My name is Cindy. I have been seeing an Internist now for 2 years. I had to find a good one, because I was getting more and more pain in my upper back. I found myself "tightening" up and couldn't relax, especially when I hurt. I could do aerobics, then suffer the next day. I was tired all of the time. The soft tissue around my knees started swelling. My expression, "I feel like I've been run over by a truck" was coming way too often. I am not one for complaining. But, enough is enough.

I am thrilled to find your board. I can relate to what all I've been reading. I think my sympthoms have been coming on for a long while. After visiting my doctor the first time, she ran all sorts of blood test. I've had a lot of auto immune diseases in my past. I told her I thought I had arthritis. She avoids using the word "myalgia" , but it was written on my diagnosis. I took Bextra and now I take Mobic. I don't think I could survive without it. My sleep is off and on. I feel much better with a good nights sleep. I have to rest in the afternoon, to give me that little boost and for my back to stop hurting. It seems I'm hurting in more places now. I have huge knots along my shoulders, always. Massages help, but I really need to go every other week and my doctor recommended it. She also recommends Yoga, breathing exercises and meditation, instead of muscle relaxers. I have changed my diet to a more healthier one. I'm pretty sure that sugar is a bad guy. Also drinking any kind of sodas. I gave them up.

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble. I 'm so glad to have found y'all! :wave:

Hi, I see from your "name" it looks like you live in Texas too.
I too have/had other auto immune diseases since I was about 4 or 5 years old. Have you seen an arthritis dr? Although I guess if you are getting pretty good pain pills and enough of them you wouldn't have to see one. My reg. dr. and an ortho dr. thought I needed one and after all the blood tests and pushing on trigger point places and asking questions he diagnosed fibro.
My reg. dr. seemed to think yoga would be a little too hard on me and suggested that Tai Chi would be easier, that I wouldn't be as sore afterward like he thinks I would with yoga. I haven't started tai chi yet, I think I will after the holidays are over.
I think we all have to have that time in the afternoon to rest, sometimes am able to actually nap, but just resting helps.
I'm glad you found this board, I felt quite a bit better after I found it. Everybody is really nice and you can come here to complain anytime or just tell what is going on in your life. I've really gotten alot out of joining.
Anyway, welcome.
April

Thanks April. Yes, I'm from Texas! The Yoga makes me sore sometimes, but my instructor is very challenging, but she also recommends we only do what we feel comfortable doing. When she has one of her classes for relaxation, it's the best for me. I can see how Tai Chi might be better.

My doctor is very good. I have no doubt if she thought I need to go to a specialist , I would be there. She also teaches and does research, and is very up to date on info. She gives me plenty of the mobic and says to let her know if it's not working. I try to take the least meds I can and she recommends "natural" healing also.

It does help to "vent" about all your aches and pains! AND , actually have people who understand what you're talking about!
Cindy :)

Hi, Just wanted to welcome you to the group. Here you can rant, rave, cry and talk about your pain, this is what we are all about.

So glad you found us and hope you wil be become an active part of our group.

Hugs, Linda

Hello Cindy, I'm a little late with my welcome, but I just wanted you to know
it's good to have you join our fibro family. Sometimes it helps just to put our
feeling into words and often our words touch others. Don't worry about rambling,
we all do that. The worse I hurt, the more I ramble.
We have quite a few new folks posting lately and that is so good for all of us.
I hope you are warmer in Texas than we are in Alabama.
Bilij

Linda and Bilij, Thanks for the warm welcome. It does help to just put it in words and let it all out. Especially when you're hurting. I do hope to become an active member. I have been on other boards, but this one seems to be the most informed group, and most active. The people here are so sympathetic. I feel like I'm with others like myself. Thanks for the welcome.