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Posted 4/26/2011 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone!I am new to this forum, and have a question. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia (12 years ago) and Hep. C (my viral lode is high) and most recently, polyneuropathy (90%, 4 years go). I sporadically search the web for new info., and lately have found that I have symptoms so matching Lupus (weakness in knees, uncontrollable shaking, swollen legs, rashes on legs and face, occasionally, sores in mouth, sensitivity to heat and sun) I do not know why my doctors haven't noticed? Sometimes I think they are so used to what I already have, they attribute everything to that.
Also, my fatigue level is through the roof. Just going to the corner store is a major effort, since every move brings pain in my joints and muscles and everything is exhausting. If anyone out there is experienced with the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, how long did it take for you to get diagnosed and how did you get diagnosed? At any rate, my fatigue seems to exceed what my doctor thinks I should be experiencing..(..any advice ?

(I gave your post a Subject so more members would read and share answers with you. Chutz)

Post Edited By Moderator (Chutz) : 4/26/2011 12:24:55 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/26/2011 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Read!

And welcome! You pose some good questions there and hopefully we can jointly share some thoughts with you that might shed some light. The disorders/diseases you are talking about, CFS/Fibro/Lupus, all have very similar symptoms. When a doctor screens for a fibromyalgia diagnosis they often check for Lupus but not always unless there's a reason to do so. But the symptoms you describe can all happen to a fibro patient or a CFS patient along with others.

I can't say whether of not your doctor is thorough enough or sloppy in the diagnosis but you can ask for Lupus testing. We do have a great lupus forum if you want more information on the topic. Check down there too, as well as the Fibro forum and do some reading and posting. You might garner more information that could help you in your search. But in the mean time, I'd suggest asking your doc about it too.

Good luck and keep in touch,
Chutz
Posted 4/26/2011 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I would suggests you get a referral to a Rheumatoid Arthirtis Doctor, and go from there,
an RA doctor would get you scheduled for bloodwork and go for there and that's
what I'd recommend....Hope you can get a low pain day soon and well wishes
Posted 4/27/2011 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
This seems to be over my head at the moment. i just wanted to stop by and welcome you to the chronic pain forum, and wish you good luck on getting your pain and fatigue under control. I know what pain is about though. I went all last week and thru today without my main pain med, so I know what extreme pain is right now. Take care.

love and hugs
Loretta
Posted 4/27/2011 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Chutz, Chartreux, Loretta and Paula,

Thank you for the warm welcomes! Your sentiments are so appreciated. (Loretta, I don't know how you made it a whole week /out meds! I'd have been completely unfit to live with!)
I had intended on asking my doc. about Lupus at my last visit, but he was so wrapped up in my HCV viral lode (& setting me up w/ a specialist) impressing upon me how serious it is, as my liver could be damaged already, and by the time it shows up on regular liver panels it would be too late. That, and, new to me, I guess my vitamin D level of 9 is so low it may be partial cause of my bone/joint pain. But I'll ask him next time for sure-- he's a new doc. for me, and so far he's great but it took 12 years to find him!

Thanks for the advice-- Unfortunately, you are right about the symptoms mimicking and overlapping in various conditions/diseases. It makes it all very confusing. I'll ask my doc. about a Rheum. Doc. referral. Meanwhile, I am browsing the forum and finding some amazing stuff. Take great care, everyone, lovely to have met you all.
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