Yikes, my sister might have fibro too! - Fibromyalgia Message Board

MistyMisty · 02-12-2004, 01:24 PM

Hi all, my sister who is age 53 is now undergoing all of the ruling out tests for fibromyalgia. Some of these tests include Lupus, MS, Lymes, Epstein Barr virus (mono) rheumatoid arthritis, bacterial infections, etc.

She has an appointment on Feb. 18th with a rheumatologist. Her attending physician pointed out that she has all 18 pressure point pain including the second rib anterior chest pain.

She has complained of every symptom I have had all these years including something she calls brain zips and zaps. (She said it feels like an electrical charge going off in her head at strange times.)

Has anyone ever experienced that? (Maybe that is an MS symptom?)

She has some outward signs of RA, as she has some bony knots. One is on her wrist and the other is on a finger. It so far appears she may have both, rheumatoid arthritis and fibro. Does anyone have both?

I am hoping my sister and I can work out some kind of mild execise plan we can do together. It is sad but nice to have someone near to share this with, but I feel so bad for her right now. She did say, "The doctor said this is real, the pain and symptoms I am having are not all in my head!"

First will come relief in knowing, then it will be, "How do I learn to live with this?" I see myself in her all over again.

How can I help her deal with this in the proper way? (Without being overbearing and having an "I know it all attitude?") I want to be supportive.

She is already asking all the questions and answers we share here.

Ideas needed, please!! Gentle hugs to all and thanks for your suggestions!! MistyMisty

producttramp · 02-12-2004, 05:01 PM

Mistymisty-
Sorry to hear about your sis.
My mom was just diagnosed with fM as well as the RA she has had since 21.
I gave her all my websites that I use for fibro info as well as my tips that I have used to try and help out. Perhaps a recommendation of one of the good books that are on here or one of those micorwaveable heating pads (which seem so much better than conventional ones)
These diseases have to be connected somehow, like my mom they thought I has RA at first, then dx'd the fibro after 2+ years of agony. My mom's RA is seronegative which means doesnt show in blood tests but is a rarer form I guess.
Take care

MistyMisty · 02-17-2004, 12:37 PM

Product: Hi, does your mother take Bextra? My sister is trying that now. It helps a little with tissue swelling but not much with the pain. I will let you know how her appointment goes after tomorrow. Thanks for your suggestions. MistyMisty

MistyMisty · 02-19-2004, 02:35 PM

My sister is now diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

She does have a high sed rate. They are doing more extensive blood tests to rule out lupus, MS, and RA.

Sed rate is: The speed at which erythrocytes (red blood cells) settle out of plasma, by spinning the blood sample in a fast rotating device. It measures the rate in which the red blood cells fall in a given amount of time.

If the rate is not within normal limits it can indicate infections, joint inflammation, tumors, or other disease conditions that increase the immunoglobulin content of the blood. This is one reason for more extensive blood tests to rule out or point to an additional disease conditions.

So now we are waiting to hear what the rest of the test results are. I am hoping it is just a stubborn sinus infection as she has just finished a round of antibiotics for that. She might need a different kind of antibiotic this time.

The tests should give us an answer in a few days. The trip was long and we were both exhausted by the end of the day yesterday! She was hurting all over by noon and I was down too by 7 p.m. What a pair we made.

Her rheumatologist said she must start walking each day and to start at five minutes a day, working up to 30 minutes a day, even if she has some other problem. She does more standing than walking on her job so that doesn't count!

I am hoping the tests are negative like mine were for all other things like lupus and MS!!
Thanks for reading this. MistyMisty

producttramp · 02-19-2004, 03:20 PM

Mistymisty
Sorry to hear of the confirmation. I will keep my fingers crossed she only had the fibro as well. A day like that can really do you in..

My mom doesnt take Bextra she does take indocin, flexeril, and a few other meds (I cant remember). I tried Motrin, Bextra and Celebrex too before I was pregnant and didnt find much help in either. All of those made my stomach hurt and made me not want to take them. Tylenol I can take but it doesnt do much for me (pregnant or not) I find it hard being 32 with 2 little ones and a 3rd one on the way that docs dont seem to want to give anything but tylenol or these cox2 drugs. There must be something else out there. '

My rhumy said exercise was to be part of my therapy too but
with everything else (and this is just musculosketal) like SI joint dysfunction, bursitis in the hips, tendonitis in the knees, cervical instability, etc. plus being suprisedly pregnant, I am lucky to pick up a jug of milk at the end of the day never mind walking for a mile or two. I hope your sis has better luck. I do try to get in a walk around the block with the kids but it just takes it out of me.

Anyways, I will keep you both in my prayers.
Take care.