New here..24 years and need help!

Hey all!
I've been dealing with a handful of medical problems for almost 2 years now. I have been diagnosed with Interstitial cystitis (bladder disease), Arthritis (questionable) as well as a mild case of fibromyalgia.
I am desperate for answers and I'm just not getting them. I feel like I've been to every specialist and had every test done and don't have the answers I am looking for.
The main issue I'm having right now is shoulder pain in both shoulders. I'm currently in a 3 week flare that has me up 5 times a night literally screaming as it feels like my arms are being pulled out of my shoulder joints. The pain is much more painful at night or at rest. 2 docs I've seen say arthritis and 3 docs say it's not arthritis and they're unsure of what it is. I am waiting to see a orthopedic surgeon and hoping for answers. My rheumatologist says it's arthritis and fibro by my family doc doesn't agree and neither do the pain clinic docs. I am always exhausted but can't seem to sleep due to pain.
Regardless, It is literally ruining my life. I have 2 young sons and a husband. I am a professional photographer and I can barely work at the moment. I feel like I am getting completely mixed diagnosis' and don't know where to go from here. I was in a car accident May 2010 and I believe that most of my symptoms began after that. I don't remember any previous shoulder injuries although I have been hard on them in the past with sports etc...
I really hope some of you can give me some insight on where to go from here! I don't know where to turn and I'm not coping with this pain any longer....heat, ice , baths , rubs, topicals and painkillers aren't helping. What do I do from here?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this :)

Hi MissLyss and welcome to the chronic pain forum. I read the frustration in your post and wish there was something I could say to make you feel better. It is very difficult indeed when you have drs that are not in total agreement, its like you really don't know which one you should believe.

My first thought would be to fire the whole lot and start all over with a set of fresh eyes. I am leaning towards what your rheumatologist is saying about the Fibro. Fibro is one of those diseases that a person can have a mild case to a severe case. No two cases are alike, it is an individual disease and the patient should be treated accordingly. Pretty much a rheumatologist is the best dr to see for Fibro because even today there are still many, many drs that do not believe Fibro exists and the rheummies are the ones that take care of people with it. A lot of the symptoms you described really do sound like Fibro. We have a Fibro forum here at Healing Well and you may want to pop over there and check things out with them. They have a great group of people over there that are very friendly and helpful.

Another thought would be to perhaps get an appt and be seen at one of the teaching hospitals. If you will look in CP101 above here, you will find a listing of all the teaching hospitals. Maybe one is located close to your home.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care...Susie

If you've not had any mri's done yet, then maybe ask your neurosurgeon about mri's of your cervical spine,
and see what those results would be and if nothing shows up then maybe consider what Straydog said above...
maybe start over with all new doctors...also visit the Fibro Forum here...and does a moist heating pad help???
most of here get some help with a good moist heating pad, look for an auto shut off...
maybe look into physical therapy as they can use ultra sound therapy to help to loosen up the fibro
knots on your shoulders, it can help...and maybe see about melatonin for help sleeping at night it's in
the vitamin isles in your markets...
and don't let the neurosurgeon tell you that surgery could help without seeking at least a second and third opinions...
Caution is warrented when surgery is what they reply with....
Many many well wishes...