I am new to this forum, but have a question for those of you with fibromyalgia.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1992 and it didn't bother me too much in the beginning, but as I have gotten older and stayed overweight, it has gotten much worse. I am now in so much pain that I have to limit how many days I leave the house to do anything (I work at home), because if I go more than 2-3 places when running errands, I am practically incapacitated the next few days. I can hardly get out of a chair to let my dogs in and out.

I got a flu shot in 2005 and afterwards for at least a week I had a lot more pain and stiffness than usual. I blamed it on the flu shot, because nothing else about my routine had changed. Last year I skipped the shot because I was afraid of a similar reaction. I am considering getting a shot again this fall since I am making an effort to be around people more - my daughter moved out about a year ago and since I work at home and live alone, I just get too caught up in depression and feeling sorry for myself. But is it worth it? I wonder if the shot actually further compromises my body and does more damage than good, since I have such a strong reaction to it.

Has anyone else experienced this? By the way, I am 55 years old and weigh about 298. Sometimes I wonder if I am blaming the FM too much for my aches and pains, when it could be from being overweight as well.

Thanks,

Laelle

LAELLE ~ I was just asking this same question of a lady (PURPLE) in our thread who is a nurse (in the PHYSICAL CHALLENGES monthly October red sticky). She said she had a vaccine and her muscles felt stiff and sore for a while afterwards (she has MS).

My DH and I have been debating about getting the vaccines, becuz we seem to be catching everything these days (maybe our age; 60 & almost 49). My Dad (who is 74) and step-mother (69) get the vaccine every year, but my Dad says that they catch the flu every year anyways.

So, it is hard to know what to do; esp when you already have so many physical challenges to begin with, plus other health issues and weight problems on top of all that. I know that we can all have aches and pains in our muscles and joints that come with age; but how much is age and weight factors, and how much is FIBROMYALGIA, or MS (PURPLE), or SPINA BIFIDA (me) and/ or injury related (also me)?

That is likely very difficult to access accurately; I do know that if I lose some weight that I do feel better and more mobile, but I still have those days that almost floor me (ie back pains, muscle pains, and joint pains that keep you indoors for a few days), so I know what you mean. I have to rest and wait these times out; then continue on from there when I feel better.

As for the flu vaccines, I am going to do some more inquiries before we take the leap, so-to-speak. I'll be watching this thread to see what info comes up ~ ROSEBUD