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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 1/29/2010 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone, we have a new member who is coming to the party today!  Shall, welcome to the fibro forum.  We have a lot of wonderful members that love to help one another and we really do care about each other, too!  And, yes, we are as crazy as we sound!  turn

 

Be sure to check out the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good information about fibro and you will really learn a lot.

 

Don't hesitate to ask questions, either!  We are here to help you.  I'm glad  you are joining the party and I can't wait to sink my teeth into those pigs feet you are bringing!  Yum yum!  I hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/29/2010 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again and welcome Shall. We have to have fun on here sometimes or we would all go crazy living with fibro day after day. But we are serious about helping each other. Fibro affects everything in our lives and bodies and we help each other get through the bad times. We are family.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 1/29/2010 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the home of friendly fibromites and sometimes silly too. Laughter is the
best medicine. Waiting on your pigs feet. See you at the party Shall.

Hugs, Robin
Posted 1/29/2010 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Shall, I noticed in another post that you had UTCD. It is possible to have a Connective
Tissue Disease along with fibro, I do. Initially I was diagnosed with Undifferentiated
Connective disease, meaning your bloodwork and clinical symptoms are showing some signs
of a CTD, we just don't know which one. Sometimes a person will stay at a UCTD
status because all the antibodies that define a disease are not presenting, It is confusing
because the symptoms of fibro are simular to the CTD's.

In my case clinical symptoms started presenting along with antibody RNP, rashes, swollen
joints and a biopsy that confirmed scleroderma. I have MCTD (lupus, scleroderma,RA)

It was determined that I had fibro because of my symptoms and I had the tender point
exam.

If you haven't already be sure to check out fibro 101. Getting a dx can be a slow process.
Hopefully your doctor is treating your symptoms. Hang in there, and if you have any
questions feel free to ask.

hugs, Robin
Posted 1/30/2010 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the kind welcome. Bare with me as I learn how this forum works. I am new to so many things, this illness, medications, coping and trying to get people to understand why I don't feel well. I have read peoples comments about the sudden stinging pains that feel like an insect bite, the vitamin D deficiency, the aching body. I guess I am lucky because I am able to work full time but really have to watch what I do after work and on week-ends. Its like my body says...OKAY, ENOUGH ALREADY...... I have just recently found out I am diabetic too so have a lot of life changes going on and need all the support I can get. I have started writing down these different symptoms to discuss with my doctor. Oh and brain fog is my new word! I thought I had alzheimers. (can't spell). I do not have a dx of FIBRO but have many of the symptoms. I started this journey of doctor visits a year ago when I had pain in shoulder. Went to family doctor and she saw butterfly rash on face and sent me to rheumy. Dx then inconclusive. Changed doctors this December and got the UTCD diagnosis and started on plaquenil. Also having blurred vision which brought me to doctor who discovered I am diabetic. But I'm thinking the blurred vision is more a connective tissue issue...my glucose is not spiking to cause the blurring. Went to eye doctor because of the blurred vision and because of the plaquenil causing blured vision , he says eyes okay......what a viscious cycle... Sorry to go on and on but again THANKS
Posted 1/30/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
another thought (or two, lol) ........I notice so many are diabetic, have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, anemic, vitamin D problem ....are all these part of this illness? I have all also......sleep apnea not confirmed yet because I don't want to go to the sleep center. Does folic acid help the body absorb the vitamin D and iron better?
Posted 1/30/2010 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Shall, Fibromyalgia is a seperate disorder. It is not an autoimmune disease. There are no
known antibodies for Fibro. There is no bloodwork to test for fibro. The common complaints
are allover muscle achiness, fatigue and fog, there are others. These complaints are also
common in the Connective Tissue Diseases. Many people with fibro also have other illnesses,
some being autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases can cause high blood pressure,
but everyone who has high blood pressure does not have an autoimmune disease.
Some of the common things that can go along with fibro are IBS, insomnia and depression,
many of us have been found to be vitamin D deficient.

You will notice at the bottom of a person's signature other illnesses a person has. Fibro is
it's own illness, alot of us have other illnesses in common.

The plaquenil you are on will help with rashes, I was on it too but my rheumy swithched me
to Methotrxate. If you are taking plaquenil you will need to get a baseline eye exam and
be examined every six months. Folic acid is necessary to make red blood cells. I need to
take it because I'm on Methotrexate.

I think it is good that you are keeping track of your symptoms, also write down any questions you have for your doctor, it's so easy to forget. Take one day at a time and try
to be patient, it is frustrating but you will get through it. Take care and feel free to ask
questions, there is always someone here who cares, because we all do!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 1/30/2010 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Robin has given you good answers.  I am diabetic but it runs heavily in my family as does the Crohn's disease which I have.  I don't know where the fibro came from but I do have a first cousin that has fibro too.  So, who knows?  But we do share the pain and some of the weird symptoms.

 

Have you had a chance to read Fibro 101 yet?  There is a link to a list of symptoms there and you just might see yourself.

 

I've had fibro for decades and have had a full and enjoyable life in spite of it so we will help  you get moving and understanding this illness the best we can. 

 

Speaking of getting moving, it is important to keep moving.  If you sit or lay too long, you will be stiff as a board.  Gentle stretching is good and there is a link to some good stretching exercises in Fibro 101.  Also, gentle exercise is good.  For me it is walking and swimming.  Both of these are good for fibro.

 

I know this illness can be mind boggling but we will help you.  Just ask questions.  There is no such thing as a dumb question on this forum, either.  That's how we all learn!  Talk to  you soon!

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/31/2010 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shall,

I met you at Sherrines party. So happy that you joined us. Her parties are a blast.

I am glad that you have joined the fibro forum. And as Sherrine said, check out fibro101. There truly is a wealth of information there. It also helps to get to know us a little better. Through our posts.

I hope that you are feeling better soon. I am still recooperating from Sherrines party so my mind isn't that good. Fibro fog actually. It comes and gos, sometimes I am as sharp as a tack and others, well, you know...

Best wishes to getting a good nights sleep. I hope that tomorrow is a painfree and energetic day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/31/2010 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shall and Welcome!

I'm another multi-dipper in this sea of disorders...lol I've been on insulin for about 16 years, then had the UC dx, a few other things along the way and finally Fibro. Current studies are leading to the idea that fibromyalgia is a central nervous system disorder.Functional MRI work shows very distinct differences in the brain of those in pain with fibro. We have a long way to go to even understand this darn disorder and then the work begins to find a 'good' treatment and hopefully a cure.

I'm thinking you are a bit overwhelmed right now with all of this happening in a relatively short time. I went through a similar situation and it is very difficult. BUT, I didn't have the support of a group like this or I'm sure I would have coped better. At least hubby was and is wonderfully supportive.

Please keep in touch and let us know if we can do anything to make your life easier.

Chutz
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