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Posted 10/18/2009 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hello-

I have never joined a forum before, I hope this will help! A little about myself, I'm a 27yr old female who is suffering from chronic neck and shoulder pain. I first started having chest pain which freaked me out because I work in cardiovascular medicine. So, I had several tests done to rule out heart issues. The chest pains were still present along with the chronic neck and shoulder pain. It got so bad that I had 5 ER trips in 2 months! They docs just kept sending me home with Zanax and muscle relaxers. No one could shed any light on what the heck was going on with me! So, I just kept scheduling doctor appointments hoping I would get an answer. Of course, the docs would look at my like I was crazy. I had one doc look at me and say it was all in my head. So, for the past year, I have been spending 100's of dollars on massage therapy sessions. The massages are very helpful, but the few days after I am left feeling even worse. I hope by joining this forum I can learn how to cope better with this. I just want to live a normal life!

Warm Regards :)

 

Posted 10/19/2009 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
In pain,

Welcome to the Fibromyalgia Forum of Healing Well.

You sound like so many of us that come here. I have had terrible chest pain that has landed me in the ER in the past, only to find out it was fibro and chostochondritis. I know how scarey that can be. It is not in your head!

Did you ever get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia?? If not, you need to find a doctor, preferably a rheumatologist who believes in fibro. That's important. Not all of them do.

I have had fibro for 28 years and it has progressed with me. Oh, I know they say it is not a progressive disease, but I disagree. It affects everybody just a little differently and can affect the whole body too.

I'm glad you decided to post. Keep posting and get to know the fine people here on this forum. They are a really good bunch, very caring and helpful.

I wish you the best and for a low pain day.

Hugs and Blessings,

Lindaloo
Posted 10/19/2009 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, welcome to the forum. I am so sorry you are hurting. It can be frustrating when you go
from one doctor to the next and don't get answers. To be told it is all in your head is an insult.
It took me a long time to get a diagnosis. I see a rheumatologist who really listens, he is
great. I would recommend seeing one. There are good docs out there. Don't give up. You
might consider seeing a neurologist to see if you have any nerve impingent goin on.

Heat is a fibromites friend. I take long leisurely soaks in a hot bath besides my daily
shower. A heating pad helps or a microwave rice bag gives some relief. My rhuemy has
prescribed Savella 50 mg 2x daily and I take flexeril when I am flaring.

Be sure to check out the fibro 101 thread on the top of page one there is some great info!

Glad you have found us, there are lots of caring and supportive people here. I am blessed
to have found this forum.

Keep us posted and if you have any questions just ask.

Hugs

Robin
Posted 10/19/2009 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
HI, Inpain, and welcome!  You have come to a good place.  We have wonderful members that love helping one another and, as a bonus, we really do care about one another. 

 

The chest pain can be quite frightening.  I had that along with heart palpitations.  My doctor ran many tests to rule out heart problems.  It turned out to be fibro and costochondritis, too.  At least now I know what is going on!

 

I see that Crazykitty directed you to the Fibro 101 thread.  It's the first thread on the forum.  There are links to a lot of good information about fibromyalgia and you will learn a lot there.  There is a link all about costochondritis there, too.  I think you just may see yourself there!

 

Be sure to keep moving with fibro.  If you sit or lay too much, you will be stiff as a board.  There are some gentle stretching exercises in Fibro 101 that really do help.  Also, find a gentle exercise you like to do.  I walk and I swim.  Both are very good for the pain and they help keep your muscles moving and flexible.

 

I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Read back posts, too.  There is a world of information in them.  Meanwhile, I hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 10/19/2009 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Inpain and welcome. I have found from personal experience that not only costochrondritis can cause chest pains but so can reflux and shoulder pain. My left shoulder is worse than my right and I get sharp pains in my chest and have for years. I had my heart checked out the first part of June, I'm 59. I was about your age when I started having problems with reflux and made several trips to the ER with chest pains thinking I was having a heart attack before I found out what it was.

 

It doesn't matter how old you are you shouldn't get a pat on the head and be told it's all in your head and be sent home with xanax and muscle relaxers. It does seem that those that do abuse meds and will come up with any story to try to get them ruins it for those of us that truly have pain and I'm sure it is worse for those that are young.

 

If you do or don't have a dx of fibro you are more than welcome to hang with us here where we do understand pain only too well.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 10/19/2009 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Inpain,

Welcome to the HealingWell fibromyalgia foum. I can see that you have been greeted by many of our wonderful members. And of course, do check out the fibro101 thread. You will find so much information there.

I am beginning to wonder if the doctors just don't want to tell us that we have fibromyalgia because they don't want to deal with something that they don't know a lot about. It just seems that too many people get sent home with that pat on the head as Marlee said and the xanax. Though anxiety does make it worse, so I could see where the xanax would help.

I hope that you post more. You have come to a very good place.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/19/2009 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Looks like you got the welcoming committee lined up in full force!...lol I am very glad you came to join us whether or not your pain turns out to actually be fibro or not. And if for some reason you pain is from another source, right next door is the Chronic Pain forum. You may want to come over there and do some reading also since many of us with Fibromyalgia go there too.

This web site is a wonderful place for support and that's what most of us are lacking in our medical care and sometimes in our families and friends also. Look at your own situation. You are in the medical profession and they still think you are looking at you like you are crazy. Something is just not right about that. I also have seen a rheumatologist who confirmed my family doctor's theory that I had fibro. He was so knowledgeable and compassionate. I do hope you find one who is up to date on fibromyalgia and not stuck in the dark ages.

Remember, you are the one hiring your medical care team so for a first appointment set up an interview. YOU interview the DOCTOR, not the other way around. Go with your list of questions and be open and honest. I would also take someone with me like a spouse, parent, best friend or whomever you trust. It will give you visual and emotional support at a lonesome task. And, if you want...the entire family here will go with you in spirit. Just let us know when the date and time is and we'll be there!

Hugs,
Chutzie
Posted 10/20/2009 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your support! I was actually diagnosed with Fibro last year. I still need to find a caring doctor though! The Rheumatologist basically wrote me a prescription and sent me on my way. The process is just so frustrating! One week I feel good, the next I can feel like crap! I was on the phone with my mom last night crying because the pain in my shoulders/neck was causing so much pressure behind my head. When the pain gets bad, I take a warm bath and use a heating pad. I also take Advil for the pain. I do notice that my Fibro seems to get worse around my period! Also, I do lay around alot when I am hurting. I read in the posts that I shouldn't do that?? I just find it hard to stay active when I have a flare up because the pain and the pressure makes me feel dizzy and nauseated. I must say, after reading all these posts, my fibro symptoms started awhile back. I used to see the commercials on TV for fibro and think how unfortunate it would be to have that, oh dear!


Have a good day! :)
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