Could I have fibromyalgia?

[CakesRus3]

I went to see my GP last Sep as I was extremely tired all of the time. I thought maybe my iron levels were low. Anyway, my accident they found out I am celiac.
However, since then, I have continued to feel tired most days. In bed at 7pm sometimes. I lack energy. I try to do what I can during the day as I know by 5pm I won't have the energy. I now even worry about walking the dog in the morning as I know it might zap all of my energy. I'm a single parent so need to keep going. Some days are worse than others. I wake up feeling nauseous. I'm having difficulties with my chest at the moment (not sure if related). For the past 5, 6 months I have felt more stiff, in the morning, walking down the stairs and just generally getting out of a chair occasionally. I put it down to my age (42). However, putting all these things together, I'm questioning it. As now I have pains in my right elbow. It's been constantly there for about 3 weeks.
I'm asking because I'm just exhausted. I don't know how to manage it. I actually look forward to bed time. This is making me feel guilty as I go to bed early. I dread waking up feeling so sick and tired.
I'm sorry if I sound so moany, especially as there is a pandemic going on. I just don't know who to talk to or what to do to feel better.

Hi op, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in November 2017. I am also 42 like you.

For me it was a process of elimination.
Lots of tests for other conditions were ruled out as some of the symptoms are similar.

I was lucky that my GP believes in fibromyalgia. He referred to me to a specialist private clinic where I was diagnosed eventually diagnosed by a specialist, I cried when I got the diagnosis as it was as if I was going mad at times because I “looked well” and lots of my family and friends didn’t realise just how debilitating it is.

Even now with medication and widespread awareness compared to a few years back I’ve had people question me. I don’t explain myself anymore but when I did I used to say that it’s chronic exhaustion, brain fog and horrible constant pain ( mine affects lower back and legs ) and I no longer do things I don’t want to, just to please other people.

There are lots of us about and it’s good to talk. Lots of sufferers will have flares where everything is worse for a period of time. Sometimes you can feel them coming on and other times they just hit you like a ton of bricks. I’m so glad I am a SAHM because I wouldn’t be able to hold down a job.
If I go clothes shopping for example, a day in town etc then the next day I am destroyed. I try to pace myself and have had to lower my ridiculous high standards ( dx with OCD and medicated ) as I just can’t do what I used to. Accepting it is hard but can also be freeing.

Here for any questions you may have

50Zoflorabore thankyou so much. I can imagine how you felt once being diagnosed. Sometimes, even when I tell family members, they don't understand how difficult it it as I'm so tired. I feel guilty for feeling tired. I also have lower back pain but have always suffered with that but the strange thing I noticed about 6 months ago was the back pain was different. I couldn't explain it, it was a different pain. Thinking about it now that's another change.
I work part time and I'm a single parent. When full time positions come up at work people ask if I'm going to apply. I explain I can't with 2 dd's. Secretly I'm just exhausted but feel embarrassed to say. I know something isn't right because up until a year a go my life was hectic and I can't remember feeling tired. It's still busy but I try to manage it along side how I'm feeling.
Like you, I am trying to lower my standards too. Thankyou for your message, it is good to talk :)