If I were to be dying in pain, this is what it feels like,’
3 advisories in effect for 3 regions in the area
‘If I were to be dying in pain, this is what it feels like,’ Houston area woman educates others about fibromyalgia
Haley Hernandez,
HOUSTON – Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that includes widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
“The first time I had a flare, I told my husband, like, I feel like I’m dying. Like, I feel like there’s something very, very wrong with me,” Lory Valadez said. “Even with my most recent flare, it’s the same kind of pain where I’m like, if I were to be dying in pain, this is what it feels like.”
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Valadez was a healthy young mom, but the crippling pain and fatigue was more than what most people can stand. She said it took about two years before she was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Dr. Adan Alvarez from Luxe Primary Care Practice diagnosed Valadez and he said relies on a combination of symptoms (and basically ruling everything else out first) to make a diagnosis.)
“Females are more at risk for it… especially in their 20s, 30s, even 40s,” Dr. Alvarez said. “A lot of people will struggle with this for years before they can come, before they get diagnosed with it and get adequately treated for it.”
Dr. Alvarez said Fibromyalgia symptoms can include:
– Widespread or radiating pain
– Difficulty concentrating
– Hypersensitivity
– Headaches and migraines
– Fatigue
“A lot of the times we say, well, if you’re tired, exercise. And you know, and that helps with fatigue. Well, with them it’s the opposite and they actually are even more drained afer exercise,” Dr. Alvarez said.