re: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Support Thread

So I got my lab work back and my red blood cell count is going down. Which elimnates the possibility of blood cancer, thank god!!!! But this week I feel bad. I honestly don't know what to do. I am having bowl issues and pain. I won't go poop for like 4 days then ill have severe runs. Then it starts all over again. I'm eliminating gluten and praying I start feeling better soon. My head hurts and my lower back hurts sooooo bad I don't know what to do. I'm just feeling defeated.

How is everyone?

Quoting ILOVEWINE:" So I got my lab work back and my red blood cell count is going down. Which elimnates the possibility ... [snip!] ... soon. My head hurts and my lower back hurts sooooo bad I don't know what to do. I'm just feeling defeated. How is everyone?"

*hugs* I'm sorry love. I'm glad that it rules out blood cancer, but I know not knowing is HORRIBLE. Have you looked at IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? I know it can run along with fibro. It's really common to have them both. Hopefully the gluten helps!! I've started to think I actually have IBS which is aggravated by gluten (which I was I am gluten free most of the time), rather then just having a gluten intolerance. I think this because I will still have some problems even when I'm GF, and I will eat some gluten and be fine sometimes.

Whens your next appointment? What are their next plan?

Just try to breathe and relax. I know it's hard to do, but stress is almost always your enemy.

<blockquote><b>Quoting she nan igans:</b>" *hugs* I'm sorry love. I'm glad that it rules out blood cancer, but I know not knowing is HORRIBLE. ... [snip!] ... What are their next plan? Just try to breathe and relax. I know it's hard to do, but stress is almost always your enemy."</blockquote>




Thanks, and yes stress is my worse enemy!! Even my doctor told me the more positive I am the better ill feel, it's just hard. My next appt is Tuesday the 23rd. I'm going to have a scope both ways next week. Then getting into a rehum doctor for possible lupus. This allllllllll just sucks. I just wanna feel normal and I don't.

Does anyone take anything or do anything natural for anxity?

Quoting ILOVEWINE:" <blockquote><b>Quoting she nan igans:</b>" *hugs* I'm sorry love. I'm glad that it ... [snip!] ... allllllllll just sucks. I just wanna feel normal and I don't. Does anyone take anything or do anything natural for anxity?"

Are you taking vitamins? Iron, b-12, stuff like that? I just know that they can help. For anxiety and I would try to relax more. As in, take specific time to just sit and relax. That helps me a TON. When I put the kids down for a nap I sit on our swing on the balcony and just relax. I make lists for what i need to do and break it into small tasks so I feel better and more motivated (and less stressed because I see doable tasks).

Also I work out when I can. Nothing big. But a nice brisk walk can do WONDERS I think.

<blockquote><b>Quoting she nan igans:</b>" Are you taking vitamins? Iron, b-12, stuff like that? I just know that they can help. For anxiety and ... [snip!] ... stressed because I see doable tasks). Also I work out when I can. Nothing big. But a nice brisk walk can do WONDERS I think."</blockquote>



Yea I think walking will help. I also was going to try hot yoga I think it could give me am hour to myself to relax my body. Good advice thank you!

Quoting ILOVEWINE:" <blockquote><b>Quoting she nan igans:</b>" Are you taking vitamins? Iron, b-12, stuff ... [snip!] ... will help. I also was going to try hot yoga I think it could give me am hour to myself to relax my body. Good advice thank you!"

No problem! That's what we're all here for =D

It was a good appointment! I really do like my Dr (new Dr since we've moved). She went over all my test results. I guess my ANA was elevated, but was lower the 2nd time they tested it, but all others were negative. She's sending me to a rhumeatologist or whoever it is, lol. She did a questionnaire and I guess I came back as depressed. I didn't think I would be, but okay. She prescribed Prozac. She said it can help with the pain, but it's good for depression mostly. In a few weeks when I see the specialist I'll have already been on the Prozac a while so I will have a feel for how I'm doing on it.

So, all in all I'm pretty happy. I guess I start the Prozac tomorrow and we'll see. . .

I thought I'd post these! If anyone wants me to make some for another chronic illness, I'll try to find a good kit for it. Just let me know! Chronic/invisible illnesses are not something to be ashamed of!  

Hi everyone. My name is Angela. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia on September 13th, 2012. I was honestly expecting a diagnosis of MS. I go back to my doctor to discuss what we do next and to talk about the scripts he gave me. Currently I am taking Gabapentin, Amitriptylene (@ bed time), Vistrail (for my anxiety) and Vicodin for pain (which doesn't help much).

I am so new to this I feel like a diagnosis was rushed. There was no testing done to rule out anything else, which btw I am going to request that we do at least an MRI and a blood test when I go back on the 19th.

I dont know how to even explain to people what fibromyalgia is. I dont even understand it. I am glad I found this thread. I was also wondering what the abbreviations mean in here. Like I said I dont know much about what I was even diagnosed with let alone the lingo quite yet.

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" Hi everyone. My name is Angela. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia on September 13th, 2012. I was honestly ... [snip!] ... abbreviations mean in here. Like I said I dont know much about what I was even diagnosed with let alone the lingo quite yet."

Welcome!

The most common abbreviation is probably FMS which is fibromayalgia syndrome. Any other one just ask and I can help wtih it usually.

I'm sorry your diagnosis was rushed! I'd for sure demand some blood testing for autoimmune problems. Those most often need to be ruled out. MS is a rough one I know, and it takes a few different tests to try to diagnose that.

I'm currently on Prozac and it's been helping a lot. My Dr suggested Tramadol if I need it, but I haven't needed it yet (or been willing to try it). I'm trying to wear off the muscle relaxers (Flexeril) at night.

I'm new to this too, but I will help with whatever I can!

Quoting she nan igans:" Welcome! The most common abbreviation is probably FMS which is fibromayalgia syndrome. Any other one ... [snip!] ... it). I'm trying to wear off the muscle relaxers (Flexeril) at night. I'm new to this too, but I will help with whatever I can!"

Thank you so much. Its nice to have someone to help me figure all of this out.

I think the reason he went with Fibro was because I gave him a huge list of symptoms to go through and he may have been a bit overwhelmed and went with the easiest (as far as no tests for it) diagnosis. My neighbor, she has MS, was telling me to get a referal to her neurologist and he would run any tests to rule everything else out to get to a correct diagnosis. I am going to ask my doc to give me that referal!

Did any of you get a diagnosis of IBS as well? I have such issues with my tummy. I mean for example (WARNING THIS IS TMI) today is the first time I have pooped in 2 weeks. And now it has turned in to diarhea! First it was 20 minutes of pushing because I think I may have been impacted and I thought I was going to have to go to ER. Now the diarhea will last for about 2 weeks everyday, mulitple times a day. I talked to my doc and he ran a blood test to check for a gluten allergy. That was negative and my B vitamin levels were fine too so therfore the IBS diagnosis.

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" Thank you so much. Its nice to have someone to help me figure all of this out. I think the reason he ... [snip!] ... test to check for a gluten allergy. That was negative and my B vitamin levels were fine too so therfore the IBS diagnosis."

Fibromyalgia is incredibly misdiagnosed. I agree with she nan igans, you need to put your foot down and make sure it's not something that can hurt you. Fibro isn't easy to deal with by any means, but it doesn't cause permanent damage like similar disorders do.

I have FMS in my family, and I have suffered with it for a long time before being diagnosed in February. I also have a lot of other health issues, but FMS is at the root of them.


TMI:
I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 16. I have a lot of issues with it, and apparently it goes hand in hand with FMS. I have been tested for a gluten allergy, and I have had impacted stools that needed emergency enemas. I've literally gone weeks without going, too. It's hard. I'm usually more constipated than I am suffering from diarrhea, but it has started for no reason and lasted weeks. I have to take magnesium citrate every few weeks because I stay constipated.

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" Thank you so much. Its nice to have someone to help me figure all of this out. I think the reason he ... [snip!] ... test to check for a gluten allergy. That was negative and my B vitamin levels were fine too so therfore the IBS diagnosis."

Okay. A few things.

1) IBS is common with fibro. However, you can have a gluten allergy and NOT have celiac (which is what the blood test is for). So you might want to try out a gluten free diet anyways. It could still be the problem.

2) A neurologist would be for MS, but autoimmune is generally a rheumotologist. Things like lupus or Mixed connective tissue disorder can look like Fibro. Same with rheumatoid arthritis.

I for sure think you should have some testing done. Fibro should only be diagnosed IMO once testing rules out the other possibilities.

Quoting she nan igans:" Okay. A few things. 1) IBS is common with fibro. However, you can have a gluten allergy and NOT have ... [snip!] ... think you should have some testing done. Fibro should only be diagnosed IMO once testing rules out the other possibilities."

I agree. My PCP diagnosed me, did all of the blood work and ruled everything out and STILL sent me to a rheumatologist to be sure.

My rheum did a lot more blood work, and did a few X-Rays to make sure I didn't have inflammatory diseases. Then he did the pressure point test to see if I suffered pain in any of those areas. This is a KEY test for FMS. You need to feel pain when pressure is applied to 11 of the 18 pressure points to be considered an FMS sufferer (unless certain other symptoms are present). I have pain in all 18.

Can I just say that I think I love you ladies. You are so much more informed then I am. Do you know of any good questions I should ask my doctor at my next visit? Like I said I went in with a list of symptoms but I didn't have a clue what questions to ask.

I have applied for SSI but I was denied because aparently Fibro is not a disability.