Hello to everyone,
I need some advice from you guys. I think that i have fibro. I haven't seen a Doctor yet because of funds, but i'm planning to go as soon as i can. I'm starting to get depressed because these things that i'm experencing are bringing down to the point where i'm missing work & i'm so very tired all the time. I started having these symptoms about 4-5 years ago, & in the past 8 months they seem to just get worse. My legs feel like they are vibrating or buzzing, i get a pain like my bones hurt. Some days they may feel like they weigh a hundred pounds. I'm stiff all the time too, & it's worse in the mornings, my hips hurt, my lower back, my neck & shoulders are very stiff. The pain in my neck & shoulders is strange, it feels like a twisting tightness. I got the sore spots too, first two that i noticed were my right elbow & hip. I had my wife check for other spots & i got sore areas that i didn't know about on my neck & back. This stuff is stressing me out. I got to the bathroom alot "no.1" & it seems more comes out then goes in. I can't lift anything heavy anymore, & thats messed up cause i'm a residential painter. I used to be able to tote 2 five gal. buckets of paint & now i'm having trouble with just a gallon. Another thing, out of the blue the other day i got a weird sensation on my scalp, felt like someone had poured cold water on my head, just in spots though. Also, i have like a light rash on my face just below my eyes & on my forehead between my eyes that won't go away, Lupus? I'm in tears writing this & i need support, seems everyone around me thinks i'm crazy when i tell them how i feel. How bout you guys? Also, when i do make it to see a doctor what can i expect? Thanks for listening, Bob

welcome bob,
good to see a man around. sorry it has to be this way. your symptoms are so familiar to us all. the rash to those of us who do have lupus. i have it.
the best advise i can offer is don't freak out and do not start to think you are a nut case. if you are then we all are.
do you have a family doctor? funding is a hassle. not knowing is a bigger hassle. worry will eat you alive. spend the money, cut a thousand corners off the budget if you must. you do not have to be in this much pain.
knowledge is power and you require some power right now. knowing is half the journey.
when the pain is insane may i offer my breathing exercise to you. it was given to me by a sufi murshida before she died. it is a series of three breaths.
3 breaths in thru your nose and out your mouth, then 3 in your mouth and out your nose. another 3 in and out your nose and last 3 in and out your mouth. the balance of effort to do this brings breath we must have and focus that takes us away from pain. when i am done i am refreshed, like i just had a nap. we forget to breath when we are in pain. breath deep and oxygenate your body. take hot baths. stretch against what you do all day. if you bend over then be straight. if you sit, stand. get it?
if you have fibro and or lupus you have found the perfect place to come for information, support and gentle words that get you thru the rough days. we all help each other here, with compassion, tolerance and love. it is a good space where understanding abides.
peace,
bluelakelady

Hi Bob!

I have/had Lyme Disease and Fibro, I also have those rases...have had them for years....and I don't have Lupus...

You might also want to read and post on the Lyme board...there is a Lab in Palo Alto Ca. that has the best test for Lyme Disease....

Fibro and Lyme symptoms are VERY MUCH alike....both can be treated with antibiotics....

Good Luck to you!!!
:angel:

thanks jojo!
i could not remember the other one. lymes. well done.
peace,
blue

Hello to everyone,
I need some advice from you guys. I think that i have fibro. I haven't seen a Doctor yet because of funds, but i'm planning to go as soon as i can. I'm starting to get depressed because these things that i'm experencing are bringing down to the point where i'm missing work & i'm so very tired all the time. I started having these symptoms about 4-5 years ago, & in the past 8 months they seem to just get worse. My legs feel like they are vibrating or buzzing, i get a pain like my bones hurt. Some days they may feel like they weigh a hundred pounds. I'm stiff all the time too, & it's worse in the mornings, my hips hurt, my lower back, my neck & shoulders are very stiff. The pain in my neck & shoulders is strange, it feels like a twisting tightness. I got the sore spots too, first two that i noticed were my right elbow & hip. I had my wife check for other spots & i got sore areas that i didn't know about on my neck & back. This stuff is stressing me out. I got to the bathroom alot "no.1" & it seems more comes out then goes in. I can't lift anything heavy anymore, & thats messed up cause i'm a residential painter. I used to be able to tote 2 five gal. buckets of paint & now i'm having trouble with just a gallon. Another thing, out of the blue the other day i got a weird sensation on my scalp, felt like someone had poured cold water on my head, just in spots though. Also, i have like a light rash on my face just below my eyes & on my forehead between my eyes that won't go away, Lupus? I'm in tears writing this & i need support, seems everyone around me thinks i'm crazy when i tell them how i feel. How bout you guys? Also, when i do make it to see a doctor what can i expect? Thanks for listening, Bob

hi bob! sorry about how you are feeling. you really need to see a doctor. get reading for blood tests galore. don't get yourself to upsetby worrying(like i did)until you know for sure. i was just diagnosed with fibro. a couple months ago but i believe i had it for a while. i used to work out at the gym 5 days a week so i didn't notice it. they say exercise really helps. it's hard for me to get back into the exercise regiment cause i hurt. i work in a factory and it hard work. also cabin fever does not help. weather changing is murder. every day i wake up and i'm so stiff. i take a hot shower in the morning and help a little. a have to try to start stretching. also get plenty of sleep..i started taking Acai juice, it is supposed to have anti-imflammatory benefits and help your immune system. hopefully it will start working soon.the doctor wants me to take 800mg.of ibuprofin and 1200mg of tylenol arthitis 4 times a day. i don't want my liver to "explode" fom all the motrin.sometimes people with fibro.get shots.i thinks it cortizone or something like that. after the last 2 weeks i think i could use a good shot. enough about me. i stress to you go see a doctor. the rash and the tingling scalp sound like symptons of lupus,but i'm not a doctor so i don't knowfor sure.try to exercise and stretch a little get rest,and take care. let me know when you go to doctor.(i must practice what preach also.ttul.

Just wanted to say hi & thanks to everyone that's posted replies! It's really good to know that you all are out there, & willing to lend advice to people that need it! Thanks you guys. I'm planning to see a doctor the second week in Feb. hopefully. I really need to find out what is going on with me, it's really taking a toll. I'll be 40 y/o next month, & i feel like i'm 90.... & i'm really dreading what i'm gonna find out. But i gotta know. Anyhow, I will let everyone know what i find out & thanks again for the input from you all, i really appreciate it! I'll keep you guys in my thoughts & prayers & i'll type at ya later! :) Bob

Bob I just wanted to throw in your ear....it might save you some money if you start off going to a Lyme Literate Medical doctor...there are MANY people that have lyme and are mis-diagnoised as having fibro....

Just a thought!

Good Luck to you!!!

I really need to know what you guys think about my symptoms. I think i might Fibromyalgia too.
I have been to several different doctors (Orthopedic,Neurologist,family). And they don't seem to know whats going on with me. I have a MRI'S done on my all of my back and xrays. Comes back ok.
My symptoms are stiff joints and aching muscles in neck,upper back, shoulders, arms sometimes legs.Always tired and wanting to sleep all the time.
Sometimes the pain in my neck hurts so bad the pain goes to my head.
I am thinking of going to a rumetologist when i get the money, but it will be a while , i see that the first visit is $300.00.I am on long term disability through my old job's insurance. No health insurance.. cannot afford it.
Also i have a problem with the cold weather. The warm weather does not bother me.
I am so freaking frustrated about all these doctor visits and nobody seems to know. Some of the doctors have not even touched my back at all.
What advise can you give someone that is in pain 24/7 ?
Thanks so much !
KC

Hi Little Lady,

When funds are tight & you are in pain & the docs have been a disappointment, see what you can figure out on your own. Go to the public library & read all you can about fibro & chronic pain. See if the library has, or can get for you from another library, the books by Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, From Fatigued to Fantastic and Pain Free 1 - 2 - 3. These books are full of alternative therapies, and self-help ideas for overcoming chronic pain. The 1-2-3 book is his most recent & I like it a lot, although the first one I mentioned is more totally oriented to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & fibro.

Anyway, that's something you can do that's very low cost. In most towns a library card is free, or costs justs a bit, like $1.

Another good thing to do while saving up money for another doc visit, is to network with other chronic pain sufferers to find out who has had good success with their doc. One of the greatest frustrations is paying all that money & not knowing in advance what the doc's treatment philosophy is. We'd all like to think that every doctor is knowledgeable in the areas that affect us personally, but that is just not the case.

Some docs get stuck in a treatment rut, and it can be a very costly lesson to go by trial-and-error from doc to doc to find someone who can help you. So, get referrals from other patients. If there is a fibromyalgia support group, that would be good place to start. To find a support group, call the hospital --see if they have a listing. Also ck at the information/reference desk at the library -- ask, they can often find a group or contact person when all else fails.

Then, when you have a few docs recommended, you can call ahead as a "potential new patient," and ask to speak to the Dr.'s nurse. Ask if the doc has a specific treatment philosophy for fibro. Some docs only Rx antidepressants for fibro -- which are very helpful to those who are depressed, and sometimes helpful for pain. But not always. It's perhaps more economical to find a doc who can offer a variety of treatment options.

Before going to a rheumie, I would ask your family doc to screen your ANA (a blood test), and also to run your free thyroid hormone levels, free T3 & free T4, if this has not been done. Try to get the blood tests done during cold weather. If your free thyroid hormone levels are in the lower quartile of the ref. range, you may be able to talk your family doc into a therapeutic trial of low-dose thyroid hormone. Pain that worsens in the cold may be being influenced by a shortage of thyroid hormone ... our bodies need more, and if able, naturally produce more in cold weather.

If your ANA comes back negative, you may want to save your $$$ on the rhuemie unless you meet a lot of "cured" folks pointing you in that direction.

Best wishes.

The water on the head... Ive had those sensations too. Sometimes Ill be somewhere and feel like someone dropped a container of liquid at my feet and it splashes on my legs. Even though I know it really didnt happen, I still feel my legs and pants and shoes to be sure. I dont tell anyone, just giggle to myself because its not painful, just surprising and surprises are to be enjoyed. The day it will upset me, will be when I discover its a leaky bladder instead!