Wanted to get some feedback from you Fibro veterans...

Dx with SLE, RA, Raynaud's, Sjogren's about 3 years ago. Now we're (me and the docs) are throwing around adding Fibro to my "Autoimmune Variety Pack".

It's tough to pinpoint all the joint pain as related to Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or possibly Fibro...

My chief complaint which is deeply impacting my life is the fatigue. It's been getting worse and worse over the past several years. I can sleep 7-8 hours and I wake up absolutely exhausted. My Rheumy said I wasn't getting "good REM sleep". I disagreed. Had a sleep study which showed my sleeping was completely normal. I have bouts of not being able to sleep more than 2-3 hours too.

I've eliminated caffeine, sugar, processed foods from my life. Tried increasing protein. Still feel like a complete slug. Despite my SED rates dropping a lot over the past couple of months, the fatigue has continued to escalate.

Seeing a hematologist later this week to see if there's anything we're missing.

Any thoughts? Feedback? Suggestions?
Thanks!

Studies have shown that approximately 70% of SLE patients also develop FM, and your symptoms sure sound like FM to me!

Ruth

Update -
Saw a hematologist and 3 of his associates last week. They discussed my history and asked questions for 3 hours. Then they took 23 vials of blood!!!! Threw around possibly benzene poisoning (I scuba dive - have been to Cozumel several times), Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, but said it looked like Fibro to them.

He said that there are certain anti-coagulents that appear in blood tests which are typical with Fibro patients. I was under the impression that there were no tests for Fibro.

Should hear from him next week regarding the results.

will be interested to hear your blood test results too. i am also under impression no blood test exists for fibro.. sure hope you get some needed answers. fibrose

I would be interested too. Hey Fibrose I am from Iowa too. If you go to the ASAP WEBSITE YOU CAN GET MY ADDRESS. I would like to talk more about FM Just found out I have it last June. hey take care.