Rheumatoid or Psoriatic Arthritis/Fibromyalgia

Hi, James, and welcome!  The treatments for fibro are as varied as the people it affects.  There are a myriad of symptoms for this illness and we all don't have the same symptoms.  Also, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.  Yes, it's confusing.

 

We have members taking things like Lyrica, Savella, Cymbalta, narcotic meds, sleep aids, etc.  I personally don't take this.  I use ibuprofen with food and extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, and vitamin D3 supplements.  I also do gentle stretching exercises (in Fibro 101) and also daily gentle exercise like walking and swimming.  The more you move usually means the less pain.  If you sit or lay too long with fibro, you will be stiff as a board.

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot.  There is a link to symptoms that could help you.  Also, be sure to read the What Else Could It Be link because fibro shares many of the same symptoms as these other illnesses.  You need to have these ruled out first.

 

Yes, we have members with fibro and lupus and RA, etc.  There are a lot of "combination illnesses" so maybe that is what is going on with you.

 

It is important to make sure your doctor believes in fibro.  Unfortunately, as you said, there are some doctors that still don't believe this is an illness.  Hmmmm....wouldn't you love to have them walk in our shoes for a month or so?  I would ask if the doctor treats fibromyalgia patients.  I use a board certified Internist as my doctor but many here use a rheumatologist for their fibro.  BUT if they don't believe that fibro is a disease, you will be hitting your head against a brick wall.  I hope you do have a doctor that believes. 

 

There is a link in Fibro 101 called Doctors Respond to New York Times Article.  These learned doctors tell a disbelieving author what fibro is really like and what they think is going on.  They are studying this illness and we finally are being believed here in the US.  Not sure how things are in England.

 

I hope I have been able to help you a little.  I'm glad you popped over her and joined in.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon!

 

Sherrine

 

 

 

PS: This might be helpful to some of your questions.

www.fmnetnews.com/basics-symptoms.php

www.fmnetnews.com/basics-faqs.php

Hi Jay, I have fibro along with mixed connective tissue disease. In my case it is an
overlap of lupus, scleroderma and RA. My rheumy put me on methotrexate to treat
it. I see you are also on it.

Initially the fibro seemed to be ignored by the doctors,they believed I had something
autoimmune going on. I was put on a predisone taper and my inflamation had gone
but my pain continued. Lots of bloodwork and a few rheumys later it was determined
I had MCTD. The anti-body RNP was testing high positve on consecutive tests and
I had lots of clinical symptoms, inflamation and swelling of joints, rashes, morphea also had a skin biopsy that determined scleroderma, tigtening of skin,
raynauds and a list that also fit fibro...fatigue, all over achiness, fog, insomnia ect...
A trigger point exam finally helped confirm a dx of fibro. It really took years before
everything was sorted out. I also have other issues that made a dx difficult

My description of fibro is ...feeling achy everday, sometimes experiancing pain that
feels bone-crushing, feeling very fatigued...like you didn't get a good night's sleep.
At times feeling so confused and forgetful, you wonder if you're losing your mind.

I have been taking Savella for over a year and it has helped some..I may need to
have my dosage increased . A muscle relaxer is used for flares. I take Flexeril
(cyclobenzaprine). Taking one day at a time and trying to stay positive helps.

Wishing you the best of luck. keep us posted!

hugs, Robin

Thanks for all the responses guys, spoke to a doctor (I transferred back to my childhood doctor, as he treats the rest of my family. I have to travel, but it is a better practice!) who told me preliminarily that he will look into referring me to a pain specialist, he mentioned gabapentin, and is going to wean me off Tramadol and then hopefully I can take something more effective/stronger. No mention of Fibro yet, but given all anyone has said is "it doesn't match any disease I can think of", I'm going to bring it up when I actually see him, on monday.

Shirley - My rheumotologist suggested the fentanyl patch to me, but then changed his mind due to the paperwork involved in prescribing it in England. It seems anything stronger than tramadol (vicodin, oxycontin, fentanyl etc) cannot be prescribed by normal doctors in England. Can't get anything for insomnia either, my Rheum won't prescribe valium (or anything else for that matter)

TheChickenPrincess - Thanks, I just saw in one of the links above that it's a 9:1 ratio, which isn't exactly in my favour!

Sherrine, thanks for your reply - I have had 3 MRI scans, 3 X rays, many Ultrasounds, about 15 different blood tests, and they have found absolutely nothing. No joint damage, only mild inflammation which the MTX/Etanercept aren't keeping at bay. My Rheumotologist basically drew up a list of things he could it might me (drug interactions, spondylosis, slipped discs, fracture, nerve damage, organ damage, and more) and has systemically ruled out them all.....


Robin - our initial symptoms appear to be similar then, I am left with unexplainable pain, and i just can't fathom why my Rheum' hasn't suggested FM. I'm sensitive at about 13 of the 18 points on the diagram floating about (which he knows from RA/PsA assessment), and I have so many of the other symptoms.


I see depression runs with this disease, which is a cause for concern! I would say I have a certain level of anxiety and stress, but not depression. I have strong reservations about SSRI drugs, which is one reason i am so reluctant about taking Tramadol (which has strong SNRI action), it is disconcerting that it seems it may be neccessary if I am diagnosed with Fibro...

Thanks again to everybody, actually communicating with people is so much more usefulthan reading in-personal articles and journals!

James

Thanks for your reply - what specifically do you take the LDN for? has it helped? Does it mean you can't use any opiate pain relief? (i.e. what constitutes a 'low dose' of naloxone?)

Thanks :)