It makes sense and explains alot of my situation.
I had the tender spots as a child when someone would poke me but I thought it was normal.
My Mom was an alcoholic and our home life was stressful. She didn't eat properly through her pregnancy.
At the age of 10 one of my sisters was killed by a drunk driver.
More stress would follow. As a teen I couldn't understand why my body hurt so badly. My friends didn't suffer like that.
My sister was diagnosed with fibro when I was in my early 20's. We both agreed my symptoms were the same so I told my Dr. my symptoms. She checked all the hot spots. I can't remember how many she found but she put me on Amitriptyline. It helped. I was on it for almost 10 years.
I went off it when trying to start a family.
Hadn't taken anything but Advil for pain. Discovered it is not good to take with high blood pressure.
Don't want to take the fibro meds because of side effects, especially as I am on antidepressants.
Looking back I can see the correlation between stress and pain.
I have come to a decision that I am going to see my Dr. about getting disability.

Emotional stress can affect your perception of pain, which may be why people with fibromyalgia are more susceptible to stress than those who don't have the condition, stress weakens your body. In a weakened state, you're more vulnerable to fibromyalgia's symptoms, such as chronic pain, fatigue, and depression. Many researchers believe if you eliminate certain stressful triggers, you'll in turn experience reduced fibromyalgia symptoms. Oftentimes, with fibromyalgia we overload ourselves with parenting or other care-taking duties, or our career may take precedence. Whatever the situation, many of us with fibromyalgia aren't putting ourselves at top concern. But certain lifestyle changes—such as taking time to relax and making health a priority. (studies show that the chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia may due to abnormalities in the endocrine system and autonomic nervous system. Some researchers believe that changes in the autonomic nervous system (which is activated when you are stressed) and endocrine system (which releases hormones in response to stress) causes the widespread chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia. An over-active autonomic nervous system induces excessive hormones that sensitize pain receptors, causing pain and tenderness). Again with myself I at one point use to have a mild case of fibro, and as soon as I started experiencing more stress in my life to the point where it was continual and there was no way around it, my fibro flared to the point until now It is a major factor of my life. I have now developed high blood pressure also as a result, so I have to take a step back and look at all of my situations in life and view them with a different mindset, taking a different approach to life and how I deal with things. I am taking time to breath, relax, not attempting to be in control of all of the situations and those that put that pressure on me, I put it right back on them to control their situations. As I have studied Fibromyalgia, I am learning so much more and as this is one of my projects while I am now back in school, it has become very interesting subject for me.

Hello, I have and as I study more on this subject, and your Rheumatologist is absolutely right on target with the information that they provided you. Fibromyalgia is caused by neurobiological abnormalities which act to produce physiological pain and cognitive impairments as well am many many other disabling symptoms. My Fibro was mainly triggered by stressors that I have experienced within the past 10 years plus. I also suffer with Celiac Disease so it is a double whammy for me. Even if you address the stressors in your life does not necessarily settle the concerns with your fibro, as it is a lifelong disease that you will deal with but it can be manageable.

Hello Cheryl,
Yes stress is a major trigger for many patients as with myself. Not everyone's pain is set on by stress but many many are.

Driggusa, it all sounds good what you say but we should be able to detect the excessive amount of hormones, could help to diagnose FM. Something is missing from the theory. Some people are having unbearable pain, wheelchair bound without comorbid illness, some of us on this site deny having anxiety or never had severe emotional or phisical trauma. Please continue your research and inform us here about your findings. Very much appreciate your feedback.