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FIBROMYALGIA ??????

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Posted 7/16/2005 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

      I am new here on this site.  I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  I wanted to know if any of you have it and what you use for pain relief????  My neck gives me a fit along with what appears to be sinus problems;nasal, facial and gum like pressure/tightness.  I am now starting to feel a little disoriented at times/like in a fog.  I am now a little afraid to drive at times. 

  I believe that this Fibro was brought on by my acid reflux problems.  I already couldn't eat much of anything and now this.  I have even lost a few pounds as a result.  So, please, any advice would help.

Thanks for reading!

Posted 7/17/2005 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
I think you better go see a doctor - that dizzy and disoriented feeling could be brought on by a couple of different things. If you were recently diagnosed, did the problems just start or have they been bothering you for a while?

I'm sorry I can't help with pain relief tips, I haven't quite found the answer yet. I have found IcyHot to help me in some cases, muscle relaxants in others....occasionally dilligent stretches give me relief in certain areas. But, I was never diagonesed with fibro...just forms of arthritis.

**

Posted 7/17/2005 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
welcome VV! smurf

whoa, some facial pain going on eh? if you break it down, i am sure your doc already explained it...but fibromyalgia is basically PAINFUL MUSCLE FIBERS. :-) it can effect every tiny muscle in your body. there is just treatment, no cure.

advil, tylenol, heat or ice, menthol creams, rest, antidepressants, & antispasmodics/muscle relaxants are all used to treat fibro in different combos depending on the severity. did your doc Rx you anything yet? lite exercise like stretching as Camama said is also very very good.

eyes  wow, reflux causing the fibro? intersting. i am not familiar with that pathology. but i can see how that would affect all of the areas in the face and neck.  can you tell me more about how they made that connection! i am a nurse and also in school for my BSN MSN as well, so i like to hear about complicated cases!

some ladies here had posted on sinus remedies...homeopathic remedies too.

do you experience bleeding sore gums as well as pain? i'm so sorry for your discomfort. but i welcome you with big support to HW. everyone here is great.

wishing you well & take good care VV! :-)

sincerely,

erin

Posted 7/19/2005 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,
Thanks for the tips CaMama & Erin! I was officially diag w/Fibro less than a week ago by a Rhuematologist, but prior to a week ago, my symptoms of bilateral arms, wrist, hands, and leg aches & pains started Jan/2005. I thought it was related to flu type symp, so I went to the ER. Dr. indicated that I had joint problems;associated it in the Rhuematoid familiy and prescribed Arthritis meds. I did not take any at that time. I was seen on numerous occasions by ER Dr's. & Internal Med DR's., and at least three indicated Fibro., but still I wanted a specialist to confirm the theory. Many test were done, and they all returmed normal. Dr's indicated that on paper I appeared in good health. My facial pain(Sinus like symp) and neck pain started about a month ago. Body aches & pains was extremely intensed at times causing anxiety/panic attacks. I am now taking Zoloft.

Erin, the theory of my digestive problems(Reflux) onsetting Fibro is merely thought of because one sight I frequent on H Pylori and all of the strange symptoms associated. There are several individuals with, or who have had H pylori and reflux who suffer strange symptoms such as mine, which I have discovered are associated with Fibro. Many indicated that Dr's couldn't find anything wrong with them, basically, put it in the Rheumatoid family. Some of those individuals were eventually seen by Pysch. and put on meds like myself.

I questioned several Dr's about my findings prior too my recent diagnoses, including my Gastro. Dr. Gastro Dr. didn't think that there was any connection, but ER DR and Internal Med Dr. believed that it's possible to have these symp with gastro problems. Er Dr. informed me that there isn't any theory, but He has treated patients w/H Pylori/Reflux who have complained of these identical strange symptoms. Which I now discover are associated with Fibro.

I will now try to regain some control over my life, since I now have some answers to many of my agonizing questions which led me to the ER and DR's office on many, many, many occasions. I am now exercising everyday(walking)stationary bike etc.. I will see a Chronic Pain Spec. this week, PT next week, start Yoga & Pilates again very soon. I will F/U with Spec. about my facial pain, not sure if it's Myofacial/Fibro, but will search for answers. I read somewhere that Myofacial spasms causes such discomfort/pain.

Erin, I hope this helps with your research....Good luck with your Degrees.
Posted 7/19/2005 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
:-)  wow VV! :-)

now those were some awesome correlations! i can totally see the connection now. it makes a lot of sense. here's my theory:

                  the H pylori will cause the reflux+any bacteria ( H pylori in this case )

                  will eventually turn into inflammation and possible arthritis (rheumatic)

                  and then that's where we will have the fibromyalgia develop!

i agree with your ER docs because this is what they are probably thinking.

amazing how the body reacts eh? keep on it VV! there are a slew of treatments out there to help ease the sometimes devastating pain.

has the SSRI's helped at all? some find a bit of relief from Zoloft. i wish you well with it.

i know how hard it can be at times. i have a number of immune problems on top of severe RA....and sometimes my muscles and skin hurt so bad that bed sheets hurt, or even to be touched lightly. this is a big thing to deal with and it seems as if you are on the right track VV! are you in the medical field? you write as if you have experience?! :-)

take good care & good luck to you!

sincerely

erin

 (i love pilates....used to do it all the time, sometimes only now. was a dance major in college ((1999-2000)), but had to stop abruptly due to RA.

Posted 7/19/2005 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Erin,
Your theory seems on target, because most individuals from H Pylori site seemed to notice reflux after being diag w/H pylori. I had Endo approx. 6 mo ago where Dr. discovered H pylori;treatment given with some relief, but afterwards reflux persisted. Dr. didn't know if I truly had reflux at that time, because of scar tissue. I have been on meds for approx. 5 yrs. i will see Gastro Dr again early next mo.

Erin, I have some medical background, EMT, and Med Tech for many yrs. and worked in many, many depts. I wanted my RN at one time, but glad it didn't happen now. I am currently a Realtor, which enables me freedom.

I am sorry to here of all of your problems/pain associated w/RA & immune sys.

Wow, so you were a dance major in college, huh....I to see NATURALLY TALENTED, GRACEFUL DANCERS. I just really love theatre & the arts......Thanks for all of your help and support Erin....This is yet another great site. I also found a Fibro forum on here where I will read, read, read posts.

By the way, How do I become a registered member? I thought it was automatic.

Take care of yourself, and thanks again!
Posted 7/19/2005 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
hey there!
impressive background! love emergencies and the adrenaline rush too.
you are a registered member as of now. it went from new member to registered i think today and then after like 100 or so posts or a few months it goes to veteran member.
i wish you lots of relief & good meds to help the reflux!
keep posting...your EMT background i am sure will help many here! this is like a little medi clinic!
erin
Posted 7/21/2005 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
VV, let me also welcome you to the HW site. Sorry I am so tardy with this welcome. The summers are hard for me to get on the computer for any length of time as the kids are home from school and want mommy time.
Sorry for the pain and discomfort you are in. I am glad that Erin and Camama have helped to answer some of you q's. Check out the fibro site as they are really great with the fibro end of the equation. They are really informative and friendly. I'm not saying don't post here just wanting to direct you to a great forum.
Wow, from EMT to relator. What a jump in professions. Was it necessity or choice? If you don't mind me asking :). I work as a Personal Support Worker (aka Health Care Aide) but my training is as a LPN/RPN. I ended up having to quit my consolidation due to pregnancy complications and just never had the desire to go back to school after becoming a mom 2 years in a row. Now I use my training there to help me in the job I am doing now. I tend to notice the little changes that happen to my residents before some of the other PSW's. I find it gives me an edge.
Hope all is well with you. I will be heading out on vacation soon but I will trust that Erin and everyone else will take good care of you while I am away, LOL.
Oreo
Posted 7/21/2005 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Oreo,
Thanks for the HW welcome! I have found the Fibro forum and am getting my feet wet corresponding w/members there and other forums like yours. I really appreciate all the love & support from all of the forums;makes life just a little easier knowing you're not alone.

Oreo, I have approx. 15 yrs of medical background, started in the field at an early age because of the love and desire of helping others. I also worked in various other help related fields. I am called a jack of many trades by some, but a master of none. LOL Venturing out an other careers was a personal choice, because I always desired to be home as much as possible for my now 13 yr old child. I was self employed for the last 6 yrs and recently decided to get out of the home 1.5 yrs ago to interact once again w/the public. Real Estate has always been in the back of my mind, so I decided to try it. I figured it was yet another way of helping others, but also keep my independence of setting my own schedule, and i love it. Some of my colleagues are LPN's/former RN's; extra money, burn out reasons, or freedom of schedule.

Oreo, I know you enjoy your work, because it is so rewarding to help others if done genuinely. And, you definitely have an edge over your colleagues w/your background.

I read someone that a lot of people like ourselves(Health care workers) end up needing to eventually learn how to take care of ourselves like we've taken care of others, so I'm trying to do this that.

You take care of yourself, and enjoy your vacation spending time with your family. It's a pleasure meeting you, CaMama, and Erin.

I will pop in to see you guys from time to time.....Take Care!

Vanessa
Posted 10/24/2008 4:50 AM (GMT 0)

I wanted to chime in regarding the acid reflux or heartburn... not sure what to call it.  I have fought it forever, it wakes me up at night.  I always joke that I get it drinking water or thinking about it can even bring it on.  I never really heard anyone talk about Fibro and reflux.  I was diagnosed with Fibro last December, but it seems I've suffered from heartburn forever. 

It seems since puberty I have had one complaint after another.  I have a strong feeling that I have or will later be diagnosed with RA.  I hope I'm wrong, but I can't help it.  For the last few days, I haven't been able to get my wedding ring on.  Silly... I know, but I have been told I have arthritis in my shoulders, sclerosis in my spine and it would just be my luck.  The funny thing is maybe I'll get more respect with a title such as RA.  I really hate Fibro, because of the lack of respect and help out there.  This site is a God Send...

Hugs,
Tricia

Posted 10/24/2008 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
I too have fibromyalgia and acid reflux. My rheumy prescribed Cymbalta for my fibro. At first I was on Zoloft and then switched to Prozac. A few months ago, he switched me to Cymbalta. According to my doctor, fibro causes a "switch" in your brain to tell your body that the pain level is exacerbated. He says that Cymbalta turns that switch off. I am not sure if it is working or not for me because I always have apin somewhere in my body. I used to not be able for anyone to touch me at times, and now I have not had this part since starting Cymbalta. Anyway, each person is different and doctors all have their own beliefs. As for the acid reflux, I have taken several different medications for this. I have taken so many different medications over the years that I donot know what works anymore or not.

Posted 10/25/2008 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
I take cymbalta and in fact I was out for a couple of days along with my pain killer, topamax and right now I could cry I'm in so much pain. I know cymbalta doesn't exit the body that quickly, but if I don't stay ahead of the pain with the topamax, I'm in a world of hurt. I really shutter to think how I'd be without the the meds. I know they make a difference. I filled the prescriptions today and hope that I feel better tomarrow. My generic Costco Acid Reducer seems to do the trick, even though it's a little slow to kick in.

I'm falling asleep. Thanks for reading,

Hugs,
Tricia
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