New - not sure if I have fybro or not

Hello! I have been feeling unwell for some time now, and have an appointment to see a rheumatologist next week. For about the last 3 months I can barely get out of bed, and when I wake up I feel like I've never been to sleep! I seem to have a permanent headache, but headache tablets just don't shift it.

I've been feeling ill since last February when I had a shingles type rash and fever. However swabs and blood tests didn't find any sign of the shingles virus. Then in July I woke up one morning with numb fingers. At the time I didn't really have many other symptoms, but I was referred to outpatients at hospital anyway and they did some blood tests which were positive for ANA. I've been waiting for a rheumatology appointment since, and in this time my hands have got worse and I now have pins and needles in my hands, arms, left shoulder and neck and in my feet, I've had shin splint type pains in my legs. I have chronic fatigue, some afternoons I can barely keep awake, I can't think I can't concentrate, my head is numb.

My mum has fibro and thinks I might have it too. But I'm not sure with the ANA positive reading. Guess I'll have to wait and see what my rheumatologist thinks. I know I can't go on like this I feel terrible - like I've got flue all the time.

Welcome to the forum Alim!!

As Sherrine said only you doctor can really tell for sure.  I truly hope you don't have FMS.  But if you do you've found a great site to learn and get support from.

I have alot of problems with my hands and feet.  Fatigue is always lurking around and occassionally gets the best of me. 

It took me about 10 years to finally get my diagnosis, partly because I preferred being in denial and because I didn't think there was a doctor out there that would support my findings.  Since I've gotten on my meds, I'm doing better.  I hope you can get proper med soon too.

Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.

Take care,

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I keep reading up on symptoms etc and I'm convinced my pattern fits more with lupus, but my mum thinks I have fibro. I have terrible pins and needles down the back of my neck tonight and an intense throbbing headache that hurts when I move my head. I just don't know what's wrong with me anymore.

Hi and welcome,

I am so sorry you are so challenged right now. Once you get a good diagnosis you will at least know what you are dealing with. For me that was the toughest part of this journey , not knowing. And you know the mind is a powerful thing and mine had me going crazy.

Try to calm yourself as much as you can and come talk to us anytime. I have learned such great stuff here. These are my friends.

Patsie

Hi and welcome. It is hard when you know something is wrong with you but don't know what so I hope you get answers soon.

I get a lot of headaches, it is unusual for me not to have a headache to some degree and that alone can get you down.

Let us know what the rheumy says.

luv and hugs

Marlee 

Just got back from occupational health - they were incredibly helpful and supportive, really nice lady. It really helped to talk to someone who understood how I felt - she totally appreciated that I'm worried and emotional as I know there's something wrong with me but don't know what. It's really helping talking to all you lot too, thank you so much for all your comments and understanding. Reading what some of you are coping with, it must be so difficult.