I am 35 yr. single mother of 2 teen.I have always been energetic,vibrant,quick on the thinking,good memory and bubbly personality.I have been a Truck driver for last 15 yrs and support my family.
Recently there has been pain in my body I can no longer tollerate.most all my life had some pain of somekind and just tollerated till went away,but this i cant.
Approx.14 yrs ago I started getting numbness from elbows to finger tips,aching in the wrist. 6yrs ago pain in hands.1 yr ago pain in the knees.4 mo ago pain in my lower left abdomen and left hip and left butt cheek area.All these I related to my occupation as a Truck driver and blew it off.Have had extremely dry mouth last yr now especially at night,not thirsty but have to have water to quench my mouth and throat.I also was put on paxil approx 2 yrs ago and now on Lexapro and Buspar for Depression and Anxiety after a terribly painful break up with ex-fiance.Still on the med.
Went to get yrly papsmere and while being examed they found swelling.Day after my exam I was in so much pain in my hip and left lower abdomen I couldnt walk.Went for ultrasound to check my reproduction area and they found ovarian cyst& fibroids only on right side.Then a week later I woke in am to being unable to get out of bed.It was like wip lash and a whole pallet of bricks had been dropped on my upper back area.Couldnt turn neck or any part of my upper back or shoulders.This has been going on 5 days now.I go to see chiropractor in morning.Sure hope it helps.
My fear is ppl look at me like im making it up do to when I stand and walk Im fine unless my hip acts up.I look ok act ok but it hurts so bad and there is no sign from the outside by looking at me of swelling or anything.What do I tell my family doctor?Can a chiropractor notice signs and symptoms?Where do I start and what do I do?This isnt normal for me and I scared due to being alone and supporting my kids alone. :confused: Thanks for your time.
Alaskagal

Depression and fibro often go hand in hand, but there are many conditions that have similar symptoms. Get yourself to a rheumatologist (or get a referal to one from your PCP) that can test you for various arthritises and autoimmune disorders, in addition to fibromyalgia. A chiropractor can help with some of your symptoms and pain, but I would still get everything else ruled out. Maybe you could get a list of the chiropractor's observations to give to your PCP to help with a referal. Also make a list of your symptoms and how long you've had them.
We all have to deal with others thinking that we're ok, because we "look" ok. If you have fibro(or anything else), give the "non-believers" literature on it and if they still don't believe, it's their problem. Good luck.

Are you in Alaska? Big state, but wondered because my family doc moved there last Jan. She is a great doc. She moved to Kenai. If that is close to you, let me know and I will post her name.

AlaskaGal ,
I know how you feel. What happened to me ? I feel bad and people don't believe me. I can't believe that I was 28 when I felt the punch of this and now I'm 31. Even though I have been only dealing with this for a few years , it feels like forever because of how isolated and dependent I feel , compared to who I really am , illness free. I feel 200 years old on cold , wet , days like today. To top it off , I wrote the post on my ( ex ) boyfriend leaving me a "dear John " letter ( after 10 years ) today. This illness was too much for him and I feel so guilty , like a burden to my healthy friends , parents and everyone else. I lost my apartment and moved back home. I'm in financial ruins , because they ran so many tests ( over a ten year period. ) I feel lost and terrified that SSDI will take a long time or I won't be believed. My worst fear is that I'll never move out of here. I understand. You are not alone. Try and be strong , even though it'd tough. That's what we are here for.
katte 28

Thanks so mych for you help.I have made a list of dates and times my pain begins and some of them end.My Chiropractor took a long evaluation and xrays.he didnt mention anything except Im show symtoms he'd like to further study the xrays.Tomorrow I go back to him for his conclutions and treatment.I certainly feel there will be much more to come from this.
Thanks again Alaskagal69 :)
As for my area here in Alaska - Im in the Interior region,far from Kenai.Alaska is such a large state and so spread out with little way to get to places except by plane or the highway,which is always under construction or to bad to drive due to ice n snow.But its worth it. :wave: