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I am new and in so much pain

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Posted 3/5/2009 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone. I am new and I do not know if I have fibromyalgia. I have been in pain for years and it seems to have gotten worse. My dad has fibromyalgia and so does one of my aunts on my mom's side. SO I have it on both sides of my family and I have read that if it's in your family you have more of a chance of getting it. I am only 24 and I am in so much pain and it's a daily thing. Somedays aren't so bad but most days it's so bad I want to cry. I haven't seen a doctor about it because I can't afford the bills but I just recently got on Oregon health card and I need to make an appointment. I just don't know where to start. What kind of a doctor do I see about this kind of thing? I need to get something figured out because it's so bad and I am tired all the time. It's hard for me to even get on the floor and play with my daughter. When she climbs on me it hurts so bad. Even when I scratch my arm if it itches is pretty painful. Nothing helps me. I have tried tylenol, advil, ibuprofin it's all useless for me at this point. The last year or two I have started getting a lot of headaches also, right now my head hurts so bad it's hard to move it or even keep my eyes open. I just want to figure out what is wrong so I can have better relationships with my family and actually be able to have fun with my daughter. It makes me sad when she begs me to play and I can't because I am in so much pain and I don't have any energy at ALL. Anyone have any kind of advice for me??? skull shakehead

Post Edited (sarbear) : 3/4/2009 5:10:15 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/5/2009 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sarbear,

First of all, welcome to the HealingWell Fibromyalgia Forum. I am so glad that you have come here.

I am sorry for all that you are going through, I understand that you would want to be with your child and doing all of the normal things that you would love to do. I hope that you get help soon.

I would find an MD or an internal mecidine doctor first as your family doctor and then go from there. There will be many tests that they will have to do to rule out everything else, so be patient. They might refer you to a rheumetologist (sp) after that, but they might just treat you as needed.

I would find a doctor that believes in fibro. There are some that don't. It sounds like it might be hereditary so there is a good chance that you have it.

When you get a chance, check out the thread called fibro101. It is the second thread. There is a wealth of information on there, also symptoms that you can compare and see if you have.

After the doctor rules out everything else, they will most likely do a tenderpoint test. They press on various places on your body to see if there is pain. I guess that there are about 18 tenderpoints and usually they want to see 11 of them painful before they diagnose, but that can vary. Some fibromites don't have all eleven.

Be sure to remember that you hired the doctor. Make sure they are living up to your expectations. If you get one that doesn't really believe in fibromyalgia, you will end up being intimidated and feeling very invalid of your symptoms. You will begin to wonder if you are imaginating them and whatnot. You pick the doctor, make sure that they believe in fibro and make sure that you are comfortable with them.

I am sure that there will be other members along with more advice. I hope that you get a diagnosis so that you can start dealing with this syndrome. Though I wish you didn't have it at all, it is good to know what it is for sure.

Best wishes to a wonderful painfree day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/5/2009 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for replying. I will check out the fibro101. I was thinking of starting out with my mother in laws doctor. My mother in law also has fibromyalgia so her doctor probably believes in it. I don't talk about this much to any of my family, not even my husband. I just keep it to myself so no one thinks I am winey. Well, it has gotten so bad I need to stop pushing it aside and get it figured out.
Posted 3/5/2009 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
I forgot to add that there is also lupus in my family but I haven't read much on it.
Posted 3/5/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Sarbear, WELCOME!

I understand how you feel. Sometimes I can't handle my cat jumping up and/or walking across my lap, I could just SCREAM it hurts so much. I get the same pain trying to scratch a little itch.

As for finding a doctor you can call your local hospital and ask the operator for their doctor referrals for Fibromyalgia or just a good Internist that may accept your insurance. Done that myself. A Internist can give you a diagnosis as well as a Rhumetologist/specialist. A doctor should take some blood tests to rule out other diseases, like Lupus, MS, Lyme. He/She should also do a "tender point" exam.

Check out the 2nd thread on this forum, fibro 101, it is very informative. Read up as much as you can and list all your symptoms, everything and anything from day to day so you are prepared for that first visit. Sounds like you might already know what to expect since your dad and aunts have FM.

In the meantime take some nice hot baths and relax as much as possible. Save the energy you have to attend to your daughter and yourself. Good Luck, stick around and post awhile. :-)

((HUGS,))
Posted 3/5/2009 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome Sarbear!!

I just wanted to pop in and say hi & welcome you to the forum. 

You've come to a great place to learn and recieve support.  Be sure to check other posts that interest you.

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

Wishing you a pain free day..

Posted 3/5/2009 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I plan on making an appointment in the next few days and I will keep you all updated.
Posted 3/5/2009 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sarbear and welcome!!

Great advice so there's not much I can add but hold on...I mean hold on to us, your fibro family. You can whine, complain, cry and lean on us any time you need. But I would also suggest you have a straight talk with your hubby. I finally asked my sweetie whether he'd rather not hear the daily details or if he'd prefer to know how I'm feeling. I must say I was surprised by his answer...he said he'd rather know. So, please don't feel like you're whining when you are just explaining. I try not to go overboard, but it does hurt every day.

So, take my hand (extending hand) and we'll show you how we survive, and quite well I may add. ;-)

Chutzie
Posted 3/5/2009 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Chutz. Everyone here seems very kind and caring. I am glad I found this forum.
Posted 3/5/2009 7:30 AM (GMT 0)

Sarbear, Is your name Sarah?  The reason I ask is my oldest daughters name is Sarah & we have always called her Sarbear.  Welcome to the forum, as you have already found out the people here are friendly, helpful & supportive.  I agree you need to talk with you hubby.  He is probably as baffled as you are with the changes he sees in you.  If your MIL is getting the help she needs I would think that would be a good place to start.  I hope you get the help you need.  Come here for support & to whine & cry & laugh & be supportive.  This is a great bunch of people, Ihope you stick around.  You can have a good life even with Fibro. 

I love the picture & your daughter is a doll.  Hugs, Denise

Posted 3/5/2009 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks jewelrylady! Yes, my name is Sarah. My mother in law calls me sarbear all the time. I have mentioned it a little to my hubby but I don't really say much about it. You see I choose not to because they always give their mom problems about her fibro and they say it's all in her head. I feel sorry for her and I know it's not all in her head. I just don't want to be treated like that and if I do end up having it I hope my hubby doesn't treat me like it's all in my head.
Posted 3/5/2009 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sarbear, welcome!  I just wrote a very long post yesterday about things that help with fibro.  I'll bump it up so you can read it.  It's called Welcome, New Members.  Hope this helps!

 

Sherrine 

Posted 3/5/2009 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sarbear and welcome. My fog has been so dense I can't remember if I have welcomed you. I can relate to the headaches and you can't even think clear with them.

 

I would go with a doc that you know treats fibro and if your MIL is getting good care go with hers. I hope you can get in quickly and get all the testing done and get a dx so they can start treating it.

 

I couldn't open the picture for some reason. I'm sure you are the best mother you can be right now. We have many other mothers on here with small children so I'm sure they will be of help to you.

 

It is sad that your hubby has that attitude about fibro. Perhaps if he could read some of the post on here he would understand this is not all in our heads, it is all over our bodies.

 

Good luck and I hope you have answers soon.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 3/5/2009 4:28 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Sarbear and Welcome-

You have come to a great place for support! The group here is very special-

Yes, keep us posted and it was nice to meet you!

GamJill

Posted 3/8/2009 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
I talked to my hubby this morning and he totally understand and supports me. I asked him if he believes in fibro and he said yes he knows it's real and he knows his mom has it. He just doesn't want her using it as an excuse to give up on everything. SO I am happy that he understands. He wants me to make an appointment today so we can get everything figured out.
Posted 3/8/2009 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Glad your husband is seeing the light. The main thing is that he understands that this comes and goes and somedays you can do things that you can't do the next.
Marlee's suggestion of using you MIL's doc. is a good one!!
Take care,
Posted 3/9/2009 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I made an appointment today! I see a doctor on wed the 11th at 1:00.

Posted 3/10/2009 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
sarbear,

You mentioned having state medical and that you were in Oregon. If you're here in Portland, one great resource here is OHSU. They have a fibro research program here that is known to be one of the best. If you want more info I'll be more than happy to post some links, or send me an email and we'll try to connect in real time.

Today I am off work as I just could not get past the migraine that I had this morning. But normally pacific time on the yahoo name that I have showing here, you can find me from about 6a-2p. When I'm at work I'm usually logged on.
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