FM2008
06-27-2008, 02:00 PM
I'm sooo excited to find y’all. <Removed medical history information for privacy reasons>
Sponsor
Glojer
06-27-2008, 11:37 PM
Welcome fm2008, glad you found us too. We have a lot of info and a lot of venting and a lot of caring going on here so we don't mind you getting things off your mind. Some of symptoms you described are so FM classic. One thing that you might want to remember to do is BREATHE....breathe......deep breaths.....deep breaths.....slow...deep...breaths. That is a thing we all forget to do, we get so wrapped up in trying to fight the pain and keep on going and we forget to breathe, taking deep breathes. We take those short little ones and wind up hunching over and tightening up and having those back and neck pains. I do take muscle relaxers and they are a big help to me, but I don't take some of the other meds you take and I agree with you on taking as little medication as is possible. I also feel you have to take what is neccessary for everyday comfort so it is a judgement call for each individual.
I like what your psychologist said about stress. That was very interesting. I have had physical therapy and it has helped, it seems you respond well to it also. There are others who have had some of the other therapies, like MP massage therapy and acupunture and others. I'm sure they will wade in later. Hang in there, it does get better and we have such amusing stories to share with each other in our fibro fog moments.
Glojer
I like what your psychologist said about stress. That was very interesting. I have had physical therapy and it has helped, it seems you respond well to it also. There are others who have had some of the other therapies, like MP massage therapy and acupunture and others. I'm sure they will wade in later. Hang in there, it does get better and we have such amusing stories to share with each other in our fibro fog moments.
Glojer
Paddy55
06-28-2008, 10:30 AM
Hi FM2008! Welcome to our board.
You have come to the right place - lots of great folks here to answer your questions and just share with you the ups and downs of fibro. One thing that we forget when we have FM is that we can get other ailments, and they may or may not have anything to do with FM. The tendancy is, when we get something else, we say "oh, must be the FM". So we should be careful to not assume that and look a little closer.
I'm past the period stuff, but when I was younger I had extremely bad periods. But in the end, it was discovered to be Endometiosis - multiple surgeries ending in hysterectomy etc. Not part of FM, although it would be interesting to see how many of us had (have) this problem.
About your calves - our legs do take a beating, but it could be "just" FM. When at your rheumie appointment, maybe you could ask about that and point out that you have to move them all the time - called "restless leg syndrome". It is treatable, sometimes with vitamin and mineral supplements, sometimes with prescribed meds, but if you got that under control you might be able to sleep better.
The ringing in your ears - do you take nSAIDs? Aspirin, Naprosen, Advil?
sometimes they can cause your ears to ring - don't know why, but for sure that is a side effect.
Gotta go, hope some of this helps. Again, welcome to the board!
Wishing you peace and comfort,
Paddy
You have come to the right place - lots of great folks here to answer your questions and just share with you the ups and downs of fibro. One thing that we forget when we have FM is that we can get other ailments, and they may or may not have anything to do with FM. The tendancy is, when we get something else, we say "oh, must be the FM". So we should be careful to not assume that and look a little closer.
I'm past the period stuff, but when I was younger I had extremely bad periods. But in the end, it was discovered to be Endometiosis - multiple surgeries ending in hysterectomy etc. Not part of FM, although it would be interesting to see how many of us had (have) this problem.
About your calves - our legs do take a beating, but it could be "just" FM. When at your rheumie appointment, maybe you could ask about that and point out that you have to move them all the time - called "restless leg syndrome". It is treatable, sometimes with vitamin and mineral supplements, sometimes with prescribed meds, but if you got that under control you might be able to sleep better.
The ringing in your ears - do you take nSAIDs? Aspirin, Naprosen, Advil?
sometimes they can cause your ears to ring - don't know why, but for sure that is a side effect.
Gotta go, hope some of this helps. Again, welcome to the board!
Wishing you peace and comfort,
Paddy
littlegirl08
06-28-2008, 03:16 PM
Welcome to the board I am new here too but so many of your symptoms are like mine. I too have plantar fasciitis and had many many hip problems. I went to physical therapy however it did not help me. I've been having a problem with loose stool and being very crampy and gassy also. If i eat anything it is followed by an upset stomach with the exception of potatoes, which i find strange. My biggest similiarity is the proble with your period. I'm only 18 and have been put on birth control to control my severe bleeding problenm which they now think could be attached to the FM. I had my period for 3 and a half months straight, no exaggerating. All but two weeks of it was heavy heavy bleeding. After i spent three nights with no sleep due to the fact that i could not lay down without being nauseated I started hemmorging and my mom took me to the emergency room. However, my gyno did no see this as a reasonto move up my appointment and made me wait another 2 weeks to be put on Yaz. I think i went on a bit of a rant sorry, but the moral is now all of the perios problems are being connected to the FM
kellibear
06-28-2008, 04:45 PM
to answer your first question--yes, a better dr. would have done SOME tests--just to rule out anything else. i too have the ringing ears and it can be really annoying! most of your symptoms are classic fibro. i have a thread here about a book that would really help you and a list of supplements that will really help!
Grapedy
06-28-2008, 09:28 PM
to answer your first question--yes, a better dr. would have done SOME tests--just to rule out anything else.
I have to disagree. Just because he didn't test for anything else doesn't mean he's a bad doctor or that another one is better. It sounds like he's very familiar with it and already treats several patients with it. Once a doctor is familiar with FM and has a family history to go with the symptoms, it isn't always necessary to test for everything else under the sun.
I've NEVER been tested to rule anything else out and probably never will. That does NOT mean another doctor would be better than the one I have. The one I have is intimately familiar with FM and pays closer attention to the research than the only rheumy in town who believes it's real.
The specialty of your doctor is NOT NOT NOT important. What is important is that he listens to you, is familiar with FM and is willing to go through all the meds to find the ones that work for you. A rheumatologist is NOT more qualified to treat us than a good internist.
I have to disagree. Just because he didn't test for anything else doesn't mean he's a bad doctor or that another one is better. It sounds like he's very familiar with it and already treats several patients with it. Once a doctor is familiar with FM and has a family history to go with the symptoms, it isn't always necessary to test for everything else under the sun.
I've NEVER been tested to rule anything else out and probably never will. That does NOT mean another doctor would be better than the one I have. The one I have is intimately familiar with FM and pays closer attention to the research than the only rheumy in town who believes it's real.
The specialty of your doctor is NOT NOT NOT important. What is important is that he listens to you, is familiar with FM and is willing to go through all the meds to find the ones that work for you. A rheumatologist is NOT more qualified to treat us than a good internist.
Glojer
06-28-2008, 11:40 PM
On the dr. subject. I was diagnosed by my PCP and he did not do any other testing, BUT...he was my doc for more than 15 years and really knew me and my health. I think that has to play a role in whether the doc would be expected to do more testing. He was the doc that spoiled me when it comes to docs that take their time and listen to what the patient has to say. I won't see a doc that rushes out of the room and doesn't answer my questions. He has since moved his practice but he left his patients in very good hands with his replacement, she listens too and has fibro experience.
Glojer
Glojer
FM2008
08-04-2008, 03:07 PM
Well I finally got into see a Rheumatologist. She took enough blood samples that I'm surprised I have any blood left. After a thourough history and exam she stated that she believes that I do have FM.
She said that since I also have obstructive sleep apnea that one of the keys of treatment for me will be using my bi-pap machine (which I've had for 4 years and haven't been able to successfully use yet). She said exercise is the other key. She gave me a perscription for Flexerill and a nasal spray and said to come back in two months. She said the next step may be to switch me from Prozac to Cymbalta.
I went to the arthritis foundation's website and found a facility in my area that does aquatic exercise and have an appointment with them next Tuesday to start the program. I'm also working on using my bi-pap.
She made me feel much better-mentally. :)
I got the results of my blood tests. She said the only thing that showed was a slightly elevated "sed rate"; which is sometimes seen in diabetics.
She said that since I also have obstructive sleep apnea that one of the keys of treatment for me will be using my bi-pap machine (which I've had for 4 years and haven't been able to successfully use yet). She said exercise is the other key. She gave me a perscription for Flexerill and a nasal spray and said to come back in two months. She said the next step may be to switch me from Prozac to Cymbalta.
I went to the arthritis foundation's website and found a facility in my area that does aquatic exercise and have an appointment with them next Tuesday to start the program. I'm also working on using my bi-pap.
She made me feel much better-mentally. :)
I got the results of my blood tests. She said the only thing that showed was a slightly elevated "sed rate"; which is sometimes seen in diabetics.