Shin Pain? Migraines? FM Symptoms? Menopause?

Hi,

This is my first night on a forum so please let me know if I'm not doing this right. 

I was diagnosed with FM about 5 years ago.  My symptoms at the time were extreme fatigue, mental fog (still have that), pain in my hands (I couldn't even wash dishes because it hurt to hold a plate in one hand and apply pressure with the other to wash it), joint pain and my shin bones felt like they were made of frozen hamburger and they hurt terribly.  Well, after being put on 30 (I think) mgs of elavil, most of symptoms eventually faded... with the exception of the pain in my shin bones.  I'm beginning to think maybe that's a different issue.  Does anyone else have this type pain?

Lately I've been experiencing the symptoms of perimenopause and everything is wacky now.  My doc finally took me off all meds so that we could sort things out.  Myt body is extremely sensitive to meds and the antidepressants she was trying were almost killing me.  However, I was fearful that my painful joints, etc would return, but so far, I'm doing okay.  I'm now taking nothing on a regular basis other than Ambien.   Except that now I have migraines that aren't responding to meds.  I mean I have them everyday!  Needless to say, life is just not the same.  I love to garden and cook and spend time with my husband -- can't do any of that with a migraine!  Even taking a nap won't get rid of them.  Every day!  I began stretching my neck this afternoon and believe it or not, that seemed to help, at least for a little while.  I think I'm going to try a chiropractor.  Any thoughts?

I'm now taking Ambien so that I can sleep.  My leg began going numb over the summer after an extremely physically difficult week at work (lifting aand hauling) and now my leg going numb has become an off and on kind of thing.  Doesn't seem to matter if I'm standing, sitting, whatever,  It just starts when it starts and stops when it stops.  But now sometimes shooting pain runs through the leg into my foot.  The doc sent my for a nerve test, but the results said there was no nerve blockage.  It was happening when I went to bed but I can feel it's happening more often during the day.  I can tell this thing is progressing.  I'm just glad I have Ambien so that I can sleep a few hours at night -- I usually get at least 5 hours now. 

I also take Ultracet and a muscle relaxer on an as-needed basis for my fibro and take a half to one 5 mg table of valium during the week (remember, I'm moving into menopause).  Fun, fun. 

Okay, any help will be greatly appreciated.  I'm feeling a little lost and frustrated...

Thank you

Hi, Smiley, and welcome to the fibromyalgia forum!  I did have shin pain and nothing seemed to help it and then it disappeared!  I find that when something happens with fibro, if I wait long enough, it goes away and something else takes it's place.  Do make sure you have good shoes that support your feet.  This can help.

 

Check out the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.  There is a lot of good information in there all about fibro.  Also, read back posts.  There is a world of information in them, too.

 

You have come to a good place.  We have great people here that have some good ideas to help you live a full and enjoyable life with fibro.  And, as a plus, we really do care about one another!  So, don't hesitate to ask questions.  We are here to help you.

 

I'm so glad you joined us and I hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Hey Smiley! I'm going to ask the same question as asked above- how much are you on your feet? How much walking do you do in a day?

Hi Sera Smiles,

Sorry I didn't answer sooner -- my migraines are terrible and sometimes the thought of looking at light (like a computer screen) is just more than I want to do. I don't stand much at work but I do work on carpeted concrete floors, like most people. I think I do an average amount of walking at work ... to the restroom, other departments, etc. The shin pain is persistent. I always have it. They (shins) feel cold -- like frozen hamburger... I know, it sounds odd, but that's the best description I can offer.

Hi Statgeek,
I will certainly give the hot coffee a try -- already use the ice pack. I try to avoid caffeine, but I'm ready to give anything a try.

I also use Ambien; otherwise I couldn't sleep. Have you heard of Ambien causing migraines? I'm so tired of migraines ruining my days. Fibro is bad enough without these!

Thank you,