Posted 5/15/2015 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
...but now I have no idea what it is.
I went to my family doctor back in February because I was in pain all the time. It was so bad, some days I couldn't get out of bed and by the time I was finished work (I work as a part-time pharmacy assistant, so it's on your feet, but not labour-intensive), I could barely walk home. I'd be bedridden for the rest of the day, regardless of how many hours I worked/what time I got home. She diagnosed me with fibro after some bloodwork came back negative.
I went to see her again recently after redoing a blood test (C reactive protein), and apparently it came back abnormal (15, as opposed to 10 last time). She said that means it probably isn't fibro, and my pain has changed a little, instead of being mostly in my back and thighs, it's in my knees, feet and wrists. There's still just that general feeling of heaviness and how quick I am to tire and all that. She mentioned arthritis (she didn't specify, but I'm assuming rheumatoid... right?) and is referring me to an internist (she said a rheumatologist's waiting list would be too long).
It's just confusing and frustrating and I don't know what to do. I feel like if it gets any worse, I'm going to lose the ability to walk. It's already hard walking home from the bus stop sometimes (only a five minute walk). I live alone and it's hard to cook for myself. It's hard to do almost anything. I don't know what would help. I haven't really tried any painkillers because if there's inflammation, Advil or Aleve would be best, but I don't want them to exacerbate my heartburn. I keep thinking of trying AC&C or Tylenol #1s since you can get both OTC in Canada, but I'm nervous about the codeine. I don't know if wrist/knee braces will help or just be a waste of money. I don't know if a cane is something that would help, and since I'm fat and have been yelled at by family most of my life for being lazy, I don't know if the looks would be worth it...
I just have so many questions. I feel so helpless. I've had depression for most of my life (first noticed symptoms at about 10 or 11, but looking back I see some self-worth problems apparent by age five or six; I'm 23 now) and this is making it so much worse.
Can somebody, anybody, please share a little bit of advice? I'm desperate.