Newbie in Midwest

Hello All,

I'm not new to messages boards, but I am new to this one.  I have been suffering for most of my life with what I now believe was Fibro all along. 

I have 3 children, all grown and I am married (2nd marriage) to a wonderful man who has 4 of his own.  We had custody of them - youngest is still at home with another year of school to go.

I have my oldest 2 adult children living at home for various reasons, but they are going to be rooming together in a house here in town soon.  One of them has 2 little ones - my little darling angel grandkids!  We are very close!  LOL  However, this does cause me stress!

I have NO idea how I make it each day.  I think what I like to do (sewing) really takes control of all the bad things and helps me to continue on. 

In 2003 I got sick beyond my own control.  That summer I was really having trouble with my legs.  I couldn't walk up or down the stairs or across the yard without having to sit.  And it wasn't pain, it was something I can't describe.  My Mom begged me to go to the Dr.  I told her that it was nothing.  LOL  But by the end of the summer (early August) I was getting no better and dicovered that I had a low grade fever.  My friend had West Nile and she convinced me to go see her Dr.  I did...he said I had WNV and they also discovered that I was severly anemic.  I was just a few weeks from sure blood transfusion!  This was the problem with my legs - the amemia...!  It caused my RLS, it was the reason I was eating ICE as food!  I laugh when I think of how everyone in the family would get a burger, fries and all I wanted was a huge cup of ice.  :)

Well the anemia was due to my female stuff and once I was over the WNV I had a full hysterectomy.  Now that is where the hot flashes kicked in...  OMG!  I no longer have cold feet!  My ICE habit is cured, my RLS is gone and I can walk up and down the stairs again...

But, the same old muscle pain (head to toe), headaches, dizzy spells, memory, concentration, inability to stay on task and so much more still hounds me...

My OB-GYN told me I had Fibro back when I had the Hysterectomy.  But I didn't believe him.  So here it is, almost 6 years later and have just had such a bad week so I called my Dr (GP) and told him that I was having so much trouble that I had to do something.  He told me he thinks it's Fibro and said I needed to be trying meds.  

We discussed a few different ones and decided on Cymbalta.  I'm on my 3rd day of that, and he gave me 8 samples of Lunesta to help me sleep. 

OH that is the biggest of my problems.  I don't sleep good at all.  I have trouble falling to sleep, staying asleep and I am sure I don't get into a deep sleep at all.  The fatigue during the day is my worst problem...

I don't think there is a special Fibro Dr. in my area...not really sure how to go about finding one that is close to me. 

So that in a nutshell is me.   I'm basically a happy go lucky girl.  I still bowl despite the pain, go walking, garden as I can and I try very hard not to let all the pain get in my way.

Today I have a headache and moderate pain, but I'm up and at-em in my sewing room.  I'm here because I don't know anyone close to me with Fibro and want to know how others handle the pain and all the fog... 

So, cheers from the Midwest! :)

You came to the right place.  Lots of wonderful, caring people here.  You certainly have had lots of health stuff going on.  Your sleep problems described me exactly until I was dx in Feb this year.  I never slept through the night and almost every night got up to soak in a tub of very warm water to relieve some of the pain and stiffness.  Now I sleep well most nights thanks to the low dose anti depressant and voltaren that my doc prescribed.  I know I have had this fibro for many, many years but waited until the pain was unbearable before I started talking to doctors about it.  I am still (thankfully) able to do lots of physical things, biking, yoga, walking and even the gym-just a little slower than I use to.  Being able to finally sleep has really helped me. Keeping active and doing lots of easy stretching and yoga makes me feel better, even if I have to kind of force myself to get started.

My internist was the doctor who finally gave me a dx and is treating me.  He listened to me which a previous doc didn't.  When I read the list of symptoms that fibro people have I wonder how my previous docs missed it.  I have had lots of the symptoms since the 70"s!  I was tested several times over the years for RA but everything came back o.k. The doc said it's 'just' osteoarthritis.  I was originally from the Midwest and recently moved to Ca.  I found this great doctor by chance.  I needed to find a doctor for some other health issues I have.

You'll find everyone here very helpful with lots of good info.  How great you have so many love ones.  I have a wonderful hubby and 3 grown boys but no grandchildren yet.  I also sew but not as much as I use to.  I am starting on a small project-just some comfortable pull on pants.  Like some other people with fibro I can't stand any tight clothes.

I hope you keep visiting us.  I wish you a great and hopefully pain free day and eventually many good nights of sleep.

Puppylover

You are correct about focusing on what you enjoy doing.  It does seem to cause the pain to fade some in the background.  If you think about your pain and discomfort all the time, it becomes all-consuming and will rule your life.  You do have to keep going with fibro so it doesn't steal your life away.

I see a board certified Internist for fibro.  I'm not sure if there are fibromyalgia specialists....at least not yet!  Many look to a rheumatologist for their fibro pain but my Internist does a good job for me so I just let him take care of all of my problems.

Be sure to check out the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.  There is good info about fibromyalgia in there, including some good stretching exercises that can help you.

Meanwhile, read back posts and ask questions.  We are here to help you.  I'm glad you are here and I hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine