Pregnancy and fibromyalgia

[Lilly931]

I am 13 weeks pregnant and also have suffered with fibromyalgia for the past 5 years . I’m looking for some advice as I’m not coping very well with pain,fatigue and Hyperemesis. The doctor has signed me off work for the past month and I’m due back next week although I don’t know if I can cope as I can barely keep my eyes open most of the time and am still struggling to keep food down. I feel guilty asking to be signed off again and I’m unsure of whether to hand in my notice at work . Although myself and my partner would struggle if I did hand my notice in I really have no idea what to do. Really not enjoying my pregnancy at all (this is my 1st) any advice welcome

[ArkadyRose]

My sympathies; I'm 10 weeks and have been living with fibro for about the same amount of time as you. Having to come off pregabalin has been unpleasant - on it, my pain is at 4-5 out of 10, whereas off it I'm at 6-7 on a good day. This is my 4th baby but first since the fibro diagnosis, and the morning sickness was never so bad with any of my previous pregnancies. I'm not sure how much of the exhaustion is down to the fibro and how much is down to my age though (I turn 45 this month).

I wouldn't hand in your resignation just yet - see if you can get your GP to sign you off until the new year. The nausea and vomiting should ease off as you get into the second trimester and it may have resolved by the new year - you should have more energy then as well. And if it hasn't, then at least you'd have this month's pay in hand.

In the meantime, all I can suggest is get as much rest as you can. With fibro, it's important to pay attention when your body is telling you to rest in any case, and that goes double right now. There's some thought that vitamin B6 can help with HG, and it will likely help with your exhaustion as well - so if you're not already taking a good multivitamin, consider taking one and seeing if it helps?

Fibro is unpleasant at the best of times but I agree - it really does make pregnancy miserable.