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info please...could i have fibro?

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Posted 7/20/2008 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
okokok...so i've been a chronic pain sufferer for over 3 years now.  i have been dx'd 3 bulging discs in low back, DDD, depression, and anxiety.  lately when i wake up, my hips (sides) and butt hurt terribly; and of course, my back; but that's nothing new.  i rarely have shooting pain down the leg, but do infrequently.  also, my neck and shoulders hurt most of the time...if i turn my head in a circle a few times, it'll usually pop a bit and i'll have short term relief.  i take 10 mg kadian 2 x's a day, xanax prn, lexapro, adderall, and 7.5/750 vics for bt...i can (and pretty much have to) take 4 vics a day.  i am in pain management and i have a GREAT doc.  she is really compassionate and kind.  should i bring this up to her as fibro or just let her know about my increased hip and butt pain?  thanks for any help.

--k

 

Posted 7/20/2008 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hurting,

It does sound like you have fibromyalgia. There are a few threads that you could read to give you a better grasp on things. The main one is Fibro 101. It should be the second thread on the top of the first page.

Keep posting and let us know how you are doing. Give us some more symptoms if you think that they could be fibro. I see that you take adderall. Is that for fatigue or for add? I take it for fatigue, because that is the hardest thing for me with fibro.

Please read some of our posts.

Keep us posted.

hugs,, Karen
Posted 7/20/2008 5:43 PM (GMT 0)

the adderall is for add....but it's pretty mild.  i do know that if i DON'T take it, i'm pretty much useless...VERY tired.  thanks for your quick reply.  i did just have extensive blood work done; would it have shown up there?

-k

Posted 7/20/2008 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hurting, print out the list of symptoms in fibro 101 and see how many you have. Some are quite surprised at the list of symptoms that go along with fibro.

 

Make sure you doc believes in fibro, sadly not all do. If she does then go over the list with her and see what she says. Maybe she will do the TRP test.

 

Good luck

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 7/20/2008 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hurting,
There are no blood tests for fibro, but they do them to rule other things out. The only test that can confirm fibro are a tenderpoint test where the doctor presses on several areas of your body. and there is one they don't like to do that consists of checking what is called substance P in your spinal fluid.

So right now it sounds like she is trying to rule other things out.

Best wishes and keep posting.

hugs, Karen
Posted 7/20/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Hurting, and welcome!  Yes, print out the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  The link to it is on Fibro 101...the second thread on the first page of the forum.  Circle all that pertain to  you.  You can then show this to the doctor when  you are describing the pain you are having.

 

I do have hip pain...especially when I am lying down and I can get leg as well as arm pain when lying down.  They ache like a toothache and I can't get comfortable.  It will also wake me up at night or prevent me from getting back to sleep.  Is this what you are experiencing? 

 

Please let us know what you find out.  I hope to hear more from you soon!

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/20/2008 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi hurting,
I am trying to figure it all out too. I hope you get some answers, toon.
Best,
Sue
Posted 7/21/2008 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi hurting and welcome-
I also get hip and butt pain. And I don't do anything different to cause it. Like the others said, see how many symptoms you have and talk with your Dr. about it.
Keep us posted! GamJill
Posted 7/21/2008 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
hi all...thanks for your posts.  so today is totally different...my back is the usual pain, the hips and butt are a little better today, but  my neck and shoulders are a mess...so sore.  luckily i am able to get into my pm doc tomorrow @ 11:30.  any suggestions on how to approach the appt?  i'm taking my daughter to the jonas brothers tomorrow night and it's gonna be brutal.  also...am travelling this weekend to see 2 concerts myself w/ my hubby and a buncha people.  have been looking forward to it all summer and right now, it's causing a tremendous amt of anxiety...car ride, walking and lots of standing/dancing; right.  awful. sad

i did speak to the docs assistant and delicately approached my suspicions of fibro; and is my doc a believer in it and she said she is; so i guess i have that goin for me.  she asked me if i had ever been in a car accident (yes...2; one when i was 16; someone hit me from behind when i was at a full stop; they were going about 30-35 and another 2 days b4 i had my firstborn 13 yrs ago.)  she asked if i had had xrays recently and i said no, just an mri.  anyone know the thoughts behind that?  thanks for any help.  i was originally posting on chronic pain; maybe i belong here?

thanks--

k

Posted 7/21/2008 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
K, maybe they asked about x-rays to see if you have some arthritis.  Lots of times jolts like that can have arthritis raise it's ugly head.  It can also cause fibro to raise IT'S ugly head, except nothing would show on an x-ray.  They will want to rule out other illnesses that fibro mimics.  So, I'm sure you will be sent for some blood work.

 

Did you check out the Fibro 101 thread?  If not, go there and you will find a link to the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  See how many you have.  You may want to circle them.  That may help.  But, if your doctor does believe that fibro exists, just your describing what is happening will probably be enough.  The fact that the pain is traveling is a sign, I would think.  Also, nearly everyone with fibro complains about their shoulders and neck hurting.  So, I really hope your doctor does believe fibro is a health issue and you will get much needed help.

 

Also, stress makes the pain worse and you are stressing about the concert.  You have looked forward to it for a long time so go and enjoy it.  You may have so much fun that the pain will fade in the background!  I take ibuprofen and Tylenol for pain.  Maybe that would help.  It would be a good question for your doctor.  This may take the edge off the pain and you can have a wonderful memory created!

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/22/2008 6:58 PM (GMT 0)

ok, kids.  it's official.  i have fibromyalgia.  sad my pm started me on steroid therapy today; hopefully this will help a bit.  i see her again next week; maybe we'll do a med switch to lyrica or somehting??  she also gave me one of her personal books, "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrom".  i'm seeing my psychiatrist tomorrow to talk sleep meds and to make sure my antidepressant will work w/ the adderall.  i've basically been up since 3:30am b/c of the pain.  mad

i'm sure that some of my pain is manifesting b/c i'm anxious about travelling this weekend.  hopefully the steroids will help the inflammation.  my pain varies from day to day...last few days it was mostly neck and shoulders and today back to hips and butt; my back ALWAYS hurts due to DDD/bulging discs.  i'm not ready for this.

-k 

Posted 7/22/2008 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hurting and welcome to our fibro family. I'm sad that you have to be here but at least you know you are among loving and caring people who are here for you whenever you need us.

Getting a dx of fibro is frightening and takes a while to digest. Time is the best cure for that and educating yourself. Just be wary of those who offer a 'cure' or quick fix for fibro. It doesn't exist. If it did none of us would be here. One book I love is called 'Women Living with Fibromyalgia' by Mari Skelly. Should be in your library. I check books there first, then if I love it I'll order it used from somewhere like Amazon.

Your 'style' of pain is very similar to mine with lots of neck/shoulder pain. If I use my arms a lot during the day the pain is horrid. Plus butt pain is pretty bad too. (OK you guys...no jokes about being a "pain in the ____")

We have a daily 'Check-In' that's great fun. Please join us. Some days we reminisce about the day's topic, other times we research something interesting or fun. But it's a great feeling of coming together and sharing that takes our mind off the pain.

Hugs,
Chutzie
Posted 7/22/2008 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
dear hurting,
I'm sorry you are in so much pain. All this is so new to you, you could be making things worse by stressing about it. I'm new to all this too, so maybe I'm way off base here, BUT... about a month ago I foudn this foum. Not long after, I think I had a bad flare. After the doctor had mentioned fibro, I was actually kind of happy to get closer to a dx, adn I thought if I was just stiff and sore, it's not too bad. Then I got into a world of pain that I never imagined coudl be. I was depressed, adn so fearful of what the rest of my life was goign to be like. Well, the flare took it's course and went away. I'm just back to being sore and achy again. So tell yourself that fibro is NOT static. You WILL get better. Maybe the day of the concert will even be a very good day! And keep posting here, the people are so kind adn suportive. I don't think I would have made it through those days without their wonderful replies.
Posted 7/22/2008 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you got a dx. You want to take my 11 year old granddaughter with you to see the Jonas Bros since your going anyway??? tongue

 

What is the steroid treatment for???

 

They are all right you can't stress over everything or it's going to make it worse. If you can't do it all, you just can't. I never plan too many things in a weekend and give myself a way out just in case. You will learn the robes of fibro.

 

Neck, shoulders, back, ribs and hip woman here too.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 7/23/2008 3:37 PM (GMT 0)

thanks for all the kind posts...

i think the steroids are for the inflammation i'm experiencing right now.  i can't take NSAIDS; i'm allergic to them.  i'm feeling lots better today; EVEN after the jonas bros. concert last night!  wow...a buncha screaming little girls for sure!!!  my niece got to do a meet and greet with them; yes the actual jonas brothers, and my daughter missed the opportunity by about 1-1/2 minutes.  shhhhh.....pls. don't anyone tell her. nono tongue   the show was great (not b/c i like the jonas brothers)...it was great b/c i had so much fun watching my 9 yr old having so much fun.  my 13 yr old boy is, of course, entirely too cool for them.  with all that said, i have renewed faith for the upcoming shows this weekend!!!  goin to see my boyfriend (dave matthews yeah ) in indy for back to back shows.  my hubby and i get to get away for the weekend with a bunch of friends and it couldn't be better timing!

see you in the checkin!  thanks again.

--k

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