Now what?

My husband found this forum for me and I've been reading but never posted til now.

Let me start out by saying I've never been diagnosed with anything yet and absolutely cannot afford to even go to the doctor. I'm pretty aware of my body and some would say that I'm paranoid (no really they have) And I just get frustrated and at times think maybe they are right and I then start to doubt myself.

Today, there is no doubt, reading these forums I am in tears, I'm sad, frustrated, and finaly moving past denial. For about a year or so I've noticed changes in my body that are slowly taking over my life. Wide spread pain all over (it has it's favorite spots though) dizzyness, trouble with concentration, changes in vision, tender spots, headaches, mood swings, personality changes, on and on and on.....

I'm somewhat relieved that I am not going crazy because from all you wonderful people I see that I am not alone and am not just a lazy person with a mind playing tricks on her. Although I have to admit that I did believe that for a while, (denial)

I do have another one to add though I've not seen on here yet, has anyone ever had their bones ache? Sometimes its my whole body hurting mostly in the feet and lower legs and most of all the bones in my hands and arms from the elbows down. Today the bone pain is gone but for the 2nd or 3rd day my hands are stiff swollen.

I was rear ended about 3 1/2yrs ago and have had problems with my neck back and shoulders and thought all of this was from that, I see a chiropractor regular ( I save up for it) and it really does help but I've been getting progressively worse as the years go by and been having more and more problems.

Anyway I've have a problem with my train of thought rt now and so I will stop and just leave it at this for now and maybe someone can give me a direction to head. Thank you all for being here, I wish we were all gathered for another reason...

Hi, Fire, and welcome!  I'm so glad your hubby found us and you decided to join our family.  We do have wonderful members that love to help each other and we really do care about each other, too.

 

Yes, some have referred to the fact that they have bone pain.  With fibro,  you can ache all over...like you have the worst possible case of the flu.  Then there are areas that hurt even more.  Usually back, shoulder, and neck areas are affected.  Many do have problems with legs, knees, hips, feet, and hands.  No, it sounds horrible, doesn't it.  But, I have lived a full and enjoyable life with this illness and you can too!

 

Be sure to check out the Fibro 101 thread...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro there and you will learn a lot.  There is a list of symptoms and you just might "see" yourself there.

 

You really should try to see a doctor though.  The symptoms of fibro are very similar to the symptoms of other illnesses that you can get help.  The link What Else Could It Be in Fibro 101 will show you what you need to have ruled out first before a diagnosis of fibro is given. 

 

I saw that you said you couldn't possibly afford to see a doctor right now.  Many are in that same boat.  Try using moist heat to help yourself.  Hot showers are wonderful and so are Bed Buddies.  You can find these at Walgreen's and other places or you can make one by taking a tube sock, filling it 2/3's full of raw long grained rice and tying a knot at the end.  Pop it in the microwave and it gives off moist heat!  This feels wonderful on the shoulders and neck. 

 

With fibro you do need to keep moving.  If you sit or lay too long, you will be stiff as a board and have more pain and fatigue.  There are some gentle stretching exercises in Fibro 101 that really do work.  Also a good gentle exercise is walking and that doesn't cost a thing!  I walk my dog the first thing in the morning.  By the time I get home, I'm not as stiff and I have more energy and feel ready to face the day.  I also swim as an exercise and this would be great if you have access to a pool.

 

Many with fibro are deficient in some vitamins and nutrients that can cause more pain.  They are vitamin D3 and malic acid and magnesium.  I take a malic acid/magnesium supplement and vitamin D3 supplements.  There are links about these and how they work in your body in the Fibro 101 thread.  Malic acid is found in apples!

 

I'm sure others will come on with more good suggestions.  I hope some of this will help you feel better until you can see a doctor.  Let us know how things go.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

One of my first symptoms was pain in my lower leg bones. I used to say my bones hurt all the time. I have been diagnosed with fibro but tested positive for lupus also. All the symptoms are sooo close. I seem to get new ones every month. I hope you find some way to see a doctor. I had no medical for 6 years so I spent the first year of this stuff misserable. You may have rheumatoid arthritis too. My doctor always checks to see if my hands are swollen. Do they turn red? are they warm to touch? There has got to be somewhere you can go. I hate that people can't see a Doctor when they need to. I will be praying that you are able to see a Doctor somehow. God can do anything

Thank you to everyone for your responses! I will call tomarrow about a clinic. I will also look into the supplements I have spent about 2 mos watching and reading this forum and the Fibro 101 page is really great (it's what my hubby found and he made it my home page so it pops up whenever I log onto the net) I will go refer back to it now that I have some suggestions as to where to start (thank you so much). I do notice if I sit or sleep too much I hurt more and am more stiff movement helps for sure but also I'm seeing that too much movement and I'm toast, I guess I need to find the middle somewhere. My neck, back and shoulders were my main problem for the last 3-4yrs. I think I'm going to have to stop making sandwich's for a living though it seems that all this has gotten worse since I started working almost a year ago, I was a stay at home mom til the economy dived.

Also to Louise47 I notice that when I get up to use the bathroom at night, my hands are red mostly at the joints. I never noticed that they felt hot to the touch so I'd say no to that. But like right now they feel stiff and certainly look swollen and totally ache. The red thing at night has been going on for a while but the swollen all day thing is new as of the last 3or 4 days.

As I look back I do see new things occurring regulary such as Costochondritis that started beginning of July of this year. I feel certain that's what it is, I wrote down what I was feeling and found it on the fibro symptoms list. Anyway thank you I feel like a have a direction now!

Thank you all for your support it really gives me sense of hope!!!!!

Hey Sillyme - I do tart cherries every day! Have for years now. I know they're typically for arthritis and reduce inflammation and pain - but somehow they work for me. I don't know if I have inflammation that I didn't know about - but I swear by them. I consider their cost just a necessity the same as a prescription. Glad to hear it helps you, too. My former primary doc told me the juice was a good alternative - he recognized its benefits for patients.

Hi fire, sorry Im late welcoming you too our family but I see you have already gotten some great advice and I just wanted to add my welcome and my prayers that you find some help soon.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley