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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 6/9/2010 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Yesterday I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  I really thought I had arthritis and so did my rheumatologist.  However, after 8 vials of blood and a gamut of different tests, he found out that I tested negative for arthritis. 

He gave me Cymbalta and I'm to return to his office in three weeks. 

I'm a mother of four children, a wife to a police officer, and a daughter to two wonderfully supportive parents.  I am very blessed, but sometimes I feel so pathetic.

I also have Ulcerative Colitis (UC), and I was told yesterday that I had a positive c-ANCA test for Wegner's granulomatosis.  It seems like it's always something new.  I'm thankful that I don't actually have arthritis because I was really worried about the damage to my bones.  I'm only 34 years old so being diagnosed with something like that would be really bad.

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know everyone.  Thanks for listening.

Posted 6/9/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome! You will get a lot of support here. Please stay - we all learn so much. I was diagnosed with fibro 3 1/2 years ago. You can live with it, but some days are difficult. Take care.
Posted 6/9/2010 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, gerontologee. Sorry you don't feel good, but this is a great place to find and give support, and at least you found us early on! (It took me almost 20 years.) I was about your age when I was diagnosed, with 3 kids, married to a man with a stressful job and had 2 wonderful parents too, so there are a lot of parallels with your situation. I know what you mean about feeling pathetic, but you're not! This is not punishment for anything you did, it's just the luck of the draw.

By the way, what is Wegner's Granulomatosis?
Posted 6/9/2010 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi gerontologee,

I am so happy that you have joined us. Welcome, welcome, welcome... You will find that you have come to a good place where everybody is so kind and compassionate. Also supportive.

You are facing a lot at such a young age. I hope that you can keep your fibro at bay. Most of all, try to keep moving. If you don't you get stiff and everything hurts. I try to do a lot of walking, well, as much as I can. I have two dogs and I walk each of them every day that I can. As long as I am moving, I am not doing too bad.

There is a thread called "fibro101". If you get a chance, check it out. It is full of all kinds of information that I am sure that you will be interested in reading about. It answers a lot of questions and has a wealth of knowledge. Also has a lot of tips for exercising. I am sure that you will enjoy reading it. Read other threads too.

Keep posting and let us know how you are doing. I hope that you are having a pain free day today. Take care my friend.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/9/2010 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gerontologee, welcome to our family. You will find caring support here. We do understand.
Now that you have a diagnosis, treatment can get started. We all tolerate meds differantly,
so you will see that there alot of variations of what people take for fibro.

I take Savella which is a SNRI simular to Cymbalta and I also take a muscle relaxer when
I'm flaring. Most fibromites use moist heat to help with the pain. Many of us use bed buddies.

Exercise is really important. I'm a walker and its great for the body and the mind. The
secret is learning to pace yourself during the day and learn to ask for help when you need
it. Be sure to checkout fibro 101, second thread, page one, Sherrine has compiled some
wonderful info for us.
I am so glad that you have joined us. Keep posting, we care!

hugs, Robin
Posted 6/9/2010 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to the forum!!  I am not a great typer so my replies are usually short but remember that I am pulling for ya wink
Posted 6/9/2010 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to the boards. Sorry you have so many problems at such a young age. I have been here less than a month and I have found everyone here to be wonderful and very supportive. I have had fibro for over 10 years now. Dont be afraid to ask questions. Most likely one of us will be able to help you with it. We are not doctors but we might have some helpful suggestions. Take care
Shirley
Posted 6/10/2010 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for responding to my post.  I'm sorry that we are all facing the same/similar problem, but I'm glad that we can talk with each other. 

I'm actually posting on two separate boards on HW.com.  I'm on this board now, and the Ulcerative Colitis (UC) board.  Everyone is nice over there as well, and quite a few of the posters have fibro, too.

I'm quite upset about my diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).  It's a vascular disease that affects primarily the lungs and kidneys.  It's an autoimmune disease that attacks those arteries and veins, and eventually it blocks the blood.  Usually the patient suffers from kidney failure.  Today I've realized that it feels like someone is pressing on my chest, but I don't know if it's the WG or me just psyching myself out. 

I'm on my second day of Cymbalta.  I'm glad I didn't have some type of reaction from switching anti-depressants without weaning off of the original one.  I've been on anti's for a very long time and I've always been told not to do this.  I guess I'll trust my rheumy.

Again, thank you all so much for the warm welcome.  It really means a lot to this newbie.

Posted 6/10/2010 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
When you first get the news that you have a potentional life threatening disease, it is
scary. I understand how upsetting it can be. My mind went to all the what ifs. In time it
got easier. I realized, I could just as easy die from a car accident. Taking one day at a time
and trying to do what I can do to help myself is what helps me. I do relaxation therapy
to help with stress... deep breathing and meditation works for me! Enjoy life!!!

Hugs, Robin

PS I forgot to tell you how sorry I am for your dx. I do believe you are a strong

woman and will do fine!

Posted 6/10/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome!  I just wanted to pop in and welcome you to the forum.  We have a wonderful group of members who love to help one another and, as a bonus, we really do care about each other, too.  I'm sure  you will like it here.

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101 and ask questions.  We are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

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