This is not MS responding but his wife SA. I was officially diagnosed with Fibro. in1996 at the age of 46. However, after hearing the description of the disease I believe I have suffered with it since my youngest child was born in1978. I also have chronic fatigue and 2 auto-immune diseases, Sjogren's Syndrome and now Reynauld's. My father had Rheumatoid Arthritis, thus I inherited the gene to have an Atuo-Immune disease.

My symptoms were aching muscles, arthritic joints and overwhelming fatigue. I have muscles that stay in hard knots that can be helped for only a temporary time with massage. Fatigue is easy, go to sleep for 12 hours if you can stay asleep. I have a friend who is a psychiatrist who suggested a drug named Limbitrol. It is 20mg. of Librium and 50 mg. of Elavil. I have been taking it for 3 years and it is a wonder drug, although many newer doctors have never heard of it. It can also be prescribed as 2 different pills which make up that combination.
It is true about the trigger points which can determine if you have fibro. They are muscles in the back, shoulder area, legs, etc. I had about 13 or 14. I had not slept through the night for years until I got this medication. I would suggest consulting either a Rheumatologist or a Physiatrist (physical medicine-rehab) for help with these disorders. Mine are jewels and have given me a lot of support. I work as a substitute teacher, so I can take a day off here or there if I have a flare, so that relieves the stress of having to go every day. I was telling a friend today that one way to survive it is not to give in to it. It takes some amount of pushing oneself to get going, but sitting around moaning and groaning only drags one down. I have a friend at church that has convinced herself that she cannot do anything because of having it. Thus begins a cycle that only gets worse and worse. I have days here and there where I rest in and don't do much, but I do try to keep the house together and get out. My husband does the cooking and physical stuff because it is tiring. Also it is important to realize that you are beginning to tire out and stop. I have seen this girl stand in a hallway crying so that everyone can see her and give her pity. Not a good way to handle it...better to say it doesn't change and won't and get on with it. It will nickle and dime you til it drives you nuts but it won't kill you. On days when you have something special, rest up ahead of time. Naps don't hurt, they get you back up and going. We put in a jacuzzi and the hot soaks help. You can get a dr. to write a prescription for one and put it on your taxes. There are all kinds of tricks to survive this. Any way I can help, please write back. SA