Others keep suggesting it's stress... I don't think so.
I have been experiencing many different symptoms over the last (almost) 2 yrs. and each are slowly getting diagnosed but everyone keeps telling me that it's stress, or nothing that can be resolved beyond what I'm already doing. I am not seeing much improvement and I think I may have fibro. I'm just so sick and tired of everyone telling me it's nothing or "just stress". Can you all give me your thoughts, please!?
Here is what I've been experiencing, specialists I've seen, and the med I am taking:
Starting in Aug 04, all in the same month, WHAM! I had:
pain in my lower right pelvic area (later found it was an ovarian cyst...had never had one before). Denied birth control pills because I can't tolerate them (melasma, weight gain, irritability). The pain got worse and finally was referred to OBGYN 6 months ago. Had lap surgery 2 weeks ago and they found endometriosis. Now have been diagnosed with such....they removed the cyst and tied my tubes.
undiagnosed (so far) skin rash: Started out with hive like places after I would eat....red welt like blotchy places all over my body. Saw an allergist who did some food allergy testing. Didn't show conclusive results because my skin reacted to the control! They put me on Claritin and that helped. Went off of it for the allergy testing and then went back on it. Didn't work anymore so he put me on Zyrtec. That seems to help keep it away. Since my endo surgery 2 weeks ago, however, the GYN said I've developed an allergic reaction to the glue they used on the incisions. My abdomen is itching and rash-like (comes and goes). Told me to use hydrocortisone cream (doesn't help). Since my surgery, I've also had breakthrough places of the rash on my legs and abdomen and arms. Rash appears, now, whether I eat or not. Seems my skin is very very sensitive? I couldn't wear my wedding rings (yellow gold) for almost 2 years but just recently put them back on to try again and so far there is very little rash under my rings. I have no idea what is causing the reaction to everything! I continue to take Zyrtec.
Had gallbladder pain also. Had my gallbladder removed in Feb 05.
Had a cyst on the back on my neck. Had been out one day with my kids and had several mosquito bites. Just assumed the cyst on my neck was a bug bite but it didn't itch. The cyst got bigger and more painful, finally in April of 05 (8 months later), I had it drained. They cultured it and it came back as Nocardia! Something not usually seen in people unless they are immuno-compromised, which at the time, I had not been diagnosed as such. They asked me if I had an immunity problem or if I'd been out of the country. Apparently nocardia is VERY rare. Saw ID dr's for that. Took Septra (antibiotic) for 3 months, had to go in 2 xs a month to have it drained and it went away. The dr's were treating me like a freak of nature as I was not at risk, according to my past health. However, at the time, I didn't think much of it so now I am wondering......hmmmm......
Suddenly experienced anxiety and depression. After almost a year of that, I went to my dr and now I am on Zoloft for that. It helps.
In May of 05 I suddenly had weakness on the right side of my body. Saw a Neuro and the exam was completely normal. It finally went away but I don't know why I had that. I occasionally get weakness in my muscles but not all on one side like that. He did an MRI and it was normal.
That's what I had happen to me all at once. Of course it took a long time (years) to get each of these diagnosed but I still do not feel well....VERY tired....I am able to do my daily routine (I'm a stay at home mom to 2 kids who are 5 and 4 yrs old) but I don't do much more than the minimum. I am also experiencing chronic low back pain for the last 4 years. I dislocated my tailbone during childbirth of my son and have had chronic low back pain since. I have gone thru 2 different PT's for that. One to put the tailbone back in place and the other to address my low back pain. The PT for low back pain didn't help. I have had a lot of stress in my life the last 3 years. My husband did a very demanding residency and basically raised the kids on my own for 3 years, while I was experiencing these symptoms. But, he's out of the residency now and I feel like I'm not as stressed anymore. That part of my life has gotten much better!!
I have seen the following specialists: GYN, ID, Allergist, Neurologist, Orthopedic Dr (Had MRI done of my back, was ok). I currently take Zoloft and Zyrtec and at night I take Tylenol PM because my back hurts too much at night if I don't take it. I've had 3 surgeries: Gallbladder, endo and brain surgery (in 1990) for seizures. That issue is resolved now and has been for at least 15 years. My primary dr has ruled out lyme disease, thyroid issues, blood work is normal, no anemia, tested for autoimmune disorders and it was neg. Can you still have it even though the result was ok? Basically, they have ruled out everything possible. I'm going to see a Rheumatologist soon. I have to call next week and schedule the appt. My dr was reluctant to put the referral in as he doesn't think I have an autoimmune disorder. I also have tingling in my muscles (neck and shoulder area), my upper back just kills me as well as my lower back, at times, my muscles sometimes twitch in my thigh, arm and eye. I generally feel unwell and feel cold a lot too. I hate feeling so lousy and I'm only 34!
Sorry this is so long but can you all please tell me it's not all in my head and it's not "just stress"? Could it be FM?
Re: Others keep suggesting it's stress... I don't think so.
Oh hon. It doesn't sound to me like it's "all in your head". If it were it doesn't sound like there'd be room for much more up there.
Some of it does sound to me like fibro but not all of it, like the rash(es), except I know most people with fibro it seems like have other things going on with autoimmune stuff, like allergies. The ovarian cyst I woudn't say has anything to do with fibro as far as I know. Question: why did they do tie your tubes after removing the cyst and ovary? I had a pretty severe ovarian cyst almost 10 years ago and the cyst had gotten so large it pulled the ovary down and had to have the ovary and tube removed but they didn't touch the ovary and tube on the other side. Just wondering. About your hives after you eat...I know some people are allergic or sensitive to some addictives in different foods instead of the foods themselves. Now, the Nocardia I've never heard of, however, like I said earlier, it seems most people with fibro do have problems with their immune systems. There are some other diseases that go with immune problems. Ok, the MRI was normal you say, a friend of mine has a history of mini strokes, a few weeks ago she thought she'd had another 1, her new neuro wanted a sleep study, he now says it was a seizure she had at least the last time. I tell you this because of the weaknesses you said you get. That said, fibro can also make you feel very weak at times. Kinda like you've worked out to much after not having done it in a while.
You may very well have fibro and the rheum. should know before long. Let us know what happens with the rheum. I'll say a prayer for you.
April
Re: Others keep suggesting it's stress... I don't think so.
Hi April!
Thanks for your note! I appreciate that so much!
As far as my tubes being tied: I am done having children and wanted them tied for birth control. The only reason I had that done while they were in the area.
As far as mini-strokes/seizures...I'm pretty sure it's neither of those. I had seizures for 10 years before I had surgery to get rid of them and I have not been told it could be mini-strokes?? My MRI and neuro exam was perfect. The dr chalked it up to stress.
I do believe I have an immune problem....the rash, nocardia, and I also get sores on the outer rim of my nose/nostril sometimes, for no reason (no cold etc.). I feel so tired sometimes that I feel like the littlest things make me tired/sore. For example, the other day I was looking at cards and holding my arm up picking up cards to read, made my arms tired..only after a few minutes. Just little things like walking up stairs makes my legs really tired.
Today is the first day that I feel so exhausted, I could cry. I have a very high pain threshold so it takes a lot for me to get this way. *sigh*
Re: Others keep suggesting it's stress... I don't think so.
I understand what you mean about your arm getting tired. That was really one of my first symtoms as far as I can tell. One of my brothers came down to visit, the rest of the family lives about 50 miles away. I was supposed to get there early and all of us go eat. I was late. While I was trying to explain why I said something about my arm being tired and my brothers pops up with "well you weren't out pushing the car were you?" at the time I laughed and laughed, ya know, just the way he said it, but you know, that's about what my poor arm felt like. The first thing I was given about my arm was neurontin, I forget right now what that dr. said was the problem, I eventually found out I had a rib out of place. Not the same thing as having a rib out of joint, apparently that's like give me a shot and knock me out kind of pain right when it happens, anyway, the worst pain went away, thank God, around my collar bone and shoulder blade but the whole arm pain and arm fatigue stayed. I finally told my dr. send me to someone who can figure out the problem, didn't care if it was a bone dr. a sports dr. or a voodoo dr. just someone that could help. Yes, I actually said voodoo dr. I finally got to see an arthritis dr. and after the 2nd visit he said he believed it was fibro. At the 1st visit he asked me about other places that hurt, some I hadn't even noticed, I guess because the arm was the worst and had been at that time.
Oh and the exhaustion. I don't think there is really a word strong enough to describe it. I have sat in my recliner, thinking of all I need to get done, and things I used to enjoy doing and still think of sometimes, and the tears would just roll I was soo tired.
I hope you find out soon what your problem is, whatever it may be. It does sound like your immune system isn't quite what it should be. Do you get to see the arthritis dr. soon? You may have said before but I don't remember. My mind is even worse than usual here lately because I was rearended Valentine's Day and am taking pain meds. more often since then. It isn't all that great to begin with anymore.
Anyway, let us know what your arthritis dr. has to say. I know it's hard to keep being this way, but you've done it this long and I think we with chronic pain, most anyone with any chronic illness, we're stronger than most and certainly stronger than we ourselves sometimes think. We're here for you. There are some really great people here.
April
Re: Others keep suggesting it's stress... I don't think so.
Hi April!
My apologies for not coming back here sooner. To be honest, I was so tired Friday and Sat. (and today actually) that I just couldn't muster the energy to come back on the computer. Isn't that terrible? This fatigue is quite comparable, if not worse, than first trimester fatigue!
Anyway, it's comforting to hear that someone has experienced the fatigue in the arms too. I sometimes feel very alone in this. I'm frustrated with my primary dr. He reluctantly put in the referral to the Rheum. but he doesn't think it's necessary. *sigh* I do! This is not normal by any means. I hope to find out soon what this is. I am calling tomorrow to find out when I can get in with the Rheum. I'll be sure to stick around here. I love this board! It's very helpful and supportive. Thanks for taking the time to post.
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