re: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Support Thread

This is my policy for today!



I can't control pain, but I CAN control if I want to be happy.

Quoting she nan igans:" This may seem silly, but I'm afraid of Lyrica. I've heard a lot of people say it caused them to gain ... [snip!] ... something that will likely cause me to gain again just makes me want to cry, since I think the added weight is a problem too."

My rheum discussed that with me when we started, because that was a problem that I had with it too, but it actually causes fluid retention, not true weight gain. He said that if you're living a healthy and active lifestyle, your body adjusts to it naturally and it goes away pretty quickly if it ever even starts. As much as you try to be fit, I doubt it will be a problem for you!

Quoting she nan igans:" I'm so sorry! That sounds really rough. I know what you mean about beign the mom of a young child. I ... [snip!] ... I have two toddlers who still need everything done for them, so there isn't really a way to take it easy. It's hard for sure!"

Yeah it's very tough. Especially when you know your baby wants to play and you don't have the energy and you feel like crap. Or when your baby isn't feeling good on top of you not feeling good.

Quoting she nan igans:" I'm so sorry love, that sounds hard. Well, we're here to give you support!"

It's tough but I get through it!

Quoting Peyton'sMommy♥:" Yeah it's very tough. Especially when you know your baby wants to play and you don't have the energy and you feel like crap. Or when your baby isn't feeling good on top of you not feeling good."

Yep, I understand. I try and look at the positive. My kids may wear me out, but they also give me a good reason to keep on fighting and to try and have the best day I can. I think without them I'd not want to really try, you know?

Quoting she nan igans:" Yep, I understand. I try and look at the positive. My kids may wear me out, but they also give me a ... [snip!] ... reason to keep on fighting and to try and have the best day I can. I think without them I'd not want to really try, you know?"

Exactly.

Okay, for those who don't know, lol, I've been working on losing weight. I've got a ways to go. I get SO TIRED of this "just do it" idea. I know it's just me, but still. I have grown to hate these damn fitspo quotes and pictures. Yeah, I'd smurfing love to go run a few miles. I can't, okay? I do what I can, and I'm doing well, but I'm so tired of this BS "STFU and DO IT" attitude. lol

I'll get to my goal weight eventually, and I'll do it the smart way. It may not happen as fast as other people, but I'm not going to just punish myself by doing things that hurt me just to reach a certain size faster.

So no, some people aren't just lazy. Some people don't just need to get over it. Some people CAN'T do that, and it's not just in their heads.

So, in closing, smurf off stupid fitspo. haha

Hi I'm new and undiagnosed but waiting on a referral from my PCP to a rheumatologist. I have had joint pain that is recurrent since I was 15 years old. I've had a positive ANA since 15 as well with an increase in titers. I don't have a positive RA factor. My mother had severe RA and hypothyroidism. My maternal grandmother died of lupus complications. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's since I was 20.

I'm having difficulty with doctors taking my pain seriously because I don't test positive for RA factor. I had a consult with a rheumatologist four years ago that was horrible. He was extremely dismissive of my concerns and told me that there was nothing he could do for me anyway because of the medication I am on for my mental health issues. I have since found out that he was the same way with most of the other patients that were referred to him from my PCP and that they no longer refer to him. It has prevented me from seeking care for my pain until now. It has become so severe now that I can't function.

I am currently on 400 mgs of Topamax, 12 mgs of Gabitril and 40 mgs of Celexa for my mental issues. These are the same meds that I was on when the previous rheumatologist said that he couldn't help me anyway. He told me that the meds that I'm on would be what he would prescribe for me. I'm currently on 7.5 mgs of Meloxicam for my joint pain and inflammation but it's not helping. I'm also taking a combination of aspirin and Tylenol OTC for my pain every six hours. No relief.

I've also been having a terrible problem with hives since May of this year but I don't know if that would be related. I'm currently on 50 mgs of Vistaril PRN for the hives.

Sorry that this is so long and I hope it's not inappropriate for me to post here without a diagnosis. I'm just so frustrated. I really do feel as though I'm at my wits end with this. I'm so tired of being in pain.

Quoting Monsieur Tastybutt:" Hi I'm new and undiagnosed but waiting on a referral from my PCP to a rheumatologist. I have had joint ... [snip!] ... a diagnosis. I'm just so frustrated. I really do feel as though I'm at my wits end with this. I'm so tired of being in pain."

It's totally okay to post here without a diagnosis. Pain is pain, love. No matter if a Dr has told you what they think it is or not yet, that doesn't diminish how real it is.

I'm sorry diagnosing has been so difficult! If you have a high ANA, have they ruled otu lupus for some reason? Also, I know that Fibro can run along with some of the other things too. Or, they have MCTD that is sort of in the middle with pieces of all different autoimmune problems.

I hope they figure something out that helps!! It's got to be frustrating because treating something without knowing what it is is really really hard.

Quoting she nan igans:" It's totally okay to post here without a diagnosis. Pain is pain, love. No matter if a Dr has told you ... [snip!] ... out that helps!! It's got to be frustrating because treating something without knowing what it is is really really hard."

Thank you for the kind words. I don't know why they've ruled out lupus but I suspect it's because I have no real signs of organ damage/complications. I've had multiple abnormal liver function tests but they always resolve within about three months. I've also had idiopathic hematuria since 1998 but with no abnormal kidney function so it's benign.

I don't know anything about MCTD but I'll look it up. Thanks for the info.

Quoting Monsieur Tastybutt:" Thank you for the kind words. I don't know why they've ruled out lupus but I suspect it's because I ... [snip!] ... with no abnormal kidney function so it's benign. I don't know anything about MCTD but I'll look it up. Thanks for the info."

No problem. I'd push for more of an answer with lupus. There doesn't have to be organ damage I don't think. There are even types that don't damage the organs at all. It's really good though, that there's no kidney damage. I was really afraid I had lupus when we started testing, so I looked up a LOT of stuff. It's scary. I'm very thankful that I ended up with Fibro instead.

Quoting Monsieur Tastybutt:" Hi I'm new and undiagnosed but waiting on a referral from my PCP to a rheumatologist. I have had joint ... [snip!] ... a diagnosis. I'm just so frustrated. I really do feel as though I'm at my wits end with this. I'm so tired of being in pain."

I'm so sorry doll, but I really understand where you're coming from on the mental health issues! It's actually really nice to meet someone who understands that! There are so many wonderful things they have for Fibro now that I honestly can not take because it throws everything out of whack. I can't even take most painkillers because of the chemical imbalance.

I'm so sorry you're going through so much to find answers. It really is a long road if you don't have the right doctors that are there to support you instead of being right. We're here if you ever need to talk about anything though!

I agree with she nan, you really need to stay on them about the lupus. Some of the things that doctors use to diagnose it can change throughout the day even... I hope that makes sense. I have a friend from college that has lupus, and it took so long to diagnose just because it didn't always show up as lupus. They finally caught it and after two years it manageable to the point that she lives on her own and works and goes to school full-time.

I really hope you get answers soon. Please keep us updated, alright?

Quoting Chroma Hex [+1]:" I'm so sorry doll, but I really understand where you're coming from on the mental health issues! It's ... [snip!] ... lives on her own and works and goes to school full-time. I really hope you get answers soon. Please keep us updated, alright?"

Thank you. I just got a call from my PCP's office about my referral. I should hear something from the rheumatologist's office in 5-7 business days. I hope this one isn't a jerk.

Quoting Monsieur Tastybutt:" Thank you. I just got a call from my PCP's office about my referral. I should hear something from the rheumatologist's office in 5-7 business days. I hope this one isn't a jerk."

If they are, then don't settle. I'm in the process of finding a new rheum myself. =[ My doctor won't give me a referral because I turned down the last guy...but he tried to give me medication I KNEW I couldn't take.

My appointment is today. I'm really nervous for some reason. I guess because I usually know exactly what I want to do, and I'm still clueless. I still have no idea what I want to do. Sigh.

So wish me luck!!