re: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Support Thread

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" Can I just say that I think I love you ladies. You are so much more informed then I am. Do you know of ... [snip!] ... have a clue what questions to ask. I have applied for SSI but I was denied because aparently Fibro is not a disability.  "

I'll get you a list of questions in a second, but I wanted to touch on that last point.

The SSA has a list of disorders/diseases/developmental issues/cancers/injuries that they consider disabilities. However, that does NOT mean that you can't be considered disabled under them.

Because of some health issues I have, my rheum said that my FMS is exacerbated to a level that he usually doesn't see until they are older, after a few children, etc.

I'm currently filing for disability for my FMS and bipolar disorder. Despite different medications and different treatments, a new diet, exercising, all of the things they say do with FMS, there are still some days where I can't get out of bed. I was asked to leave my last three jobs before I was fired. I can't work, and I know I'm disabled.

Did you apply with a lawyer? I have an amazing lawyer that takes the payment out of your backpay, and only if he wins the case.

It's hard to file for disability alone. You definitely need legal help. I just got denied my disability, which we were expecting, so now we are amping it up and getting ready for the appeals process. Did you file for an appeal? Or did they even give you the option?

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" Can I just say that I think I love you ladies. You are so much more informed then I am. Do you know of ... [snip!] ... have a clue what questions to ask. I have applied for SSI but I was denied because aparently Fibro is not a disability.  "

I'd ask about testing for autoimmune illnesses. The first step is usually an ANA test. It's a blood test and it pretty standard. Also, they can run an ESR test I think it is that measures inflammation. A pos ANA will probably mean you need to see a Rheumatologist (I JUST had my appointment with one last week).

ALso, have your thyroid checked. A referral is best case, but you can always ask your Dr to requests the tests so you already have those results when you go in to see the specialist.

I don't know much about disability, but I know for Fibro sufferers it's a HARD road to get it all worked out.

Quoting she nan igans:" I'd ask about testing for autoimmune illnesses. The first step is usually an ANA test. It's a blood ... [snip!] ... the specialist. I don't know much about disability, but I know for Fibro sufferers it's a HARD road to get it all worked out."

I never said anything, but you guys had me so paranoid about lupus that I went in and got my ANA and my thyroid checked. They did a hormone test and apparently a lot of the things that were mimicking thyroid issues were just my hormones still being out of whack from the Depo shot. I'm really relieved. I had a low pos ANA but he said it was normal to get a low pos.

Quoting Chroma Hex [+1]:" I never said anything, but you guys had me so paranoid about lupus that I went in and got my ANA and ... [snip!] ... being out of whack from the Depo shot. I'm really relieved. I had a low pos ANA but he said it was normal to get a low pos."

lol. Lupus is a scary one!!

I don't know if I've updated but I saw the Rheumatologist. He said possibly Sjogen's disease (ran a test for it). The positive ANA (I got two positives) might be nothing still. He ran one for antithyoid antibodies and I tested positive for those, but I don't know what that means yet, haha. I have had a normal TSH, but a lot of my symptoms COULD be due to thyoid also. It's all so confusing.

Lupus is hte one you really worry about though. He's 99% sure I don't have that, which is what I was hoping for!

Also, the prozac has done wonders so far.

Quoting Chroma Hex [+1]:" I'll get you a list of questions in a second, but I wanted to touch on that last point. The SSA has ... [snip!] ... are amping it up and getting ready for the appeals process. Did you file for an appeal? Or did they even give you the option?"

I just filed the other day. I dont have an attorney. I am in the same place as you as far as not being able to get out of bed some days. Plus I suffer from dibilitating (sorry if thats spelled wrong) migraines. I haven't been able to work since 2005 because I cant move like that and some days the vertigo also keeps me bed ridden. I have not filed for an appeal yet. I dont even really think I have had enough testing for SSI to consider me disabled. This whole topic is so frustrating to me. It makes me shake so bad (due to severe anxiety) even thinking about it.

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" I just filed the other day. I dont have an attorney. I am in the same place as you as far as not being ... [snip!] ... me disabled. This whole topic is so frustrating to me. It makes me shake so bad (due to severe anxiety) even thinking about it."

I have anxiety issues too, momma. I know how it is. =[

If you just applied the other day then they can't have denied you already. The best thing that I can tell you is to look around for a lawyer that takes the money from the case out of your back pay. They'll usually do free consultations and he'll answer everything you need to know about the legal requirements.

Quoting she nan igans:" I'd ask about testing for autoimmune illnesses. The first step is usually an ANA test. It's a blood ... [snip!] ... the specialist. I don't know much about disability, but I know for Fibro sufferers it's a HARD road to get it all worked out."

I am typing up these tests in a word doc to print out and take to him along with any questions. I had no idea fibro could be misdiagnosed for SO MANY other things!!!!

Quoting she nan igans:" lol. Lupus is a scary one!! I don't know if I've updated but I saw the Rheumatologist. He said possibly ... [snip!] ... worry about though. He's 99% sure I don't have that, which is what I was hoping for! Also, the prozac has done wonders so far."

My PCP and rheum aren't even worried about Lupus at this point, so I'm guessing that's a good thing. I'm glad the Prozac is working! I've heard that it can really get rid of the fibro fog almost completely.

I'm glad it's not something more serious. Hopefully you keep getting good news!

Quoting Chroma Hex [+1]:" I have anxiety issues too, momma. I know how it is. =[ If you just applied the other day then they ... [snip!] ... back pay. They'll usually do free consultations and he'll answer everything you need to know about the legal requirements. "

Okay I am going to start that search too then. This whole thing is so overwhelming to me. I have never understood what was happening to me. I tried to ignore it and it even came to a point that I was self medicating. I dont deal well with severe pain and I spend every single day of my life in pain. I desperately want to know what is really causing my pain. And honestly if I cant get disability then I am fine with that. I guess I just want answers!

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" I am typing up these tests in a word doc to print out and take to him along with any questions. I had no idea fibro could be misdiagnosed for SO MANY other things!!!!"

Yep.

Well, since there is no exact test for Fibro, it's hard to diagnose. So other things can cause widespread pain. Those things that CAN be tested for need to be ruled out first. Once those are all ruled out, then it sort of had to be Fibro.

So that's why all the footwork tests are important. Fibro treatment is mostly treating symptoms. But if it is really lupus, you need to treat the lupus, you know? If it's RA, then it's not just pain, there is physical damage occuring and you need to treat THAT.

Quoting Chroma Hex [+1]:" My PCP and rheum aren't even worried about Lupus at this point, so I'm guessing that's a good thing. ... [snip!] ... get rid of the fibro fog almost completely. I'm glad it's not something more serious. Hopefully you keep getting good news!"

What exactly is Fibro Fog? Sorry for all the questions. I guess I am excited that I have people to talk to who know what I am going through. Also I was wondering if they find that its not Fibro and its something else can I still be a member of this group. I just love how much you ladies are informed.

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" What exactly is Fibro Fog? Sorry for all the questions. I guess I am excited that I have people to talk ... [snip!] ... that its not Fibro and its something else can I still be a member of this group. I just love how much you ladies are informed."

Of course you can still be here! This is for Fibro and other forms of Chronic pain. that can be Lupus, it can be RA. Anything that causes chronic pain. Though pretty much all of us have Fibro, that doesn't change that it's the pain that's hard to deal with.

Fibro fog is the sort of bran fog Fibro can cause. Not thinking clearly, forgetting things, just feeling like your brain is muddied

Quoting Mama Ang loves her girls:" What exactly is Fibro Fog? Sorry for all the questions. I guess I am excited that I have people to talk ... [snip!] ... that its not Fibro and its something else can I still be a member of this group. I just love how much you ladies are informed."

Fibro fog is an unofficial term that encompasses all of the mental issues that come with FMS. You can Google it for more answers, but for me, I have problems with memory and speech, staying focused, etc. I'll get up to do something and then next thing I know I'm standing there like "Why the hell did I come in this room?"

It's basically the same thing as pregnancy brain! Lol. We just have it full time.

Fibro fog seems very similar to what my neighbor (the one with MS) and I go through. I have it really bad some days. Some days speech is so difficult for me. I can bearly get a clear sentence out.

And I am thankful that I am allowed to stay even if my diagnosis changes.