pjdxxxw

Hi, I am Dee and I forgot to delurk earlier. I had been diagnosed (symptomatically)
as having Lupus in 1987, but now it seems that
FM is in question. I am on one of those PPO plans where you need
a primary care doctor which I hate because of my history they say
I am too complicated and need to be referred out, etc.

The Rheumie I had for the past 19 years moved father away so trying
a different Rheumie at this time. He drew blood while waiting for old
records and according to his test results he "does not see lupus but
I will need to see your history". In the meantime I had been experiencing
back, knee and neck pain for 3 months as I tried to weed through general
and family practice doctors trying to find one that would just take over
everything. No luck. So, here I am still feeling miserable. Maybe someone
here can give some insight (from personal experience) as to what may be
helpful.

I have in the past had elevated ANA titers (speckled) and low platelets,
and some other Lupusy stuff out of whack a bit.

For the past 18 months to 2 years I have not been able to wear a bra
because it set off pain around the lower rib cage. However the past few
months I would get this pain in the flank area esp. no matter if I wore a
bra or not.

Lower back pain - vertebrae slightly out of whack.

Knee pain if I stand too much. I am somewhat over weight, wear a size
16 to 18 depending on the style. At times feels like my hips will pop out.

Insomnia from pain and/or snoring spouse I am somewhat sleep depreived
and as one gal put it feels like I sleep on marbles...hips, shoulders, etc...
sore from matresses and need something that does not jiggle much or I get
a headache from the motion. I have tried the cheaper memory foam mattresses
...no good. Plan to try the Sleep Number mattress. (Anyone tried those?
Do they help you?)

At this point I am fatigued, trying to find a pain med that will not cause
me to have a headache on the third day and would like to sleep well.
NSAIDS cause me to bruise, Percocet and Ultram will cause dizziness
and headache even if I just take one tablet at bedtime and none during
the day. I seem to do best if I take a sleeping pill but I don't want to take
those every night and keep needing more and more for them to work. Anyone
have suggestions as to what may work for my problems??? I am really tired
of being a guinea pig for doctors who have not felt this way and say let's try
this.........

At this point inmy illness (whichever it is) I am frustrated, disgusted with
my insurance and feeling a bit depressed because of all the running around
trying to get something to work for me.

.