Marlene
I can certainly relate to all you folks. I was diagnosed by a neurologist in 1994. I, too, exhibited all the usual symptons...poor sleep, IBS, fibro fog, but most of all PAIN. Most of the time I could tolerate it, but when I had a flare up it was excruciating. My family doctor was not too helpful but I got as much info as I could from the internet and others in a support group. I was then able to educate my doctor and he was appreciative. In the Spring of 1999 I had what I was a major flare up with terrible back pain. I put up as long as I could with Arthrotec (not too helpful) and then Celebrex (a little better). The dr. then gave me something else that I can't remember at the time, which didn't do a darn thing. Please see my post under breast cancer. This is not intended to frighten anyone, only to make you aware of not letting things go too long.