tests. My GP Doctor's first diagnosis was Fibromyalgia. I have an idea already of what Fibromyalgia is since I was searching it on google. My Indian doctor referred me to a Neurologist.

Series of Blood Tests

I booked an appointment and meet the doctor. The doctor asked me some questions and so on. So He told me to take a series of tests.  I took ANA TITER TEST, ANA TEST, PYRUVATE TEST. These tests are ways to check if I have an autoimmune disease or others may call these tests as ANTIBODY NUCLEAR TEST.  3 small test tube full of my blood was taken from me. I am afraid of blood so I was closing my eyes while the nurse was taking all the necessary blood. 

After 4 weeks of waiting, I finally got the result. And praise to GOD! It is all negative!. However, I didn't go back to my Neurologist since I was so busy at work. 

After working in Dubai for 2 months. I was informed that I'll be transferred to Abu Dhabi. I was so happy!

And I decided to go back to my GP Doctor explained everything and I got a referral from another Neurologist. I immediately booked an appointment the next day!

Another Neurologist and LYRICA

So meeting the doctor, He retrieved all my records, and I explained to him as well all that happened to me. He told me that indeed, I have Fibromyalgia. He prescribed me 75mg of Lyrica good for 20 days and B-Vitamin Complex. 

I am reading this drug called Lyrica recently, and I can't believe that I am taking it now as well.

I am 7 days old taking this drug and I already see the difference! the muscle weakness, fatigue, and needle stabbing sensation were gradually reduced! 

However, I am experiencing some nausea and euphoria as these are a few of the side effects but it's manageable.

I also joined a Facebook group where People have fibromyalgia, and I made friends on Facebook. I would like to thank Mohammad Tehseer, He is the very first person to message me on Facebook right after I share my condition.

Who Can Get Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia can affect everyone, it doesn't matter whether you are young or old, but it's all ages. My advice? avoid stress, anxiety, panic attack. If you know someone who is experiencing depression, please talk to them and provide emotional support. Don't overthink!

Is Fibromyalgia Curable?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for fibromyalgia but there are a variety of medications that can cure the symptoms just like LYRICA. 

This content is a bit lengthy but I hope you are now aware of what fibromyalgia is.

Stay safe always!

--Ceddy